◄ Proverbs 28:24 ►
He who robs his father or mother, saying, "It is not wrong," is a companion to the man who destroys.
Study Bible
He who robs his father or mother
The phrase highlights a grievous sin that violates the fifth commandment, "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). In Hebrew culture, family was the cornerstone of society, and the act of robbing one's parents was not only a personal betrayal but a societal one. The Hebrew word for "robs" (גּוֹזֵל, gozel) implies a violent or deceitful taking, emphasizing the severity of the act. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the importance of familial respect and the moral decay that occurs when one prioritizes personal gain over family loyalty.

saying, 'It is not wrong,'
This phrase reveals the self-deception and moral relativism that can plague the human heart. The individual justifies their actions, perhaps by rationalizing that their parents can afford the loss or that they are entitled to the resources. This echoes the warning in Isaiah 5:20, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." The Hebrew word for "wrong" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha) often denotes a transgression or rebellion, indicating that the person is not merely mistaken but is actively rebelling against divine and natural law.

is a companion to a man who destroys
The word "companion" (חָבֵר, chaver) suggests a close association or partnership. By equating the thief with a "man who destroys," the proverb underscores the destructive nature of sin. The "man who destroys" (מַשְׁחִית, mashchit) is often associated with ruin and devastation, both physically and spiritually. This comparison serves as a warning that those who engage in such deceitful acts are aligning themselves with forces of chaos and destruction, ultimately leading to their own downfall.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Son/Daughter
The individual who is taking from their parents, justifying their actions as not being wrong.

2. Father and Mother
The parents who are being wronged by their child, representing authority and provision.

3. The Companion
The person who is likened to a destroyer, indicating the moral and spiritual decay associated with such actions.

4. The Destroyer
A metaphorical figure representing chaos, harm, and moral corruption.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Honoring Parents
The Bible consistently teaches the value of respecting and honoring one's parents. This is foundational to a godly life and reflects our relationship with God.

The Deception of Self-Justification
Rationalizing sinful behavior, such as stealing from parents, is a dangerous path that aligns one with destructive influences.

Consequences of Moral Decay
Associating with destructive behaviors leads to spiritual and relational ruin. It is crucial to recognize and repent from such actions.

The Role of Integrity in Family Relationships
Maintaining integrity and honesty in family dealings is vital for healthy relationships and reflects our commitment to God's commandments.

Repentance and Restoration
There is always an opportunity for repentance and restoration in Christ. Turning away from sinful actions and seeking forgiveness can restore relationships and align us with God's will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to honor your father and mother in Exodus 20:12 relate to the warning in Proverbs 28:24?

2. In what ways might someone today justify actions that are dishonoring to their parents, and how can they overcome this mindset?

3. How does the behavior described in Proverbs 28:24 reflect a broader issue of moral decay in society?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are honoring your parents in your daily life?

5. How can the principles in Ephesians 6:1-3 help guide your interactions with your family and others in authority?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:12
This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring one's father and mother, which directly contrasts with the behavior described in Proverbs 28:24.

Ephesians 6:1-3
Paul reiterates the command to honor parents, promising blessings for those who obey.

Matthew 15:4-6
Jesus condemns those who nullify the command to honor parents for personal gain, similar to the behavior in Proverbs 28:24.

Micah 7:6
This verse speaks of familial betrayal, highlighting the breakdown of family relationships, akin to the actions described in Proverbs 28:24.
Sermons
Filial DutyW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:24
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
Sins of GreedE. Johnson Proverbs 28:24, 25
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Companion, Destroyer, Destroys, It's, Partner, Robbeth, Robbing, Robs, Saying, Says, Sin, Taker, Takes, Theirs, Transgression, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:24

     5668   children, responsibilities to parents

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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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