Proverbs 22 - Introduction
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._... [ Continue Reading ]
_A good name_ A good reputation among wise and good men; _is rather to be chosen than great riches_ That is, we should be more careful to pursue that course of life, and do those things, by which we may obtain and retain a good name, than that way and those things by which we may raise and increase... [ Continue Reading ]
_The rich and_ the _poor meet together_ “The world doth not consist all of rich, nor all of poor; but they are mixed together, and have need one of another; and will agree well, and not clash one against another, if they both consider that there is one Lord, who is the Creator of both; and hath, by... [ Continue Reading ]
_A prudent man foreseeth the evil_, &c. “He whose long experience and observation of things hath made him cautious and circumspect, foresees a calamity before it come, and withdraws himself from the danger into a place of safety; but an incautious and credulous person never foresees any danger, but... [ Continue Reading ]
_By humility_ Hebrew, עקב ענוה, _because of humility;_ or, as some render the expression, _the reward of humility_, that reward which God has graciously promised, and will confer on humility, which is a grace of great price in his eyes, Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6; _and the fear of the Lord_ By which he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward_ The wicked, by their evil practices, expose themselves to many dangers, and occasions both of sin and mischief: _he that keeps his soul_ That takes heed to himself, and to his actions, and to the saving of his soul; _shall be far from them_ Will avoi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Train up_ Hebrew, חנךְ, _initiate_, or _instruct; a child in the way he should go_ Or, _according to his way_, that is, in that course or manner of life which thou wouldest have him to choose and follow. Or, as some render the clause, _in the beginning of his way_, that is, in his tender years, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that soweth iniquity_ Or, _unrighteousness;_ he, whose common practice it is to wrong or oppress others; _shall reap vanity_ Or _trouble_, or _misery_, as the word און commonly signifies, and as many here render it. The mischief which he hath done to others shall be returned to himself by God's... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hath a bountiful eye_ Hebrew, _a good eye._ He who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion and kindness: as an _evil eye_ is put for one that beholds others with envy and unmercifulness; _shall be blessed_ Both by God and men.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cast out the scorner_ Avoid all society and conversation with him who neither fears God nor reverences man, but scorns all admonitions, and minds only the pleasing of himself, and the gratifying of his own lusts, which is the chief cause of most contentions; _and strife and reproach shall cease_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that loveth pureness of heart_ Who is plain-hearted or sincere, and abhors dissimulation; whose heart is so free from guile that he places his pleasure in the integrity of his mind, and the purity of his conscience; _for the grace of his lips_ For those gracious speeches which naturally and comm... [ Continue Reading ]
_The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge_ God, by the watchful eye of his providence, maintains and defends men of knowledge, or wise and good men, such as the last verse spoke of, whose hearts are pure, and speeches gracious. Not only shall the king be their friend, as he said there, but God also,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The slothful man saith_ Alleges as his excuse to them who upbraid him with idleness, or persuade him to diligence; _There is a lion without_ There are extreme dangers and invincible difficulties in my way; _I shall be slain_ By that lion, or some other way; _in the streets_ This is added to show th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mouth of strange women_ Their fair and flattering speeches, wherewith they entice men into sin, as is observed Proverbs 7:21, into which it is easy to fall, but out of which it is hard, if not impossible, to be rescued. For it is a rare thing for any person, who has once entered into a course o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child_ Is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature; _but the rod, &c., shall drive it far from him_ The smart of punishment will make him weary of his sin, and watchful against it. “Ignorance, weakness, inclination to evil... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that oppresseth the poor_ That extorts what is not due to him from his poor tenants and neighbours, invades their rights, and takes advantage of their ignorance, or want of experience, or necessity, to increase his riches; _and he that giveth to the rich_ That vainly and prodigally casts away hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bow down thine ear_, &c. From the beginning of the tenth chapter to this place, the instructions of wisdom are delivered in short sentences, and proverbs properly so called; which have seldom any connection one with another, or such as is not easily discerned: but here another form of speech begins... [ Continue Reading ]
_That thy trust may be in the Lord_ That, knowing God, and his word and promises, thou mayest cheerfully and confidently trust in him, which is the only way to thy safety and happiness. _I have made known to thee this day_ More fully than ever before; in this day of light and knowledge; in this thy... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rob not the poor_, &c. Thus, after the preceding solemn preface, among the principal rules of life which he was about to lay down, he first commends this, not to be injurious to poor people; especially by oppressing them in a form of justice: as if he had said, Never abuse thy power to the spoiling... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make no friendship with an angry man_ “As there is nothing more necessary than a _friend_, so a principal point of wisdom consists in the choice of him; concerning which, observe this rule among others, not to enter into any familiarity with a man prone to anger;” _and with a furious man thou shalt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not of them that are sureties for debts_ Namely, rashly or unnecessarily. _Why should he take away thy bed_, &c. Why wilt thou put thyself into the hands of such a man, who will exact the debt from thee without compassion? For though God did not allow the practice of taking and keeping a poor pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remove not the ancient landmark_ Whereby the lands of several possessors were distinguished and divided. Do not enrich thyself with the injury of other men: do not invade the rights of others.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seest thou a man diligent in his business_ Hebrew, מהיר, _expeditious_, as the word properly signifies; one of quick despatch, vigorous and speedy in executing what hath been well and wisely contrived. _He shall not stand before mean men_ He is fit to be employed in the affairs of the greatest prin... [ Continue Reading ]