Bits and Pieces - Proverbs 13

Some of the chapters in Proverbs just blow me away because they are packed with so much good stuff.  It's like a bunch of one and two liners, one right after the other. 

Let's try something a little different today.  I'm going to offer brief comments on a bunch of the bits and pieces in Proverbs 13.

 

Proverbs 13:1-25(NKJV)

1    A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,      But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Be willing to take and learn from correction and instruction.

2    A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,      But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

The Power of the Tongue.  Notice it doesn't say the fruit of our hard work.

3    He who guards his mouth preserves his life,     But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Again the Power of the Tongue

4    The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;      But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Hard work pays off.

10    By pride comes nothing but strife,      But with the well-advised is wisdom.

Pride leads to the fall.  Those who are willing to take advice gain wisdom.

12    Hope deferred makes the heart sick,      But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

It is good to set goals and achieve them

13    He who despises the word will be destroyed,      But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

Not good to go against God.

16    Every prudent man acts with knowledge,     But a fool lays open his folly.

Fools are easy to spot because they run their mouths. (I may be reading a bit into that one.)

18    Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,      But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

Again emphasizing that those who are willing to learn from instruction and correction will do well.

19    A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,      But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

Again the value of achieving a goal.

20    He who walks with wise men will be wise,      But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

You are who you associate with.

22    A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,      But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Notice it says to the grandchildren.  We are to plan for the future generations.

24    He who spares his rod hates his son,      But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Our job is not to be liked by our kids.  It is to teach our kids how to be faithful, productive, and successful human beings.  It is our job to equip them with the skills, education, attitudes, and work ethic that it takes to be successful in life.

Well that was fun.  Hope you all have a blessed week!