Proverbs 24:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon ends this section as he started it with a warning against envy of the wicked. Do not envy the wicked for what they have and desire the same for yourself, because sin is a trap with all the accompanying evils that the book has just warned us of. Envy of them is part of the trap and is the rope that draws us towards such a horrible condition. If there is any advantage to envy it is to spur us on to be like those who have a better life than we do, but what good is there in the life of indulgence and addiction to sin? Are we so taken in by the short term pleasures of sin that we can ignore the much greater sorrows which follow? Envy focuses on the passing pleasures of sin but is deliberately blind to the pain of conscience, the punishments of God in this life, and the eternal misery that follows in the world to come. Envy of sin esteems the pleasures of sin which are for a moment greater riches that the treasures of heaven. If we desire to be with the wicked, we must complete the other side of the transaction and depart from the company of the righteous for ever, because these two cannot walk together.However they dress up the life of sin and present it as attractive to get others to join them, the reality is that their hearts devise violence and their lips speak trouble. This is mostly hidden, disguised behind a facade of cheerfulness, pleasantness, optimism, and smooth-talking. Yet deep in their hearts lurks hatred of God, of his people, and of all righteous standards which obstruct their pathway to sinful pleasure. Of course the degree to which unbelievers have progressed along this pathway varies. Some even display outwardly noble behaviour, and are known for their kindness and relative honesty, but pride and self-righteousness will usually be mixed with any good qualities. What Solomon has is mind here however is the envy of those who appear to profit by very obvious use of violence and evil speaking. This is to their advantage in the short term but at a terrible cost, for God notes their cruelty, and every advantage they appear to gain he removes from them (Luke 8:18).In the next section we are shown the great alternative to sin: the obtaining of wisdom.