Pro 24:21-22 | KingComments | STEP | Solomon addresses his son very directly (“my son”) to hold out to him that he must fear both God and the king ( ). He tells him to have reverence for the highest authority in the universe, that of God, and the God-established authority on earth that represents Him, the king ( ; ). He can do this by submitting to it and obeying it. Opposed to fearing God and the king is “being given to change”. By “change” is meant here the abandonment of God’s authority and that of His representative on earth. These are people who no longer want to be obedient to Him, who rebel against His authority. They want to overthrow His authority and that of the king. Such people want to make changes in the God-given authority structures and bend them to their own will. These are people who bend God’s Word to their will and thereby cast it aside. Certain authority structures, such as that of husband and wife, are declared time-bound. What God’s Word says about them is declared obsolete and thus outlawed. We see this in politics, in society, in families and also in churches. Authority has become a ‘dirty’ word. gives the reason for the previous verse’s warning. We see this in the word “for” with which the verse begins. If the son engages with these rebels against the authority of God and the king, the changemakers and innovators or new-lighters, he will share in the ruin that will suddenly loom before them. God and the King – by Him is ultimately meant the Lord Jesus – will “both” assert their authority. What that will bring about in terms of tribulation for the rebels remains a question for a while. That only makes the warning all the more threatening. The reward for those who live in peace under the authority of God in the world is the escape from the calamities that will come upon the rebellious. Those who are under authority and respect it will not harm one another. They are kept from envying and even striking one another (cf. Mt. 24:48-49). A positive effect of recognition of authority is the presence of rest and peace.

‏ Proverbs 24:21-22

Fear the LORD and the King

Solomon addresses his son very directly (“my son”) to hold out to him that he must fear both God and the king (Pro 24:21). He tells him to have reverence for the highest authority in the universe, that of God, and the God-established authority on earth that represents Him, the king (1Pet 2:17b; Rom 13:1-7). He can do this by submitting to it and obeying it.

Opposed to fearing God and the king is “being given to change”. By “change” is meant here the abandonment of God’s authority and that of His representative on earth. These are people who no longer want to be obedient to Him, who rebel against His authority. They want to overthrow His authority and that of the king. Such people want to make changes in the God-given authority structures and bend them to their own will.

These are people who bend God’s Word to their will and thereby cast it aside. Certain authority structures, such as that of husband and wife, are declared time-bound. What God’s Word says about them is declared obsolete and thus outlawed. We see this in politics, in society, in families and also in churches. Authority has become a ‘dirty’ word.

Pro 24:22 gives the reason for the previous verse’s warning. We see this in the word “for” with which the verse begins. If the son engages with these rebels against the authority of God and the king, the changemakers and innovators or new-lighters, he will share in the ruin that will suddenly loom before them. God and the King – by Him is ultimately meant the Lord Jesus – will “both” assert their authority. What that will bring about in terms of tribulation for the rebels remains a question for a while. That only makes the warning all the more threatening.

The reward for those who live in peace under the authority of God in the world is the escape from the calamities that will come upon the rebellious. Those who are under authority and respect it will not harm one another. They are kept from envying and even striking one another (cf. Mt. 24:48-49). A positive effect of recognition of authority is the presence of rest and peace.