Focus on What is Right

Proverbs 24:1-34

“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.  For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.” (Proverbs 24:1-2)

Don’t be jealous of what wicked people have, and for sure don’t try to become friends with them.  They spend a lot of effort trying to figure out a way to take or destroy what other people have or do.  They like to discuss what they can do to other people.

“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.” (Proverbs 24:3-7)

The physical construction of a building required wisdom in planning and constructing it and its strength and durability are dependent on the builder’s understanding of the materials and mechanical principles.  Knowledge enables him to furnish it with pleasant and useful things.  The same is true in building a strong family or dynasty. 

The wise person is strong simply because he doesn’t waste all his energy dealing with his mistakes.  He doesn’t go off half-cocked, but gets the best advice available, and not just from those who agree with him.   It is what keeps him from making so many mistakes.  A fool considers it too much trouble to figure it all out.  As a result, people don’t come to him for advice very long.

“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.” (Proverbs 24:8-9)  

A person who sits around thinking about ways to get by with doing wrong will be known as a trouble maker.  Focusing on silliness is sin and tends to lead to other sinful things, which is part of the reason Ephesians 5:3-4 commands, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”

“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?” (Proverbs 24:10-12)

If person quits when the going gets tough he isn’t very strong.  He can’t use the excuse he didn’t know what was needed for looking away and not trying to protect other people.  God knows the truth and will consider it, judging according to what each person has done. 

“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.” (Proverbs 24:13-14)

While it may not seem like it at first, wisdom will soon be like honey or the honeycomb, making other things more pleasant.  It will produce rewards and enable one to accomplish his goals.

“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.” (Proverbs 24:15-16)

There is an old saying that “you can’t keep a good man down.”   Solomon says it ai a waste of time for a wicked person to try to take advantage of a good man because no matter how many time you try he will recover, but the wicked will be destroyed. 

  

“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.” (Proverbs 24:17-18)  

Don’t celebrate when your enemy gets into trouble or had problems.  God may be offended by your attitude and stop punishing 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?” (Proverbs 24:19-22)

Don’t get upset or jealous because wicked people seem to be getting ahead by their sin.  They will get what they deserve, and ultimately lose everything including their life.  Focus on respecting God and obeying the laws and don’t get mixed people who are out to change everything.  Not all changes are good, and no one knows when an ill-advised change will backfire and destroy both the old and the new.

“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.” (Proverbs 24:23-26)

Wise people understand that allowing someone to get by with things because he is rich or famous or powerful make other people hate and distrust you.  They are drawn to people who honestly stand up for what is right, and they like and respect people they can depend on to give them the truth.

“Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” (Proverbs 24:27)  

Take care of your business first,  if you do, you will be free to enjoy the things that result.  If you focus on your pleasures first, you may end up losing everything. 

“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.” (Proverbs 24:28-29)

Don’t invent charges against your neighbor or lie about him to cause him trouble when he has not done anything wrong.  Don’t use getting even with him as an excuse for doing wrong yourself.  God has said he will take care of paying them back and he is a lot better at it then you are. 

“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 24:30-34)

Solomon observed what happened to lazy people and those who didn’t know what they were doing.  Their property was overgrown and in disrepair, with the fences falling down.  It was obvious that little neglect and laziness let things deteriorate rapidly. And would eventually destry everything they had as surely as if it had been stolen by an armed robber.