◄ Proverbs 13:21 ►
Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
Study Bible
Disaster pursues sinners
This phrase highlights the principle of divine justice, where sin leads to negative consequences. The concept of disaster or calamity following sinners is consistent with the biblical theme of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced disaster when they turned away from God, such as during the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 25). The pursuit of disaster suggests an inevitable outcome, emphasizing the certainty of divine retribution. This aligns with the wisdom literature's focus on moral order and the consequences of living contrary to God's laws.

but prosperity is the reward of the righteous
Prosperity here is not limited to material wealth but includes spiritual well-being and favor with God. The righteous, those who live in accordance with God's commandments, are often depicted as recipients of God's blessings (Psalm 1:3). This reflects the covenantal promises made to Israel, where obedience leads to blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). The idea of reward underscores the biblical principle of God as a just judge who rewards righteousness. This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who embodies perfect righteousness and through whom believers receive the ultimate reward of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sinners
In the context of Proverbs, sinners are those who live in opposition to God's commandments and wisdom. They are often characterized by their rejection of divine instruction and pursuit of selfish desires.

2. The Righteous
This refers to individuals who live in accordance with God's laws and wisdom. They seek to align their lives with God's will and are often depicted as wise and understanding.

3. Disaster
This term represents the consequences or calamities that befall those who live in sin. It is often seen as a natural outcome of living contrary to God's design.

4. Prosperity
In the biblical context, prosperity is not merely material wealth but includes well-being, peace, and favor from God. It is the result of living a life that pleases God.

5. Solomon
Traditionally, Solomon is considered the author of Proverbs. His wisdom and understanding of human nature and divine principles are reflected in the proverbs he compiled.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin inherently leads to negative outcomes. Just as disaster pursues sinners, living outside of God's will brings about spiritual and often physical consequences.

The Reward of Righteousness
Righteous living aligns with God's design and brings about true prosperity, which includes peace, joy, and spiritual fulfillment, beyond mere material wealth.

The Pursuit of Wisdom
Proverbs encourages the pursuit of wisdom and understanding as a means to live righteously. Seeking God's wisdom helps us avoid the pitfalls of sin.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God is just and allows consequences for sin, He is also merciful, offering redemption and the opportunity to turn from sin to righteousness.

Practical Righteousness
Righteousness is not just a spiritual concept but involves practical daily decisions that honor God and reflect His character.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "disaster pursuing sinners" manifest in today's world, and what are some examples?

2. In what ways can we actively pursue righteousness in our daily lives to experience the prosperity mentioned in Proverbs 13:21?

3. How does the principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8, relate to the message of Proverbs 13:21?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to seek God's wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of sin?

5. How can we balance the understanding of God's justice with His mercy when considering the consequences of sin and the rewards of righteousness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 1
This psalm contrasts the way of the righteous and the wicked, similar to Proverbs 13:21, highlighting the blessings of the righteous and the downfall of the wicked.

Galatians 6:7-8
This passage speaks about reaping what one sows, emphasizing the principle that actions have consequences, much like the pursuit of disaster for sinners and prosperity for the righteous.

Matthew 6:33
Jesus teaches about seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all other things will be added, aligning with the idea of prosperity as a reward for the righteous.
Sermons
Destiny Following CharacterD. Thomas, D. D.Proverbs 13:21
Penalty Pursuing SinW. Clarkson Proverbs 13:21
Sin and its PunishmentHenry Melvill, B. D.Proverbs 13:21
The Practice of Wickedness Generally Attended with Great EvilS. Clarke.Proverbs 13:21
The Blessings of Obedience and Their CounterpartE. Johnson Proverbs 13:18-25
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Adversity, Evil, Misfortune, Overtake, Prosperity, Pursues, Pursueth, Recompensed, Recompenseth, Repaid, Repayed, Reward, Rewarded, Rewards, Righteous, Sinner, Sinners, Upright
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 13:21

     5499   reward, divine

Proverbs 13:15-22

     6024   sin, effects of

Proverbs 13:21-22

     6040   sinners
     7150   righteous, the

Library
The Tillage of the Poor
'Much food is in the tillage of the poor.'--PROVERBS xiii. 23. Palestine was a land of small peasant proprietors, and the institution of the Jubilee was intended to prevent the acquisition of large estates by any Israelite. The consequence, as intended, was a level of modest prosperity. It was 'the tillage of the poor,' the careful, diligent husbandry of the man who had only a little patch of land to look after, that filled the storehouses of the Holy Land. Hence the proverb of our text arose. It …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor
'There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'--PROVERBS xiii. 7. Two singularly-contrasted characters are set in opposition here. One, that of a man who lives like a millionaire and is a pauper; another, that of a man who lives like a pauper and is rich. The latter character, that of a man who hides and hoards his wealth, was, perhaps, more common in the days when this collection of Proverbs was put together, because in all ill-governed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Practical Methods of Studying the Old Testament
[Sidenote: The various methods of approach] The Old Testament may be studied as literature, as history, as the record of an important stage in the evolution of religion, as the revelation of God to the race, or as a practical aid to the individual in living the true life. Each angle of approach calls for different methods and yields its correspondingly rich results. Studied in accordance with the canons of modern literary investigation, a literature is disclosed of surpassing variety, beauty, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Song of the Redeemed
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... T he extent, variety, and order of the creation, proclaim the glory of God. He is likewise, ^* Maximus in Minimis . The smallest of the works, that we are capable of examining, such for instance as the eye or the wing of a little insect, the creature of a day, are stamped with an inimitable impression of His wisdom and power. Thus in His written Word, there …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory Not," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. It is a common evil of those who hear the gospel, that they are not delivered up to the mould and frame of religion that is holden out in it, but rather bring religion into a mould of their own invention. It was the special commendation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered, (Rom. vi. 17) that they who were once servants, or slaves of sin, had now …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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