Proverbs 24:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;

NIV: Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place;

NASB: Do not lie in ambush, you wicked person, against the home of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;

CSB: Don't set an ambush, you wicked one, at the camp of the righteous man; don't destroy his dwelling.

NLT: Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live.

KJV: Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

NKJV: Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place;

This verse sounds a warning about aggression against the righteous. To do so is a sign of depravity—imitating the life of "a wicked man"—and such things can bring eternal consequences (Proverbs 24:16). Solomon creates the image of an ambush prepared outside the home of a godly person. Enemies look for an opportunity to destroy; the context of this lesson suggests the good man is weakened by illness or distress.

The Devil schemes against the righteous today as he has in the past. He waits for an opportunity to take advantage of our weakness. Like a predator, he hunts for someone vulnerable to his attacks (1 Peter 5:8). He assaulted Jesus in the desert when Jesus was physically weak after forty days of fasting (Matthew 4:1–3). But Jesus withstood the Devil's temptations. The Devil tripped up Peter when Peter's confidence was in himself instead of in the Lord. Jesus said Satan would sift Peter like wheat, and that is what he did, when Peter denied Jesus three times in the presence of a servant girl and others (Luke 22:31, 54–62).

Proverbs 24:13–22 gives practical advice to Solomon's son, or student. This passage includes the last five of thirty wise teachings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). Godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) is something to be savored and enjoyed. A wise person is not violent nor predatory; he does not gloat over a defeated enemy. The reader is again reminded not to be jealous or fearful of evil people, as they are subject to God's judgment.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 11:39:54 AM