Posted by Jeff Short on May 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
– Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs speaks often about the influence, for good or bad, of others upon one’s life. The fatherly addresses in the opening chapters alert to the presence of evil influences and instruct and warn to avoid them (Proverbs 1:10; 2:12; 4:14). The proverbs proper also warn this way (Proverbs 16:29; 22:24-25; 23:20; 28:7). The first phrase commends the good of walking with
wise men. The result is becoming wise oneself (Proverbs 2:20). The second phrase warns that to flock with
fools, which the word for companion means, will to be inherit the same end as fools (Proverbs 1:11-19; 2:12-19; 9:6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
– Proverbs 13:19
The wording in this proverb is difficult and various interpretations have been offered. The second and contrasting phrase gives the emphasis to the first phrase. Taken in this light, the
desire mentioned must be a good desire as the obtaining it yields the
sweet result. The contrast is that
fools refuse the good that comes from wisdom and righteousness because they cannot
depart from evil. It is an abomination to fools, just as the upright are to the wicked (Proverbs 29:27). This proverb then reflects the spiritual nature of the fool’s problem. He doesn’t lack good information. He refuses it because he loves his folly more (Proverbs 26:11). He is wise in his own eyes and does not fear the Lord and therefore will not depart from evil nor purge his iniquities (Proverbs 3:7; 16:6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
– Proverbs 13:18
This proverb is a truism of outcomes in life. The word for
shame points to disgrace, or dishonor, and
poverty is just that. This comes to one who refuses
instruction, which is discipline including correction. Despising instruction is the proverbial characteristic of the fool (Proverbs 1:7). The contrast is to regard
reproof. To regard is to keep or give heed. The word for
reproof leans more to the correction. Such correction is an indispensable part of acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 15:5, 31-32; 9:9; 25:12).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
– Proverbs 13:17
Relying on an unreliable messenger brings many troubles upon you. The slothful messenger is a serious irritation (Proverbs 10:26) and a foolish messenger does more harm than good, as far accomplishing your purpose is concerned (Proverbs 26:6). Here a
wicked messenger causes you trouble, or plunges you into it. The contrast is with the
faithful ambassador, or messenger. The word for
health has the idea of being curative and so, helpful. The faithful messenger is also presented as being refreshing to the one who sent him (Proverbs 25:13).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
– Proverbs 13:16
The
prudent man looks well to his way and discerns dangers and pitfalls (Proverbs 22:3). Thus he can be said to deal, or make his way, with
knowledge, or discernment. This proverb reveals a wise discernment of character. The prudent will be known by their doings, as will the fool. The
fool layeth open, or displays his
folly. The imagery presented is of a peddler spreading out his merchandise for full view to passersby. A fool’s actions will show him to be a fool, just as the wise are known the same way (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.
– Proverbs 13:15
The word for
understanding means prudence. The first phrase someone with good sense, who has good judgment. They also give good counsel and do good work and hence earn
favor (Proverbs 3:4; 14:35). The word for
hard means rough and indicates the contrast for
transgressors is a loss of favor. Their way is difficult (Proverbs 4:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
– Proverbs 13:14
The word for
law means direction or instruction. It can refer to any instruction, though it often refers to God’s law-word. Here it is qualified as the
law of the wise. The wise have the fear of the Lord and have acquired wisdom (Proverbs 14:27). Their wise instruction functions two ways. The
fountain of life imagery suggests they are a source of life as well as refreshment. Their law also teaches
to depart from the snares of death, or delivers from death (Proverbs 15:24; 16:6, 17).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
– Proverbs 13:13
This is a Proverb that brings us back to the seriousness of receiving or rejecting divine wisdom. The Proverbs is not a collection of homespun advice. Despising and rejecting the
word leads to destruction (Proverbs 1:25, 30-31). Alternatively, fearing and keeping the
commandment leads to life (Proverbs 10:27; 11:31; 9:10-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
– Proverbs 13:12
The word for
deferred means to stretch or draw out. It indicates a
hope, or expectation, that is delayed. The phrase
heart sick is akin to what we would call depression, though not necessarily the full clinical sense. The point is the unbearable discouragement of endless waiting. When that longing is fulfilled,
it is a tree of life. This imagery is used a few times in Proverbs (Proverbs 3:18; 11:30). It indicates a source that is life-giving and sustaining. The phrase here speaks of a reviving of the overwrought soul.
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Proverbs 13:20
Posted by Jeff Short on May 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs speaks often about the influence, for good or bad, of others upon one’s life. The fatherly addresses in the opening chapters alert to the presence of evil influences and instruct and warn to avoid them (Proverbs 1:10; 2:12; 4:14). The proverbs proper also warn this way (Proverbs 16:29; 22:24-25; 23:20; 28:7). The first phrase commends the good of walking with wise men. The result is becoming wise oneself (Proverbs 2:20). The second phrase warns that to flock with fools, which the word for companion means, will to be inherit the same end as fools (Proverbs 1:11-19; 2:12-19; 9:6).– Proverbs 13:20
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