“A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health” (Proverbs 13:17).
The Hebrew word mal’ak which is translated “messenger” here is a challenging word to compress into a single word. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament states that “messenger” is “an inadequate term for the range of tasks carried out by the OT mal’ak. These were 1) to carry a message, 2) to perform some other specific commission, and 3) to represent more or less officially the one sending him” (vol. 1, p. 464). To make matters even more challenging is the Septuagint’s translation. It reads: “A rash king shall fall into mischief, but a wise messenger shall deliver him.”
This proverb’s counsel, it would appear, is: People who are untrustworthy should not be entrusted with important responsibilities. This principle is echoed in the New Testament when Paul is discussing the men entrusted with the work of a deacon. His inspired words are: “But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).
God does not entrust greater responsibility to anyone who has a track record of being unfaithful with lesser obligations (Mat. 25: 28-30; Luke 16: 9-12).
Neither should you.
