Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:1

13:1 Both in physical and spiritual development, there is a normal process of development. A baby, for instance, must crawl before he walks or talks. In the spiritual realm, a convert must listen and learn before he launches forth in service. A wise son submits to the discipline of instruction. The scoffer won’t have it; he thinks he has all the answers, and refuses to be corrected. 13:2 Here is a man whose speech is edifying, encouraging, and comforting; he himself is rewarded when he sees the beneficial results of the spoken word. By way of contrast, the unfaithful man plans violence for others, and he is paid in his own coin. 13:3 The man who guards his speech controls his whole life (see Jam_3:2 b). The one who exercises no self-control is in for trouble. The lesson is: be careful what you sayit might be used against you. 13:4 “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” The lazy man has great desires, but that isn’t enough. “The wish without the exertion is useless.” The diligent man applies himself to his work and carries home the bacon. This is true in spiritual matters as well as in temporal. Bosch illustrates: Adam Clark is reported to have spent 40 years writing his commentary on the Scriptures. Noah Webster labored 36 years forming his dictionary; in fact, he crossed the ocean twice to gather material needed to make the book absolutely accurate. Milton rose at 4 o’clock every morning in order to have sufficient hours to compose and rewrite his poetry which stands among the best of the world’s literature. Gibbon spent 26 years on his book The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, but it towers as a monument to careful research and untiring dedication to his task. Bryant rewrote one of his poetic masterpieces 100 times before publication, just to attain complete beauty and perfection of expression. These men enjoyed what they were doing, and each one threw all of his energy into his effort no matter how difficult the job. The most happy and productive people are those who are diligent in their labors for the betterment of mankind and the glory of God. 13:5 A righteous man hates any kind of dishonesty, but a wicked man “acts shamefully and disgracefully” (RSV). J. Allen Blair illustrates from the life of a great American: It is said of Abraham Lincoln that he would accept no case in which the client did not have justice on his side. One time a man came to employ him. Lincoln stared at the ceiling, yet listened intently as the facts were given. Abruptly, he swung around in his chair. “You have a pretty good case in technical law,” he said, “but a pretty bad one in equity and justice. You will have to get someone else to win the case for you. I could not do it. All the time while pleading before the jury, I’d be thinking, Lincoln, you’re a liar! I might forget myself and say it out loud.” Lying and all forms of guilt grieve the heart of God. No Christian should lie or deceive, regardless of consequences to himself. If he does, he will never advance in the things of God. 13:6 A righteous life is a protected life. God undertakes to guard the blameless. But the sinner walks in constant peril, for their wickedness overthrows them sooner or later. 13:7 There are two ways of looking at this proverb. First, a man who has nothing in the way of material possessions may try to create the impression that he is wealthy, while one who actually has lots of money may give the appearance of being poor. Or it may mean this. The godless millionaire actually is a spiritual pauper, whereas the humblest believer, though financially poor, is an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Morgan illustrates: Our age abounds with men who have made themselves rich, and yet have nothing. They have amassed great wealth, and yet it has no purchasing power in the true things of life. It cannot insure health, it brings no happiness, it often destroys peace. On the other hand, there are those who have impoverished themselves, and have by so doing become wealthy in all the highest senses of the word. How is this to be explained? Is not the solution found by laying the emphasis in each of the contrastive declarations, upon the word self. To make self rich, is to destroy the capacity for life. To make self poor, by enriching others is to live. It is impossible to consider this saying of Hebrew wisdom, without thinking of the One who became incarnate Wisdom. 13:8 A rich man is often threatened by those who want his money. He faces robbery, blackmail, and kidnapping for ransom, and he has to guard his life by hiring protection or by meeting extortionate demands. The poor person never has to listen to this kind of threat. 13:9 The testimony of the righteous is like a light that burns brightly and cheerily. The life and hopes of the wicked are a lamp that will be put out. 13:10 There may be two thoughts in the first line. One is that when contentions come, pride is the invariable cause. Or second, “by pride there only cometh contention” (JND), that is, nothing good ever comes from pride: only bitter feuding. C. S. Lewis writes: It is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began. Other vices may sometimes bring people together; you may find good fellowship and jokes and friendliness among drunken people or unchaste people. But Pride always means enmityit is enmity. And not only enmity between man and man, but enmity to God. Those who are willing to listen to good advice are wise; they avoid pride and the personality conflicts that go with it. 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty comes in haste or without exertion. This would include the money won by gambling, sweepstakes, or stock market speculation. This kind of wealth has a way of leaking out of a man’s hands. Wealth gained by honest labor accumulates instead of dwindling. 13:12 Repeated postponement of one’s expectations is disheartening; but when the desire is at last fulfilled, it is a source of tremendous satisfaction. Apply this to the coming of the Lord. 13:13 The “word” here is the Word of God. Our attitude toward it is a matter of life and death. Whoever despises it pushes the self-destruct button. Whoever trusts and obeys the commandment is abundantly rewarded. 13:14 The counsel and instruction of the wise are a fountain of life and refreshment to those who heed. They deliver a person from deadly snares along life’s pathway. 13:15 Good understanding brings a person into favor with God and man. “A man with good sense is appreciated” (LB). In the second part of the proverb, the word translated “hard” basically means permanent, enduring, or perennial. But to make good sense it has been taken to mean hard or rugged. If it meant permanent, there would have to be a negative, that is, “the way of the unfaithful is not permanent.” Perhaps we are best to stick to the traditional text: “the way of the unfaithful is hard.” Each day’s newspaper provides illustrations of that truth! 13:16 A man’s conduct reveals his character. If a man is prudent, it comes out in the responsible way he acts. A fool displays his folly for everyone to see. 13:17 An unreliable messenger brings trouble to everyone concerned. Better to send a faithful ambassador; he accomplishes his mission to the satisfaction of all. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ . . .” (2Co_5:20). 13:18 The one who disdains correction and discipline earns poverty and shame by his stubbornness. The man who listens to a rebuke will be honored. 13:19 Good men are pleased when they achieve their goals, but fools hate to give up their sin. The contrast seems to be between good men pursuing worthy objects, and sinners unwilling to depart from evil. 13:20 We should seek out the companionship of wise men; they will lift us up. “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Co_15:33). A man is often known by the company he keeps. A companion of fools is brought to ruin. 13:21 Sinners are dogged by the hounds of misfortune, physical harm, bad reputation, loss of possessions. The righteous enjoy a good reputation, a good life, and a good reward. 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance not only to his children but to his grandchildren. In the OT, this probably meant that he left material wealth for them. But a Christian today is better advised to leave a rich spiritual heritage to his descendants. The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous; “ill-gotten gain has a way of finding better hands.” 13:23 Poor people cultivate their land intensively and get much produce from a small area. They use what they have to the best advantage. The second part of the verse may mean that: (1) rich men, with bigger farms, often come to ruin because of their injustice, or (2) the tillage of the poor is often swept away by injustice. 13:24 The Bible teaches corporal punishment, whether the modern “experts” agree or not. To withhold punishment from a child when it is deserved is to encourage the child in sin and thus to contribute to his eventual ruin. The parent who spares his rod might think he is manifesting love, but God says it is hatred. For years Dr. Benjamin Spock encouraged parents to be permissive. After living to see a generation of bratty, pesky children, he admitted that he had been wrong. He said, “Inability to be firm is, to my mind, the commonest problem of parents in America today.” He placed the blame, at least in part, on the experts"the child psychiatrists, psychologists, teachers, social workers, and pediatricians, like myself." The parent who genuinely loves his child does not condone naughtiness, but disciplines the child promptly. 13:25 God insures that the needs of the righteous will be supplied, but wicked men are equally assured of an empty stomach.