Read Proverbs 24:26–29
Questions from the Scripture text: What does the man in Proverbs 24:26 do? What effect does this have? What must a man prepare first (Proverbs 24:27a)? In order to do be fit it for whose work (verse 27b)? As preparation to do what (verse 27c)? What mustn’t a man be, against whom, in what circumstances (Proverbs 24:28a)? What does such a witness do with his lips (verse 28b)? What does a person tell himself, in order to end up being such a kind of witness (Proverbs 24:29)?
Why is our public testimony so important? Proverbs 24:26–29 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must be covenantally faithful in all our relationships.
We are to be covenantally faithful in marriage, in the community, to our household, and to our neighbor. It is this theme of covenantal faithfulness that holds Proverbs 24:26-29 together.
Covenantal faithfulness in marriage is the gold standard, and it is the background for the covenantal faithfulness that Proverbs 24:26 urges upon us. “Giving a right answer” implies testimony in a judicial proceeding or governing council. How we use our mouth is a central component of covenant faithfulness as a citizen.
Covenant faithfulness to his household comes before a man even has one. 1 Timothy 5:8 teaches us that if one does not provide for his own household, he denies the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Proverbs 24:27 teaches us that this begins before there is a house in which to build a household. First, a man must prepare the property so that he is able to provide for his household by his labor in the field. Even if we are not homesteaders, the principle applies: a man begins providing for his wife and children by laying the groundwork of an occupation that can provide for them.
And if these things are true with respect to material provision, then how much more important it is that the same be done for spiritual provision. Young men should be fitting themselves to be spiritual providers by actively availing themselves of membership in a faithful church, and by their own personal and family attendance upon the means of grace, day by day, in the home. He who does not provide for his own household spiritually denies the faith, and is worse than unbeliever. But this provision begins long before there is a household for whom to provide.
Finally, covenant faithfulness to our neighbor means not volunteering to witness against him (Proverbs 24:28-29). “Without cause” (Proverbs 24:28a) implies that we are not an eyewitness, and we have not been asked to testify. Rather, the case in view is when we feel slighted or wronged, and we take our neighbor’s trouble as an opportunity to repay him (Proverbs 24:29). When this is how we come to testify, we can expect our motives to lead us astray, such that we “deceive with our lips” (Proverbs 24:28b). This is a great offense to God. His covenant faithfulness is ultimate, and it demands our own in every area.
When have you been expected to give an answer? When else are you tempted to? How are you faithful to your family?
Sample prayer: Let us ask Him to help us. Father, we pray that Your Spirit would apply Christ to us, that in all the relationships and roles You have placed us, You would make us faithful to fulfill our obligations, and loyal in covenant with those to whom You have bound us, and with whom we have bound ourselves, by vow. Grant this, we ask in Christ’s Name, Amen!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”
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