# 37 2023 Prov. 24:3-4. Prudence and Diligence! Read all of chapter twenty four first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story! Do you believe that this is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filed with rare and beautiful treasures.”
Proverbs 24 Continues with “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.” Introduced by; “Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach… So that your trust may be in the Lord… teaching you to be honest and speak the truth.” Saying twenty-one captures for us the result of prudence and diligence; “By wisdom a house is built,and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
Vs.1-2 Saying Twenty. “Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company”. Ask God to show you the way of the righteous for the way of the wicked is celebrated in our culture!
Vs.3-4 Saying Twenty-one. “By wisdom a house is built…” This saying is a metaphor for righteous lives and stands in opposition to saying twenty. Saying Twenty-one: “rare and beautiful treasures” like love, forgiveness, joy and grace!
Vs.5-6 Saying Twenty-two. “The wise prevail through great power…” There is strength in knowledge and understanding, There is wisdom in seeking council and advice. Surround yourself with the Word of God!
V.7 Saying Twenty-three. “Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate”. What happened at the City gate in those days? Deliberation were held, court was held there and the market was there. In those environments today only wisdom survives, seek wisdom!
Vs.8-9 Saying Twenty-four. This saying hi lights saying 23: “Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.” Scheming and mocking is sin that is rejected by up standing society!
Vs.10-12 Saying Twenty-five. “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” This is a rhetorical saying referring to those dying by ignorance, to those staggering in addiction, drugs, drink, food and riches. We can say that all this is being ignored by government and many citizens. “Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” This is a call to action, in our personal lives and at the ballot box!
Vs.13-14 Saying Twenty-six. “Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.” Honey is a comfort food, here used as a metaphor for wisdom, “if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Make seeking wisdom a priority in your life, and live your life in everlasting hope!
Vs.15-16 Saying Twenty-seven. “Do not lurk like a thief… do not plunder the house of the righteous…” What follows is a comparison of God’s care for the righteous and the “calamity” awaiting the wicked!
Vs.17-18 Saying Twenty-eight. “Do not gloat when your enemy falls… do not let your heart rejoice…” We are reminded, “revenge is mine says the Lord.” And “love your enemies, do good to them.” Amen!
Vs.19-20 Saying Twenty-nine. “Do not fret because of evildoers…” there is no hope and no light (lamp) for the wicked. Common sense tells us that truth!
Vs.21-22 Saying Thirty. “Fear the Lord and the king, my son”, In other words, fear God and respect the government; they are here to restrain evil in the world. Run from evil and all sin!
Vs.23-34 Further Sayings of the Wise.
Don’t show partiality, do not call the guilty innocent, convict the guilty, give an honest answer, set your priorities straight, don’t be a false witness, do not seek revenge, do not be lazy, be diligent says the wise teacher. He/She has learned from experience and observation. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” Common-sense, hard to find today!
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