The Path of Righteousness
13: 1-6
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
There are two paths that we can take in this life, the path of wisdom and righteousness, or the path of folly and rebellion. A wise son accepts his father’s discipline; but a mocker refuses to listen to rebuke (13:1 Hebrew). This proverb provides a comparison between wisdom and foolishness, here represented by one its more extreme forms, the mocker. There is no verb in the first colon, but the idea is certainly that the son is wise because he is open to his father’s discipline. Thus, he is not likely to repeat the same sinful behavior. However, a mocker is someone who resists correction. Indeed, the very act of mocking is a way of attacking those who might offer advice. The mocker refuses to admit wrongdoing; and as a result, cannot tolerate the rebuke that points out his mistakes. Accordingly, the mocker cannot make any corrections.
The proverb begins by commenting on the consequences of speech. From the fruit of their mouth people enjoy good things. A similar statement is made in 12:14: From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward (12:14). The assumption is that the speech is wise and helpful, and as a result the speaker enjoys good things. Good advice brings rewards to the one who gives it. The second colon contrasts negative with positive but the desire of the treacherous is violence (13:2 Hebrew). Here, the treacherous would prefer to hurt others with their words.260
Those who control their tongue will have a long life (13:3a Hebrew). Being careful about what one says helps keep him out of trouble (14:3 and 21:23). So, this proverb fits in with the teaching on using words sparingly (10;14, 12:18, 13:16, and 17:27-28). It makes a comparison between infrequent speech with longwindedness. It is not that wise people never speak, but they choose their words very carefully. James, the half-brother of Yeshua, has much to say about the tongue (James 3:1-12). But those who speak rashly will come to ruin (13:3b Hebrew). Talking too much leads to all kinds of problems. By his reckless words, he makes promises he cannot keep, divulges private information, offends or misrepresents. People learn not to depend on what he says and do not want to be around him.261
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper (13:4 NLT). The contrast drawn between laziness and hard work is one of the best attested in the book of Proverbs (to see link click Be – Don’t be Lazy). Both the lazybones and the hard worker have desires, but the desires of the lazy person go unfulfilled, presumably because they are unwilling to work toward their goals. On the other hand, hardworking people have their desires met. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal. Solomon would certainly be thinking of legitimate, godly desires since hardworking people are those who are wise, while laziness is the epitome of folly.
The righteous hate a false word, which would be a word that misrepresents reality in some fashion (13:5a). For instance, a false word could misrepresent some past event, or it could make a promise that was never intended to keep. But the wicked, then, would bring disgrace and shame by destroying the reputations of others by uttering false words (13:5b Hebrew).
Godliness protects the path of the righteous of the TaNaKh, but wickedness undermines the sinner (13:6 Hebrew). Again, we have a proverb that contrasts two distinct paths, the path of righteousness and the path of wickedness. There is a further contrast between the innocent, obviously on the path of the wise and sinners, obviously on the path of fools. The verbs contrast the consequences in store for those traveling on the two different paths. The righteous are protected, and the sinners are misled. The proverb thus expresses a general principle that needs to be filled out, based on the broader teaching of the book.262
Dear heavenly Father, praise You that the wisest path to follow in life is Your narrow path. Your path will bring great joy and peace for all eternity (John 10:10b-c). There are only two pathways in life. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14). As we set our feet on the right path, prayer is like the guard rails that will keep our feet moving forward. Reverent praise sets our worship in the right direction. When we sit in God’s presence, meditating on His attributes, God lifts our hearts above our fears and in love He invites us to cast our burdens on Him. The right path includes to humble ourselves by confessing our sins, grounding ourselves in Scripture and clinging to the character of Messiah. Then when we passionately plead for God’s help and wisdom He will answer, giving wisdom and comfort. In Messiah’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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