Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. (Proverbs 13:13 ESV)

When I was growing up there were some popular commercials for a successful American stock brokerage firm. In each commercial one person would say to another, “Well, my broker is EF Hutton, and EF Hutton says, …” At that point the camera would pan back as every person in the scene was hushed and would lean in to listen. The voiceover followed: “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.” Our proverb reminds us of an even greater authority then EF Hutton was in the financial world of the 1970s. This proverb is referring to the word of God.

Several Hebrew words for the word of God, specially noted in Psalm 119, are translated by a variety of English terms. For example, law, testimony, way, precept, statute, commandment, instruction, and word, just to name a few. We know that for a human being, the most important response to the word of God is to repent and believe the gospel and be saved by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But families, communities, nations, and entire cultures also do well to heed God’s word. History recounts the blessings that fall on those who revere and follow God’s law and the problems that immediately ensue as the word of God is rejected or ejected, as it may be. From the individual to the nation, this proverb teaches, whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself. Other English translations can help press this point home for us. The CSB, for example, says, the one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty. And the NLT, people who despise advice are asking for trouble. 

Do you read and meditate on the Bible? Do you attend a church where the word of God preached faithfully and accurately? You know, the Bible was formerly read in public schools and at government-sanctioned events. Do we not see that a restraining grace from God has been removed from our society as God’s word has come to be more and more despised and rejected? I think the evidence is inescapable. Yet still, my main point is to encourage you to read this God-breathed book (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) for your own edification.

God’s word says of itself that it is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 CSB). It is as if God’s Spirit uses his word to perform needed spiritual surgery on us—for our good, our healing, the perfecting of our faith! And the psalmist, King David, describes the sheer wonder and pleasure of this word. He says it is trustworthy, right, radiant, reliable, and sweet. And he lists some of the rewards that revering the commandments bring: renewal, experience, gladness, enlightenment, and righteousness. (See Psalm 19). Do you desire these qualities and characteristics and outcomes in your life? I do. How about in your spouse or children? Or even in your vocational or business pursuits? Let us return to the word of God. May it again be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths—for God’s glory and our good.

PRAYER – Psalm 19:14: 

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you,

Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.