24"If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small."It is the crisis that separates the men from the boys. "If you show weakness in a crisis, your strength is small."[6] "Exceptional strain is a fair test of a man's mettle. It is the hireling, not the true shepherd, who will plead bad conditions, hopeless tasks, or pardonable ignorance."[7] The man who truly loves the Lord will be faithful, "even unto death." read more
Proverbs 24:10. If thou faint, &c.— The plain meaning is, "Thou art not a man of courage, if thou canst not bear adversity with an equal mind." Some, however, paraphrase it, "If adversity deject thee, and break thy spirit, thou wilt be so much the more unable to get out of it." read more
10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested. read more
The day of distress is a day when trouble comes. If a person does not persevere but quits under the pressure of trouble, he shows that he does not have strength of character, which is a fruit of possessing wisdom (cf. Proverbs 24:5 a). We never know our true strength until we find ourselves in situations that demand much from us. Weak people plead adverse conditions so they can justify quitting. [Note: Kidner, p. 154.] read more
5. Read, ’A wise man is better than a warrior, and a man of knowledge than a man of strength.’7. When put on his trial ’in the gate’ of the city, where public business was usually transacted, he has nothing to say (Matthew 22:12). 10. Adversity is sent to bring out your strength: if you are slack and irresolute in the day of trial you are proved to be a weakling. 11, 12. Do not seek to evade your responsibilities (Genesis 4:9; James 4:17). 13, 14. Wisdom is as sweet as honey.16-18. Seven] an... read more
(10) If thou faint in the day of adversity.—And prove unable to help thyself or others; an exhortation to courage (comp. Hebrews 12:12). A “more excellent way” is shown in the following verse. read more
Wisdom the Builder Proverbs 24:3-4 Men everywhere are engaged in house-building. Some in dreamy castle-building; some in material fortune-building; all in inward character-building, building up, each one of them, the history of a life, the destiny of an eternity. I. To begin at the bottom of the scale, let us glance at that kind of building which with so many people is the first and chief concern of life the building up of their material fortunes. While heavenly wisdom will not permit us to... read more
CHAPTER 25FORGIVING"Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause, and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work,"- Proverbs 24:28-29"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown, lest the Lord see it and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him."- Proverbs 24:17-18."He that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished."- Proverbs 17:5"If thine enemy... read more
CHAPTER 24 Instructions Continued In the final instructions of this chapter we find first a description of the evil men. Their heart studieth destruction; their lips talk mischief. This theme is repeatedly referred to in this chapter. In Proverbs 24:15 the evil man is addressed not to lay wait for the righteous and not to spoil his resting place. The Lord takes care of the righteous; he may be overcome by misfortunes seven times, yet will he rise again. Different it is with the wicked when he... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 24:10
If thou faint, &c. Adversity is sent to try our strength; and, if we fail, it is proved to be weakness. Illustrations: Jacob (Genesis 42:36 ); David (1 Samuel 27:1 ); Elijah (1 Kings 19:3 , 1 Kings 19:4 ); Jonah (Jonah 4:8 ). read more