Proverbs 24: 12 Commentary

1. Do NOT play “stupid” with God
a. When another suffers injustice
b. And we ARE well aware of it
2. For God searches our innermost secrets
a. And knows we are WELL aware
b. Of what is going on
3. The sin of OMISSION
a. Receives the SAME retribution
b. As the sin of COMMISSION
4. I think of a church situation
a. Where the deacons KNOW
b. That the pastor has been
c. Committing adultery for years
d. Yet they say nothing about it
e. Because “the church is doing great”
5. Then when the sin is exposed
a. Before the ENTIRE church
6. They claim they KNEW NOTHING
a. That this is all news to them
b. While acting of course
c. With appropriate indignity
d. At the newly discovered sin
7. But God KNOWS they knew
a. And will judge them accordingly
b. For not confronting and dealing
c. With it as soon as they knew

By Tractorman (wrote 3584 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/8/2011 12:42 pm

this verse strikes me as unusual in Proverbs. Not for its meaning, but for its clear reference to God, without naming God, and to God’s presence and action with humanity. Is there any other place in Proverbs where God is referred to?

By Roy McAlpine (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 12/1/2010 04:00 am

Claiming that they were unaware of the seriousness of the situation, many excuse inaction with reference to those in desperate need. While some people might accept ignorance as a valid excuse for failing to act, God knows the real situation and the deep inner motivation behind such failure. The divine judgment will be according to the actual facts of the case. This is a sobering thought, calling for an inner searching of our motivations. Never should self-interest be the real reason for a failure to help those facing grave danger.

By Hans Werner (wrote 3 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/7/2007 04:58 am