BLESSED ARE THE RIGHTEOUS

Proverbs 20:1-17 / Keywords 20:7

The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

    whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;

    those who anger him forfeit their lives.

3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,

    but every fool is quick to quarrel.

4 Sluggards do not plow in season;

    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,

    but one who has insight draws them out.

6 Many claim to have unfailing love,

    but a faithful person who can find?

7 The righteous lead blameless lives;

    blessed are their children after them.

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,

    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

    I am clean and without sin”?

10 Differing weights and differing measures—

    the Lord detests them both.

11 Even small children are known by their actions,

    so is their conduct really pure and upright?

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—

    the Lord has made them both.

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;

    stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—

    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

    but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,

    but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

1. This passage reveals the limitations of things that many people desire: pleasure, wealth, power, love, and rest. The truly blessed life is to follow God in a right relationship with him. 

2. Alcohol is highly desired, but it turns people into fools (1). Kings are very mighty, but their wrath is unbearable (2). People are fickle and quickly quarrel (3). Sleep and vacations are good, but too much can make people unproductive and poor (4,13). It is hard to decipher what is people’s true agenda behind their good sounding plans (5). A faithful person is impossible to find (6). 

3. On the other hand, those who pursue a righteous life and fellowship with God live blamelessly (7). They enjoy protection and security from living a pure life. Their lives wield spiritual influence, and their children follow their example. Though no one is without sin, when people repent and turn to Jesus, they can be forgiven and have power to live righteously. They can have the knowledge of salvation, which is far greater than any amount of gold or rubies (15). They are rich for all eternity. 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving us a right relationship with you through the knowledge of salvation in Jesus. Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness and be truly blessed. 

One Word Blessed are the righteous