Proverbs is normally or often described as Solomon’s last will and testament, because he writes the good part of it to his son. It’s an inheritance in that way.
The series of admonitions from the beginning of chapter two to the end of chapter seven includes some real gems, like “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.” That’s always a good one when someone tells you that God is jealous.
Of course, God is probably a little bit higher than Solomon, but still. Some people think it’s alright to execute murderers, even though the Ten Commandments says thou shalt not kill. Maybe envy and jealousy are two different things. Someone could look that up with reference to the ninth commandment, Thou shalt not covet. How do covetousness, envy and jealousy relate?
I appreciate the connection you made between Solomon’s fatherly instructions and God’s commands to His children.
Proverbs truly does feel like an inheritance…wisdom passed from a father to a son, and from our Heavenly Father to us.
On the matter of jealousy, envy, and covetousness, I’ve often found it helpful to go back to the Word and look closely at how these terms are used. “Envy” is usually portrayed as sinful..wanting what someone else has and resenting them for it (see Proverbs 14:30).
“Covetousness” is tied to desire…longing for what’s not ours (Exodus 20:17).
“Jealousy,” though, can be righteous or unrighteous depending on the context. God is called jealous (Exodus 34:14) because He has a holy claim to our worship and won’t share it with idols. It’s not petty or insecure, but pure and protective.
So yes, there’s a clear distinction. Envy and covetousness lead us to grasp for what isn’t ours. God’s jealousy guards what rightfully belongs to Him…our hearts. That’s a big difference.
As JennyLynne wisely said it helps to go back to the meaning of difficult words.
To kill a person has always meant an unlawful, selfish act, done by a murderer etc.
The deed has always been broken into deliberate or into accidental killing and the deliberate has been punished with death. That killing by a lawfully formed legal body whether an OT judge or king is justified. A justification that goes back to Cain and Abel.
Cain wasn’t executed. In fact, the ground was cursed for his sake, and the earth absorbed his sin by being cursed. He was avenged sevenfold for every wrong done him, until the flood destroyed his line.