Proverbs 25:24 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 25:24

Comments

Solomon repeats Proverbs 21:9. The repetition of proverbs is one reason for believing that we must see them as arranged in themes, so that their meaning is determined by the surrounding block of verses in which they are placed. Here the theme is inappropriate and surprising things, and this proverb certainly has an element of surprise to it. It is natural for human beings to desire company, and although there are always those who prefer to be alone, Solomon assumes that it is normal for us to socialise. It is therefore surprising to find someone who by choice prefers to be alone away from the rest of the household and living in a corner of the rooftop of the house. Doesn’t he know that there is company to be found within the house, and that there is a solution to his loneliness if only he were to go down from the roof? Of course he knows, but he also knows that his wife has a contentious spirit and that it is impossible to live at peace with her. He cannot go down and enjoy the comforts of the house without also facing her nagging tongue, and therefore he would rather forfeit home conveniences. He will forego these in order to have peace which he prizes more highly. It is better, says the proverb, to dwell away from one who is such a source of quarrelling and unpleasantness because peace is to be preferred above even bodily comfort.

Application

The believer finds the company of the worldling to be uncomfortable. In many areas of life the Christian is obliged to be alongside those who do not know Christ and to put up with their ways. At school or at work or even in the home for the sake of family, we must live alongside them. We may have to bear their language, their cursing of God, their speaking evil of high and holy things, their carnal solutions to problems which they do not understand, their worldly tastes, but we are not permitted to go out of the world. The lesson of this verse is not that we are allowed to isolate ourselves from the world as those who take a monastic vow, but that we do not seek our closest friends among them and we do are bound to find their company distasteful in many ways, so that we prefer to be with God’s people or alone with our God.

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Proverbs 25:24 Commentary and Bible Study