A Chapter by chapter, verse by verse study of the book of Proverbs.
We are continuing our study chapter by chapter and verse by verse throught the book of Proverbs. Remember that Hebrew poetry is not rhyme and meter like english poetry, but contrast or repition. We left off with verse 16 last time, so now we will continue in Chapter 13 starting in verse 17. Chapters 13 and 14 are a long list of proverbs making a contrast between the righteous man and the ungodly man.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble (evil): . . .

He may go beyond the directions he was given and do injury to the person who sent him. Remember in 2nd Kings the story of Elijah healing a Syrian general named Naman? He had been told to go and dip in the Jordan river 7 times and he would be healed of his leprosy. At first he didn’t want to but he finaly did and came out clean. He went back to Elijah and offered him gold and silver and changes of cloths. Elijah refused it and said, this is the work of the Lord, give Him the glory. Elijah’s servent Gehazi was there and later went and tracked Naman down and told a lie. He said that Elijah had a couple of sons of the prophets that came to him and had some needs, so he would take a couple of sets of clothing and some silver. Naman gave it to him. Gehazi took it and hid it and went home. Elijah asked him where he went and he said no where. Elijah said, didn’t my heart go with you. Now Naman’s leprosy will be upon you. This is a warning to those who are, or wish to be, messengers of God’s truth.

. . . but a faithful ambassador brings health.
Proverbs 13:17

And this is the work of the gospel, it's important in our lives. Are you a wicked messenger, falling to mischief? Goofing around so much at your job, or wherever you're at that you would be ashamed to witness to people because they know what you're really like? Or are you the faithful ambassador. An ambassador is someone that doesn't live in the country, he is serving. We don’t live in this kingdom. Our king, and our kingdom are in a different place. We're to be here to minister to people about that place that we're going to live, about our country, about our kingdom, and about our King, and how that it's a country open to all who would like to come. No more taxes, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more sickness. It's a great country. Too bad a lot of people don't want to come, they don't believe it exists. It’s also too bad a lot of people don't want to come because some of the ambassadors have been unfaithful in sharing about the country and about the king,

. . . but a faithful ambassador brings health.
Proverbs 13:17

2nd corinthians 5:20 tells us, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” We are given to the ministry of reconciliation. Seeing people being reconciled to God, and recociled to one another also. We are ambassadors of the Lord’s kingdom sent out by the Lord. We get to see spiritual health being given to each one who receives the invitation to reconcile. We are bringing health. We don’t do things for our glory or out benefit, we do things in His name for His glory. We represent the Kingdom and the King.