Rejoicing for The Wrong Reasons
July 7, 2021
Commentary
People who are being taken to death and slaughter probably are victims of unjust oppression rather than guilty people being condemned (v. 11). Some people may claim they are ignorant of others’ plights, but God knows who is guilty of willful ignorance, and He will judge it. We learn here about the method of execution that was once prevalent in Palestine (v. 12). Historians tell us that when a criminal was led to execution there was a crier who went before him and proclaimed the crime for which he had been accused. He would also ask anyone who could say something on behalf of the condemned to come forward. Just as honey, the sweetest substance known in the ancient Near East, is good and tastes sweet, so wisdom is beneficial and desirable to the soul because it gives a person future hope (vv. 13-14). A warning is given that it is futile for the wicked to attempt to destroy the righteous and his possessions (vv. 15-16). Because of God’s protection the righteous person recovers from robberies and attacks, but the wicked who instigate such schemes find that they are the ones who suffer
We are not to rejoice over the sorrows of others, even though the one who is suffering has been a bitter foe (vv. 17-18). Rejoicing over an enemy’s failure may cause God to withdraw His wrath from that person even though he has done wrong. God makes it plain that He hates our laughing at another person’s suffering because it suggests a superior attitude over others. The envy of sinners is condemned (vv. 19-20). Fretting over what sinners have, fretting over what they do, and wanting to join them is wrong because they have no future hope. Beware of men who are revolutionaries and have a greed for power (vv. 21-22). They will bring sorrow to themselves and to those they seek to overthrow. We need to stay away from such men, or we will share in their sorrow.
Application
It is so easy to be guilty of rejoicing in another person’s mistake. Here are some verses that I need to keep handy when such a temptation comes my way (vv. 17-18).
Proverbs 24:11– 22 (NET)
11 Deliver those being taken away to death, and hold back those slipping to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “But we did not know about this,” won’t the one who evaluates hearts discern it? Won’t the one who guards your life realize and repay each person according to his deeds?
13 Eat honey, my child, for it is good, and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.
14 Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you have found it, you have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home.
16 Indeed a righteous person will fall seven times, and then get up again, but the guilty will collapse in calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice,
18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evil people or be envious of wicked people,
20 for the evil person has no future, and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
21 Fear the Lord, my child, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels,
22 for suddenly their destruction will overtake them, and who knows the ruinous judgment both the Lord and the king can bring?
Illustration: Keith Green We Need to be Ecstatic About God
“If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence…? You’d be bored to tears in heaven, if you’re not ecstatic about God now!” (Keith Green).