Proverbs Study – Lesson 32 (Proverbs chapter 24:1-14 )
Fatherly Advice
V. 1-2 Being in the company of evil men is overpowering and influential often softening us and alluring us, especially those that are younger. Power and prestige have a way of attracting our attention overlooking the gray side or dark side of a person’s personality. Their so called success (recognized for something great), the position or title that they hold (teacher, doctor), or how much money they have can influence us to overlook character traits that are less than stellar wanting to join them becoming so called successful like they are. Sometimes we overlook character faults in someone that has achieved some degree of notoriety for some great invention or accomplishment.
Even Hitler influenced many good and honorable people to overlook major character flaws being overcome with his success offering them back their national pride which was taken way after the first WW. A good part of a nation overlooked the gross atrocities he committed and would have had no problem associating with him personally because of how he portrayed himself. An evil person is just that. They are evil. And being evil v. 2 reminds us that they actually study and ponder on how to become better at who they are for their own selfish purposes. And, we are warned to be careful because they can talk us into joining them if we are not wise, believing their false front. Prov. 1:10-9 reminds us to stay clear of such people, lest we be taken in by their deceptive offerings. This is what is referred to as the criminal mind, always thinking of ways to win using evil methods.
In v. 3 he tells us to not give up, but to be persistent. The road to a good life is long and takes work. He reminds us that it is not haphazard. It is intentional. We are encouraged to lay it down brick by brick, exercising faith that you are laying down the right foundation just because God said so and that it will eventually pay off. A lifetime of application of wisdom and knowledge begins to materialize over time. It does not happen overnight. It could take years. Sure we will make mistakes in our attempts, but we will learn. What we sow is what we will reap…it is promised. It is important that we remember that good Godly actions and plans are met with resistance in this fallen world, so it may take a little longer to see the benefit than we think that it should, but an outcome is promised, if we labor and not faint. He says with assurance in v. 3 that this is how the house that we are looking for is built, laying down the bricks of wisdom, using knowledge to be able to place them in the right place.
He goes on in v.4 and adds the end result of a good life established by wisdom. He says that your chambers will be full, if we persist, of precious payoffs. Not all of them will be material. Things like a good family, good children, peace, happiness and JOY are all part of the payoff! He tells us that our life or house will be filled with more real things than just money, even though money will most likely be part of the blessing. It will be filled with precious things, practical things that are really useful and not just things that may have material worth in this world that are really burdensome rather than practical.
In v. 5 he gives us the character trait that will be needed to make this happen. He says that ‘A wise person is strong and does not give up easily. He is willing to work and ‘pay the dues’ to get what he desires out of life. It is said that everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. This is true of our society today related to being willing to pay the price of ‘faith’ to win the prize. Everyone wants the prize, but they are not willing to pay the dues. Most prizes in life are gained by ‘toughing it out’ over time, in the end receiving the prize. He tells us that one of the ways that we increase our toughness and strength is by increasing our confidence which comes by increasing our knowledge. It has been said that knowledge is power. Inner strength does not come from blind faith. Inner strength that is solid and holds on during difficult times is found in knowledge or knowing the truth. It is not blind hope holding onto nothing. Hebrews 11 tells us that this hope has substance, and is proved in perseverance. God is that Substance.
V. 6 goes on to tell us that it is by this confidence that we do battle with the world that stands before us and separates us from the things that are ours by God’s will. If we have the habit of desiring and acquiring wisdom as we go through life we will store up the council of many asking to be guided as we go by the wisdom of God’s Spirit, making good choices, winning the battles of life from God’s perspective. He reminds us that it is a wise person that does not proceed on the advice and opinion of one or two people. He uses the word multitude meaning many or enough. He is not implying and encouraging the acquisition of random and meaningless information as this can produce confusion instead. But, he uses the word councilor implying trusted adviser, someone that has some expertise in the area in question and will share their heart speaking honestly.
V. 7 tells us that not everyone will be willing to pay the price and put in the effort to get the reward. This way of living is too difficult for many not wanting to put in the effort. In v. 7 he implies that for the real fool understanding wisdom is impossible. He could understand it if he was willing to invest the effort to learn wisdom’s precepts. The precepts of wisdom are only learned by study and putting together the building blocks of knowledge. The equation for wisdom is study + knowledge (true knowledge) + application = wisdom. A fool is not willing to work this equation therefore wisdom remains a mystery to them.
In v. 8 and 9 he reminds us that we will be known by our actions. In v. 1 we were advised to not desire to be found in the company of evil people. More often than not we know who they are for they have a reputation of being mischievous, and we do not want to be found guilty of the same by association. In v. 9 he reminds us that being foolish is not just a lack of education or training. Here he calls it sin, being a willful act or omission against God and His will. He reminds us that being foolish begins with foolish thoughts. Not just one foolish thought, but here he gives the impression that he is referring to the planning of foolishness which has the intent of eventually becoming reality. He makes it clear that God is against this pattern and habit of thinking. He continues by saying that a scoffer’s only purpose and value is to trouble and disrupt people using the descriptive term of abominable describing them. A scoffer by nature tears down people and never plans to admonish or build up as we have been instructed in the first part of this chapter. (v.3)
V. 10 is a fitting conclusion to the first part of this chapter, reminding us that it is perseverance, standing on and executing what is true that wins and gives the right reward in the end. He tells us not to faint giving the impression that the task will be difficult. He says that if we do faint it is because we have not been exercised by the right things letting life push us over. Do you give up too easily? If we wilt under pressure/trials we know that our maturation in the exercising of faith is not complete. We are reminded that our strength is found in God and there is nothing that can overcome Him.
In v. 11 and 12 he reminds us how important it is for us to be an advocate and stick out our neck even to our own potential harm for others who need our help who are sentenced to injustice. This is a difficult passage for in obeying it and putting it into practice we too open up ourselves for potential harm and injury, even serious harm and injury. I am reminded of those who during WWII lived, worked and had close relationships with those who were singled out and ruthlessly abused. Putting this verse into practice meant putting your life on the line potentially joining them in what was coming their way. It is easy to just look the other way. After all, who will know? The risk to me is too great. After all, it is their problem.
But, you happen to be able to do something that could potentially help. It could save their life. You know something that has not been shared. You have influence and connections that could affect their outcome. Saying that you didn’t know about the situation is a lie. God knows. He will hold us accountable if we do not step forward. It asks a question in v. 12. It says, ‘Does not He that keeps your soul see and know the truth?’ Will the Keeper of my soul guard and stand up for me when it is my turn to need protection by someone sharing unknown details that could save my life? He goes on to ask one final question, ‘shall not he render to every man according to his works?’ In essence he is telling us that how we treat others and come to their aid is in all likelihood how we will be treated in the end.
V. 13-4 We know a good thing when we see, or taste it. There is something about a good thing that makes us want to come back to it again and again. Each time we indulge we savor the pleasant experience and when it is through we long for the next time we can partake. In these two verses he compares the good taste of honey with the pleasure of experiencing the knowledge of wisdom. He says that there is nothing like it. In v. 13 he actually bumps up the comparison a notch by actually comparing the pleasure of true knowledge with honey that is still wrapped in the cone. There is nothing better or more pure. He says in v. 14 that our soul tastes wisdom just like our taste buds taste food, savoring its full flavor and aroma. Not everyone has had the privilege of the full flavor of the taste of knowledge. But, he says that when we have had the privilege to experience truth and knowledge that we will eat it all receiving its full reward including no only its exceptional flavor, but the reward of its application and outcome as well. He says that the end of this tasting of the full flavor of knowledge is a lasting expectation or hope that will not be cut off.
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