Proverbs 30:21 Commentary and Bible Study

The next four images all show us examples of disorder on earth. In each case something very inappropriate occurs, something which makes the wise man draw his breath at how awful things become when they are not under the wise government of God. Each example sees one raised up who does not deserve to be raised up, or rewarded who ought rather to be set aside. We could call this injustice and no doubt it is, but it is more about the disorder of a world in which sin reigns than about what happens in a law court. Somehow situations arise which should never happen, but the earth is in a state of disorder due to the exertions of sin in the world. In an orderly and well governed kingdom, the king knows the worth of every individual and does not promote those who do not deserve to be recognised and given responsibility. But in the situations described here, the earth is almost unable to bear up under the intolerable weight of confusion. This is not about snobbery, but about the chaos of a world in which such anti-values exist and in which such inappropriate outcomes arise.