Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
25. Be not afraid ] Dean Plumptre ( Speaker’s Comm.) points out that, “under the form of this strong prohibition there is of course an equally strong promise,” so that these two verses add yet another to the advantages to be gained from Wisdom: it confers both strength and beauty ( Pro 3:22); it preserves alike in action and in repose ( Pro 3:23-24); it is equal to every emergency of life ( Pro 3:25-26).
desolation ] or, storm, R.V. marg.
of the wicked ] This may mean, brought upon thee by the wicked. So Maurer, who compares, “rescue my soul from their destructions.” Psa 35:17; and Vulg. irruentes tibi potentias impiorum. But it is perhaps better to understand it of the desolation or storm which comes upon the wicked. Comp. Psa 91:8.
Pro 3:27-35 . There is a marked change of style in these verses, and they are regarded by Maurer (who describes them as singularia aliqua prcepta) and others as a separate section. The continuous address is exchanged for the concise sentences or “proverbs,” which form the bulk of the Book.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Under the form of this strong prohibition there is an equally strong promise. So safe will all thy ways be that to fear will be a sin.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 3:25-26
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
For the Lord shall be thy confidence.
Confident attitude of Gods people
When God is abroad in judgments, He would not have His people alarmed. He has not come forth to harm, but to defend the righteous.
I. He would have them manifest courage. We who enjoy the presence of God ought to display presence of mind. Since the Lord Himself may suddenly come, we ought not to be surprised at anything sudden. Serenity under the rush and roar of unexpected evils is a precious gift of Divine love.
II. The Lord would have His chosen display discrimination, so that they may see that the desolation of the wicked is not a real calamity to the universe. Sin alone is evil; the punishment which follows thereupon is as a preserving salt to keep society from putrefying. We should be far more hocked at the sin which deserves hell than at the hell which comes out of sin.
III. So, too, should the Lords people exhibit great quietness of spirit. Satan and his serpent seed are full of all subtilty; but those who walk with God shall not be taken in their deceitful snares. Go on, believe in Jesus, and let the Lord be thy confidence. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Be not afraid, i.e. thou shalt not be afraid. For that it is a promise, seems most probable from the context; only it is for greater emphasis delivered in the form of a precept; I allow thee and require thee not to be afraid, which is both thy duty and privilege.
Of sudden fear; for sudden and unexpected evils are most frightful and grievous. And fear is here put for the evils feared, as Pro 1:26,27, and oft elsewhere. The desolation of the wicked; either,
1. Actively, which they bring upon thee. Or, rather
2. Passively, which befalls them, when the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, as it is expressed, Isa 26:21; and thou mayst be apt to fear lest thou shouldst be involved in the common calamity; but fear not, for God will then hide thee in his chambers, as he promised, Isa 26:20.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
25. Be notor, “You shallnot be.”
sudden fearwhat causesit (Pr 1:27), any unlooked-forevil (Psa 46:3; Psa 91:12;1Pe 3:14).
desolation (Pr1:27).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Be not afraid of sudden fear,…. Of anything terrible that comes unawares, unthought of, by any of the above things mentioned in the preceding note; or by any rumours and reports of danger being near at hand; always think thyself safe in the arms of Wisdom, and under the care of Israel’s keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps;
neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh; either of the desolation which wicked men threaten to bring, and are suffered to bring, upon the godly for the sake of religion; either on their persons or goods, since suffering at their hands in such a cause is to the honour of saints, and for the glory of God; or of the desolation which comes upon the godly, for God is able to deliver him from it, as Noah and his family from the universal deluge, and Lot and his family from Sodom and Gomorrah; or if they promiscuously fall in it, nevertheless it will be well with them to all eternity.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(25) Desolation of the wicked.That is, the storm which overwhelms them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. Be not afraid The imperative form here is put for a strong indicative. Thou shalt not, or needest not, be afraid of any sudden fear, or object of terror. Desolation of wicked may mean either the desolation which the wicked produce, or that which befalls them. The latter, or passive sense, is here preferred by most: be not afraid of being involved in the overthrow of the wicked.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Here again, as before, the blessed practical effects of vital godliness, will appear by such evidences as are here set forth. And the termination of a life of grace, and a life of ungodliness, will invariably produce the different states here described.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Ver. 25. Be not afraid. ] Or, Thou shalt not be afraid. Nec si fractus illabatur orbis. Sudden evils do commonly disspirit people, and expectorate their abilities; they be at their wits’ end. But let a David “walk through the vale of the shadow of death,” that is, the darkest side of death – death in its most horrid and hideous representations, he will not fear, no though he should go back again the same way; “for thou art with me,” saith he. Psa 23:4 He had God by the hand, and so long he feared no colours.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Be not afraid, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Exo 14:13, Exo 14:14); Rahab (Jos 6:24, Jos 6:25. Heb 11:31); Elisha (2Ki 6:16, 2Ki 6:17); Ebedmelech (Jer 39:15-18).
the wicked = lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha’.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Be: Job 5:21, Job 5:22, Job 11:13-15, Psa 27:1, Psa 27:2, Psa 46:1-3, Psa 91:5, Psa 112:7, Isa 8:12, Isa 8:13, Isa 41:10-14, Dan 3:17, Dan 3:18, Mat 8:24-26, Mat 24:6, Mar 4:40, Luk 21:9, Joh 14:1, 1Pe 3:14
neither: Pro 1:27, Psa 73:19, Mat 24:15, Luk 21:18-28
Reciprocal: Job 22:10 – sudden Psa 91:8 – Only Pro 14:26 – fear Isa 44:8 – neither Isa 54:14 – for thou Mar 13:7 – when Joh 14:27 – afraid
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3:25 {l} Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
(l) For when God destroys the wicked he will save his as he did Lot in Sodom.