Meditations at the Mercy Seat Proverbs 24:21-26 More Sayings of the Wise

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Proverbs 24:21–26

[21] My son, fear the Lord and the king,

and do not join with those who do otherwise,

[22] for disaster will arise suddenly from them,

and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

[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. (ESV)

More Sayings of the Wise

v.21-22 Just as one respects a just and Godly ruler, so should we respect God Himself. We should not associate with those who choose to rebel against either God's immutable Law set in stone or the Law of the land when it agrees with God's Law. Those that do so set themselves up as their own master (Proverbs 2:23), a violation of the first commandment. When we set ourselves up as our own god, we face destruction both in this world and in the world to come.

v.23-25 This proverb introduces the following and applies particularity to judges and those who make and administer our laws, as well as those serving jury duty, lawyers, and so forth. It begins by stating that not being impartial is a perversion of justice. Judges are to carry out God's own justice (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17; Proverbs 18:5).

Next comes an example of partiality—the pardon of a guilty person—in verse 24. Such action will bring curses upon the wicked judge, but the opposite will happen to a righteous judge—he will receive blessing from both the people whom he serves and God Himself (Romans 13:1-7).

This wisdom can be applied to the church as well—see James 2:1-13. Pastors are to proclaim God's Law, which always accuses and condemns, in balance with the sweetness of the Gospel, which declares all believers in the death and resurrection of Christ righteous and blameless before God. This must be done without favoritism. In other words, no Pastor may preach the Law to someone with whom he has a personal issue and withhold the Gospel, nor can he proclaim the Gospel without speaking the Law to those with whom he finds favor. One example of this is pandering to influential members of the church and ignoring those who can not contribute much.

v.26 This is a short and direct proverb. One who gives honest answers is a true friend as if his words were the kiss of peace upon the lips of those to whom he speaks. For Biblical references to kisses between friends and family members, see Genesis 27:26; 31:28; 2 Samuel 19:40; 20:9 Ruth 1:9, 14. For references to the "holy kiss" or the "kiss of peace" shared between early Christians, see Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; Luke 7:45. But beware, even a kiss can not disguise dishonesty or betrayal, like Judas: Luke 22:47-48.