Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Dishonest money dwindles away,
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.
Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
All who are prudent act with knowledge,
    but fools expose their folly.

• Proverbs 13:9-16

“Proverbs 13:16 lays open. ”The language vividly shows that a fool displays folly, like a peddler spreads out his wares for others to gaze upon. Cf. 12:23; 15:2.”

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

The Light metaphor is twisted a bit in Proverbs 13:9.  It is not that the wicked are in the darkness, their light is snuffed out.  Thus, the result of their sin snuffs out any light that they might have.

Proverbs 13:10 flips another proverb.  If there is strife, then pride was probably the cause.

The next proverb speaks about the problem of dishonesty.  These three proverbs have been recurring themes so far, with the flame of the righteous burning brightly, the wise taking advice (thus not too proud to know they need help), and gathering money little by little leading to gain.

The next speaks of dashed hope making someone’s heart sick, but it is like the fruit of the tree of life if a longing comes to pass.  But is the proverb talking about mere chance or a longing for something that is within the will of God?

The second half of this set of proverbs, verses 13-16 all pertain in one way or another to taking instructions and being knowledgeable.  This block starts with the one who scorns instructions will pay for it.  Then in verse 15, the price for the scorned instruction is destruction, and in verse 16, their folly will be exposed.

But the wise and righteous will be rewarded.  They will avoid the snares of death.  And their judgment will win favor.

The exposed folly reminds me of the Mark Twain quote that talks about keeping one’s mouth shut and be thought a fool rather than opening one’s mouth and removing all doubt.

Yep, I have been there on occasion, even knowing what Mark Twain said about it.

And now let us sing.

The following song is Learning.  It is sung by Jason Gray.  Another worship song without mentioning God, but he mentions that your love won’t leave, and fear is a liar.

This song was written by Jason Gray, and the words are displayed in the video.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  Again, Lord, we need Your wisdom to bring us into the Light, to make us prosperous, to keep us humble, and to give us Hope.  Lord, help us to seek out many ways of learning.  Help us to find good teachers that are rooted in Your Holy Word.  And as the song goes, we will make it.  We won’t be afraid, if we keep learning.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.