Proverbs 13
13:1: Two kinds of sons. A question for the child: Which
kind are you? A
question for the parent:
Which kind are you training?
13:2,3: Preservation vs. Destruction: “Eating your own
words” isn’t
healthy, so guard your mouth and be preserved (Proverbs 1:31;
James 1:19-21; 3:1-12; Psalm 141:3). God is not impressed
with big mouths!
13:4 Two elements of every home and society: the lazy and the
industrious;
the undependable and
the dependable.
13:5,6: Righteousness vs. Unrighteousness: Do you hate
lying? If so, then
you have at least one righteous characteristic. Such characteristics
will guard you while you observe sinners being overthrown.
13:7,8: Material wealth may indicate spiritual poverty, and the
Bible is full
of warnings about this (1 Timothy 6; James 5). If the best
“ransom” you have is your riches, you are poor indeed! But
stay
with Solomon until verse 11.
13:9: Light vs. Darkness: One of the most vivid of all Bible
themes—let us
be light (Ephesians
5:8-11), and put out the darkness!
13:10: Eliminate pride—eliminate contention. Listen to God’s
“advice” and
be wise
(Matthew 7:24-27; Proverbs 1:5).
13:11: Material wealth may also indicate honest labor! Think
of Abraham
and Sarah,
Joseph, David, Barnabas, and the women who went
with Jesus
(Luke 8:1ff).
13:12: We are saved by hope (Romans 8:24,25). Are you “looking
for a
city,”
as the Old Testament faithful were (Hebrews 11)? It may be
“deferred,”
but it is guaranteed (1 Peter 1:3-9)!
13:13,14: To willfully set aside the word of God is sin, for
it shows
disrespect for God (see Saul in 1 Samuel 15). There really
are
people who DESPISE the word—but those who fear God and
keep His commandments will be rewarded with life—now and
later (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14).
13:15,16: Wisdom vs. Folly: Good understanding (wisdom)
produces
favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). The way of the
transgressor is hard. So why do so many make the wrong
choice (Joshua 24:15ff)? Please do not live such a life that your
folly becomes “open”!
13:17: Take heed what you hear (Mark 4:24).
13:18: “This is for your own good”: All of us have the responsibility
to
learn
how to be corrected, disciplined, and chastised so that it
makes
us stronger.
13:19: Blessing vs. Cursing: God has always stressed the concepts
of
blessing and
cursing as they relate to obedience and disobedience
(Genesis 2:15-17).
13:20: Do not follow a multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2). Let
us walk
with those
who walk in the light (1 John 1:7).
13:21: It pays to look over your shoulder and do right (Genesis 4:7).
13:22: And whose shall these things be (Luke 12:15-21)?
13:23: “Waste not, want not”: The poor who are thrifty shall
be blessed
(Proverbs
12:11), but the poor in judgment will suffer.
13:24: Bible Discipline vs. __________? A question for the parent:
Are
you willing
to learn how to discipline from the Bible? A question
for the
child: Are you willing to learn from true discipline?
13:25: Sowing and reaping are a part of all of the Proverbs!
Questions on Proverbs 13
1. What will a wise son do?
2. What will give a man good food for his soul?
3. How can we keep our lives?
4. What is the difference between the sluggard and
the diligent?
5. Can a righteous man engage in lying?
6. Where is the upright kept?
7. What kind of riches does the poor have?
8. What is the meaning of this verse?
9. What is our light (see Matthew 5:14-16)?
10. What causes contention?
11. What will happen to vain wealth?
12. When is hope a tree of life?
13. How can we keep from being destroyed?
14. What is a snare?
15. Whose way is hard?
16. Who lays open his folly?
17. How is a faithful ambassador health?
18. Who shall be honored?
19. What is an abomination to fools?
20. What effect does companionship have on us (see 1 Corinthians
15:33)?
21. What pursueth sinners?
22. What does a good man do to his grandchildren?
23. What will a lack of judgment do?
24. Who hates his son?
25. Who is really content with life (see 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Matthew
6:33)?
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