Proverbs 13:14 – Life-Giving Wisdom

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. – Proverbs 12:14

Some places where else this is discussed:

Proverbs 5:22, 10:11, 12:12, 14:27

My Thoughts:

Have you a friend in your life you turn to for good advice?  Maybe you have a pastor who can speak to you frankly and with wisdom.  Life has many struggles and temptations, and we are never far from falling prey to the “snares of death”.

This proverb speaks of a wise teacher’s words being a flowing life-extender.  When he teaches well, God’s ways have an impact on his students.  I take a long time to learn and put wisdom into practice.  Thankfully, I have some great teachers who live out what they preach.

The foolish path has many snares, leading to death.  There are many a foolish person ready to guide you to an enticing but fatal end.   Seek the wise people in your life and learn from them.  Their words will be a life-giving stream for you.  And then maybe you could provide a fountain of life to someone else?

Thanks for reading! Pete

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:13 – Rewards for Respect

He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded. – Proverbs 13:13

 

Have you ever completely ignored an order from your boss and they found out?  I’m sure they got quite upset.

Those in leadership want obedience.  They don’t want workers to make their own rules, and might very well punish with a vengeance.

Wisdom teaches us to also love the instruction from God, because it is for our good and others.  When we fear God and obey what he says, he promises to reward our faithfulness.  When we choose to live lives that dishonour Him, we are asking for judgement.

Either way we pay for disobedience. Slighting our boss results in very serious discussions.  When it comes to God, our very lives might be in jeopardy.

Thanks for reading! Pete

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:12 – Hope Fulfilled

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:12

 

References in Proverbs to the “tree of life”: 3:18, 11:30, 15:4

Have you had a postage item that took months to arrive?  How about having an unforeseen prolonged engagement? You might relate to this proverb.  Expecting something at a certain time, only for it to take much longer to turn up, can be so frustrating.  No doubt the wait for something special would even cause you to wain a bit.

And how about for when the longing is fulfilled?  Once hope has been answered, the joy can be palpable.  There are so many examples of such in the Bible. Hannah, who was barren, received Samuel from God (1 Sam 2:1-10 is her prayer of thanks).  Mary and Elizabeth (her cousin) were blessed miraculously with very special children by God’s intercession (Luke 1 tells the story).  Simeon and the prophetess Anna both were waiting and had been promised to see the Messiah be revealed.  Both saw Jesus before their deaths and gave thanks to God for his promise fulfilled (Luke 2:25-38).

Our whole bodies are invigorated when we finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Hope is certainly for things unseen, but some things are just worth waiting for.

Thanks for reading! Pete

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Tree of Life: John A. Kitchen speaks of the tree of life imagery being throughout the Bible’s revelation and “forms an inclusion”, from Genesis (2:9) to Revelation (2:7 and 22:2, 14,19).  I highly recommend time spent with Proverbs – A Mentor Commentary by John A. Kitchen.

Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:9 – Bright Lights

The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:9

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12:7, 13:6

Light/lamp references: Job 18:5,6, Prov 4:18,19

My thoughts:

Our choices in life often tend to affect what kind of life we have. If we determine to live only for self, pushing others who interfere aside, what kind of life would we end up with? We’ll lose any chance at deep relationships, have a very small view of the world, and be in open rebellion of our Maker.

This proverb talks of life with the metaphorical use of lights and lamps. People’s lifestyles affect the brightness of their life-light. The righteous has a bright lamp, as they are living the life they were created for, loving neighbour and God as best they can. The wicked’s lamp is put out before it’s time, reflecting the dangerous behaviour they exhibit.

Our lives aren’t easy or guaranteed to be long for any of us, but its always worth seeking the One who created us to be righteous. In him our life-light can shine brightly.

 

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:6 – Protection By Doing Good

Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:6

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 2:21-22, 11:3, 13:3

My thoughts:

We are often undone by our own actions. Whether it’s at work or home, with our finances or relationships, our mess ups turn back onto us. People have a way of exposing a matter if it’s affected them, revealing our deception, error, or hurtful actions.

This proverb talks of a person saved or destroyed respectively by her good or evil behaviour. The woman of integrity is protected from harsh outcomes because of her obedience to God’s good commands. She sticks to what she knows God would have her do. The sinful woman experiences the full force of her actions and has no help in her fall. Let’s take God at his word and seek righteousness in Christ. It will guard us from many pains.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:3 – Guard Your Lips

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:3

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 13:2,4; 18:21, 21:23

Theme: Prov 13:2-4 – The Hebrew words translated as “desire”, “appetite”, “life”, and “soul”,  is literally “soul” or “breath” and can refer to the inner desires of people, but also the essence of who you  are. (Reiterated from A Mentor Commentary On Proverbs – John A. Kitchen

My thoughts:

How often I wish to take back my words -whether they were hurtful, false claims or promises unkept!

This proverb promotes a careful guarding of our lips before we say anything stupid. Whether it’s talking big, a sly joke, or careless words, we are warned our words can be ruinous.

Like a gate of a city that needs protection, our mouth needs to be opened carefully. Let’s protect our lives, reputation, etc., by keeping our big mouths closed.

Thanks for reading!

 

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

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Proverbs 13:2 – Violent Outcomes

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. – The Bible, Proverbs 13:2

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12: 14,18

Theme: Prov 13:2-4 – The Hebrew words translated as “desire”, “appetite”, “life”, and “soul”,  is literally “soul” or “breath” and can refer to the inner desires of people, but also the essence of who you  are. (Reiterated from A Mentor Commentary On Proverbs – John A. Kitchen

My thoughts:

How often our words cause strife. We speak without thinking or even with malice or other evil desire. Life should teach us that speaking with a desire to trick or manipulate only ends in bad things, for us and others. We’re asking for it if we use our words to deceive. This proverb speaks of the produce of our lips bringing good for us. Let’s then speak with care, so that we produce good outcomes.

Thanks for reading!

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with references, and difficult concepts and words. Plus, he has a real way with words!

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Proverbs 12:28 – Path to Life

In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. – Proverbs 12:28

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 3:2; 4:10; 11:24

My thoughts:

The promise of a long life or one without sickness or poverty is often hard to believe. Yet the proverbs and psalms of the Bible don’t shy from it. In this proverb, righteousness is seen as the important path to follow, and with it comes life. The life lived in honour of God is also one with hope for the future, and not just for our earthly existence – to live forever in Heaven under the rule of God is our hope, too. Becoming right with God is a path that leads to so much good.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with references, and difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

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Proverbs 12:27 – Diligent hunting

The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. – Proverbs 12:27

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 12:11; 19:24; Eccles.5:19

My thoughts:

We all have dreams we want to carry out. Many of these dreams get left behind due to forgetfulness, inability, or the difficulty of life. Here, the reason we might or might not achieve our goals is based on our level of diligence. The picture in the proverb shows a hunting trip for food and how one’s laziness keeps them from roasting the spoils. Some plans can go astray despite our best efforts, but when it’s up to us, let’s work hard at what we hope for.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with references, and difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

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Proverbs 12:26 – Picking Friends

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. – Proverbs 12:26

Some places where else this is discussed:

Prov. 18:24; 22:24-25

My thoughts:

How do you pick your friends? I know for myself people can come into my life and I’m drawn to them, not thinking about their character too much. It can be easy to connect with people at an emotional or intellectual level, but not delve into all of who they are. Friends do influence us both in good and bad ways, and this proverb speaks of how it is the mark of the righteous to choose them carefully. Let’s be wise with who we hang out with so we aren’t influenced to turn away from God.

Thanks for reading! Pete.

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Thoughts or questions? Have your say in the comments section!

Note: All scripture is taken from Bible.com and is the New International Version. I am using a commentary by John A. Kitchen for help with references, and difficult concepts and words. Plus he has a real way with words!

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