Proverbs 24:26-30
 
Prov 24:26 (KJB)
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
 
In ancient times, a kiss was a sign of affection and respect. Men kissed men and that did not mean they were being sodomites. Just like a handshake today, the kiss was years ago. (Gen 29:13 KJV) And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. Laban kissed Jacob upon arrival because he was happy to see him. So those who are honest in legal situations, in government, and in just every day dealings will receive the love and respect of others. People know they can count on this person for their honesty. This should be a lesson for all Christians that there is no need to ever tell a lie or cover something up since respect is given to those who admit faults or who are just honest in daily life, because it shows they can be counted on.
 
Prov 24:27 (KJB)
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
 
This is a verse which teaches about doing things in their proper timing. First of all we see that a person must prepare their work for their fields. What they will be doing is planting their crops at the right time since one cannot live without food but you can live without a house for a while. Secondly, once the ground is tilled properly and the seeds are planted, then construction can begin on the house while the crops are growing. There are only certain times during the year when one can plant a crop and if they miss it, then they go hungry. We see a great spiritual lesson here also. As we study our Bibles, we do it outside of our field of work and when we have studied, we then take what we have learned to the fields and then we begin to build the house of God as we bring the Gospel message, God saves those whom He named before the foundation of the world, so the house of God continues to be built until the last one is saved and then the house is complete.
 
Prov 24:28 (KJB)
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
 
(Exo 20:16 KJV) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. One must never be a false witness against anyone, not just those you know but also those you do not. In Luke 10, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan and even though the Samaritan did not know the man he helped, Jesus called him a neighbor. This means that we must always maintain an honest tongue and never deceive anyone. Now the verse states that we must never be a witness against a person without cause. There may come a time when we are called upon to witness against someone who has committed a crime and that is permissible if we have accurate information and not just speculation. No one should be punished on speculation, only the facts. (Mat 18:16 KJV) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. That is also the formula for church discipline where there must be two or three true witnesses to their sin so a true case can be made.
 
Prov 24:29 (KJB)
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
 
(Deu 32:35 KJV) To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. Here the Lord is stating that He is the one who will take vengeance for wrongful actions. God takes vengeance for sin because all sin is committed against Him.. (Psa 51:4 KJV) Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. David knew that it was against God that he sinned because God had given him everything a person could possibly want and his actions showed a very sinful side. In 1692, when the Salem Witch trials were taking place, it was later found that people were being accused of witchcraft, so another could buy or possess their land. So there was an opportunity to get even with someone if they angered you or somehow committed a wrong in business. If they were just accused of witchcraft, they were already guilty in the eyes of the people. This is what happens when religion is allowed to overshadow true Christianity. We must never court the idea of vengeance because God will take care of it for us, if we have been legitimately wronged.
 
Prov 24:30 (KJB)
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
 
Slothful - Lazy man
Understanding - Heart, will, or mind
 
Here Solomon states that he had visited the fields and vineyard of the lazy man and the one who lacks will or mind. The lazy man is one who contributes nothing to society. Here they have a field and vineyard which could yield tremendous fruits and vegetables, not only to eat for him and his family, but to sell on the open market in the city. How many times do lazy people inherit businesses or large amounts of money and do nothing with it but continue to remain lazy while they dwindle their inheritance to nothing and then they will have to beg. Once in a while it is a good object lesson to see the non-achievements of some people so we can make sure that we are not going in that same direction.
 
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