Proverbs 24a

My commentator thinks the theme of this part of the chapter is "bad company ruins good character". Or "bad company ruins good morals" quoted by Paul.

One must avoid bad company (1) and cultivate good advisers (6). We are influenced by those we associate with. We cannot help it. So beware of your choice of friends and business associates. They will subtly lead us for good or evil. So be wise.

The gate (7) is where the town elders meet to judge disputes and generally share the news. Is there wisdom at the gate? I think the writer here is not sure. Just like today we wonder at the intelligence of those who are in government.

Do not be envious of evil men (1) who seem to have life better than yourself. If you associate with them you will get into trouble (2). Do not use them as a model for how to get ahead.

I like verses 17-18 especially "do not rejoice when your enemy falls". There is great wisdom wrapped up in that.

On a sports chat forum I frequent this is jokingly referred to as not provoking the "weauf gods". If you brag too much about your team's successes you may bring wrath upon your team in the future.

But seriously if a rival in business is embarrassed by a set back that may work in our favor, how do we react? Perhaps this a person who is competing with us for a promotion. It is wrong and dangerous to gloat over their misfortune.

Verse 18 says God is displeased with this behavior and may very well feel compassion for our rival and restore them. God loves everyone after all, even our enemy.

This could be a direct consequence of our behavior. It is like we are kicking them while they are down. Others could feel sorry for the person we are laughing at and come in to help them. Perhaps may laugh with you but they will not think well of you. It is mean.

Jesus told us to love our enemies. This proverb seems to go along with that.

PROVERBS 24:1-22 [1] Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; [2] For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. [3] By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; [4] And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. [5] A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. [6] For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. [7] Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate. [8] One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer. [9] The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. [10] If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. [11] Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. [12] If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? [13] My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; [14] Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off. [15] Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; [16] For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. [17] Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; [18] Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. [19] Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; [20] For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. [21] My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, [22] For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? (NASB)