Simple Choices

(Proverbs 13:15 KJV)  Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

How do we contrast the different ideas in this verse?  We have “good” (2896a) “understanding” (7922) contrasted with the “way” (1870) of the “transgressors” (treacherous NASB) (898).  It can, and does, apply to today as well as eternity.

The implication is that the person of understanding is also the person of obedience.  They read or hear and then obey.  When they learn that God says, “Don’t steal”, they don’t steal.  When He says, “Honor the Sabbath”, they honor the Sabbath.  As a result of that obedience there are a lot of painful consequences in this life that they do not face.  The person who is chaste does not need to worry about the palate of sexually transmitted disease.  The business owner who deals honestly will have repeat customers. 

At the end of life there is eternity.  This verse is an example of understatement.  What waits for the “transgressors” (treacherous NASB) (898) is Hell, eternal damnation.  That is definitely “hard” (386).  This is a poor translation.  The meaning of the word is “ever flowing”.  It is hard in the sense that it cannot be changed.  Scary.

So?  We have a choice.  We can understand or we can be rebels.  Seems like a simple choice.   It is certainly easier than the kind of dipping sauce I want on my wings.