Posted by Jeff Short on July 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
– Proverbs 24:30
Verses 30-34 conclude this appendix of more sayings of the wise with a life lesson from the sluggard. The passage parallels Proverbs 6:6-11 in ways. The sayings of the wise have already addressed working wisely (Proverbs 24:27). Proverbs consistently points to wisdom as the necessary foundation of any good life. In other words, wisdom is first (Proverbs 4:7). Get wisdom, build your house, and then it will be filled with good things (Proverbs 3:5-10; 24:4). Short-term wealth may be gained, but without wisdom, it will not be kept (Proverbs 6:11; 20:21; 28:22).
The owner of the field is identified as “slothful” and “void of understanding.” These characteristics are apparent from the condition of the property under his management. This section is immensely practical and shows how wisdom gains discernment to perceive character and draw lessons from life experiences.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 29, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
– Proverbs 24:29
The warning of verse 29 could be in light of the warning in the previous verse against false witness in the form of baseless accusations. This verse has to do with retaliation, or seeking revenge. Rendering to men according their works is the sole work of Yahweh (Proverbs 20:22; 24:12; Romans 2:5-6; Romans 12:19-21). Personal retaliations tend to escalate anger, which is contrary to wisdom (Proverbs 10:12; 15:1, 18; 28:25; 29:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
– Proverbs 24:28
Verse 28 is a saying against bearing false witness. The word for
without cause literally means for nothing. It can refer to free, or without cost, but can also mean without a reason. In the context of a false witness, it means to make a baseless accusation. The law required a witness to have firsthand knowledge to give testimony in a case (Leviticus 5:1). Judges were responsible to examine the witnesses’ evidence and establish the truthfulness of the testimony (Deuteronomy 19:18-21). Wisdom as well as the law condemns being a false witness (Exodus 23:1; Proverbs 14:5; 19:5; 21:28).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field: and afterwards build thine house.
– Proverbs 24:27
Verse 27 is a standalone saying. A
house is a common figure in Proverbs for a family (Proverbs 11:29; 14:1; 15:27). In general, wisdom teaches forethought, planning, and proper ordering of things in life. So a house is only filled with good things by wisdom (Proverbs 24:3-4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
– Proverbs 24:26
This verse closes the saying on just judgment. The word for
right means straight and the word for
answer means word, or something said. Giving a straight answer is likened to a
kiss, which was a sign of loyalty and affection. Though the wording seems a little obscure, the proverb suggests a true kinship with one who speaks straight. This saying accords with the value of wise speech taught elsewhere (Proverbs 15:23; 16:13; 25:11-12).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 16, 2018 · Leave a Comment
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
– Proverbs 24:25
This verse continues from the previous and gives the alternative to perverted justice, which is right judgment. The word for
delight denotes pleasantness and the word for
blessing means prosperity. These words describe the reward that comes to those who judge righteous judgment. The
rebuke indicated in the verse is given to the guilty from the previous verse.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 14, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
– Proverbs 24:24
The “respect of persons in judgment” from the previous verse is explained as declaring the
wicked to be
righteous. Declaring the guilty to be innocent is a corruption of justice. Such perverting of justice is an abomination to God (Proverbs 17:15), and also to the general public (Proverbs 11:26). Perverting justice may win power and position, but it will lose the people.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 12, 2018 · Leave a Comment
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
– Proverbs 24:23
Verse 23 begins an additional collection of wise sayings, which runs through the end of the end of the chapter. Verses 23-26 form a saying concerning just judgment. The phrase
respect of persons literally means: look at the face. It is put for showing partiality in judgment. The word for
judgment means a verdict, or decision. It has legal connotations. The saying is a warning against perverting justice. We show partiality in giving favor to the rich or powerful. We also show partiality by giving favor the poor or downtrodden. The latter is sometimes called reverse discrimination. Any perversion of justice, regardless of the direction favor is shown, is unjust (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:19; Proverbs 18:5; 28:21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 11, 2018 · Leave a Comment
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
– Proverbs 24:22
Verse 22 explains the warning in the previous verse. The wording is a little difficult. The word for
calamity means ruin and indicates the downfall of the rebels of the previous verse. The word for
ruin means destruction. The both referred to is most naturally understood of God and the king in the previous verse. The warning is in light of the judgment coming upon the rebellious (Proverbs 16:14; 20:2).
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Proverbs 24:30
Posted by Jeff Short on July 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Verses 30-34 conclude this appendix of more sayings of the wise with a life lesson from the sluggard. The passage parallels Proverbs 6:6-11 in ways. The sayings of the wise have already addressed working wisely (Proverbs 24:27). Proverbs consistently points to wisdom as the necessary foundation of any good life. In other words, wisdom is first (Proverbs 4:7). Get wisdom, build your house, and then it will be filled with good things (Proverbs 3:5-10; 24:4). Short-term wealth may be gained, but without wisdom, it will not be kept (Proverbs 6:11; 20:21; 28:22).– Proverbs 24:30
The owner of the field is identified as “slothful” and “void of understanding.” These characteristics are apparent from the condition of the property under his management. This section is immensely practical and shows how wisdom gains discernment to perceive character and draw lessons from life experiences.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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