Read Proverbs 13:12–19
Questions from the Scripture text: What does hope deferred do (Proverbs 13:12a)? What does fulfilled desire do (verse 12b)? What happens to the one who despises the Word (Proverbs 13:13a)? And to him who fears the commandment (verse 13b)? How does the law of the wise function (Proverbs 13:14a)? From what does it turn one away (verse 14b)? What does good understanding gain (Proverbs 13:15a)? What is the way of the unfaithful like (verse 15b)? With what does the prudent man act (Proverbs 13:16a)? What do a fool’s actions lay open (verse 16b)? Into what does a wicked messenger fall (Proverbs 13:17a)? What does a faithful ambassador bring (verse 17b)? What comes to him who disdains correction (Proverbs 13:18a)? And what comes to him who regards rebuke (verse 18b)? What effect does fulfilled desire have upon the soul (Proverbs 13:19a)? What do fools think of departing from evil (verse 19b)?
What is at stake in how we receive instruction? Proverbs 13:12–19 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture ,the Holy Spirit teaches us that life, health, and joy come, in part, through the instrumentality of humility to receive the Word.
The inclusio (bookends) that marks this passage is the fulfillment of desire in Proverbs 13:12 and Proverbs 13:19. Whereas the wicked will lose all they desired (Proverbs 13:11b), the wise/righteous will have their desire fulfilled. This will have a healing effect upon them (“tree of life,” Proverbs 13:12b; cf. Revelation 22:2) and be sweet to their soul (Proverbs 13:19a).
This passage returns to theme of being instructible. The one who humbles himself under instruction is the one who will have the healing and sweetness of ultimately fulfilled desire. He “fears the commandment” (Proverbs 13:13b), drinks life from “the law of the wise” (Proverbs 13:14), “gains favor” (Proverbs 13:15a) and health (Proverbs 13:17b) by obtaining “good understanding” (Proverbs 13:15), shows knowledge in his actions (Proverbs 13:16a), and gins honor by regarding rebuke (Proverbs 13:18b). What a blessing teachability is!
By contrast, the one who insists upon his folly is responsible for his own sickness (Proverbs 13:12a) and poverty and shame (Proverbs 13:18b), because his evil is so precious to him that it would be an abomination to him to depart from it (Proverbs 13:19b). Such a fool will despise the word (Proverbs 13:13a), making his own way hard (Proverbs 13:15b). He has no knowledge to act from, so his actions broadcast his folly (Proverbs 13:16b). Instead of health (Proverbs 13:17b), he finds trouble (verse 17a).
Every time you have opportunity to receive biblical instruction from the wise and godly, there is a choice before you: life and health and the fulfillment of desire, or the sickening of the heart and poverty and shame. The Lord, Who has given His Son, into Whom we believe, also gives the spiritual life necessary for yielding to instruction. May He give it to you, dear reader.
How do you receive Scripture teaching from those whom the Lord has given you for that purpose? How do you receive instruction and rebuke from the godly and the wise?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word and Spirit, to direct us into Your Son and conform us to Him. By Your Spirit, grant unto us the humility that we need to submit ourselves under Your Word, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP16A “Keep Me, O God” or TPH400“Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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