Read Proverbs 24:30–34
Questions from the Scripture text: By what two things did the teacher go (Proverbs 24:30)? Whose? In what condition did he find them (Proverbs 24:31)? What did he take away from this (Proverbs 24:32)? How much of what (Proverbs 24:33) does it take for what to come (Proverbs 24:34)? In what manner?
Why must the wise be vigilant about wisdom? Proverbs 24:30–34 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must be vigilant about wisdom, because of the creation’s cursedness, our remaining corruption, and folly’s capacity for harm.
Vigilant wisdom in light of a cursed world (Proverbs 24:30-31). The thorns and thistles in Proverbs 24:31 are not just inconvenient accidents of nature. They are the embodiment of the fall (cf. Genesis 3:17–18). The thorns and nettles are presented as an invading army, even breaking down the stone wall. Creation’s being bound to corruption and decay (cf. Romans 8:19–22), together with our own original sin and remaining corruption, demand constant, vigilant exercise of wisdom. To be lazy is to lack understanding of ourselves and of God’s world (Proverbs 24:30).
Vigilant wisdom in light of remaining corruption (Proverbs 24:32). One of the most repeated themes in the book of Proverbs has been the father’s urging the son to see, consider, look, and receive instruction. But in verse 32, it is Solomon who is doing the considering and receiving instruction. We never mature past learning. In fact, it is a sign of maturity that we continue to reflect, meditate, learn, receive instruction. Obviously, Solomon already knew that laziness is destructive (cf. Proverbs 6:9–11). But, he knows that laziness continues to be a threat from within him. Just as with the condition of the creation, our remaining corruption means that we need to maintain constant vigilance against folly.
Vigilant wisdom in light of folly’s great potential for harm (Proverbs 24:33-34). The triple repetition drives home the point. How much sleep does it take? A little! How much slumber does it take? A little! How much folding of the hands to rest does it take? A little! Now, we know that the Lord gives to His beloved to sleep (cf. Psalm 127:2). So this isn’t establishing a zero-tolerance policy for sleep. Rather, Proverbs 24:33 is what the lazy men tells himself when it is time, not for sleep, but for work. He seems to know that it is folly, or he wouldn’t justify it to himself by saying that it is only a little. But even “a little” folly can bring sudden, overwhelming harm (Proverbs 24:34). So we must have a zero-tolerance policy for folly.
Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, our righteousness. He watched and prayed, when none of His disciples were able. He grew in wisdom His whole life long. He never indulged in folly, even for a moment. And it is His righteousness that is both counted for the believer, and worked out by His Spirit in the believer’s life.
What aspect of the broken creation has been threatening to sneak up on you? How are you continuing to observe things and receive instruction? In what folly are you tempted to indulge “a little”?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for the wisdom and righteousness of Christ. Please work in us, by Your Spirit, making us to be like unto Him. Keep us from indulging in laziness or any other folly. And, hasten the day when our folly will be eliminated altogether, and a new creation will enjoy sharing in the glorious freedom that belongs to us as Your children, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”
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