We will now look at chapter 24.
1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; Proverbs 24:1 (NASB)
It is very easy for us to look at others and say, "Boy I wish I could do that." or "I wish I were like that." Be very careful of the character of those who you would set as an example. Don't envy those who are not on the right path.
2 For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. Proverbs 24:2 (NASB)
The King James version uses the word "heart" instead of "mind". The matter is that they are consumed with producing violence. It is always on their mind and in their heart. Not only that but they talk about it continually.
3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3 (NASB)
A good life is built by wisdom and the foundation of it is established if understanding is present.
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:4 (NASB)
Here is a continuation of thought from the previous verse. Knowledge should fill the rooms of the house. Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are those things we should strive for in life. If we seek these things - there will be riches - perhaps not physical riches - but riches of value and honor.
5 A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. Proverbs 24:5 (NASB)
The athlete who has wisdom—who assesses the situation and plans strategies—has an advantage over a physically stronger but unwise opponent. We exercise regularly and eat well to build our strength, but do we take equal pains to develop wisdom and knowledge? Because wisdom is a vital part of strength, it pays to attain it.
6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs 24:6 (NASB)
In any major decision we make concerning college, marriage, career, children, etc., it is not a sign of weakness to ask for advice. Instead, it is foolish not to ask for it. Find good advisers before making any big decision. They can help you expand your alternatives and evaluate your choices.
7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate. Proverbs 24:7 (NASB)
Matthew Henry says of this verse:
"A weak man thinks wisdom is too high for him, therefore he will take no pains for it. It is bad to do evil, but worse to devise it. Even the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, and must be repented of. Those that strive to make others hateful, make themselves so."
8 One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer. Proverbs 24:8 (NASB)
Planning to do evil can be as wrong as doing it because what you think determines what you will do. Left unchecked, wrong desires will lead us to sin. God wants pure hearts, free from sin, and planning evil brings sinful thoughts into our mind. Should you say, "Then I might as well go ahead and do it because I've already planned it"? No. You have sinned in your attitude, but you have not yet harmed other people. Stop in your tracks and ask God to forgive you and put you on a different path.
9 The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. Proverbs 24:9 (NASB)
Wesley has said of this verse:
"The thought - The very inward thought or contrivance of evil, is a sin in God's sight."
I pray that my thoughts were pure - but they are not. That which I can hide from man I can not hide from myself - much less God.
10 If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. Proverbs 24:10 (NASB)
Times of trouble can be useful. They can show you who you really are - what kind of character you have developed. In addition, they can help you grow stronger. When Jeremiah questioned God because of the trouble he faced, God asked how he ever expected to face big challenges if the little ones tired him out (Jer_12:5). Don't complain about your problems. The trouble you face today is training you to be strong for the more difficult situations you will face in the future.
11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. Proverbs 24:11 (NASB)
We are our brothers keeper. If you see one on the road to death - do you sit back and do nothing? That is not what this verse tells us to do. But it tells us to "hold them back".
12 If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? Proverbs 24:12 (NASB)
The Message Bible renders the verse this way:
"If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know — Someone not impressed with weak excuses."
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; Proverbs 24:13 (NASB)
When speaking of this verse D. Thomas applies honey to:
Spiritual knowledge
I. It is wholesome. “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good.” Honey was one of the choice productions of Canaan. It was used by its inhabitants as an article of diet; it was not only delicious to the palate, but strengthening to the frame. Divine knowledge is the aliment for man’s spiritual nature; without it there is no moral strength; our faculties require God Himself to feed upon. Without God it starves. He is the food of the intellect, the affections, the imagination, the conscience.
II. It is delectable. “And the honeycomb, which is sweet to the taste.” God’s goodness in nature appears in this as well as in all other things: that the provisions essential to man’s strength He has made palatable to the taste. Honey is not only strengthening, but “sweet.” The pleasures of spiritual knowledge are of the most exquisite kind.
III. It is satisfying. “When thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.” There shall be a reward. Goodness is its own reward, and the reward is equal to the highest “expectation.” (D. Thomas, D.D.)
14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your
hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14 (NASB)
If you find wisdom you will have a future - it is a blessing beyond today.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; Proverbs 24:15 (NASB)
Herein is a command - "DO NOT" lie in wait - "DO NOT" destroy his resting place.
16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Proverbs 24:16 (NASB)
All men fall - but perseverance and faithfulness is based on those who get up.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Proverbs 24:17 (NASB)
David refused to gloat over the death of his lifelong enemy, Saul. On the other hand, the nation of Edom rejoiced over Israel's defeat and was punished by God for their attitude. To gloat over others' misfortune is to make yourself the avenger and to put yourself in the place of God, who alone is the real Judge of all the earth.
18 Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. Proverbs 24:18 (NASB)
This verse is connected to verse 17. It is displeasing to the Lord when you rejoice over your enemies misfortune.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; Proverbs 24:19 (NASB)
Do not envy those who follow the path of wickedness even though they may have more than you. Their path will lead to destruction. Also do not worry over those who do evil - God is your protection and has promised to see you through any situation.
20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. Proverbs 24:20 (NASB)
This verse is connected to verse 19. There is no future for evil people. God is watching over them and will judge them when the time comes. Their lamp will not shine but they will be found in utter darkness.
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, Proverbs 24:21 (NASB)
The instruction is to fear the Lord and the king. Respect them. Follow them. Obey them. Do not run after those who want to follow the trend or fad of the moment.
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? Proverbs 24:22 (NASB)
Those who chase after other things than God or those that do not respect the government will find trouble fall on them in an instant. In America I can respect my government and still not agree with it. I have the right to use the legal system to get things changed.
23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. Proverbs 24:23 (NASB)
Those who judge have the responsibility not to show partiality in judgment. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Let there be an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Let justice fall like rain.
24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; Proverbs 24:24 (NASB)
There are those who would call evil good and good evil. When you see evil do not try to sugar coat it. Call it for what it is.
25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. Proverbs 24:25 (NASB)
This verse is in contract to verse 24. Those who call the wicked "righteous" will be cursed - but those who rebuke the wicked will be blessed. Social conduct is important and just because something is socially accepted does not make it right.
26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. Proverbs 24:26 (NASB)
People often think that they should bend the truth to avoid hurting a friend. But one who gives an honest, straightforward answer is a true friend. To be entrusted with the truth even at the risk of offense, says this proverb, represents a gesture of high honor.
27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house. Proverbs 24:27 (NASB)
We should carry out our work in its proper order. If a farmer builds his house in the spring, he will miss the planting season and go a year without food. If a businessman invests his money in a house while his business is struggling to grow, he may lose both. It is possible to work hard and still lose everything if the timing is wrong or the resources to carry it out are not in place.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. Proverbs 24:28 (NASB)
This is a proverb against lying. Do not give a false witness. Always speak the truth.
29 Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work." Proverbs 24:29 (NASB)
Here is a reverse version of the Golden Rule. Revenge is the way the world operates, but it is not God's way. The Golden Rule says:
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31 (NASB)
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, 31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. Proverbs 24:30-31 (NASB)
Here is the picture of the lazy person. They will not keep up what they have. The fields will be covered with thistles and nettles which are good for nothing. The walls will be broken down and there will be no protection. Folks - take care of your fields.
32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. Proverbs 24:32 (NASB)
The sluggard's field and vineyard became a lesson for me. It taught me that I must take care of what I have - or my fields may turn out to be the same condition as theirs.
33 "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest," 34 Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man. Proverbs 24:33-34 (NASB)
This is not a proverb against rest but it is a proverb against laziness. Rest when it is time to rest but don't sleep when you should be working. The work will never get done when you sleep through it. Laziness will rob you of the opportunity to fix what needs fixing.
