Proverbs 19:19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
This proverb warns about the consequences of a person who has an irritable, uncontrolled, or fiery disposition.
‘A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment.’ A person who is quick to anger repeatedly brings trouble upon himself. His impulsive, fiery reactions lead to disputes, fines, legal troubles, and relational strife. Wrath is self-destructive. It exposes the individual to repeated consequences and erodes relationships and peace (14:17; 29:22). Uncontrolled anger separates a person from wisdom, patience, and God’s favour. It is a form of self-punishment.
‘For if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.’ Even if someone intervenes on his behalf or helps him avoid consequences once, the hot-tempered person is likely to repeat the same behaviour. Like a debtor who never learns fiscal responsibility, the wrathful person repeatedly creates circumstances that require rescue. It is exhausting and costly to continually bail out someone who refuses to control anger. Others are not obligated to rescue someone who won’t learn from experience.
To be continued…
Living the Word 