Meditations at the Mercy Seat Proverbs 24:27-34 Still More Sayings of the Wise

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Proverbs 24:27–34

[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. (ESV)

Still More Sayings of the Wise

v.27 This proverb is, as are many, both practical in the everyday world and in our spiritual lives. The literal image is that of one preparing to build a home. The Wise encourages him that to be productive in his endeavor, he must plan and gather his building materials—everything he will need—and after this careful preparation, only then build his house. More widely, this applies to carefully planning all aspects of life and expecting hard work to result in future enjoyment of the benefits of one's labor. In the life of a Christian, planning for a fulfilling life of service to one's neighbor begins with baptism inaugurating one into God's family, learning the faith, receiving the Lord's Supper often, and raising the next generation of believers.

v.28 This proverb applies both the second commandment against not swearing false oaths and the eighth commandment against bearing false witness against your neighbor. One should not serve as a witness without due cause, giving false testimony, or committing perjury. One should never appear as a witness simply to give false testimony against an enemy because one has the opportunity. Rather, give your testimony if you have it, even to come to the defense of an enemy. The second line of this proverb is more broad, stating that no false speech should ever leave the Christian's tongue. This is a simple and obvious proverb, yet we are all guilty of lies and deceit and in need of repentance.

v.29 This proverb forbids seeking revenge. We are to trust that God will see to it that righteous justice is done in His own time and manner (see also Proverbs 20:22; 24:12).

v.30-34 These five verses form one proverb demonstrating how Divine Wisdom works through a little parable. The wise person observes the world, thinks about what he sees, and draws his conclusions from his observations. Here the Wise notes the condition of a field managed by a lazy person lacking Wisdom. The walls were crumbling, and weeds were taking over the vines. The Wise man observed these things and concluded that little by little, procrastination and laziness add up to major problems. The phrase "a little" is a clue keying on how full of folly our excuses for putting things off really are. Of course, there is nothing wrong with laboring, taking breaks, or being well-rested from a good night's sleep. But when one uses them as an excuse not to work at what needs to be done, the consequences add up over time until the fool looks around and asks, "How could this have happened?" The Wise observes and learns from the mistakes of others. Divine Wisdom works the same way. We may think we will have time for God after we achieve all we want from life, to "eat, drink, and be merry." But when this short span is over, suddenly, the unbeliever will find himself without hope, while the believer who made time to receive God's gifts receives his eternal reward in the life of the world to come.