Proverbs Study – Lesson 33 (Proverbs chapter 24:15-34 )
In v. 15-6 Solomon gives a warning to those who devise mischief intended for God’s elect. His warning is to beware and leave the righteous alone for they are stronger and more resilient than you think. So often bad people think that the righteous or Christians are nothing but a pushover. But, in reality they haven’t stopped long enough to watch them. Many believers are strong and are not wimps. Think of the many things that non believers have done against Christians and how resilient they have been. If this were not true the Church of Jesus Christ would have faded into history a long time ago. Strong evil men for centuries have underestimated their endurance. It says here in v. 16 that someone trained and established in right living can get knocked down, those around them thinking that that is the end of them, only to see them rise back up defying the impossible. He said that he has noticed that a righteous man is strong and can trip or get knocked down many times only to see them collect themselves and eventually get back up. So he gives those who purpose evil to beware of targeting what they think will be an easy target. He warns that in the end they may be surprised. They may see that they are the one that gets knocked down being unable to get back up often getting caught in the calamity that they began.
V. 17 and 18 are interesting verses. Although they are instructive to us reminding us of some very important Godly attributes, they also give us insight into the heart and mind of God. It is not God’s will that any should parish. It is not His will that any should fall. And, His objective is not to win at all costs. Winning does not trump His character and intent. He has already won. His perspective toward those who rebel against Him is pity and sorrow knowing their end. When those who rebel against Him receive the natural consequences for their rebellion God is not pleased. It is what it is. It is because of their rebellion, not because of His pleasure in judgment that they have the consequences of their actions. He would rather they turn from their ways toward Him and adopt His ways and plan for their life receiving the blessings of a right lifestyle.
We being human often forget that we are His ambassadors and as such should have His heart. It is not always easy to understand what the right perspective is when dealing with our enemies. Naturally we do battle and desire to win if we are in the right, but the door should always be open for our enemy to come over to God’s side as unlikely as that may seem. God/Christ often had much more compassion than we do when dealing with our enemy. This is proven in His patience in the judgment of this world. He also takes it to the full when He tells us to love your enemies in Matt. 5:43-8 and Lk. 6:35-6.
We often forget that we were once enemies and still would be if it were not for His mercy as seen in Rom. 5:8-11. Even though He expects us to uphold righteousness and the right way, He is not pleased with a heart that takes pleasure in someone else’s pain and trouble. This is a hard commandment for us to understand and put into right practice. Probably because this commandment is larger than just doing what is expected or asked by God. This one deals with the heart. He expects us to go forward establishing His righteousness in a wicked world, but to remember in our perspective and heart that we are dealing with His creation which has turned away from Him and grieves Him. In these two versed Solomon not only says that it is the wrong perspective to rejoice at someone else’s troubles, but gives a warning that God may actually change His mind and save your enemies retribution for another day allowing him to get back on his feet giving you more trouble.
In V. 19 we are reminded of the confidence that we are to have in God and His ways. He reminds us in v.20 that there shall be no (lasting) reward for the works of evil and those who do them. Here he reminds us again that we can be taken in and seduced by the ‘dark side’ being deceived by the allurement by the mirage of what we think we see. But, he again reminds us that what we see is not at all reality. It looks real, but as we get closer we begin to see the major flaws and defects in what at first looked so good. He warns us to not be taken in by this deception, nor to be afraid of their apparent influence and strength. He reminds us that their apparent success is short lived and the will vanish as quickly as they came.
He goes on to remind us in v. 21 where our allegiance should lie. He tells us to fear and reverence authority naming here God and the king. He also warns against rebellious actions. It is easy to be influenced by a convincing person that is backed with emotion. However, many times such a speech is just that, full of emotion by having no substance. He is not telling us to over look injustice. We can be sure that God can be trusted. But, we do need to be careful that we not be influenced to follow what is referred to here as ‘one who meddles for change’, inciting a riot or change that in the end is no better or even worse than what you already have. Some talk just to hear themselves. In v. 22 he tells us to be careful. In joining them we will be a part of their plan also receiving the outcome. It would be wise for them to remember that they are meddling with two powerful forces, God and king. He tells us that trouble will come quickly and calamity will be the outcome.
In v. 23 he continues to tell us things that belong to the wise. It is a wise person that will be given discernment being able to recognize wisdom when they see or hear it and quickly gathering it for use and application at the appropriate time. V.23-6 reminds us to use discretion in our judgment. He tells us when we make judgments to judge right not overlooking injustices just because of who it was that did the injustice. We are to make judgments according to God’s standards and not be influenced by our personal admiration, ambitions, connections or purposes. Sometime these things can get in the way of what is right, so much so that we can not only overlook critical factors in our judgments, but we can actually call bad actions or purposes good publically condoning wrong perverting the foundation of a societies foundation of right and wrong. In doing so, a society has no ability to function being founded on principles that do not work, no matter who condones or implements them.
He gives this advice to those looking for wisdom knowing that they in all likelihood will be put in positions and situations that will require them to make judgment calls. The attempt in all likelihood will come to be bribed or influenced by a person or persons to overlook wrong or to call wrong right. But, the people know the difference, and so do other nations. In making such judgments you will be a marked man falling out of favor with the people and having nations shun our nation not wanting to get involved in a tainted and unjust system, not wanting to get tangled in the mess. The KJV uses the word ‘abhor’ in v. 24 referring to the attitude of other nations toward an unjust system. V 25 reminds the wise that even though it is a difficult position to stand your ground and do what is right you will be rewarded in the end. Right has a reward associated with it, but the reward or prize goes to those who do right, God rewarding us for standing for and doing the right thing. V. 26 goes as far as saying that speaking the truth has pleasantness to it, like speaking a kiss, pleasant, friendly and welcoming.
V. 27 First things first. A home is built by patience. All too often in life we get the cart before the horse. We want it all, and we want it right now. But, the entire book of Proverbs gives us the pattern of doing things right, doing things in steps, laying them down in the right order making sure that we first lay down a good foundation on which to build on. All Biblical wisdom is laid on and built on a good foundation. It is not a standalone item. All wisdom is related to truth and only finds it fit and place on the solid foundation of truth.
This verse refers to getting it right. You can do the right thing in the wrong order or at the wrong time and it does not last. If we begin to follow the pattern set down in Biblical truth we will develop a system or approach when we begin to lay down the foundations of life that we place all of our important stuff of life on. In other words, when we begin to gather and establish the important stuff that makes life work, we realize that every component of life needs preparation and planning before it is ready to be placed on our foundation of life. This verse encourages us to be patient and lay down the right foundation first, gathering quality materials, collecting and setting them aside until your material list is complete, and then in the right season build the house that lasts. This verse relates to all areas of life from job or career to preparation for marriage and family. Anything that we want to last a lifetime needs to be built and established with this approach. This is not meant to be a mechanical approach, but is meant to be a practical approach to a wise life, establishing things that last…last a lifetime.
V. 28 Reminds us to be honest with our testimony. It also reminds us that we need to be careful not to speak out against our neighbor unless there is truly a just cause. It is ok to testify when we are called to do so. However, it is easy to get caught up in the moment and in public opinion and talk and the facts can get skewed. It is a good idea to think it through a second time before we step forward. All too often things are said to quickly not having all the details. Things said in haste often are regretted. We must be sure that we are giving accurate testimony and not just our opinion.
V. 29 Those who are called to live a good or righteous life are called to a higher standard of living. When we are pushed our natural tendency is to push back. When we are treated wrongly it is only natural to be tempted to do the same in return. When someone ignores us it our tendency to ignore them in return. If someone shuns us we often respond by shunning them. However, the way of wisdom and the principles of wisdom demand a better response. It is the response of ‘treat people right, at all times, no matter how they have treated you’. When we respond to people in this way it makes life much easier. We don’t have to carry grudges which can weigh us down. You do not have to have a good memory to know what level of service or love you have to give this person compared to someone else. You just do what is right. It is that easy. Wisdom does not hold to partiality. It realizes that in responding with partiality you often sacrifice doing what is right. Doing what is right has a blessing attached to it having its payoff or outcome be far greater than the effort given in the response. It also has the possibility of softening the heart of the one that has wronged. Undeserved kindness does have the ability of melting the hardness of a person possibly causing them to rethink the way they treat others.
V. 30-4 Give something to a slothful person or one void of understanding and you can be sure what will happen to it. It is destine to breakdown, fragmentation and progressive disrepair to the point beyond recognition. Anything left to itself with no attention will progressively break down beyond recognition. In v. 30 he names two types of people that are known for not attending to the things of life that are necessary to maintain and repair things to help them to last and keep them useful. The first is the slothful person. The slothful person just allows nature to take its course not only not putting in the effort to maintain what they own, but also using the things that they have often improperly encouraging a quicker breakdown process. They tend to have the disposable mentality and perspective, use it with abuse and then throw it away hoping to get another one to replace it. The second type of person mentioned is someone who lacks understanding. They might consider putting in the effort to take care of and maintain something, but they have never learned how too. The bottom line is that both of these types of people allow their things to fall into disrepair often beyond recognition and ability to use. V. 31 gives a descriptive picture of how these places will look. He says that the fields are overgrown with brush and needles and thorns. It says that it is even broken down so much that it is unprotected having its walls broken down.
V. 32 is the sign of true wisdom exercised. It says that this person saw something that didn’t make sense and instead of going right ahead or just passing it by they considered it, studying and observing what they saw hoping to learn something useful for future application. At the end of v. 32 it says that they were instructed by it. In v. 33 it goes on to tell us of one of the most damaging practices in life…laziness and laying around wasting the day. In v. 34 he goes on to say that that this practice has severe consequences ending in poverty and complete devastation that creeps up on you happening so quickly that you will swear that you have been robbed.
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