◄ Proverbs 24:19 ►
Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.
Study Bible
Do not fret
The Hebrew word for "fret" is "charah," which can mean to burn or be kindled with anger. In the context of this verse, it suggests an emotional agitation or anxiety. The Bible consistently advises against allowing anger or worry to consume us, as seen in Psalm 37:1, which echoes this sentiment. From a conservative Christian perspective, fretting over evildoers can distract believers from their faith and trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty. Instead, Christians are encouraged to maintain peace and focus on their relationship with God, trusting that He will address the wrongs in His perfect timing.

over evildoers
The term "evildoers" refers to those who commit acts contrary to God's commandments. Historically, the Israelites faced many adversaries who practiced idolatry and immorality, tempting them to stray from their covenant with God. In a broader sense, evildoers represent any individuals or systems that oppose God's righteousness. The Bible teaches that while evildoers may seem to prosper temporarily, their success is fleeting, and they will ultimately face God's judgment. This assurance allows believers to remain steadfast in their faith without being swayed by the apparent success of the wicked.

and do not be envious
Envy, from the Hebrew "qana," involves a desire for what others possess, often leading to resentment. Envy is a dangerous emotion that can lead to sin, as seen in the account of Cain and Abel. The Bible warns against envy because it can cause believers to lose sight of their blessings and the unique path God has for them. By focusing on God's provision and promises, Christians can cultivate contentment and gratitude, avoiding the pitfalls of envy.

of the wicked
The "wicked" are those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. In biblical times, the wicked often appeared to thrive, causing the righteous to question God's justice. However, Scripture consistently reassures believers that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary. Psalm 73 provides a powerful reflection on this theme, ultimately affirming that God's presence and guidance are far more valuable than any earthly success. For conservative Christians, this serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain, trusting in God's eternal plan and justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Evildoers
Individuals who engage in actions contrary to God's commandments and moral law. In the context of Proverbs, these are often those who prosper through unjust means.

2. The Wicked
Those who live in opposition to God's righteousness. The term often refers to people who reject God's ways and pursue their own sinful desires.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His writings often provide practical guidance for living a life pleasing to God.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms and values of this time can provide insight into the text.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes books that focus on practical living and understanding the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Justice
Understand that God is just and will ultimately deal with evildoers in His time. Our role is to trust in His sovereignty and not be consumed by the apparent success of the wicked.

Guard Against Envy
Envy can lead to bitterness and distract us from our walk with God. Focus on cultivating gratitude for what God has provided and the blessings of a righteous life.

Focus on Righteous Living
Instead of comparing ourselves to those who prosper through wickedness, strive to live a life that honors God, knowing that eternal rewards far outweigh temporary gains.

Seek Wisdom and Discernment
Pray for wisdom to discern the true value of righteousness over temporary success. Engage with Scripture to align your heart with God's perspective.

Encourage One Another
In a community of believers, support each other in maintaining faith and integrity, especially when faced with the temptation to envy the wicked.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the cultural context of ancient Israel help us interpret Proverbs 24:19?

2. In what ways can we practically apply the teaching of not fretting over evildoers in our daily lives?

3. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 37 and Matthew 5:44-45, reinforce the message of Proverbs 24:19?

4. What are some personal experiences where you have struggled with envy, and how did you overcome it with God's help?

5. How can we encourage one another in our faith communities to focus on righteousness rather than the apparent success of the wicked?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37
This Psalm echoes the theme of not fretting over the prosperity of the wicked and encourages trust in the Lord.

James 3:16
This verse warns against envy and selfish ambition, which can lead to disorder and evil practices, similar to the caution in Proverbs 24:19.

Matthew 5:44-45
Jesus teaches to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, which aligns with the idea of not being envious or troubled by evildoers.
Sermons
The Ignobler and the Nobler SpiritE. Johnson Proverbs 24:17, 18, 29
Religion Fortifies the Heart Against EnvyE. Johnson Proverbs 24:19-22
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Doers, Envious, Envy, Evil, Evildoers, Evil-doers, Fret, Sinners, Thyself, Troubled, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 24:19-20

     5916   pessimism
     9611   hope, nature of

Proverbs 24:19-22

     5890   insecurity

Library
The Sluggard's Garden
'I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.'--PROVERBS xxiv. 30, 31. This picture of the sluggard's garden seems to be intended as a parable. No doubt its direct simple meaning is full of homely wisdom in full accord with the whole tone of the Book of Proverbs; but we shall scarcely do justice to this saying of the wise …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broken Fence
A sermon (No. 3381) published on Thursday, November 20th 1913. Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and to, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down, Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. This slothful man did no hurt to his fellow-men: …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Sluggard's Farm
A sermon (No. 2027) intended for reading on Lord's Day, June 3rd 1888, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. No doubt Solomon was sometimes glad …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34. Yea, thou shalt be as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

2 Cor. Iii. 5
Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves: but our Sufficiency is of God. IN my former Discourse upon these Words, I shewed you that it was the sole Design of St. Paul in them, to declare, that, in the setting about, and executing, the difficult and laborious Work of an Apostle, He did not arrogate to himself the Power, and Ability, and Success, which he had: but that he ascribed his Sufficiency for this great Work, as well as his being designed to it, to God himself, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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