Trusting in ADONAI to Avenge Wrongs
20: 20-28
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
Introduction: Honoring parents (20:20-21): Whoever curses their father or mother – their lamp will be snuffed out in total darkness (20:20 NIV). This introductory proverb describes respecting parents in negative terms (not to curse them) in order to forge a link with the theme of bad words in the proceeding subunit (to see link click Cu – Words of Wisdom are More Valuable than Gold). The second colon declares that the dire consequences of cursing one’s parents is an untimely death. By publicly defaming his parents, the fool, trying to harm him, perhaps to win his inheritance prematurely (19:26 and 20:21), only harms himself.409 As he cursed his parents, Ha’Shem curses him. Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head, literally by stoning (Leviticus 20:9). The proverb expresses the reverse of the fifth commandment, where children had duty to honor [their] father and mother just as ADONAI your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and it may go well with you in the land of ADONAI your God is giving you (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Bp – Honor Your Parents).
Trusting in ADONAI to avenge wrongs (20:22-25): An inheritance obtained too soon in life will not be a blessing in the end (20:21 NLT). This proverb connects the hasty son in this verse with the cursing son in the previous one. This proverb may well fit in with the extensive teaching on the dangers of quick wealth (11:18 and 13:11). It may envision a young, immature person coming into an inheritance because of the untimely early death of his parents. Without the wisdom needed to manage his new found prosperity, it will not be a blessing but a curse that will vanish rather quickly like sand through his fingers.
Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back evil for evil.” Wait for Ha’Shem to avenge you (20:22 Hebrew). The wise do not look for revenge. Rather, they can expect Ha’Shem to act on their behalf. Believers will recognize the same idea behind Paul’s teaching in Romans: Do not take revenge, my dear friends . . . but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says Ha’Shem (Romans 12:17, 19-20 Hebrew). The wisdom in this advice is that it is often frustrating to try to get back at the person who has harmed you. In the end, revenge provides the opportunity for the wrongdoer to harm the victim even further. Solace is taken in the idea that Ha’Shem will carry out the revenge and take care of the victim.
It is important to note, however, that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal. This proverb should not be understood as applying to sins punishable by the standards of the Torah. Rather, these are offenses for which there are no prescribed punishments or where the wrongdoer is somehow beyond the power of the law.410 It is comforting to know that, ultimately, no one is getting away with anything (see the commentary on Revelation Fo – The Great White Throne Judgment).
Unequal weights are an abomination to ADONAI, and false scales are not good (20:23 ESV). This is yet another in the list of proverbs that condemn deceptive business practices (11:1, 16:11, and 20:10). This is about dishonesty. Unequal weights are any kind of dishonesty, any kind of cheating, cutting corners, or false advertising. That is an abomination to ADONAI. Strong language. An abomination in the TaNaKh included sexual sin (see Leviticus De – Homosexuality). But here the Bible says that dishonest business practices are an abomination. They are moral corruption. You might be sexually pure, but if you cheat people for money, your life is still an abomination in the sight of Ha’Shem. Do you owe any money you are not paying? Do you have the relationship with God that you think you have? The Bible says: If you are a thief, quit stealing. Indeed, use your hands for hard work, then give generously to others in need (Ephesians 4:28 ).411
A person’s steps are directed by ADONAI. How can anyone understand their own way (20:24). The teaching of this proverb is similar to that found earlier in the book (see Cn – We Plan, but God Determines Our Steps: Dependence on ADONAI). The path of a person, representing one’s life journey, is enigmatic. Indeed, to claim to know where one is heading is presumptuous and dangerous. Proverbs certainly do not denigrate planning; just the opposite is true. Yet, planning must be done with the awareness that ADONAI can intervene and change one’s future. This proverb is a call to recognize God’s sovereignty over one’s life.
Don’t trap yourself by making a rash vow to God, and only later count the cost (20:25 NLT). This proverb warns us about the danger of speaking before thinking. Here the stakes are especially high since rash promises are made in terms of one’s relationship to God. A vow (Leviticus 7:16-17 and 22:18-23) is a commitment made to God if He sees fit to answer one’s request. This commitment could take the form of money or some other possession that would be turned over to the Sanctuary upon the answer to the prayer. Jephthah, for instance, made a rash vow without thinking of the consequences, which almost killed his daughter (see Judges Bw – Jephthah Makes a Rash Vow). Ecclesiastes issues a similar warning in what might be a more estranged relationship with ADONAI, whom Qoheleth considered Him distant (see the Life of Solomon Co – The Bitterness of Disappointment: Pious talk). Proverbs doesn’t reflect on the Teacher’s sense of alienation from God but knows that Ha’Shem is powerful and therefore dangerous.
Conclusion: the king judges the wicked and protects the needy (20:26-28): A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them (20:26 NLT). A wise king is set against evildoers, and he will use his considerable power to destroy them. Wickedness in the kingdom will destroy it, so before that happens, the king should destroy it! When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, and disperses all evil with his eyes (20:8 Hebrew). The image of scattering or winnowing evokes the idea of separating the wheat from the chaff. The metaphor of the second colon is perhaps that of the chariot or even of an instrument of torture, but it simply may be that of a wheel that he used to winnow the grain and thus be consistent with the first colon.
The human spirit is the lamp of ADONAI; exposing every hidden motive (20:27 NLT). Spirit (Hebrew: neshamah) is a reference to the breath of life which ADONAI breathed into man’s nostrils (see Genesis Au – God Formed the Man from the Dust of the Ground). It is the Divine spark that connects us to the Creator, allowing for spiritual awareness, intuition, and worship, and is distinct from the soul (the seat of our personality and emotions, who you are) and body. It receives revelation from the Ruach Ha’Kodesh, enabling relationship and guidance from God. It is the vital element in human beings that is different from animals. For man, life is more than existence, because he is endowed with the ability to aspire to higher levels of thinking. This interpretation is preferable to understanding the verse as alluding to human conscience. The lamp image makes more sense in connection with the second colon. In essence, nothing is hidden from the lamp like the illumination of YHVH, who knows us inside and out (Proverbs 15:11 and Psalm 139).
A covenant of lovingkindness (see the commentary on Ruth Af – The Concept of Chesed) and faithfulness preserve the king, and righteousness upholds his throne (20:28 Hebrew). Lovingkindness and faithfulness form a frequent word pair (see 3:3, 14:22, 16:6, etc) and refer to ADONAI’s attitude toward those He loves. It is not clear that the love and faithfulness mentioned here in the first colon specifically refer to that divine attitude toward the king, but it might. More likely, it refers to the king’s own attitude toward his subjects or the covenant love the king directs toward his subjects, or to both. The second colon makes more sense if “the covenant love” is what he expresses, but the whole saying may refer to “covenant love” all around. It is through that kind of constant faithfulness between all the parties involved that productive government can take place and the king himself can avoid a coup or even assassination.412
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for being both so very wise! I can always count on You to be there with him to help and guide me. It is such a comfort to know that when someone hurts me, you feel it too and you will avenge the wrong. With confidence I can rest the entire situation in Your powerful hands, asking You to judge the entire situation righteously, avenging the wrong. Do not take revenge, my dear friends . . . but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says Ha’Shem (Romans 12:17-20). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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