VI. (i)._ Ninth Discourse:_ — _Against Suretyship_ (Proverbs 6:1). (1) IF THOU BE SURETY FOR THY FRIEND. — When the Mosaic Law was instituted, commerce had not been taken up by the Israelites, and the lending of money on interest for its employment in trade was a thing unknown. The only occasion fo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU ART COME... — Rather, _for thou hast come under the power of thy friend;_ thou hast made thy freedom and property dependent on him for whom thou hast become surety. HUMBLE THYSELF. — Literally, _let thyself be trampled on, humbly sue._ MAKE SURE. — Rather, _assail impetuously, importune.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE HUNTER. — This, or some such phrase (perhaps, the hand “that held him”), must be supplied here.... [ Continue Reading ]
(j)_. Tenth Discourse:_ — _Against Sloth_ (Proverbs 6:6) (7) GUIDE. — Properly, _judge_ (the Arabic _cadi_)_,_ then _leader, prince. _... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ONE THAT TRAVELLETH. — The form of the Hebrew is intensive, “one who moves swiftly,” as in Psalms 104:3, it is applied to God’s “moving upon the wings of the wind.” While the sluggard sleeps, poverty is coming on apace. AS AN ARMED MAN. — Against whom the sleeper will be defenceless. Proverbs 6:... [ Continue Reading ]
(k)._ Eleventh Discourse:_ — _Against Deceit and Malice_ (Proverbs 6:12). (12) A NAUGHTY PERSON. — According to its original meaning, a “worthless” person, Heb. _a man of Belial,_ FROWARD MOUTH. — Comp. Proverbs 4:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WINKETH WITH HIS EYES... — A picture, taken from the life, of a malicious tattler and scandalmonger, who fills out his lying tale with winks and signs, whereby even more is suggested than he says, to the blasting of his neighbour’s character.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUDDENLY SHALL HE BE BROKEN. — Shattered as a potter’s vessel (Isaiah 30:14), without hope of recovery. This character of a malicious mischief-maker would seem to be especially hateful to God; it is described in like terms in Psalms 64 and a similar fate foretold of it; in Proverbs 6:19 also it is h... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE SIX THINGS DOTH THE LORD HATE... — Rather, _six are the things which He hateth._ It is a sort of climax: — He hates six things, but the seventh worse than all. This numerical form of proverb, to which the name of _middah_ is given by later writers, is found also in Proverbs 30:15; Proverbs 30:... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROUD LOOK. — Hateful to God, because rendering men unfit to receive grace. Till they acknowledge their weakness, they will not seek for His strength, and without it they can make no progress in holiness. (Comp. 1 Peter 5:5, and Christ’s commendation of the “poor in spirit,” Matthew 5:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
FEET THAT BE SWIFT IN RUNNING TO MISCHIEF. — Who do not yield to temptation after a struggle against it, but give themselves up as willing slaves to their lusts. (l)_. Twelfth Discourse:_ — _Against Adultery_ (Proverbs 6:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
BIND THEM CONTINUALLY UPON THINE HEART. — See above on Proverbs 3:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE COMMANDMENT IS A LAMP... — Comp. Psalms 19:8, and Psalms 119:98; Psalms 119:104. The servant of God may often feel much perplexity as to his duty, darkness may seem to have settled down upon his path. But there is always some “commandment,” or positive order, about which he can have no doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL NOT BE INNOCENT. — That is to say, _unpunished. _... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN DO NOT DESPISE A THIEF... — A man who is driven to theft by poverty is more worthy of pity than disdain; not so the adulterer. Again, the thief can make retribution, while the adulterer can have none to offer.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF HE BE FOUND, HE SHALL RESTORE SEVENFOLD. — Rather, _And if he be found, he may restore sevenfold, he may give up all the wealth of his house._ The law only required a two — or four — or fivefold compensation (Exodus 22); he may do even more. “Sevenfold” signifies full restitution. (Comp. Gene... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JEALOUSY IS THE RAGE OF A MAN. — That is jealousy is furious, and cannot be appeased by bribes.... [ Continue Reading ]