CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:5. A MAN OF KNOWLEDGE, rather “_a man of understanding_,” INCREASETH STRENGTH, literally “_maketh power strong_.” Miller translates the entire verse thus:—“_A strong man, if wise, is as a power indeed; and a man of knowledge makes strength really strong_.” _MAIN HOMILE... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:7. WISDOM IS TOO HIGH, etc. Delitzsch here reads, _Wisdom seems to the fool to be an ornamental commodity_, and thinks “the comparison lies in the rarity, costliness, and unattainableness of wisdom.” “The word,” says Miller, “occurs but three times in the Bible; once in... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:10. IF THOU FAINT, etc., rather “_If thou hast been straitened in the day of straitness, strait is thy strength_.” “The principle,” says Dr. Aitken, “is familiar enough, that courage and hopefulness is half a man’s strength.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 24:10_ THE DA... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:11. Literally, “_Deliver them who are dragged forth unto death, and them that totter to the slaughter, oh, rescue them_.” PROVERBS 24:12. HE THAT PONDERETH, literally, _the Weigher of hearts_. HE THAT KEEPETH, rather “_watcheth_.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 24:11_... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:14. THERE SHALL BE A REWARD, rather, “_there is a future_,” as in chap. Proverbs 23:18. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 24:13_ HONEY AND WISDOM I. AN ANALOGY. 1. Honey is found by man ready prepared for his use; no human skill is needed to make it fit for food—nothing t... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:16. THE WICKED SHALL FALL. Delitzsch reads, “_the wicked are overthrown when calamity falls on them_, _i.e._, they do not rise again and again as the just man does. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 24:15_ A SOCIAL AMBUSH I. A COMMON PRACTICE OF THE WICKED MAN IN RELATION... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:20. REWARD. The same word used in Proverbs 24:14, and in chap. Proverbs 23:18. Its literal meaning is “a hereafter.” Zöckler translates it end in the first two instances, but in this case he reads _future_. Delitzsch and Miller render it _hereafter_ or _future_ in every... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:21. GIVEN TO CHANGE, literally _otherwise disposed_, or, according to Miller, _repeaters, turners back_. PROVERBS 24:22. THE RUIN OF THEM BOTH, etc. This phrase is variously rendered, and different meanings are also attached to the same rendering. Delitzsch follows the... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:23. THESE THINGS ALSO BELONG TO THE WISE. Rather “_These_ (the proverbs which follow) _are also from wise men_” The word _also_ connects this introduction with that in chap. Proverbs 22:17. PROVERBS 24:25. TO THEM THAT REBUKE, etc. The word _him_ is not in the original... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— PROVERBS 24:27. HOUSE. This word may mean here as it does in Exodus 1:21, Ruth 4:11, 2 Samuel 7:27 etc., the family—the household interests. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 24:27_ PLAN AND PATIENCE I. HERE IS A LESSON IN WORKING WITH METHOD. In all undertakings it is necessary to co... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 24:28_ AN UNCALLED-FOR TESTIMONY I. THERE ARE TIMES AND CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH IT IS OUR DUTY TO WITNESS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOUR. When the interests of right and truth are at stake, it is wrong for any man to be silent when by declaring what he knows, he could establish... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Proverbs 24:30_ THE SLUGGARD’S VINEYARD I. WE HAVE HERE A PRECIOUS POSSESSION IN THE HANDS OF AN UNWORTHY PROPRIETOR. A vineyard is not a heritage of little or no value—if rightly cared for and cultivated it will yield to its owner the means of obtaining an hones... [ Continue Reading ]