◄ Proverbs 24:21 ►
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
Study Bible
My son
This phrase is a common address in the book of Proverbs, indicating a personal and intimate instruction from a father to a child. It suggests a relationship of care and guidance, emphasizing the importance of the wisdom being imparted. In the Hebrew context, "son" can also refer to a disciple or follower, highlighting the role of the teacher in imparting wisdom.

fear the LORD
The Hebrew word for "fear" (yare) encompasses reverence, awe, and respect. It is not merely about being afraid but involves a deep recognition of God's power, holiness, and authority. "The LORD" refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. Fearing the LORD is foundational to wisdom, as it acknowledges His sovereignty and aligns one's life with His divine order.

and the king
In ancient Israel, the king was God's appointed ruler, responsible for maintaining justice and order. The Hebrew word for "king" (melek) signifies authority and governance. Respecting the king is an extension of fearing the LORD, as the king is seen as God's representative on earth. This phrase underscores the importance of respecting earthly authority as part of a godly life.

do not associate
The Hebrew root for "associate" (arab) implies joining or becoming entangled with. It suggests a warning against forming close ties or alliances. This caution is not just about physical proximity but also about aligning one's values and actions with those who are contrary to God's ways.

with the rebellious
The term "rebellious" (shonim) refers to those who are disobedient or defiant against authority. In the biblical context, rebellion is often associated with sin and a rejection of God's commandments. The rebellious are those who disrupt the social and divine order, and associating with them can lead one away from the path of wisdom and righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The sovereign God of Israel, the Creator, and Sustainer of all things. In the context of Proverbs, He is the source of wisdom and the one to be revered above all.

2. The King
Represents earthly authority and governance. In ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed ruler, responsible for maintaining justice and order.

3. The Rebellious
Those who reject authority, both divine and earthly. They are characterized by a spirit of defiance and disobedience.
Teaching Points
Reverence for Divine Authority
Recognize that fearing the LORD is foundational to wisdom. It involves a deep respect and awe for God's power and holiness.

Respect for Earthly Authority
Understand that earthly rulers are placed by God to maintain order. Respecting them is part of our duty as Christians, unless their commands directly contradict God's laws.

Avoiding Rebellion
Be cautious of associating with those who are rebellious. Their influence can lead us away from God's path and into disobedience.

Balancing Allegiances
While we are called to respect earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance is to God. When conflicts arise, God's commands take precedence.

Wisdom in Associations
Choose your companions wisely. Surround yourself with those who encourage respect for both divine and earthly authority.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the fear of the LORD influence our daily decisions and interactions with authority figures?

2. In what ways can we show respect for earthly authorities, even when we disagree with them?

3. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid associating with rebellious individuals?

4. How do we discern when to prioritize God's authority over earthly authority in situations of conflict?

5. Reflect on a time when associating with someone rebellious led you away from God's path. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it guide your future choices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 13:1-7
This passage emphasizes the importance of submitting to governing authorities, as they are instituted by God. It aligns with the call in Proverbs 24:21 to respect both divine and earthly authority.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Encourages believers to submit to every human authority for the Lord's sake, reinforcing the principle of respecting both God and the king.

Ecclesiastes 8:2-5
Advises obedience to the king's command, as it is a reflection of one's oath before God, echoing the dual respect for divine and earthly authority.
Sermons
Advice and PenaltyBp. Lancelot Andrewes.Proverbs 24:21
Duty to God and the KingAdam Littleton, D.D.Proverbs 24:21
Fear God and KingR. Wardlaw, D.D.Proverbs 24:21
Given to ChangeEdward Pelling.Proverbs 24:21
Improvement Justifies ChangeG. Bridges, M.A.Proverbs 24:21
Loyalty of the Christian SpiritJ. F. B. Tinling, B.A.Proverbs 24:21
Our Duty to God and ManWilliam Stainforth.Proverbs 24:21
Religion in National LifeJohn Wilcox, D.D.Proverbs 24:21
Religious LoyaltyGeorge Venables.Proverbs 24:21
The Fewer Changes the BetterR. J. Graves, F.R.S.Proverbs 24:21
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
Associate, Change, Changers, Company, Disobey, Either, Fear, Join, Meddle, Mix, Nothing, Positions, Rebellious, Thyself
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 24:21

     5219   authority, human institutions
     8243   ethics, social

Proverbs 24:19-22

     5890   insecurity

Proverbs 24:21-22

     5257   civil authorities
     5295   destruction
     5594   tribute
     8333   reverence

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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