Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl—Proverbs 20:13-18 Life & Conduct Ib

Friday, February 10, 2023

Proverbs 20:13–18

[13] Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;

open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

[14] “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

but when he goes away, then he boasts.

[15] There is gold and abundance of costly stones,

but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

[16] Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

[17] Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

[18] Plans are established by counsel;

by wise guidance wage war. (ESV)

Life & Conduct Ib

v.13 This verse, similar to Proverbs 20:4, warns about the consequences of laziness. Here the rewards of diligence are promoted. Too much emphasis on "sleep" or anything we love more than attending to those things that preserve our body and life (work, proper diet, etc.), and we run the risk of ruining our health and life. Especially in spiritual matters, we are to remain awake and alert so we do not lose the things eternal we are promised in Christ (Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).

v.14 This is a humorous proverb with a serious message. It is a warning to those inexperienced in business negotiations to be on their guard for those who try to cheat them. Likewise, we must be discerning against misrepresentation of God's Word by false teachers (Matthew 24:5; 1 John 4:1).

v.15 Worldly riches are everywhere, but of special value are the riches we have in Christ, and those who share it faithfully are a precious jewel.

v.16 This is another "business" proverb. Here we are advised to hold people to their commitments and contracts, especially when they are sketchy or have a great risk of defaulting on a loan, etc. It highlights the importance of having contingencies in place.

v.17 This verse connects with two others in today's reading (Proverbs 20:16 & 20:19). Anything obtained dishonestly seems good at first (see Proverbs 1:10–14; 9:17), but in the end, it brings only judgment and death (see Proverbs 1:15–19; 9:18).

v.18 This proverb emphasizes wise planning through consulting the wisdom of other believers, as do several other proverbs (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). Jesus gives similar wisdom about the need to take counsel before engaging in war (Luke 14:31–32). An unbeliever who rejects the Gospel foolishly wages war against God the King and will be overwhelmingly defeated.