Proverbs 19

 v.1-15

2 verses today are about "wife,"

19:13 A foolish child is the ruin of his father, 

    and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping.
    19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from parents,
    but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
A contentious wife can be translated as a nagging wife, who is annoying like a constant dripping. A prudent wife is compared with the inheritance, but she is not from the parents but from the LORD. She is valuable, and she is a blessing her husband cannot find except given by the LORD. NET, "This statement describes a wife who has a skillful use of knowledge and discretion that proves to be successful. This contrasts with the preceding verse. The proverb is not concerned about unhappy marriages or bad wives (both of which exist); it simply affirms that when a marriage works out well one should credit it as a gift from God." That was written from the stand point of a man. How about us? When we read that we can also give thanks to the LORD for our marriage which is also a gift from God. Also, we can reflect ourselves to see if we are contentious/nagging? Do we bring annoyance or a blessing to our husband? If we can be a prudent wife to our husbands, they can give thanks to the Lord because of us!

When I am thinking about my soon-to-be laid off days, one of the possibilities is to quit and not looking for job. However, I am remind by this verse today:

v.15    Laziness brings on a deep sleep,
    and the idle person will go hungry.
Becoming lazy is not God's will. If I want to quit and serve God more I need to have a better attitude and a plan. Please pray for me.

v.16-29

We see many verses today discuss about the topic of obedience, e.g.

v. 16    The one who obeys commandments guards his life; 

    the one who despises his ways will die
v.20     Listen to advice and receive discipline,
    that you may become wise by the end of your life.
v.27     If you stop listening to instruction, my child,
    you will stray from the words of knowledge

On one hand we know that obedience is emphasized in the relationship between us and God. What kind of attitude when we read His Words? Are we obeying God in His guidance? On the other hand, obedience is the key for parenting. 

Discipline or physical punishment  are prepared for those who do not obey:

v.18    Discipline your child, for there is hope,
    but do not set your heart on causing his death
v.29     Judgments are prepared for scorners, 

    and floggings for the backs of fools.
v.18 is about discipline at home, while v.29 is about the criminal judgment. If we do not discipline our children at home some days they may fall in the hands of the judgment.

 v.25   Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge.

The simpleton learn, but the Scripture did not say what happen to the scorner who is being flogged. He probably did not learned! NET notes, "...The simpleton learns by observing a scoffer being punished, even though the punishment will have no effect on the scoffer... The simpleton will learn at least where the traps are and how to avoid them." Actually, 2 kinds of persons will have a positive results: the simpleton and the discerning person. How shall we teach our children? Discipline and correction are necessary and 2 out of 3 they will have positive benefits. 

I am sure this is not just for little children. We shall also reflect on ourselves. Do we learn from other people's correction?

Audrey