The Light of the Righteous
13: 7-11
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.
Wealth is a theme of a number of proverbs (3:9-10, 22:22 to 23:11, 28:1-11, and 28:12-28), but each makes a different observation about money. What emerges here, is an admission that wealth has value, but also some mention of its downside and a reminder of the need to combine it with righteousness and wisdom.263
Knowing your purpose in life simplifies your life. It defines what you do and what you don’t do. Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren’t. You simply ask, “Does this activity help me fulfill one of God’s purposes for my life?” Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base your decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources. You tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures, and your mood at the moment. People who don’t know their purpose in life try to do too much. – and that causes stress, fatigue, and conflict.
It is impossible to do everything people want you to do. You barely have enough time to do God’s will. If you can’t get it all done, it means you’re trying to do more than ADONAI intended for you to do (or possibly, you’re on the internet too much). The purpose driven life leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule. The Bible says: A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life (13:7 MSG).264 The principle of this verse is to be careful not to allow appearances to deceive. One may look at a person and be amazed at how well-off that person is. If that person is a wicked fool, questions concerning God’s fairness might arise. On the other hand, the reverse is true as well. One may observe a person who, perhaps through the quality of possessions, seems poor but is really rich. The wise need to be aware of this so they can see through appearances to reality. I don’t believe that this proverb is a comment on the relative value of material versus spiritual wealth, saying that some are materially rich but spiritually poor.
The rich man may have to ransom his life, but a poor man gets no threats (13:8 CJB). This proverb is about the relative, but limited, value of wealth. The scenario is kidnapping. If a rich person is kidnapped (or perhaps blackmailed), his or her family can probably pay the ransom and perhaps free the kidnapped person. While this seems to be an argument in favor of the power of riches, the second colon undermines it. If the person were poor, there would be no reason to kidnap them in the first place. What would be the use? In the final analysis, wealth is not really the protector that it seems to be.
The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out (13:9 NLT). A contrasting proverb expressing the contrary consequences of righteousness and wickedness (the ethical reflex of the bipolar contrast between wisdom and folly). Light here appears to be a metaphor for life energy (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Gr – I am the Light of the Word), and when the lamp of the wicked is extinguished, it signifies at least removal of well-being if not death itself. This metaphor is used elsewhere (Job 18:6, 21:17, Proverbs 20:20 and 24:20 [where the second colon is word-for-word what we have here]). As in many other proverbs, it is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
Pride leads to quarrels; those who take advice are wise (13:10 NLT). Pride here is contrasted with taking advice. It will not listen to other people, especially criticism of behavior or thought. On the other side are those who are open to correction. The latter is the path of wisdom, and the implication is that the path of wisdom avoids quarrels. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice (12:15).265
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time (13:11 NLT). One way of gaining wealth is criticized. Steady and wise investment produces wealth, not wild speculation. The image of hard work stresses the diligent and the gradual growth of one’s investment. But if the riches come quickly through some unfounded means, one could lose them just as easily.266
Dear Messiah, praise You for You are the Light of the World. Yeshua spoke to them again, saying: I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Thank You that I don’t have to fumble around on my own to figure things out. By reading Your Word and seeking Your wisdom, I can know the best path to follow. You graciously promise to give wisdom to those who seek You. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him (James 1:5). Your wisdom is always perfect and trustworthy. You guide with such infinite wisdom and tender mercy that I can trust in Your ways. Trust in ADONAI with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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