Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 13:13-25: Don’t Spare the Rod? Impact of Discipline

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In these proverbs, Solomon continues to deliver insights on wisdom, consequences, and family dynamics. He warns that ignoring wisdom leads to harm, while respecting commandments brings rewards. This passage underscores the value of good insight and how it promotes favor, contrasting the plight of the poor with the rich. It highlights the benefits of discipline and hard work, suggesting that diligent individuals have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies lack sense and suffer hunger. Furthermore, it discusses the impact of righteousness on family legacy, stating that the righteous lead a blameless life that benefits their children.

The Rev. Gregory Alms, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Catonsville, MD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 13:13-25.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

Proverbs 13:13-25

13 Whoever despises the word[a] brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment[b] will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor,
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[c]
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster[d] pursues sinners,
but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[e]
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

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Footnotes

Proverbs 13:13 Or a word

Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment

Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut

Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil

Proverbs 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early