Proverbs 17:24 Commentary and Bible Study

The comparison is between something attained and something far out of reach, between what is real and what is only a dream, between the profitable and the harmful, between what God gives to a man and what a man vainly tries to secure for himself, between present enjoyment and imagined treasure. God’s gifts to his people are tangible and do not disappoint. He always gives more than we think, so that the hearts of his children are filled with pleasant surprise and are confident about the future. But this world holds out promises which it cannot keep and as a result delivers constant disappointment. Its mirage of good things disappears before our eyes, or else recedes constantly into the distance so that it never seems to get any nearer. If any remain hopeful to the end of life, then they face the terrible shock described in Psalm 73:17-19. The fool promises himself that he will obtain what he sets his eyes on, even though he does not know the difficulty that lies between himself and his goal. He allows his eyes to look to the ends of the earth and promises himself all that he sees, even though he does not really possess what he is holding in his hand, for even what he has will be taken away from him. He has only his own skill to help him and his own right hand to secure what he sees, but he is nevertheless confident because he trusts in himself, underestimates the providence of God that works against him, and has no other option. The man of God is in one way more restrained in his desire; at least, he is restrained in this world. His desires will find ultimate reward in the world to come where God will give him far more than he ever imagined. His confidence in God will not suffer disappointment. What he possesses is before him, in his grasp, and he does not let himself dream unreal dreams that can never come to pass. Besides, he knows that what God has placed in his hands is worth far more than all the treasures of this world put together. The believer thanks God daily for spiritual blessings, and does not try to comfort his soul with what he might obtain of this world’s goods. The believer is satisfied with what God gives and is delivered from restless ranging of his desire.