Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
The righteous hate what is false,
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.
Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

• Proverbs 13:1-8

“Proverbs 13:7 makes himself rich … makes himself poor. ”The same pretense is presented in two contrasting weaknesses; one pretends to be rich, while the other pretends to be poor.  In contrast, people should be honest and unpretentious. (cf. 11:24; 2 Cor 6:10).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Proverbs 13:1 brings us back to the first nine chapters of Proverbs.  These proverbs are meant to be a father’s or mother’s instructions to his son or daughter.  The wise listen and heed good instruction, but the mocker is too busy thinking of a snappy comeback to hear the wisdom in what is said.

In Proverbs 13:2-3 we see the lips of the righteous bearing good fruits preserving life itself, while the unfaithful lead to violence and ruin.

Another recurring theme is that of the sluggard.  In this case, the sluggard wants and wants more, but the diligent are truly satisfied.

And then back to the lips again, but in this case truth versus lies.  The righteous hate lies, while the wicked make a stench of themselves.

The righteous support one another, while the wicked take advantage of others.

Then Proverbs 13:7-8 speak of people who pretend to be rich, some pretend to be poor, but while the rich can ransom their lives, the poor cannot even defend a rebuke.

This section begins and ends with “rebuke.”  The one that does not listen to rebuke, but then the one unable to defend a rebuke.  When the condition is that of the sluggard, the condition of being poor could be avoided.  While today, some people can pretend to be rich and get special favors, but usually the pretense is discovered.

We should watch and guard our language.  We should speak the truth.

And as Jesus commanded, we should love one another.

And now let us sing.

The following song is All the Way My Savior Leads Me.  It is sung by the Mennonite Hour Singers.

“All the way my Savior leads me;
  What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
  Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
  Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate’er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
  Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
  Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
  And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;
  Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
  In my Father’s blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
  Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way.”

• Fannie Crosby, All the Way my Savior Leads Me

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  We continue to let our lips get us into trouble, but may it never be said that we took advantage of anyone else.  A hard day’s work has its own reward.  We are to love one another.  We can love one another by being supportive, not taking advantage and guarding our tongues.  And we need to be honest.  We know what we need, but we need Your help in getting the job done.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.