Proverbs 24:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.

NIV: I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:

NASB: When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.

CSB: I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:

NLT: Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson:

KJV: Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

NKJV: When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction:

Solomon did not stop in passing to rebuke the lazy owner of an unkempt field (Proverbs 24:30). The condition of the property made it clear the owner was uninvolved or simply unwilling to do the required work (Proverbs 30:31). Rather than step in and scold the property manager, Solomon chose to reflect on the situation and apply his thoughts to his own life. This is not a casual glance. What's described is both noticing and pondering. Solomon "looked and received instruction." The obvious results of foolish laziness served as a learning moment for Solomon. Solomon did not summon the lazy farmer to appear before him to be punished. Instead, he learned more deeply that laziness is one of the routes leading to poverty (Proverbs 24:33–34).

This basic lesson is echoed many times in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:4; 20:13; 28:19). Verses 33 and 34 of this chapter are identical to verses 10 and 11 of chapter 6.

It is essential that those who instruct others, as did Solomon, keep on learning (Proverbs 1:5; 15:14; 19:25, 27); no one attains a state of knowing everything. Even near the end of his life the scholarly apostle Paul asked Timothy to bring him not only his cloak that he had left with Carpus but also "the books, and above all [copies of Scripture]" (2 Timothy 4:13).

Proverbs 24:23–34 comes after a list of thirty wise teachings; these were recorded by Solomon while not necessarily being his own ideas. The wisdom which concludes this chapter is cited with less clarity, other than being attributed to wise speakers. These address discrimination, rebuke of the wicked, honesty, wise planning, revenge, and the consequences of laziness.

Solomon continues to list wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21), rounding out his promised list of thirty teachings. These endorse integrity, accepting good advice, reputation, and ethical actions. The lessons also stress godly attitudes about vengeance, bitterness, and companionship. After verse 23 come additional proverbs. These may or may not have been Solomon's own words, but at least some appear to be his thoughts. Key points in these verses are the need for impartiality in judgment, godly reputation, and work ethic.

This chapter continues thirty sayings of wise people (Proverbs 22:17–21), as collected and endorsed by Solomon. The remainder of the passage are additional wise statements, which are not as clearly attributed. Some of the lessons are framed as warnings, followed by reasons. The lessons contained here are more detailed than most of the proverbs in this book.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.