Proverbs 24 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Proverbs 24

24:1   Be not envious of evil men,
    nor desire to be with them,
2   for their hearts devise violence,
    and their lips talk of trouble.
3   By wisdom a house is built,
    and by understanding it is established;
4   by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.
5   A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6   for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7   Wisdom is too high for a fool;
    in the gate he does not open his mouth.
8   Whoever plans to do evil
    will be called a schemer.
9   The devising¹ of folly is sin,
    and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
10   If you faint in the day of adversity,
    your strength is small.
11   Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12   If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
  Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
    and will he not repay man according to his work?
13   My son, eat honey, for it is good,
    and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14   Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
    if you find it, there will be a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.
15   Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
    do no violence to his home;
16   for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
    but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
17   Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18   lest the LORD see it and be displeased,
    and turn away his anger from him.
19   Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
    and be not envious of the wicked,
20   for the evil man has no future;
    the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21   My son, fear the LORD and the king,
    and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22   for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
    and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

More Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

  Partiality in judging is not good.
24   Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25   but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
26   Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.
27   Prepare your work outside;
    get everything ready for yourself in the field,
    and after that build your house.
28   Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
    and do not deceive with your lips.
29   Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
    I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
30   I passed by the field of a sluggard,
    by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31   and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
    the ground was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
32   Then I saw and considered it;
    I looked and received instruction.
33   A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
34   and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want like an armed man.

Footnotes

[1] 24:9 Or scheming

Commentary

v1-2: Avoid bad company, a theme from 1.10-19; the danger is that we be drawn into their wrong-doing.

v3-4: The real value of wisdom and knowledge, the route to a godly home.

v5-6: Wisdom essential for effective living. Life is full of challenges and decisions, and we need wisdom from God.

v7: In the gate, the wise man can bless others, Job 29.7-10. Wisdom brings us respect among the godly.

v8-9: Deliberate devising of sin, an abomination to the Lord; even men realise that it is folly.

v10: Adversity will come, and we need strength to endure. There are the ordinary tests of life, which we must learn to endure.

v11-12: Life brings unavoidable responsibilities, which we must honour. We cannot plead ignorance. We must not be like the hired shepherd who runs away in times of adversity,

We have a responsibility to be a witness to others. Men are naturally being led towards death, staggering towards slaughter. We may make excuses, claiming ignorance, but the Lord will judge our hearts too; Ezek 3.18-21; Acts 18.6; 20.26. The justice of God is such that He knows all things, and repays each one; we are confident of His utter fairness.

v13-14: Wisdom from God gives hope, 23.18; such are God's wonderful plans for His people.

v15-16: A man who attacks a righteous man finds that he is opposing the Lord Himself. ‘"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.’ (Nelson Mandela)

v17-20: A right attitude to the wicked. We are not to rejoice over the sufferings of others, even the wicked, 'those who deserve it.' We are not to envy the prosperity of the wicked; there is no hope for him; contrast the promise of v14.

v21-22: The Lord and the king will exercise judgment. It is therefore best not to keep company with those who will suffer condemnation.

v23-25: Justice towards others; we are not to condone sin. But be careful that our silence does not appear to condone sin. Make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

v26: An honest answer, words of truth, are a blessing to both parties.

v27: We should not make building our home the main priority; work outside must be given proper priority, too.

v28-29: Vengeance is the Lord's. We are not to repay evil for evil, that is the Lord's prerogative (20.22).

v30-34: See 6.6-11; idleness brings poverty and chaos, with no fruit. We must consider it, and receive instruction. Spiritually, if we are not diligent in personal devotion, in fellowship, in service, then not only will there be a lack of fruit, but weeds will grow. Further, it is a dishonour to the landowner. . ‘He who does not cultivate his field, will die of hunger,’ (Guinean Proverb.)