Proverbs Chapter 24

PROVERBS Chapter 24 Envying Sinners 24:1-2 Envying sinners apparently is a common temptation from the fact that the Bible so often addresses this issue (23:17; 24:19-20; Psalm 73). God here gives us a close up view of the envied sinner, he or she is obsessed with everything that is negative. The best antidote for “sinner envy” is to take a good honest look that the poor quality of life they are living (Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:18ff). I believe that Christians at times are tempted to envy sinners, because we feel that ignorance must be bliss. Knowing the truth brings responsibility and obligations, but how quickly we forget that the same truth also brings salvation, forgiveness and peace (1 Timothy 2:4; Philippians 4:8). In addition, this verse makes it clear that the sinner isn’t being productive.

Founded And Furnished 24:3-4 “This constructiveness shows up well against the nihilism of verse 2. It could be literal, but is more probably symbolic, whether of the family, or a man’s character, or of any fine enterprise” (Kidner p. 153). At times people can become cynical and can start believing that Christianity destroys families, or that the truth divides people rather than building anything constructive. Wisdom, God’s truth, will build something constructive among people who have good hearts. Gaebelein notes, “The replacement of book shelves by television sets and of the study by the ‘den’ in modern homes…is a sad commentary on our times” (p. 1073). It takes wisdom to build a family! Compare with Jesus’ illustration of the house built upon the rock (Matthew 7:24ff).

Strategy Is Strength 24:5-6 “Knowledge is power” is God’s slogan, but it is the right kind of knowledge with the right attitude behind it (1 Corinthians 13:1-4). Brains are better than brawn. “Don’t go charging into battle without a plan” (Alden p. 173).

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“This teaching urges the reader not to reply on raw force in dealing with enemies” (Garrett p. 198). Carefully note that the wise man is not self-reliant; he looks to others for counsel on how to win the battle. Compare with 11:14 and 20:18. The verse infers that man is limited in his understanding and insight and even the wisest man needs the benefit of good advice. Sadly, a popular philosophy in our own times is the idea that the best advice is some inner voice or the popular expression, “always follow the impulses of your heart”.

A Fool Out Of His Element 24:7 The fool is unable to say anything wise, because he doesn’t appreciate wisdom. Therefore at the gate of the city where legal and judicial decisions were made by wise leaders, he was (or should have been) silent. Issues of any gravity quickly expose the fool in the crowd. Other passages point out that the fool may spout during such a discussion (12:23; 13:16; 15:2; 18:2), yet he has nothing worthwhile to say. “The meaning is that the matters discussed at the gate are too important to waste time listening to the perverse arguments of the intellectually and morally inept” (Garrett p. 198).

Morality Flouted 24:8-9 The schemer in this verse is pictured as a cold, calculating and very active person concerning evil. “The fool is capable of intense mental activity but it adds up to sin” (Gaebelein p. 1074). The verse infers that the fool may be extremely bright, but he or she simply is using all their mental resources for evil.

This is the type of person who wants to challenge every moral code. The good news is that sooner or later the public gets tired of such a person. We shouldn’t get discouraged when we see dishonest people being able to out-argue honest people in a debate or in a court of law. Often, the schemer is able to defeat his opponents or make them look silly in such a discussion. The reason for this is what such a person isn’t governed by any set of rules, hence they don’t play fair.

In the abortion, homosexual, and right to die debates, Christians need to realize that while their position might not be the law of the land, society in general doesn’t have a whole lot of respect for those advocating immorality. Many people in our society may want something legal, at the same time they don’t have any respect for those who do it.

The Quitter

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24:10-12 “Exceptional strain (10) and avoidable responsibility (11-12) are fair tests, not unfair, of a man’s metal. It is the hireling, not the true shepherd, who will plead bad conditions (10), hopeless tasks (11) and pardonable ignorance (12); love is not so lightly quieted—nor is the God of love” (Kidner p. 154).

Verse 12 seems to be the Old Testament equivalent of the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Everyone is my neighbor regardless of how well I know him. The people in verse 11 who are being taken to slaughter, apparently are victims of unjust oppression rather than guilty people being condemned. This verse seems to contradict the claims of those who say that the United States should stay out of the problems in other nations, that if a tyrant is oppressing his subjects, then it is none of our business. God says otherwise. In addition, those who are staggering to their deaths could include people stumbling toward death because of their moral and spiritual blindness (Ezekiel 3:18ff). Are we greatly concerned about rescuing the perishing? Do we view people around us as walking ignorantly into the jaws of eternal ruin and are we saying anything to them?

Clearly, I believe that most would agree that God expected the German people (and others) to do something to prevent the slaughter of six million of their Jewish neighbors. Do we have any obligation to stop the practice of abortion in our country? Read the verse again, “Deliver those who are being taken away to death”. Verse 12 infers to me that in the vast majority of cases we cannot plead ignorance. If we don’t get involved, ignorance isn’t the real reason.

Pleasure With Profit 24:13-14 Note that in God’s mind wisdom, the truth is good for you. In addition, the truth should be sweet to our soul. This means that if we view God’s expectations as being unrealistic, harsh or cruel, then we have completely missed the point (1 John 5:3; Psalm 19:7ff). Relish wisdom as you would relish honey (or your own favorite sweet). The righteous man or woman has a sweettooth for the word of God. “In other words, right behavior is not recommended solely on the grounds of austere morality but also because it is the best route to sheer pleasure and the fulfillment of dreams” (Garrett p. 199).

Resilience Of The Righteous 24:15-16 God talks to the sinner in language that the sinner can understand, i.e., his own self interest. Don’t fight against a righteous man, because your victory over him will never be permanent, you will find yourself fighting against God! Evil cannot win! Good men and women will finish first. There is no reason for the righteous person to despair or be continually depressed. The victories won by evil in our society are only temporary. “It would be futile and

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self-defeating to mistreat God’s people, for they survive---the wicked do not!”

(Gaebelein p. 1075). Compare with Acts 9:4-5. In addition, some of us before we became Christians, were the enemies of God’s people and ridiculed them.

During that time, who was suffering more, us or them? Christians tend to forget that the people who try to make us miserable, are miserable themselves.

Never Gloat 24:17-18 Remember, our enemy, who is also God’s enemy, still has a soul!

Love takes no pleasure in seeing other people suffer, even people who deserve such suffering (1 Corinthians 13:6). When God judges someone, everybody should stand in fear. “God never rejoices in the death of a sinner, so gloating over the defeat of any enemy would surely anger him (Ezekiel 33:11)” (Alden p.

174). Hence, when we find Biblical writers rejoicing when the enemies of God are destroyed (Psalm 136:10, 17-22; Exodus 15), the rejoicing isn’t that the enemy is suffering in hell, but that God has delivered His people. Let us then praise God for the victories and deliverance given, and pity the fate of those who decided to persecute us. “Behind this proverb, however, stands a profound sense of the fear of God, which has the effect of humanizing the reader. It is impossible to refrain from gloating and at the same time be malevolent. The reader should place justice in the hands of God and stand back in silent dread of God’s power” (Garrett p. 199).

Never Envy Sinners 24:19-20 Notice the word “fret”. “The translation ‘Do not fret’ is too mild. ‘Do not get yourself infuriated over evildoers’ is more accurate. Those who love the truth are naturally enraged by the effrontery of those who promote or practice godless behavior---anyone who has ever watched the evening news broadcasts has surely experienced something of this. Impotent raging is pointless and unnecessary. Faith in a just God is the only remedy for such misapplied righteous indignation” (Garrett pp. 199-200). It is very hard to have a sinful hatred of a vocal and well known sinner, when we realize where they are headed. Such a person has no hope. It is very hard to remain in a boiling state of anger against person who you realize will be suffering in hell for eternity.

The Godly Citizen

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24:21-22 Compare with 1 Peter 2:17; Romans 13:1-7. People should have a tremendous respect for both God and the government, for both have the power to punish the rebel. The people who are given to change in this verse would be political agitators, especially revolutionaries, anarchists, and terrorists.

Unfortunately, there is the tendency among some groups to spend more time on trying to fight the government than on trying to save souls.

Straight Speaking 24:23-26 “Note the paradox, that a proper forthrightness, costly though it may seem, wins gratitude, and has its special charm” (Kidner p. 156). Partiality in judgment is often condemned in Scripture (which infers it is a common problem) (Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:19; Proverbs 17:15; 18:5; 28:21). The verse does contain more good news. For the most part society isn’t impressed when evil people are let off the hook. “A kiss is a sign of affection, friendship, trust, and commitment. Verse 26 says people appreciate an honest answer as much as a kiss from a friend. The words may not be what you want to hear, but because they are honest you will be grateful for them” (Alden p. 177). Sadly, the goal of some people seems to be to create a society in which there is never an outrage over anything, where everything I do isn’t the business of anybody else. When people get upset over an injustice or immoral behavior—that is a healthy sign in a society. Just because immorality upsets you, doesn’t mean that you have some form of a psychological hang-up about that subject. Rather, it means you still have a conscience!

Foundations For The Home 24:27 This is just like our modern expression, “first things first”. The verse stresses the importance of good planning. Applications from the verse could be that a man should be financially secure before he starts a family and that before entering marriage one should have a well-ordered life. “It relates to the principle that one should not provide for personal comfort until a means of income is established here. As such, it emphasizes the practical rule of producing before consuming” (Garrett p. 201).

Groundless Accusations 24:28 Being deceptive, and the context here is in court, is wrong. Remember, one doesn’t have to tell an outright lie to be deceptive, one can simply withhold 5

part of the truth. The Bible often condemns those who give false testimony (6:19; Deuteronomy 19:18-21), indicating that such has always been a serious problem. Too many people have tried to use the courts as a tool for settling a personal score against another person.

Vengefulness 24:29 Compare with Romans 12:19. Yet, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me”, is a very common and acceptable standard in the world. It is very ironic that people who complain about others judging them are often the same people who assume the role of Judge, jury, and executioner against those who have wronged them.

The Sluggard Overwhelmed 24:30-34 First of all, we can learn something from bad examples. The property of the sluggard didn’t become overgrown all at once, and neither did the sluggard say to himself, “I’m just not going to do any work”. Carefully note that this sluggard owns property! He has a farm! Consider the expression, “A little sleep, a little slumber”. “He does not commit himself to a refusal, but deceives himself by the smallness of his surrenders. So, by inches and minutes, his opportunity slips away” (Kidner p. 42). Suddenly, such a man will awaken to the reality of his situation, but then it will be too late. Poverty will hit like a bandit, and there will be no arguing with it.

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