Proverbs 24 - Precepts And Warnings Series

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.