Proverbs 13:20-25

Proverbs 13 concludes with six interesting antithetical proverbs:

Verse 20--Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools suffers harm.

Verse 21--Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.

Verse 22--The good leave an inheritance to their children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Verse 23--The field of the poor may yield much food,
but it is swept away by injustice.

Verse 24--Those who spare the rod hate their children,
but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.

Verse 25--The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite,
but the belly of the wicked is empty.

What are some practical lessons one may glean from these maxims?
1. Friends and associates strongly influence and shape a person's thinking, speech, and daily living--Verse 20. Accordingly, Proverbs 4:14-17 admonishes human beings to avoid associations with those who have given their lives to evil. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'"
2. Ultimately, God finds ways to bless those who are faithful to him and serve him-Verses 21-22, 25.
3. Injustice is a double evil: (a) It enables those who practice injustice to gain things without hard work; and (b) It robs those who work hard of what rightfully belongs to them--Verse 23. God has a special place in his heart for the victims of injustice--see Exodus 22:21-24.
4. Genuine love has and shows greatest concern for the one loved. Therefore, godly parents often have to practice what some have called "tough love." For the good of their children, they discipline them when they start practicing things which ultimately will harm them. Verse 24 does not advocate what modern society calls "child beating." "Child beating" is obviously contrary to the will of God. At the same time, sometimes it may be necessary for parents to use strict measures to nurture and correct misbehavior by their children, in order to train their children to do what is right and best for them.

John Willis