Proverbs 22:2

2 Rich and poor have this in common -ADONAI made them both.

Proverbs 22:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and poor meet together
In an hostile way, as some; they rush upon one another; the rich despise the poor, and the poor envy the rich; they cannot speak well one of another, as the Arabic version; or they are dependent on one another, they cannot do without each other; as in the natural body one member cannot say to another, I have no need of thee; so, in the body politic, the rich and the poor cannot say they have no need of one another; the rich stand in need of the poor to till their land, to plough and sow, and do all other servile works for them; and the poor have need of the rich to employ them; have need of their money as their wages for their work, to support themselves and families with: or they sometimes change conditions, and so meet; the poor grow rich, and the rich become poor; the one goes uphill and the other downhill, and so meet in their passage. They meet together in all places of the earth; go where you will, there are rich and poor. The godly rich and poor meet together in one place to worship God; they meet together in a Gospel church state, enjoying the same privileges and ordinances; and will all meet the Lord, and all meet together at his judgment seat; and they will meet in heaven, and be together to all eternity, where the distinction will cease: and the wicked rich and poor meet together to commit sin; and they meet together in the grave F17, where there is no difference; and they will meet at the bar of God at the last day, and in hell, where they will be together for evermore; the Lord [is] the Maker of them all:
not only as men, but as rich men and poor men; God gives riches to whom he pleases, and poverty to whom he pleases; riches and poverty are according to the order of divine Providence; and he can and does change scenes at his pleasure; wherefore the rich should consider themselves as dependent on him, and not despise and crush the poor; and the poor should be content with their state, as being allotted to them by the Lord, who can alter it when he thinks fit.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 "Victor cum victis pariter miscebitur umbris--Lydus Delichio, non ditat Croesus ab Iro", Propert. l. 3. Eleg. 5. v. 15, 17.

Proverbs 22:2 In-Context

1 Rather than wealth, choose a good reputation, esteem over silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common -ADONAI made them both.
3 The clever see trouble coming and hide; the simple go on and pay the penalty.
4 The reward for humility is fear of ADONAI, along with wealth, honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares beset the way of the stubborn; he who values his life keeps his distance from them.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.