Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl Proverbs 24:8-14 Courage & the Sweetness of Wisdom
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Proverbs 24:8–14
[8] Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
[9] The devising of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
[10] If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
[11] Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
[12] If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?
[13] My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
[14] Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off. (ESV)
Courage & the Sweetness of Wisdom
v.8-9 Planners of evil deeds receive reputations as schemers. This is a warning against being interested only in ourselves. One who stubbornly pursues only his own agenda does not yet grasp Divine Wisdom. In fact, their schemes are not only foolish in God's eyes but in the eyes of their fellow human beings as well.
v.10-12 Facing the world as a Christian requires both moral fortitude and spiritual courage. Each of us should listen to our God-given conscience and act according to His Word. We should seek to rescue others even when that puts us at personal risk. All unbelievers are captive to sin and headed for eternal death. The courage of a Christian sharing the Gospel, even at mortal risk, can save them from that fate by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible has many examples for us to consider: Daniel 3; Acts 7; Joshua 2; 1 Samuel 17.
v.13-14 Compare these verses to Proverbs 23:15-18. Honey both tastes good and is good for you. Such is Divine Wisdom. The benefit of honey is it provides nutrition. Wisdom provides eternal life. Those with Divine Wisdom have the sure and certain hope that eternal life awaits after the suffering of this world.