Proverbs 24 Commentary: Wisdom for Life's Journey
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 24, continuing from the collection of thirty wise sayings in Proverbs 22:17-21, offers a rich tapestry of practical wisdom for navigating life. While the origin of some sayings in this chapter is less clear than others, their value remains timeless. This chapter provides detailed lessons, warnings, and insightful observations, guiding us toward a life of wisdom, justice, and diligence. Let's delve into the depths of Proverbs 24 and discover its enduring relevance.
Avoiding Envy and Embracing Wisdom (Proverbs 24:1-12)
The chapter begins with a crucial reminder: "Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their hearts plan violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking" Proverbs 24:1-2. It's a strong caution against being drawn to the apparent success or excitement associated with wickedness. True success, as Proverbs consistently emphasizes, resides in wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Choosing our friends and companions wisely is paramount. Relationships can either encourage kingdom living or become stumbling blocks. Those who plot evil and mock wisdom are known by their deeds and hated for them.
Instead of envy, we are encouraged to cultivate wisdom, which builds a strong foundation for life. "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches" Proverbs 24:3-4. A family built on wisdom, understanding, and knowledge is a treasure, prepared to extend God’s kingdom rule into the world.
Proverbs 24:5-6 highlights the power of wisdom and knowledge: "A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." See also Proverbs 11:14; 20:18. In essence, wisdom equips us for the battles of life, providing strength and strategic insight.
The proverb then addresses our responsibility to act on behalf of the vulnerable. "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter" Proverbs 24:11. We cannot feign ignorance or indifference to the plight of others. To love your neighbor means to intentionally do him good—especially when he’s in distress or danger. God's people are called to rescue those being led to death and slaughter. Even if we claim ignorance, God sees our hearts and knows our actions: "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?" Proverbs 24:12. This is a call to action, urging us to stand up for justice and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Kingdom men and women do not sit by and do nothing in difficult times.
The Sweetness of Wisdom and the Consequences of Wickedness (Proverbs 24:13-20)
The writer draws a parallel between the enjoyment of honey and the benefits of wisdom: "My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 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" Proverbs 24:13-14. Just as honey is pleasing to the palate, wisdom brings satisfaction and a secure future. God doesn’t command us to become wise simply because it’s the right thing to do. We should choose wisely in life because doing so brings pleasure.
The proverb contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked: "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble into calamity" Proverbs 24:16. The righteous may stumble, but they possess the resilience to rise again, often with the aid of the godly people we have gathered around us. God helps them up. The wicked, however, lack this resilience and ultimately face ruin.
We are cautioned against rejoicing in the downfall of our enemies: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him" Proverbs 24:17-18. This echoes Jesus' teaching to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Our hearts should be aligned with God's, desiring justice and restoration rather than reveling in another's misfortune. Don’t gloat when your enemy falls.
The passage warns against envying the wicked or associating with those in authority who are prone to evil: "Be not envious of evildoers, nor desire to be with the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out" Proverbs 24:19-20. See also Proverbs 3:31-35; 24:1-2.
Respect for Authority and Avoiding Meddling (Proverbs 24:21-22)
The importance of respecting authority is emphasized: "My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those given to change, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?" Proverbs 24:21-22. See also Proverbs 19:12; 20:30. Respecting authority—both moral and legal—helps a person avoid the natural consequences of disobedience.
Impartiality, Honesty, and Diligence (Proverbs 24:23-34)
This section provides further wise sayings, emphasizing the importance of fair judgment and honest dealings. "To show partiality in judgment is not good" Proverbs 24:23. Just judgment is crucial, both in official settings and in everyday interactions. An honest answer—making sure your words match reality—is an act of kindness and love.
The proverb warns against unwarranted criticism and the pursuit of revenge: "Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay him back for what he has done”" Proverbs 24:29. See also Proverbs 12:17, 19, 22; 24:17-18; 25:18-19.
The chapter concludes with a vivid illustration of the consequences of laziness: "I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man" Proverbs 24:30-34. See also Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:2-5; 12:24; 18:9; 26:13-16. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diligence and the inevitable consequences of neglect.
Proverbs 24 offers a wealth of practical wisdom, guiding us toward a life of righteousness, justice, and diligence. By embracing wisdom, avoiding envy, acting justly, and diligently pursuing our responsibilities, we can build a strong foundation for a fulfilling and meaningful life. This chapter encourages us to actively seek wisdom, apply it to our daily lives, and experience the sweet rewards it offers.
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 24, continuing from the collection of thirty wise sayings in Proverbs 22:17-21, offers a rich tapestry of practical wisdom for navigating life. While the origin of some sayings in this chapter is less clear than others, their value remains timeless. This chapter provides detailed lessons, warnings, and insightful observations, guiding us toward a life of wisdom, justice, and diligence. Let's delve into the depths of Proverbs 24 and discover its enduring relevance.
Avoiding Envy and Embracing Wisdom (Proverbs 24:1-12)
The chapter begins with a crucial reminder: "Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their hearts plan violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking" Proverbs 24:1-2. It's a strong caution against being drawn to the apparent success or excitement associated with wickedness. True success, as Proverbs consistently emphasizes, resides in wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Choosing our friends and companions wisely is paramount. Relationships can either encourage kingdom living or become stumbling blocks. Those who plot evil and mock wisdom are known by their deeds and hated for them.
Instead of envy, we are encouraged to cultivate wisdom, which builds a strong foundation for life. "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches" Proverbs 24:3-4. A family built on wisdom, understanding, and knowledge is a treasure, prepared to extend God’s kingdom rule into the world.
Proverbs 24:5-6 highlights the power of wisdom and knowledge: "A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." See also Proverbs 11:14; 20:18. In essence, wisdom equips us for the battles of life, providing strength and strategic insight.
The proverb then addresses our responsibility to act on behalf of the vulnerable. "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter" Proverbs 24:11. We cannot feign ignorance or indifference to the plight of others. To love your neighbor means to intentionally do him good—especially when he’s in distress or danger. God's people are called to rescue those being led to death and slaughter. Even if we claim ignorance, God sees our hearts and knows our actions: "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?" Proverbs 24:12. This is a call to action, urging us to stand up for justice and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Kingdom men and women do not sit by and do nothing in difficult times.
The Sweetness of Wisdom and the Consequences of Wickedness (Proverbs 24:13-20)
The writer draws a parallel between the enjoyment of honey and the benefits of wisdom: "My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 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" Proverbs 24:13-14. Just as honey is pleasing to the palate, wisdom brings satisfaction and a secure future. God doesn’t command us to become wise simply because it’s the right thing to do. We should choose wisely in life because doing so brings pleasure.
The proverb contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked: "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble into calamity" Proverbs 24:16. The righteous may stumble, but they possess the resilience to rise again, often with the aid of the godly people we have gathered around us. God helps them up. The wicked, however, lack this resilience and ultimately face ruin.
We are cautioned against rejoicing in the downfall of our enemies: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him" Proverbs 24:17-18. This echoes Jesus' teaching to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Our hearts should be aligned with God's, desiring justice and restoration rather than reveling in another's misfortune. Don’t gloat when your enemy falls.
The passage warns against envying the wicked or associating with those in authority who are prone to evil: "Be not envious of evildoers, nor desire to be with the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out" Proverbs 24:19-20. See also Proverbs 3:31-35; 24:1-2.
Respect for Authority and Avoiding Meddling (Proverbs 24:21-22)
The importance of respecting authority is emphasized: "My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those given to change, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?" Proverbs 24:21-22. See also Proverbs 19:12; 20:30. Respecting authority—both moral and legal—helps a person avoid the natural consequences of disobedience.
Impartiality, Honesty, and Diligence (Proverbs 24:23-34)
This section provides further wise sayings, emphasizing the importance of fair judgment and honest dealings. "To show partiality in judgment is not good" Proverbs 24:23. Just judgment is crucial, both in official settings and in everyday interactions. An honest answer—making sure your words match reality—is an act of kindness and love.
The proverb warns against unwarranted criticism and the pursuit of revenge: "Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay him back for what he has done”" Proverbs 24:29. See also Proverbs 12:17, 19, 22; 24:17-18; 25:18-19.
The chapter concludes with a vivid illustration of the consequences of laziness: "I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man" Proverbs 24:30-34. See also Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:2-5; 12:24; 18:9; 26:13-16. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diligence and the inevitable consequences of neglect.
Proverbs 24 offers a wealth of practical wisdom, guiding us toward a life of righteousness, justice, and diligence. By embracing wisdom, avoiding envy, acting justly, and diligently pursuing our responsibilities, we can build a strong foundation for a fulfilling and meaningful life. This chapter encourages us to actively seek wisdom, apply it to our daily lives, and experience the sweet rewards it offers.