Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but fools detest turning from evil.
Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Trouble pursues the sinner,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.
Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

• Proverbs 13:17-25

“Proverbs 13:23 lack of Justice. ”The contrast here is between the poor but industrious man who will be rewarded with provision from his efforts, and the rich man whose efforts are brought to ruin by his deeds of injustice (cf. James 5:1-6).”

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

A wicked messenger is a lot like unwise advisors.  They make enemies when you send them out to make friends.  This works at government levels, but it also works in friendships.  You can add 13:20 to that in that walking with the wise is a good thing to do.

Proverbs 13:18 belongs with the second half of last week’s proverbs.  Again, disregarding instruction works against you.  In a way, it fits with verses 17 and 20.  Whether emissaries, teachers, or advisors, we should surround ourselves with people that make us better people.

We also had something similar to Proverbs 13:19 last week.  Proverb 13:12 speaks of a longing fulfilled also.  But in this case, the fool continues down the wrong path, although the fool never gets true gratification from it.  That feeds right into Proverbs 13:21, where trouble pursues the sinner.  They may think they are pursuing something that will fulfill them, but it unleashes trouble upon them.

Proverbs 13:22 is a good thought, a fine proverb, but it is not a guarantee.  Sometimes you do everything the right way, or so you think, and the evil forces around you trample you down.  If there was justice, this would always be true, but while Christians are persecuted, it often affects the investments, pay raises, etc.

I am glad that I chose the MacArthur quote for this verse, or it might not make sense.

Proverbs 13:24 has been misused to overly discipline helpless children, where a spanking turns into a beating.  But a rod can be used in many ways.  It can be used to poke and nudge the sheep into going in the right direction.  When this works, the child learns a lot without anything more severe, but when further discipline is needed, the rod can strike.  Every child is different.  Some children have strong wills, and they know how to play the discipline game against their parents.  Other children are compliant and most of their misdeeds are from inattentiveness or someone else encouraged them to try something that led to disaster.  As I read in a book a long time ago, and never figured out how to accomplish it, you are to break the strong willed child’s will without breaking their spirit, but it seemed the strong willed child had read the book and was a step ahead the entire time.

Proverbs 13:25 is another good proverb that is not a guarantee.  Some very good people who work hard starve, while those who steal food from the produce area never seem to go hungry.  They might get caught, but they still take the risk.

And now let us sing.

The following song is Yes (Obedience).  It is sung by David and Nicole Binion.  The importance in discipline is to make obedience more appealing.  A different approach may be needed for each child.

“I don’t want to pick and choose
How I’m going to follow You
I don’t want to bend and sway
When I hear You call my name
This life is not my own
I give You all control
Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience
All that I am to, Fully Pursue You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience
With every yes that I say
Let it bring a Smile to Your Face
Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience

Laying my Feelings down
You are my Solid Ground
I’m Breathing to seek Your Face
The Treasure I can’t Replace
This Life is not my Own, oh
I give You all Control
Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience
All that I am to, Fully Pursue You
Jesus I offer, Obedience
With every yes that I say
Let it Bring a Smile to Your Face
Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I offer, Obedience
Oh yeah, Obedience

{Not my Will but Yours
Not my Will but Yours}

Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience
All that I am to, Fully Pursue You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience
With every yes that I say
Let it bring a Smile to Your Face
Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience
Oh, Oh, Obedience

With every yes that I say
Let it Bring a Smile to Your Face
Anything for You,
Anywhere with You
Jesus I Offer, Obedience)”

• Bruce Wong and Madison Grace Binion, Yes (Obedience)

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  Lord, we need good advisors around us.  We need to learn from those who have been there before.  And when those over us are in charge of discipline, we should gladly receive it.  Their discipline, in love, will make us better.  Help us to pursue You and focus on You. In so doing, we know You will take care of us and keep us on the right track.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.