v.1-12
"With pride comes only contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised (13:10). " This verse compares "pride," not with "humble," but with "well-advised." The well-advised is assumed to have no contention, but has harmonious relationship with others in this comparison. And this is the wise way to live. See NET notes, "The parallelism suggests pride here means contempt for the opinions of others. The wise listen to advice rather than argue out of stubborn pride." Listen and living in harmony with others (including with your spouse) is the way of the wisdom. We all struggle and give way to live in harmony and sometimes you feel like you have enough. But this verse give us the reason to hold on and let God give us strength to continue with the harmony in our family.
Couple verses today about wealth, v.7,8, "The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, but the poor person hears no threat." and 11, " Wealth gained quickly will dwindle away, but the one who gathers it little by little will become rich." Money is not necessary a good thing to us. Someone may come to kidnap you. Also if you want to make quick money (like gambling, or buying high risk stock) they wont last. They will also be gone quickly in the same way. Or see NET notes, "Money gained without work will diminish quickly, because it was come by too easily. "
(Not directly from this verse), but be wise how you spend your money this Thanksgiving holiday.
v.13-25
In today's passage we see a lot of rewards towards the wise (whoever esteems instructions v.13, the one with keen insight v.15, the faithful envoy v.17, the one who accepts reproof v.18 the one who associates with the wise v.20, the righteous v.21,25 and the benevolent v.22).
Some of the rewards to the wise are not specific v.13, 15, 18,21 but some are more specific, e.g. v.17 the faithful envoy brings healing (NET Notes said, ' This individual can be trusted to “bring healing”—be successful in the mission). The one who associates with the wise grows wise v.20 and the benevolent is able to leave an inheritance for his grandchildren v.22.
Have you wondered why the Scripture has to give us all these examples of rewards? I think is to encourage people to be wise. If that is the case, why being wise needs to be encouraged? I think it is because the rewards are not happening right the way. E.g. the one who associates with the wise will not grow wise right the way. Also one cannot see if the benevolent is able to leave an inheritance for his grandchildren or not.
In the NT, we are encouraged to be wise/do good without lose heart. You need to be persistent. "So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up (Ga 6:9)." I think teaching and nurturing your children is a long term doing good. You may not see the result right the way. Given it time you will see the differences if you follow God's way to teach them or not. Maybe God will remind you about another thing in your life that you need to be persistent to follow God's way or doing good to others. Dont give up and you will be rewarded.
Audrey
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