Proverbs 24 second part

The commentator speaks of the betrayal of a trusted friend. This is how he interprets v. 26. A kiss on the lips is the greeting for trusted friends. We see this also in Judas' kiss of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He betrayed a trusted friend. A kiss like this is the formal greeting of a trusted friend.

Judas betrayed Jesus. Have we every been betrayed by a trusted friend? If it has happened to me I have blotted out the conscious memory of it.

The commentator says he showed this verse (26) to a friend. The friend said, "There are some people I would prefer to lie to me." I'm not sure what he meant by that and it is left unexplained.

Are there some people he would prefer not to trust? Or some people he would rather not be friends with at all. (Why?) Or is it that some people have a lying nature? It would be incongruous to hear them tell the truth. He would not expect it. It would catch him off guard if this man he is thinking of was honest.

Verse 28 adds that one should not lie or perjure oneself in court.

The writer finishes this section by warning us not to be lazy. Verse 27 tells us to work wisely. Prepare and plan your garden or business venture, then go out and do it. A vineyard (30) needs constant tending. Or it will not produce. I vineyard is an excellent example. Some things, seem to grow with little manual labor. But vines need pruning fertilizing watering, lots of TLC.


PROVERBS 24:23-34 [23] These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. [24] He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; [25] But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. [26] He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. [27] Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house. [28] Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. [29] Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work." [30] I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, [31] And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. [32] When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. [33] "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest," [34] Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man. NASB