The Passage
Proverbs 24:23–34
23 These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. 24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, 25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. 26 Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, 31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Word Work
Ask and answer questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down your answers to these questions
Word Thoughts:
A true friend does more than accept us: “whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.” As a later proverb puts it, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6). True friends stir us to strive and grow (Heb. 10:24). Wisely, the wounds of a true friend are not rash or reckless but gentle and respectful, for “a brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city” (Prov. 18:19). It is easy to offend, but hard to reconcile.
If someone you love has betrayed your trust and harmed you, the path of God’s wisdom for you is this: “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you” (20:22; 24:29). Waiting for the Lord is not easy, but taking your own revenge can only make matters worse. Far from repaying one evil with more evil, God’s counsel is that you unsettle your ex-friend with surprising kindnesses: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you” (25:21–22; Rom. 12:19–21; 1 Pet. 3:8–17). The Lord does not ask us to trust our enemies, but he does ask us to love them, for he loved us when we were his enemies (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:17–20). By this heavenly wisdom, and by this means alone, the love of Christ will be wonderfully seen and felt in our angry world today. (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips - what does this mean?
- Have you ever had to be the person to give difficult advice to a friend? What did you learn from that?
- Is there anyone you need to have a difficult conversation with today for their own good?
End in Prayer
Resources used:
- Gospel Transformation Study Bible