“Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked” – Part 1

(Pro 24:1-18)

[Study Aired January 8, 2026]

Why would we fret because of evil men, and why would we be envious of them? This entire chapter of Proverbs 24 gives us the answer to these questions, and will put us in remembrance of Christ who is building His temple, His body, the church (Psa 127:1), so that we can be strong against all the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:10-11) at the end of this age, our age, so that having done all we will be able to stand (Eph 6:12-19,  Mat 20:22-23, Mar 14:24-25).

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Mat 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Mar 14:24  And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mar 14:25  Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. (Col 1:27, Luk 17:21)

Pro 24:1  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Pro 24:2  For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

What an apt description of humanity throughout history, right from the get-go. We have learned of war, “studieth destruction”, and have waxed worse and worse, the sins of the Amorites being fulfilled “in the fourth generation”, the fourth symbolizing the whole of humanity that will come to this understanding of the warring nature of the beast we are (Gen 15:16, Ecc 3:18).

Our lips talk of mischief and witness against us for years until the day of evil that God created is revealed and we come into judgement which has begun on the house of God (Pro 16:4, 1Pe 4:17).

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

We are told to not be envious against evil men, because before judgement comes upon us that is exactly what we do; we are envious of their supposed wealth and we want to surround ourselves around those who are doing well in the earth (Psa 73:1-3).

Psa 73:1  A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel (Gal 6:16), even to such as are of a clean heart (Joh 1:47).
Psa 73:2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

All of this changes when we begin to be shown the man of perdition within our own hearts (2Th 2:2-4), who is being destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens that are being cleansed so that we no longer “study destruction”, or “speak with lips of mischief”, no longer savouring the things of this world (Psa 73:3-9), but are blessed to have minds that are set on the things that are above and not on the earth (Col 3:2, Eph 5:2).

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.(Mat 24:26-27 the brightness is lightning that represents God’s judgements in our heavens)
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (the one who prospers in the earth is the man of perdition who must be destroyed)
Psa 73:4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling
savour.

Pro 24:3  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
Pro 24:4  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Remember those chambers of (Mat 24:26-27). There is a positive and negative ‘chamber’, and it is Christ who positively fills the chambers of our hearts and minds with all precious and pleasant riches, revealing exceeding great and precious promises (2Pe 1:4) which tell us that he who is our wisdom (1Co 1:30) is going to build the temple that we are, and by understanding establish it (Psa 127:1, Joh 2:19).

Mat 24:26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Pro 24:5  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Pro 24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

We can’t open our mouths in the gate where we should be going to receive the counsel that we need (“the gate” is the place where the rulers of the city sit in judgment), but when the fit man Jesus Christ (Lev 16:21) lays hold of the scapegoat that we are, we take on a new strength, that being the life of Christ within us who is our sufficiency in this life (2Co 3:5): “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength”.

If we are being led by the spirit of God (Rom 8:14-15) we will be seeking out wise counsel, and that is where we will find liberty, and safety (2Co 3:17).

That is the wisdom that is too high for our foolish flesh that cannot open our foolish mouth in the gate to speak nor to even seek out that wise counsel, which we must partake of in this life in order to overcome and endure to the end (Psa 73:22, Jer 5:4).

Psa 73:22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Jer 5:4  Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.

There are many verses with the word “counsel” in them, and those words are spirit and they are profitable (Joh 6:63).

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pro 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Pro 19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Pro 19:21  There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Pro 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Pro 21:30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Pro 27:9  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

Pro 24:8  He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Pro 24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

These verses continue to demonstrate the fruits of one who does not understand nor receive counsel and is what produces thoughts of foolishness, which is sin. We end up being scorners who look down on the body of Christ, ‘going it alone’ and thinking that his relationship with Christ is solely between him and Christ, becoming an “abomination to men” because of this stubborn and self-righteous approach that Saul in us naturally takes, not seeking counsel, or obeying what God tells us to do (1Sa 15:22-23).

1Sa 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity (Eze 33:13) and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Pro 24:10  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Pro 24:11  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Pro 24:12  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

God sees all of mankind’s strength as being small, “thy strength is small”, because we all initially trust in our own arm and not that of the Lord, until the trials start to come that humble our flesh (2Co 1:9). All men’s hearts will faint in the day of adversity, starting with the elect who, out of that adversity, will cry out unto God and will be heard (Act 9:4-5).

2Co 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Initially we can’t help others, because we are yet carnal babes in Christ, and so it is written “thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain” [not able to help those who are dying daily (1Co 15:31), being drawn to death, and ready to be slain].

Our works are being tried at this time, and at first we do say, “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not [pleading ignorance is no excuse in a court of law]; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?”. However, if God is working with us in this age, we will come to know that we are His workmanship going unto perfection because of His mercy shown to his children in this age, “as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (1Co 3:9-15, Heb 6:1-6, Mal 4:2-3, Mal 3:16-18).

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. [shall not he render to every man according to his works?]
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit.
Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mal 4:3  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Pro 24:13  My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
Pro 24:14  So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

The honey is likened unto God’s word that is sweet in the mouth and bitter in the belly, and if God will permit we will be granted the strength needed via the bread of life (Psa 104:15) to endure that bitterness that represents the seven last plagues that must be poured out upon us in order to go unto maturity in Christ (Rev 15:8).

Keeping the knowledge and wisdom of God, abiding in the truth, will set us free (Joh 8:32) and “there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off”(Pro 23:17-19).

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Pro 23:17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Pro 23:18  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Pro 23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

Pro 24:15  Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Pro 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Pro 24:17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Pro 24:18  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

There are two main admonitions in these verses for us. One is speaking to our younger less mature stage in Christ when we blindly lay wait against our older more mature members in Christ, “Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief”(Rom 14:1-4).

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

The second admonition is speaking of our not despising those who are less mature, but bearing their infirmity all our life as Christ has done with us, and is doing, “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him”(Rom 15:1).

Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Next week, Lord willing, we will pick up where we left off, (Pro 24:19-34), as we continue to see why we should not fret because of evil and lawless men, with a strong emphasis on this part of the proverb that says, “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked”.

Do not be beset by the sin within you that is being destroyed by Christ (Heb 12:1-2), and do not be discouraged or dismayed at a world that is failing and promised to come to the brink of destruction, not just physically, which could happen at any given moment in this nuclear age, but especially spiritually, all for our sakes to remind us that God is judging the nations within us and giving us victory over them through that judgment (Mat 24:6-9).

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

The world has already been ‘spiritually cursed’ (Mal 3:9)and is reaching that zenith of sin by God’s counsel and design, called the sins of the Amorites that must be fulfilled initially in us, and then, Lord willing, as the elect we will go through a lifetime of much tribulation in order to overcome this world of sin within, and be made ready for our Lord’s return (Act 14:22) that will come at the appointed time.

Lord help us to remain faithful watchmen to the very end (Luk 21:36, Mat 24:13).

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Pro 10:6-14 “Wise men lay up knowledge:
but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction”

[Study Aired February 6, 2025]

Pro 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Pro 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
Pro 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Pro 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
Pro 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Pro 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Pro 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Last week we discussed how the summer ‘being nigh’ is another way of saying that the kingdom of God is within us, and therefore ‘nigh at hand’ (Luk 21:29-31, Luk 17:21). We are exhorted and encouraged to fight a good fight of faith while it is called “day” (Joh 9:4), and “summer” (Luk 21:29-31), knowing that our labours in His vineyard are not in vain (1Co 15:58), and that in due season we will reap if we faint not (1Co 15:58, 2Co 4:1, 2Co 4:16, Gal 6:9, Eph 3:13).

Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luk 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.(1Co 3:16)
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:[“Wise men “lay up” knowledge”] the night cometh, when no man can work.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.(Php 2:12-13) [“lay up”]

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (hope by which were saved – Col 1:27, 1Jn 3:2-3).

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.(Luk 18:1, 1Th 5:17)

Eph 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

This week we will continue to look at the mature fruits that become part of those whose lives are blessed to have the life of Christ within them through the summer when things grow, via the true vine (Joh 15:1) who makes it possible for that nourishment to reach the branches via the increase that our Father gives the bride of Christ in this age (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9, Eph 2:10, Rev 19:7-8, 1Co 3:6-7).

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted (1Co 3:7) that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

That increase that comes from God alone is accomplished through a process of judgement upon our old man of sin (1Pe 4:17-18) and the contrast of how light comes out of darkness which is in each of these proverbs is written in this manner to remind us that the seed, the word, the proverbs of God’s word must fall into the ground of our hearts and minds and die in order to bring forth fruit (Joh 12:24). This process of dying daily is the hallmark of someone that God is working with in this age as His workmanship, and the scarce victory that is given along the strait gate and narrow way (1Pe 4:18-19, Mat 7:14) bear witness that our overcoming will happen through the faith of Christ alone (Rom 3:27, 1Jn 5:4).

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Christ is the word, or the one seed that God uses (Gal 3:16, Rom 8:9) in our hearts and minds to illuminate our heavens so we can see that need for his life which is juxtaposed against the carnal fleshly man within us who must die daily, and does die daily when we are baptized into Christ’s death (Rom 6:3); another way of saying we become part of that one seed, Jesus Christ, when we are a “corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (Joh 12:24).

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

It is a dying daily process that is being discussed in each of these proverbs that has been ordained by the Husbandman, God the Father, who tells us that we must patiently endure this process of seeing the light and dark side of the pillar within ourselves, in order to see the growth of this new life of Christ that will spring forth from our heavens (Rom 2:4, Jas 5:7-8, Luk 21:19, Mat 5:37, Joh 3:30).

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Jas 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Jas 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Pro 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.(Pro 10:11)
Pro 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.(Pro 10:16)
Pro 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.(Pro 10:10)

God will bless those who bless Him and His Christ (Gen 12:3), and Christ is the head of every man (1Co 11:3), but not every man has this knowledge (1Co 8:2, 1Co 8:7).

Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1Co 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

Aside from the fact that the world does not know that all things are of God “of whom are all things”, and that there is one Lord Jesus Christ “by whom are all things”, the world is also blinded to the reality God’s elect are in Him, “we in him” in the Father, and are sustained by Christ, “we by him” (Joh 14:20), and that we who are being judged in this life (1Pe 4:17) are blessed with the mind of Christ that is burning up the mouth of the wicked within us, taking away that covering that did violence to the word of God and are now blessed to have a new name (Rev 2:17, Rev 3:11-12) that is no longer the name of the “wicked that shall rot”. We are sustained in other words, or preserved through that judgment in this life.

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

God has blessed the body of Christ to be brought into remembrance of the truth in such a way that our thoughts and actions which is Christ working in us, blesses us (Psa 1:1-3, Psa 23:3, Rom 8:14-15, Php 2:12-13, Joh 14:26). Our old man’s thoughts and actions are being destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our lives, and this is what blesses us (2Th 2:8). The name of the wicked that rots, represents the doctrine and the false beliefs that we initially hold onto until the Lord begins this work in our lives that destroys those spirits, those idols which were taught to us in Babylon by the false prophets who prophesied lies, as we all did in our appointed time (Jer 14:14).

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.(Psa 62:5-8)
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Christ in us prepares our hearts to receive his commandments, which are life unto those who are blessed to keep them in this age (Rev 1:3). We are told that we will fall seven times in the wilderness (Pro 24:16) in order to burn out the vain words of the “prating^H8193 fool” within our heavens.

H8193 śâphâh    śepheth saw-faw’, sef-eth’ prating
(The second form is in dual and plural); Probably from H5595 or H8192 through the idea of termination (compare H5490); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication language; by analogy a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.): – band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, ([sea-]) shore, side, speech, talk, [vain] words. Total KJV occurrences: 176

Pro 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Pro 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

It is only by the hand of the fit man (Jesus Christ) who takes the scapegoat (God’s elect in type) into the wilderness (Lev 16:21) that anyone of us can “walketh uprightly walketh surely^H983”, as it is Christ who is working in us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure which is to give us the kingdom of God that we now possess in earnest (Eph 1:14). The man of sin will be revealed because God will give Satan the power to cause us to pervert our ways, “he that perverteth his ways shall be known”, in the day of evil (Pro 16:4), of which we will repent of in this age if God will grant us that repentance as we are dragged to him to be set free from sin (Rom 2:4, Joh 6:44, Joh 8:36).

H983 beṭach beh’-takh surely
From H982; properly a place of refuge; abstractly safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverbially with or without preposition) safely: – assurance, boldly, (without) care (-less), confidence, hope, safe (-ly, -ty), secure, surely. Total KJV occurrences: 42

A man who causeth sorrow is spoken of as one who winketh^H7169 with the eye causing sorrow for others, and his living a life of lies as a “a prating fool” will cause him to fall. This thought of the prating fool is mentioned twice in this proverb to witness against our old man who is the prating fool except the Lord deliver us from ourselves (prating fool twice mentioned Pro 10:10, Pro 10:8). This is the man of sin in our life who cannot receive the light of God’s word and rejects it and comes not near it, narrowing his view of the light that he is not able to receive. Walking in darkness, the end of that man is that he will fall in the wilderness without the vision that comes from God’s commandments. The light and path for our new man is in Christ who prevents us from falling (Pro 29:18, Luk 17:33, 2Ti 4:18, 1Th 5:23).

Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Luk 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

H7169 qârats kaw-rats’ winketh
A primitive root; to pinch, that is, (partially) to bite the lips, blink the eyes (as a gesture of malice), or (fully) to squeeze off (a piece of clay in order to mould a vessel from it): – form, move, wink. Total KJV occurrences: 5

Pro 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Christ is symbolized as “a well of life” in God’s word, where those living waters are given to those who ask of Him (Joh 4:14-15). The “violence” on the other hand, that covers the mouth of the wicked is his own lies, his own misguided and deceived view of God’s word that we do violence to, as it is concealed by being wrapped around the idol of our own hearts at that time, “but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” (Eze 14:4, Pro 16:4).

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Joh 4:15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Eze 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

When God’s word is understood and rightly administered in our lives, it is because God has dealt with the natural enmity or hatred that would naturally stir up strife. God’s love must be shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5) making it possible for us to fervently cover a multitude of sins within the body of Christ to be healed of the hatred and strife of the natural man (Jas 5:16, 1Pe 4:8).

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love^G26 of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity^G26 among yourselves: for charity^G26 shall cover the multitude of sins.

Our understanding comes from Christ, and Christ (our wisdom) is found within His body and manifest through the judgement of God upon our carnal fleshly minds that need to have his word burn out our iniquities via a rod (Pro 3:12), which represents His word that will chasten and scourge every son He receives (Heb 12:6, Rev 3:19).

Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Pro 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Pro 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Verses 13 an 14 tells us that the foolish man within me must be destroyed for defiling the temple of God that I am (1Co 3:17-19), and the way that God does this is through His chastening grace that He brings to us, that teaches us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lust in this age (Tit 2:12-13, Heb 12:6).

1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Tit 2:12 Teaching^G3811 us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth^G3811, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

It is that chastening spoken of in (Tit 2:12, Heb 12:6), that makes it possible for us to first trust in God before the rest of the world (Eph 1:12, 2Co 1:9), and to come into this “knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” that calls us to glory and virtue (2Pe 1:2-8)

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves (2Sa 12:9), that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead (Eph 2:6, Col 2:12):

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the ongoing trial of our faith, the sword of his word that does not depart from our house that brings us onto perfection on the third day (1Pe 1:7, Luk 13:32). It is by the grace through faith process that God’s elect are called unto (Eph 2:8) that we can continue to look “for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit 2:14).

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Heb 10:23).

Pro 10:1-5 “He that Gathereth in Summer is a Wise Son”

[Study Aired Jan 30, 2025]

In our last study of chapter nine of Proverbs, we looked at the contrasts being drawn between Babylon and the bride of Christ. There are two woman represented in the church in the wilderness, Babylon the mother of harlots and all her daughters (churches in the wilderness), and the elect bride of Christ (2Jn 1:1) who is called out of Babylon or the wilderness to become the manchild of God (Rev 12:5-17).

2Jn 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

[this bringing forth of a manchild, happens in the wilderness, where God’s elect are declared from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), and not yet aware of this holy calling that has us caught up to his throne, raised in heavenly places (Eph 2:6)]

Chapter ten of Proverbs shows the contrast between the two woman in the wilderness (churches) in regard to the spiritual fruit that is borne through God’s first fruits, (or Sara the wife of Abraham who typifies the free woman who has been given dominion over sin and is going onto maturity by God’s grace) (Gal 4:26-31), as opposed to the bondage of Hagar who is the bondservant, still in bondage to sin.

Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. [Many more doctrine, the whole stay of bread and water are hers as opposed to Babylon’s starvation of truth (Isa 3:1)]
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.(the bondwoman has no stay of bread or water, or garment of righteousness, Jud 1:12, Mat 22:12)

These proverbs of chapter ten show us the liberty that God grants His people, revealed by the fruit that they bring forth in their lives, and contrasts that fruit with the bondage of our past, or current struggles that God will take us through as we recognize those things that we need to repent of (Rom 2:4).

The life of Sara who represents the elect church, reminds us in type and shadow of the good fruit that God had determined to bring forth through the “elect lady” from the foundation of the world, good fruit that is contrasted with bad fruit as seen in Proverbs chapter ten, “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, (Rev 1:3) and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred” (Mar 4:20).

Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead (Rom 6:11), when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

[typifying the life of Christ in each of us (Abraham) and the church (Sara) as a whole.]

Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

(The church typified by Sara, is given power to bring forth the manchild and are witnesses of these things to all the world (Rev 11:3)). Then the next few verses describe the blessing that is given to those who are represented by Sara (Heb 11:12-20).

1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

(The church, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ is to obey her head symbolized by Abraham who is a type of Christ)

Pro 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Solomon was a wise son of his father David who typifies Christ, so in this instance Solomon typifies the elect of God who are wise and obedient sons of Christ (Jas 1:5-6, Pro 25:12, 1Pe 3:6).

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Pro 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

We are foolish sons when we don’t bear the burden of others in the body of Christ (Gal 6:2) and that selfishness is “the heaviness^H8424 of his mother” (Psa 119:28) who represents the church. We are nothing without Christ, but with Christ we can bear each other’s burdens, strengthening one another through our obedience to Christ and his words (1Co 14:3). If we think ourselves to be something, then we will be of no value to the body of Christ, deceiving ourselves for not knowing and believing these verses: (Gal 6:2-3, Php 2:12-13).

Psa 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness^H8424: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Pro 10:2 Treasures^H214 of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness^H6666 delivereth from death.

This proverb reminds us that what our carnal man considers profitable is really just smoke and mirrors, or dung as Paul said in comparison to the truth (Php 3:8), which is the righteousness of God that can deliver us from death (Pro 14:12, Pro 16:25), if we continue in it, “but righteousness delivereth from death” (Joh 8:31-32), Psa 88:12, Col 3:1-2, Luk 12:15-21).

“Treasures” H214 ‘ôtsâr o-tsaw’
Strongs: From H686; a depository: – armory, cellar, garner, store(-house), treasure (-house) (-y).
BDB: treasure, storehouse (Luk 12:15-21)
Total KJV Occurrences: 79

“Righteousness” H6666 tsedâqâh tsed-aw-kaw’
From H6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity): – justice, moderately, right (-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). (Luk 12:15-21)

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Psa 88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?[Pro 10:2]

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luk 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Pro 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance^H1942 of the wicked.

“substance” H1942 havvâh hav-vaw’ 
Strongs: From H1933 (in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon; by implication of falling); desire; also ruin: – calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty, noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness; 
BDB: desire (in bad sense); chasm (figuratively of destruction); engulfing ruin, destruction, calamity (Luk 16:26)

Yes, even that which I thought I had in my self-righteous wicked state in Babylon was taken away from me, “but he casteth away the substance of the wicked” (Mat 13:12 ) for a season, but ultimately, “The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish”, and if God is working with us in this age as the manchild, He will restore us through a process that takes a lifetime of overcoming (Luk 15:17-21, Luk 13:32, 1Jn 2:15-16).

Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Luk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (“but whosoever hath not”)
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [Pro 10:2]
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Pro 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

This is not talking about building bigger barns (Luk 12:18-24), but about labouring in the word, and fighting a good fight of faith and knowing that our labours are not in vain in the Lord, as God will provide what we need in this life if we seek the kingdom of God first and his righteousness (Mat 6:33-34). God will give us the idol of our hearts if we lustfully pursue the smooth things (Isa 30:10), and that which is temporal and passing (1Ti 6:1-12, Heb 13:5-6), and we will rob ourselves of the outstanding recompence of the reward that God’s elect are called to have respect for, unless the Lord gives us victory over the desire for the immediate pottage (Gen 25:32-34) that Esau who represents our flesh lusted after (Heb 11:26). If we are God’s people this slothfulness that leads to spiritual perdition will be burnt out of us (1Ti 6:9, 1Ti 6:12, Heb 6:12).

Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Luk 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Pro 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

We are still talking about spiritual diligence which will result in a great reward, and this proverb reminds us that the one who sleepeth in harvest (Jer 8:20) are the foolish virgins, because the wise were given that extra oil before the end of the day (Mat 25:3-4) [the wise by God’s decree; the ‘wise son that gathers in the summer’ (Luk 21:29-36)].

Jer 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (the foolish son who sleeps in harvest)

Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luk 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Luk 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

While we all “slumber and sleep”, it is the extra oil that sees the wise virgins ready to enter in (Mat 25:5-10). What we are seeking and gathering with the diligent hand spoken of in (Pro 10:4) is the kingdom of God (Heb 11:14, Luk 17:21), with an expectation that we will be rewarded for doing that, as we’re dragged to Christ (Mat 6:33, Pro 12:24, Heb 11:6, Joh 6:44).

Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God is showing us through this verse (Pro 10:5) that we all slumbered and slept, and are spiritually blind and only able to be awoken by the faith of Christ, a faith that must be tried in the fire (Eph 2:8). God alone has determined of those two groups that slumbered and slept, which will fall away and which will be granted that extra oil that is produced through fiery trials in the day of the Lord (Heb 6:4, Rev 3:18-19, Heb 12:6, 2Pe 3:10). These two characters being discussed in this (Pro 10:5), reveals that God’s diligence that is formed in the elect has great dividends, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame“, but we must never forget that we were the son that caused shame, and only because of God’s mercy and forgiveness could we become “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son“

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. [This is happening within and without]

We pray that we can be those who “must work the works of him that sent me” and accomplish this through Christ in the summer, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son” and not on the Sabbath when no work is being accomplished (Joh 9:4, Mat 24:20).

Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: