Proverbs 19:13-14, Homes – Hurting or Happy?

December 12, Proverbs 19:13-14

Eph. 5:20-31 “Oh! Be earnest for the prevention of this calamity!”

Homes – Hurting or Happy?

Our proverbs today present two sets of doubles relating to the happiness or misery of the home. In one we have a foolish son and a contentious wife; the other deals with bestowment of wealth and a wife.

1. The Greatest Grief: A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping (vs.13). This is surely “a cursed home,” doubly cursed! Men have built mansions, palaces, and temples, but no man in the world can build that precious thing called home. Ah, how vain is this world that our greatest griefs should come from where we looked for our greatest joys!

a. A Calamitous son! Calamity conveys the sense of a deep pit, a storm of ruin (Ps. 57:2). Job cries, Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity (destructions, pl.) laid in the balances together (6:2). So a foolish son can be the downfall, the ruin and grief, of parents who are felled by his folly!

b. A Contentious wife! A contentious wife is ever ready to quarrel. She is like a continual dropping from a leaky roof! Such a drip will eventually damage every room and every thing in the house! The force of this comes home when we recall that dripping water was an ancient form of torture. That slow drip, falling on the head, over time, with no relief, either drives one mad or kills. We have already seen that “a man’s wife is either his crown or his cross.” Let us call these two “Calamity John” and “Calamity Jane.” Either one is a great grief, but when both are present at the same time that is the greatest grief. It makes a wretched father and a woeful husband all in one!

2. The Greatest Gift: House and riches are the inheritance of fathers; and a prudent wife is from the Lord (vs.14). This is “a blessed home,” which all desire, and for which let us earnestly pray. Here are two blessed gifts.

a. Worldly Wealth: Undeniably houses and riches are a great inheritance. Wisely used, they provide much comfort, usefulness, and power to bless others. It is part of God’s provision, and can be a token of His trust and favour.

b. Wifely Wealth: From the Lord is in the emphatic position. Such a wife is God’s special gift to man. She is not the result of chance, or a blind choice. Riches are an inheritance from fathers, but the prudent wife is a bestowment of the Lord. While riches are a great gift, this wife is the greatest token of God’s favour. She is more valuable than all the wealth without her. Let the wise husband delight in her, and give all the glory and thanks to God for such a precious gift.

Of earthly good, the best is a good wife.
A bad – the bitterest curse of human life.

Thought: “A truly Christian home is home be it ever so homely.”

Prayer: For love in the hearth and Christ in the heart.