Judgments Are Prepared For Scoffers
November 13, 2021
Commentary
Pay attention to advice and accept correction, so that you may be wise in the time to come (v. 20). We may make a lot of plans, but the Lord will do what he has decided (v. 21). What matters most is loyalty. It’s better to be poor than to be a liar (v. 22). Those who fear the Lord “will not be visited with evil” because of their healthy habits, their beneficial lifestyle, and sometimes through God’s direct intervention (v. 23). However, this verse is not a universal promise, but a general guideline. The fear of the Lord does not always protect us from trouble in this life and evil things do still happen to people who love God. It describes what would happen if this world were sinless, and what will happen in the new earth, when faithful believers will be under God’s protection forever.
The slothful man is so lazy that he does not even have the strength to raise his hand from his dish to feed himself (v. 24). The word of God can be compared to the dish and there are many lazy people who with abundant opportunity to feed upon its precious truths, are too indifferent to search and find its treasures. Stupid fools learn good sense by seeing others punished; a sensible person learns by being corrected (v. 25). There is a great difference between the person who learns from criticism and the person who refuses to accept criticism. How we respond to criticism determines whether or not we grow in wisdom. Children who bring disgrace rob their father and chase their mother away (v. 26). If you stop learning, you will forget what you already know (v. 27). An ungodly witness makes fun of the court system and criminals think crime is the way to live (v. 28). Judgments are prepared for scorners and stripes are for the backs of fools (v. 29).
Application
The lazier a man is the more he plans to do tomorrow. I never want to be slothful in my work but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
Proverbs 19:20– 29 (NET)
20 Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life.
21 There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord that will stand.
22 What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better than a liar.
23 Fearing the Lord leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity.
24 The sluggard has plunged his hand into the dish, and he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25 Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge.
26 The one who robs his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Penalties have been prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools.
Illustration: Stonewall Jackson Builds Bridge to Cross River
Dr. J.B. Gambrel tells an amusing story from General Stonewall Jackson’s famous valley campaign. Jackson’s army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side. After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, he called his wagon master in to tell him that it was urgent the wagon train cross the river as soon as possible. The wagon master started gathering all the logs, rocks and fence rails he could find and built a bridge. Long before day light General Jackson was told by his wagon master all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river. General Jackson asked where are the engineers and what are they doing? The wagon master’s only reply was that they were in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge. (Pulpit Helps, May, 1991).