Do Not Rejoice

Do Not Rejoice 

Proverbs 24:15–22  

In Proverbs 22:17–24:22, King Solomon imparts thirty “sayings of the wise” to those following after God. At the end of the section, he discloses what’s in store for the outcome of evildoers and offers four directives presenting perspectives on how to respond to them: Do no violence (Proverbs 24:15). Do not rejoice at their downfall (v. 17). Do not envy them (v. 19). Do not join them in their rebellion toward divine and human rulers (v. 21). 

Surely the conduct he advises aligns with the biblical picture of the activity of the wise. However, the command within the 28th saying surfaces a question: If God doesn’t condone exulting over our enemies meeting ruin, what do we make of him scorning evil deeds and smiting the immoral? Since he’s a just God, are we not free to celebrate when justice prevails? 

Throughout the Old Testament narratives, we see several instances of jubilee at the destruction of the unrighteous. Some of the most prominent occurrences show Moses and the Israelites breaking into song following Yahweh’s defeat of their foes (Exodus 15:1–19; Deuteronomy 32:43). Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem proceed in joy and triumphal song after Yahweh set ambushes against the sons of Moab and Ammon (2 Chronicles 20:27–29). The account even reports that God enables their festivity by fighting against Israel’s rivals.  

And yet, there are occasions when God assumes a solemn stance toward the misfortune of wrongdoers. He suggests that he’ll punish those who mock the one overcome with disaster (Proverbs 17:5) and cautions turning away his retribution as a result (24:18). Three times in Ezekiel, Yahweh declares he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and adjures them to turn from their corrupt ways (18:23, 32; 33:11). He’s even shown weeping over those whom he is responsible for silencing (Isaiah 16:9–10). Such grief sheds light on the words found in 2 Peter 3:9 that he does not wish for anyone to perish. 

The pivotal distinction between the scenarios is whether it’s a corporate or personal enemy. 

Merrymaking is an appropriate display of behavior in matters where God and his people are the object of the opposing force because God prioritizes preserving the holy (Psalm 145:20). Presumably to prevent matters from escalating to a hilt as they did right before he flooded the earth (see Genesis 6–9). We’re free to revel when a corrupt leader’s term closes out or when the Global War on Terrorism succeeds at a major operation. The imprecatory psalms and the prophetic oracles illustrate this reality extensively.  

But God prohibits celebration pertaining to a personal nemesis because he longs to extend redemption. Gloating not only displeases him but is considered “evil in his eyes,” as rendered in Hebrew (Proverbs 24:17). The NET Bible lays out a note describing how God’s standard applies not only to outward action but to inward attitude as well: “The prohibition is formed with two negated jussives ‘do not rejoice’ and ‘let not be glad,’ the second qualified by ‘your heart’ as the subject, signifying the inner satisfaction of such a defeat.” Meaning that our daydreaming should not consist of silently desiring God to strike them dead. David served as a gold standard example of this principle when he spares his attacker, Saul, and weeps and chastens his soul upon hearing about his death (2 Samuel 1:11–12).  

The surrounding sayings in Proverbs 24:15–22 also make clear that Yahweh’s people aren’t to play any part in setting a snare to entrap their adversary. The text assures that the wayward have it coming to them. When they tumble, they don’t recover. God snuffs them out. But in stark contrast, though the righteous may suffer adversity several times over, they rise with resilience. “A smoldering wick [Yahweh] will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3). There’s no need to fret or envy the crooked-hearted. Any prosperity they enjoy is here today and gone tomorrow.  

So, how should we respond when they come to a crashing halt? The wisdom of Proverbs suggests we ought to provide for their needs (25:21). Jesus lays down tall orders for us to love our enemies and to pray for them to receive salvation (Matthew 5:44). By extension, the apostle Paul urges us to bless rather than curse them (Romans 12:14). And when they swiftly pass into their miserable fate, we well-up with sincere sorrow that they part without knowing God.  

No striking back or planning revenge. No harboring resentment. No toasting to their bad riddance.   

That’s it? Those are my only options? It’s a difficult pill to swallow when you’ve been bitterly crossed. The injustice of it all leaves you sick with rage as you replay the psychological horror film in your head. Your stomach churns when you watch the byproduct of their dishonest schemes bring them social or financial reward. It’s like they’re getting away with murder, fooling everyone into thinking they’re innocent as they walk around with their bloodied hands deep in their pockets. Feeling like you’re the only one who knows about their sinister act sends shivers down your spine. 

 But God is keenly aware. “‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’” he says (Deuteronomy 32:35). Justice is certainly warranted, but it’s not ours to dish out.