Proverbs 31:5 brother’s keeper

 Proverbs 31:5  lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights (lit. judgment) of all the afflicted (lit. sons of affliction).

 

There is a deeper motive for refraining from strong drink than keeping oneself out of trouble.  Being a brother’s keeper is central to God’s heart and essential to maintaining a right relationship with Him.  Exodus 23:4-6 shows us that even if that brother is also an enemy, God cares and requires that we act justly toward him.

 Exodus 23:4-6  “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.  If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him.  You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.”

God through Moses instructed the people of Israel to appoint judges for themselves and gave these instructions:

Deuteronomy 16:19-20  You shall not distort justice;  you shall not be partial (lit. regard persons), and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.  Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”

Proverbs 17:15  He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

So we see in just these few verses the importance of this subject of justice.  As parents, we need to require our sons to treat others right.  This begins in family relationships and extends outward.  And we need to teach them the judgments of God in His Word.

Psalm 9:8  And He will judge the world in righteousness;  He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. 

 

ACTION POINTS

*require our sons to treat their siblings and others rightly

*teach our sons God’s judgments in His Word