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A Study of Proverbs 13
June 10, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. The thirteenth chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. The righteous are energetic, and not lazy. They are frugal, and not wasters. They keep the law, and thereby are preserved. The wise seek the company of other wise people.
Bernie Parsons
A Study of Proverbs Chapter 13
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ on June 10, 2007
Proverbs 13:1: “A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
As advised many times in the preceding chapters, the wise listen to the wiser, while the foolish resent correction, resulting in bad choices which bring punishment and hurt.
Proverbs 13:2: “A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3: He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Like earlier proverbs, these two warn us that talking too much leads to problems that could have otherwise been avoided. Good, measured speech can produce good results.
Proverbs 13:4: “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
Lazy people have nothing, while energetic people see their wealth increase.
Proverbs 13:5: “A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.”
God hates lying, as we discussed earlier. Lying further entangles the liar in its web.
John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Proverbs 13:6: “Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”
Righteousness preserves us, and wickedness is the downfall of the sinner.
Proverbs 13:7: “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8: The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.”
There are those who put on airs, pretending to riches. Many rich people never want it known how rich they really are. One of the dangers of wealth is that others desire it, and take it any way that they can. The poor are not threatened, because they have nothing to steal. If you pretend to be rich, you put yourself unnecessarily in danger.
Proverbs 13:9: “The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.”
Matthew 5:15: “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
What is the purpose of life, but to serve God and keep His commandments? We are lights to the world, and the light remains when we are gone. When the wicked die, they leave nothing worth remembering.
Proverbs 13:10: “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
People fight because they want to outdo the other person. Wise people seek peace.
Proverbs 13:11: “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Wealth gotten by deceit and thievery reflects upon the person who accumulates it. Those who gather wealth by working for it find favor with others, and establish themselves.
Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
Romans 8:24: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
Hope sustains us for a while, but when it is realized, we enjoy the fruits of our hope.
Proverbs 13:13: “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14: The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15: Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16: Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.”
Wisely keeping the law preserves us. Lawbreakers are punished. Wise men seek knowledge, while fools reveal their lack of knowledge.
Proverbs 13:17: “A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.”
When someone represents you and your concerns, mark well whom you choose, as a bad representative can turn on you, while a faithful representative looks our for your interests.
Proverbs 13:18: “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
Those refusing instruction live in poverty. Those prosper who learn from mistakes.
Proverbs 13:19: The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21: Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.”
Similar proverbs, these three remind us again that accomplished goals bring satisfaction. The wicked seek shortcuts to wealth and recognition. Wise people surround themselves with even wiser people, while those who accompany fools are themselves fools, and shall be destroyed. Righteousness begets righteousness.
Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
A good man is frugal with his resources, leaving wealth that benefits not only his children, but also his grandchildren. On the other hand, the sinner will lose his wealth, because it is ill gotten. In the long run, it reverts back to those who deserve it.
Proverbs 13:23: “Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.”
Again, the poor generally work hard, and thereby have enough to eat. The unwise do not plan and prepare for the future, wasting the resources that God has given them.
Proverbs 13:24: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
If you love your child, you will discipline him or her as necessary. Discipline is not abuse, and abuse is not discipline. If you let your children run wild, they will become out of control, resulting in damage to their reputation and danger to their lives and souls.
Proverbs 13:25: “The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.”
The righteous are blessed by God, and have enough to eat. The wicked, in their efforts to find a shortcut to wealth, often do without when their schemes fail.
This chapter is full of practical advice about steady, energetic work; importance of increasing knowledge and wisdom; and warnings against waste and fraud. We would all do well to heed the teachings of these proverbs.
