Proverbs 3:25-32 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou have it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
‘Be not afraid’ – Fear not is found 80 times in Scripture, generally of God quieting the fear of man because of His presence. Four illustrations of not being afraid: Moses (Ex. 14:13-14); Rahab (Jos. 6:24-25); Elisha (2Kin. 6:16-17); Ebed-melech (Jer. 39:15-18).
‘Withhold not good’ – Four examples of withholding good: Jacob (Gen. 25:29-33); The Ammonites (Deut. 23:3-4); Nabal (1Sam. 25:10-11); The priests and Levite (Luke 10:30-35).
Three examples of not withholding good are Abraham (Gen. 13:9; 14:23); The widow (1Kin. 17:9-16); and the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).
‘Devise not evil’ – Three examples of plotting evil: Rebekah and Jacob (Gen. 27:1-46); Joseph’s brethren (Gen. 37:18-23); Daniel’s enemies (Dan. 6:1-28).
‘Strive not with a man without cause.’ “strife” (Gal. 5:20; 2Cor. 12:20; Php. 2:3; Jas. 3:14, 16); “contention” (Php. 1:16; Rom. 2:8). Disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavour to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one. Someone who is quarrelsome, ready to strike back at those who displease him, a persecutor of those who differ with him. Three examples of strife without cause: Saul (1Sam. 18:8-9); The Ammonites (2Sam. 10:1-19); Ahab (1Kin. 21:1-29).
‘Envy thou not the oppressor.’ Two examples of not envying oppressors: Moses (Heb. 11:25-26) and Elijah (1Kin. 21:17-24).
‘Abomination to the LORD.’ Twenty things that are an abomination to God: The froward man [Hebrew: luwz] perverse; one who turns aside (3:32; 11:20). A proud look (6:16-17). A lying tongue (6:17; 12:22). Hands that shed innocent blood. A wicked scheming heart (6:18). Feet quick to sin. A false witness that speaks lies (6:19). A sower of discord. Wickedness (8:7). A false balance (scale, 11:1). Sacrifice of the wicked (15:8; 21:27). The way of the wicked (15:9). The thoughts of the wicked (15:26). The proud of the heart (16:5). Justifying the wicked (17:15). Condemning the just. Diverse weights (20:10, 23). Diverse measures. Refusing to hear the law (28:9). Prayer of the rebel.
‘His secret is with the righteous.’ Secret counsel is for the righteous.
Living the Word 