Proverbs 24
Share
CHAPTER 24
Sayings of the Wise, Continued (24:1–22)
1–22 Verses 1–2: See Proverbs 3:31; 22:24–25; 23:17.
Verses 3–4: By wisdom a house is built. Here the word “house” symbolizes the life of an individual, his reputation, and his family. Such a “house” will be filled with treasures—the good and valuable things of life.
Verse 10: We usually don’t know our own strength until trouble comes; then we may discover we are stronger than we thought—or weaker. Through trouble (discipline), God seeks to make us stronger.
Verses 11–12: If we know someone is in mortal danger and do not try to save him, God will judge us. This applies to those who are in spiritual danger as well; this is why Christians are called upon to share the Gospel with unbelievers (1 Corinthians 9:16). We may invent excuses for not doing so, but God weighs our heart (Proverbs 21:2); He will repay us according to what we have done (Psalm 62:12; Romans 2:6)—and also according to what we should have done but didn’t (James 4:17).
Verses 15–16: It is folly to oppose a righteous man, for in doing so one is also opposing God. God has promised to take the side of the righteous; they may stumble seven (many) times, but God lifts them up again (Psalms 34:19; 37:23–24).
Verses 17–18: See Proverbs 17:5.
Verses 19–20: See Psalm 37:1–2.
Verses 21–22: Fear the LORD and the king. The king (or other authority) serves as God’s agent to administer justice (Romans 13:1–4). The Apostle Peter says: . . . fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:17). To rebel against the king is to rebel against God, and those two (God and the king) will send sudden destruction on them, the rebellious.63
Further Sayings of the Wise (24:23–34)
23–34 Verse 27: This saying teaches us to first establish our livelihood and only then start a family. A wise man plans ahead; he first lays a foundation and then he builds on it.
Verses 28–29: See Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:17.
Verses 30–34: The sluggard is mentioned often in the book of Proverbs (see Proverbs 6:6–11; 15:19). Here the writer describes the sluggard’s field; it is overgrown with thorns and its wall is in ruins. This is also the picture of a person’s soul, the soul of one who is a sluggard spiritually; such a one will also face poverty (verse 34)—if not in this life, then surely in the next.