Proverbs 13:15

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

The book of Proverbs is a unique book in Scripture where context is rarely relevant. While there are passages like chapters 7, 9 and 31 where its author is writing a larger body of content that makes context a necessary consideration, most of the book is a collection of unrelated individual statements.  Each proverb, or verse, is usually totally unrelated to the proverbs before and after it.  The individual proverbs were likely written at different times with different thoughts and later compiled into one larger book.  Centuries later, the translators gave the book its chapter and verse divisions.  This fifteenth proverb of the thirteenth book is its own statement most probably written on its own just as were the two previous proverbs.  That being said, this proverb carries a similar tone and topic to the previous two proverbs.  Even though these proverbs were probably written at different times for different reasons, they were written by the same inspired and wise man.  Whenever he wrote them and for whatever reason he wrote these three proverbs, they reveal his inspired and wise way of thinking.  Regardless of the role God played in their placement within the book, it is clear that Solomon thought a lot about man's response to authority and more importantly, it is clear that God wants us to think about man's response to authority.  

This proverb is the wise king of Israel's third statement in a row dealing with authority meant to get our attention about the importance of having a right heart towards rules and regulations.  In the thirteenth proverb of this chapter, we noted that it matters how we FEEL about what we're told to do or not do.  In the fourteenth proverb, we noted that it matters how we EVALUATE and view the law of the wise.  In this fourteenth proverb, we should see that it really matters how we THINK about the commands we're given.  At first glance, understanding seems to be a virtue standing on its own but because it is contrasted with a transgressor, we are supposed to connect the virtue with its counterpart.  This then puts the virtue of understanding in the context of understanding that which we're commanded to do or not to do.  A transgressor is someone who crosses a line.  It is someone who goes past a forbidden boundary and ventures into restricted territory.  Good understanding within the immediate context of the proverb then is in reference to the forbidden boundaries and restricted territories in life.

Those who have a good understanding of the restrictions placed on them by the authorities in their life bring them favor from those authorities.  Good understanding in a subject communicates sincere consideration for the ruler and such consideration always brings favor.  It's one thing to submit to an authority, it's another thing to be considerate of that authority.  It's one thing to obey an authority, it's another thing to study that authority for the purpose of better understanding that authority.  A child who asks questions to understand a parental rule evidences a very different spirit than a child who asks questions to question a parental rule.  A husband who asks his wife to sincerely understand why a particular thing is asked of him communicates a very different heart than a husband who asks his wife in protest why she always has to have it her way.  "Why" doesn't always mean "why."

Few take the time to figure out why a rule is established.  Few sincerely consider the true intention behind the order.  Few really care to know why a person or governing authority passed some legislation.  Because it's our nature to instinctively resist rules and regulations, it's rare when a person seriously considers what a person or agency was thinking when they passed a law.  It's rare for children to understand why parents would ask them to take out the garbage, clean up their room or be home by a certain time.  It's rare for a wife to truly understand why her husband would ask her to trust him.  It's just as rare for a husband to truly understand why his wife would ask him to be home at a certain time or to initiate a particular conversation.  It's rare for an employee to understand why his employer would restrict certain activities.  It's rare for a church member to understand why leadership enacts particular policies.  The human spirit is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward and for that instinctive reason, we typically don't time to consider the reason behind the regulation.

When someone does however, take the time and put forth the effort to really understand the reason behind some civil or relational rule, it brings favor.  When a wife sees her husband make real effort to understand why she asks certain things of him, it makes her feel special and that always brings a man favor.  When a husband sees his wife putting in sincere effort to understand why he keeps pleading for respect, he'll appreciate that and show her favor.  When a teacher sees her students or when a coach sees his players trying to understand the rules of the class or of the team, those are the young souls who earn favor.  Rule-givers tend to be more forgiving of those who demonstrate good understanding of the rules.  Law-makers tend to take it easy on those who seem sincere in their appreciation for the law.  We all are inclined to be a little soft on those who sincerely seek to understand our expectations for them.  

In contrast to the sincere seekers of understanding, Solomon references the hard-headed and rebellious transgressor.  This man is the one who has no interest in obeying laws, let alone understanding them.  This is the child who has no interest in submitting to parental rule, let alone understanding that parental rule.  This is the husband who couldn't care less why his wife is demanding what she's demanding.  This is the wife who has absolutely no interest in understanding why her husband is asking for what he's asking for.  These are the workers who don't and won't hear any explanation of company policy.  These are the citizens who turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the reason behind the law.  Rebels don't think beyond themselves and the convenience of power they seek.  Rebels care only about their thoughts and their laws for the rest of the world.  As a result, their way is the hard way.

When a ruler feels like his voice is not heard and his thoughts are not considered, he will swing his sword without apology or remorse.  When a person feels like his or her reasonable relational regulations are not considered for even a second, that person will show little to no mercy in that relationship.  When a teenager can't be reasoned with because they show no interest in understanding parental policy, that child will be met with tremendous resistance and that childhood will be hard.  When an employee constantly resists policy and demonstrates an inconsiderate mindset, his time with that company will be hard.  When a team member displays the unwillingness to understand why a team leader is doing what he's doing, it will be hard for that team member to stay on that team and it will be hard for that person to get on another team.  The life of an inconsiderate rebel is hard.  The way of a transgressor is hard because he will lack favor with any and all authorities in his life.

Everything is hard for a rebel and because he lacks understanding, a rebel foolishly revels in that hard way.  Life doesn't need to be HARD.  Childhood doesn't need to be hard.  Marriage doesn't need to be as hard as it is.  Employment doesn't need to be hard.  Relationships with the authorities in your life doesn't need to be hard.  Think about someone other than yourself, be considerate of the people in power and understand why they're asking what they're asking and life will be much easier for you.  Good understanding of people and their rules will bring you favor.  When the people who have influence in your life through civil and relational authority favor you, your life will be much easier.  It matters how we feel about authority and it matters how we THINK about authority.