Slices
Prepare
Worship Father God who’s set you on his ‘path of life’ that leads to ‘fullness of joy’ and ‘pleasures for evermore’ (Psalm 16:11 ESV).
Bible passage
Saying 20
24 Do not envy the wicked,
do not desire their company;
2 for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Saying 22
5 The wise prevail through great power,
and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
6 Surely you need guidance to wage war,
and victory is won through many advisors.
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Saying 24
8 Whoever plots evil
will be known as a schemer.
9 The schemes of folly are sin,
and people detest a mocker.
Saying 25
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering towards slaughter.
12 If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saying 26
13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,
do not plunder their dwelling-place;
16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,
but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Saying 28
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.
Saying 29
19 Do not fret because of evildoers
or be envious of the wicked,
20 for the evildoer has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Saying 30
21 Fear the Lord and the king, my son,
and do not join with rebellious officials,
22 for those two will send sudden destruction on them,
and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Explore
You have good reason to be full of joy! Eternal wisdom dares to hope big, knowing that in all things God ‘works for the good of those who love him’ (Romans 8:28). Proverbs is full of ‘future hope’ (vs 14,16,19,20) for those who choose God’s wisdom, but what immediate help in the ground zero of our sufferings can it give? ‘More contentment in God and less satisfaction in self and the world’ (John Piper).* The letter of James, which picks up many of Proverbs’ concerns, calls us to treat trials as ‘pure joy’ for they develop perseverance leading to mature faith (James 1:2–4). How have you laid hold of wisdom’s perspective on your struggles?
Like the court officials addressed by these proverbs we must choose to build and furnish ourselves with wisdom (vs 3,4), which is a gradual process, but we’ve also received Jesus as a gift of wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is the concentrated hit of honey that brings the joy, strength and sweetness of the good news alive in us (vs 13,14)! So it’s with a blend of wise strategy, merciful responsibility-taking and God’s power that working together as the church we will rescue many (vs 5,6,11).
* John Piper, Desiring God, IVP, 2004
Respond
Who has God given you to ‘rescue’ in some way? This may include people you’d call ‘enemy’ (v 17). Wisdom recognises the need to be a peace-maker and Christ in us makes peace our reality.
Deeper Bible study
‘Speak from thy word in this quiet hour. / Teach me to live by thy Spirit’s power. / Open my heart so that I may see / more of thyself … in me.’1
This section warns twice against envying the wicked (vs 1,19).2 There are two reasons for this. First, if we envy their lives we will end up taking on their ways – plotting violence and speaking evil (v 2). Second, the evildoers have no future, since they will perish in the end (v 20). The sages in turn admonish the young listener to rescue people who are facing death – most likely the victims of injustice (v 11). Any false excuse for inactivity is unforgivable when we are called upon to help those in desperate need, for God examines our heart (v 12). Instead of envying the wicked, the righteous should take action to stand against violence.
The instruction proceeds to counsel against an attitude of self-righteousness. It admonishes the righteous not to rejoice over the punishment of the wicked (v 17). Such attitudes will displease the Lord and he may turn his wrath away from the wicked and towards those who have judged (v 18). The young are reminded to trust in God (not unlike the king), who is, above all, responsible for taking vengeance (v 22).
Do you find yourself envious of the wicked, when you see them enjoying easy gains, good health, longevity, prosperity and success? Let’s convert such negative attitudes into positive action – looking out for the victims of the wicked. Micah reminds us to ‘act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’.3 Have we ever rejoiced over the punishment of the evildoers without even feeling guilty about it? God told Ezekiel that he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; instead, he wants them to turn from their wicked ways and live.4 Let God’s heart be our heart!
‘Lord, our minds seek to know you. Our hearts long to find you. Our souls desire to serve you. Send us out, aware of your presence, that our hearts may be renewed.’5
1 Eugene L Clark, ‘Prayer before Preaching’, 1968 2 Cf Prov 23:17 3 Mic 6:8 4 Ezek 18:23 5 Adam, 1994, p91
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Amos 9; Revelation 9
Pray for Scripture Union
Steve Hutchinson is leading a Christingle service for over one hundred 3- to 7-year-olds at his local primary school. Pray for safety and that they will understand the true meaning of Jesus the Light of the World as they light their candles.
