Thank you for the interpretative question on Proverbs 16:20, “Why does the Bible teach us that the origin of prosperity is instruction, as in Proverbs 16:20?”
As one reads the broader context of Proverbs 16:20, the text says this, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. 20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. 21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. 22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.” (N(V).
The origin of prosperity is not instruction but prosperity is from God. Heeding or applying the instruction will lead to a personal well-being that may blessings from God. The instruction may be from God’s Words or from life’s experience. The unwise person will ignore instruction to their own harm.
Deut. 27–28 states the blessings and curses for disobeying God’s commands for the nation of Israel. Those blessings and curses applies to the Jewish people, not to any other people group. The text says this, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country…5 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you: 16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country.” (NIV).
In other words, not all Old Testament promises is applicable to Christians. Certain promises are given to the Jewish people. Many words of wisdom from Ecclesiastes and Proverbs are applicable to both Jews and Christians. Remember that Proverbs are stating general principles, not necessarily promises.
A wise person will heed the warning about not drinking and driving nor texting while driving. To those who violate such warning may cause harm on themselves or even upon others. That persons who heeds those warnings avoids citations or lawsuits from injury. There is both physical wholeness and blessings in being able to avoid paying a fine or the settlement for an injury. There is no guarantee that another person who doesn’t heed those warning will avoid crashing into a person who is not drinking and driving or texting and driving. The general principle is that if everyone avoids drinking and driving or texting and driving, there will be less accidents and injuries. The instructions hopefully are with wisdom to prevent harm to oneself and to others. In that sense, one prospers by avoiding pitfalls and dangers.
SUMMARY: The instruction does not guarantee success or prosperity. It is God who is the giver of life and the giver of every good and perfect gift from above. Heeding God’s Words or even human instructions can avoid danger and be a blessing.
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