Proverbs 3:31-35
“31 Do not envy the violent man Nor choose any of his ways, 32 For Jehovah detests a devious person, But His close friendship is with the upright. 33 The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one, But he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 For he mocks those who ridicule, But he shows favor to the meek. 35 The wise will inherit honor, But the stupid ones glorify dishonor.”
Prove 3:31-32 We are not to envy, or desire what the violent man has, materially or spiritually, possessions or talents. Verse 32 shows this “violent” man is also devious, so we’re not simply talking about athletes who happen to be able to take a lot of pain in their sport. The “violent man” mentioned here deviates from a right course and loves his forceful, destructive ways, usually taking no true delight in gentle mildness, a manner of life for true Christians. We are not to seek to emulate such a man, or choose any of his ways or practices. Normally Jehovah hates WHAT is bad, but in this case God’s word says Jehovah “hates anyone who loves violence”—How serious! (Psalm 11:5). Caution is in order regarding the realism of most modern movies, music and video games when it comes to promoting violence--what does the work in question teach about violence--that it should only be used for right by those with authority to do so when necessary, or that it may be used wantonly for selfish purposes? Youths are especially impressionable, and at risk for adopting violent behaviors by involving themselves with such choices of so-called entertainment. Certainly there are many finer options that can be chosen! If possible, don’t limit yourself to a few games available at a local store, unless they carry several good choices. Try to find sources that carry many enjoyable, God-approved options in all forms of entertainment, recreation, and education.
Prove 3:33-34 Which would we rather experience—the curse of Jehovah, or His blessing? How happy we may be when acting wisely in harmony with godly truth and right ways, having Jehovah’s favor upon us, humbly seeking His powerful assistance in doing good. The wicked often ridicule the doing of what is good and right, trying to make it seem or appear weak, ineffective, or somehow not beneficial. How unfitting! At Isaiah 5:20 God responds: “20 Woe to those who say that good is bad and bad is good, Those who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, Those who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” May we rather treasure the truth, and help all to appreciate the good, lovely, and marvelous ways of Jehovah! If wicked ones refuse to repent of their errors, despite Jehovah’s loving appeals, their harmful ways will come back on them. Isaiah 3:11 says: “11 Woe to the wicked one! Disaster will befall him, For what his hands have done will be done to him!” May such warnings move one to turn around from bad ways and practices, in God’s mercy, and experience true happiness with God’s blessing.
Prove 3:35 As a result of pursuing God’s ways, seeking true wisdom and to represent Him well, honoring Jehovah by the way we speak and live, we will experience honor from Him that will continue into eternity. Ironically, the morally stupid ones, while often seeking to glorify, and give or demand honor for, themselves actually glorify dishonor, as their corrupt ways and practices are not worthy of such honor or esteem, and bring them shame or disgrace. Such ones need to acquire an understanding heart, to see the big picture as to reasons for practicing right and hating what’s bad, seeing ill consequences of badness—the troubles, turmoil, grief, pain, sadness and more caused by sin. Then perhaps such ones may begin to respond to or take to heart the loving discipline from parents and others.
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Verses 53-56 read: "I am seized with burning rage because of the wicked, Who forsake your law. 54 Your regulations are songs to me Wherever I dwell. 55 During the night I remember your name, O Jehovah, So that I may keep your law. 56 This has been my practice Because I have observed your orders."
ROBBING OF TRUE HAPPINESS. Psalm 119:53 Understandably, those forsaking God's law are not only hurting God and themselves, but are hurting others either directly or indirectly. Ignoring or violating God's laws is selfish and inconsiderate of what is right, fair, and just for all people. Such selfishness and greed not only may rob others of their rightful due, but may cause some to believe they must follow the same path to get what they want in life, thus leading many on a path of destruction that robs them of hope of eternal blessings from God in a peaceful world where true happiness can flourish. This can disgust those loving God and fellow humans, seeking their eternal happiness. Jesus expressed the same when the religious leaders at God's temple were robbing the people who just wanted to offer acceptable sacrifices to God. We read, at Matthew 21:12-13: "Jesus entered the temple and threw out all those selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 And he said to them: “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a cave of robbers.” God can provide for our needs if we truly rely upon Him, and maintain our hold on His word and law, keeping integrity to Him. David wrote, at Psalm 37:25: "I was once young and now I am old, But I have not seen anyone righteous abandoned, Nor his children looking for bread."
BEAUTIFUL AS SONGS. Psalm 119:54 Regulations are generally detailed instructions or procedures, those necessary to carry out God's will toward humans in accord with true justice. Lovers of God who have gained the wisdom vital to comprehend these should also develop similar appreciation for them. They were like beautiful songs to the psalmist, who was likely David and literally composed songs like the one outlining the course of integrity to God, at Psalm 15. Some of God's word is detailed, but with the gaining of true understanding, which can see the big picture and how all the parts interrelate to make the whole, one can learn to grasp such details and come to love them. May we grow in such qualities, by considering such instruction as Proverbs 1-10, Proverbs being written to "impart shrewness (or "prudence") to the [naive]; to give a young [person] knowledge and thinking ability."
REMEMBER GOD'S NAME. Psalm 119:55 Other psalmists mentioned thinking upon God at night, even singing to Him. Psalm 92, for instance, says: "It is good to give thanks to Jehovah And to sing praises to your name, O Most High,2 To declare your loyal love in the morning And your faithfulness during the nights,3 Accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument and a lute, By the melodious sound of a harp. 4 For you have made me rejoice, O Jehovah, because of your deeds; Because of the works of your hands I shout joyfully." Special mention is made of remembering God's "faithfulness during the nights," just as the moon is called a "faithful witness in the skies." (Psalm 89:37). Of course, remembering God's name is more than knowing how to spell it or even what it means--literally, "He Causes to Become," Jehovah causing His purposes to become reality. We more significantly recall His reputation and our privilege to uphold it by keeping His standards in life, showing others the way to eternal blessings.
KEEPING GOD FIRST. Psalm 119:56 Observing God's orders cause "the heart to rejoice," as God gives us rewarding activities to focus our attention on to help accomplish His will. (Psalm 19:8). It is as David sang at Psalm 23:5-6 "...My cup is well-filled. 6 Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for all my days." The psalmist made it a practice to do the things necessary to maintain his hold on God's law, because he followed God's orders, and these helped him to maintain soundness of mind, keeping his priorities straight in life. When we put God first in life, doing as He instructs, other things seem to fall into place--we're able to get more accomplished than we may realize. Philippians 4:13 says "For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power." And in reference to the order for Christians to share divine light, God's word mentions, at 2Corinthians 4:7 "However, we have this treasure ["the glorious knowledge of God"] in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us." May we thus diligently seek God's commands through Christ, relying upon God for the power to keep them, assisting us in drawing close to God and proving a blessing to fellow humans.