Day 593: Reactions to avoid - Proverbs 24 vs 17 - 22

17-18 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19-20 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21-22 My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? Proverbs 24:17-22 (English Standard Version)

Reacting to people or events is a natural part of life. But often our first reaction isn't always the best or wisest. We may think, say or do things that may be just as wrong as what caused us to react. What’s the wrong reaction the father warns his son about in vs 17-18?

It's the reaction of gloating when something bad happens to someone we dislike, or who’d been causing us grief. If you ever read social media you'll have seen plenty of examples of this, especially in the world of politics. People even express joy when those they disagree with experience a personal tragedy. The reason the father gives is because such an attitude isn’t what God wants in our life, and could cause Him to soften His anger with our enemy. Why do you think our gloating would be displeasing to God?

One Bible scholar suggested that such an attitude contradicts what Jesus taught about showing love even towards our enemies. It shows a lack of compassion. The Old Testament tells how David grieved when he got the news of King Saul's death in battle, even though Saul had been David's bitter enemy. Think too of how Jesus wept over the coming fate of Jerusalem, even though it's people were about to crucify Him! It seems that gloating over the misfortunes of our enemies brings us down to their level. We are called by Jesus to a far better response.

The second wrong response the father warns against (in vs 21-22) is that of getting ourselves into a knot when we see wicked people doing so well. Whether it's corrupt politicians, or people who run harmful businesses, many of them prosper and get away with wrongdoing. They never seem to be held to account. This can lead to frustration and despair on the part of those who seek to live honest lives. What is the reason the father gives in those verses why this unfairness in the world shouldn't lead to fretting or fear?

Because the destiny of such people doesn’t depend on what they can get away with in this world, but it depends on what what their end will be in the hands of God. To put it bluntly – they have no future! They won't be raised to eternal life but to eternal wrath. Sometimes God's judgement falls on them even in this world and their 'lamp' is snuffed out before they grow old.

What is the better attitude the father urged his son to take in life, and what are the sort of people the son should avoid? (vs 21-22)

The father advised his son to have a proper respect for authority and not to join in with those who rebel. This respect for authority begins with a wise fear of God. People should keep in mind that we will have to answer to Him for the lives we've lived. That includes how we reacted to those we did not get on with. Jesus said: “Everyone who's angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22)

And this respect for authority must extend to those whom God raises up as Kings (and Prime Ministers) in the land. They too may sometimes be our enemies. But we are called to be different to them. Our main reaction towards them should be that of prayer. Yes, pray for God to restrain them, but also to give them wisdom, and even for Him to bring them to fear Him first, and to come to salvation.