Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE - entrapping men in danger, guilt, and punishment. The father of the faithful, through fear of man, twice denied his wife, ; . So Isaac, . 'Be afraid of nothing more than the detestable cowardice of a selfish and unbelieving heart' (Venn). (; ; John 12:42.) BUT WHOSO PUTTETH HIS TRUST IN THE LORD SHALL BE SAFE - Hebrew, shall be set on high (cf. margin,...

Verse Proverbs 29:25. _THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE_] How often has this led weak men, though _sincere_ in their general character, to deny their God, and abjure his people! See the case of _Peter_; and learn from this, O reader, that where the mighty have been slain, _thou_ wilt fall, unless thou call on the Strong for _strength_, and for _courage_ to use it. Be not ashamed of JESUS nor of his _people_, nor of his _cross_. Glory in this, that thou knowest _him_, art joined to _them_, and art counted worthy to bear it....

The confusion and wretchedness in which the fear of what men can do entangles us, is contrasted with the security of one, who not only “fears” the Lord, so as to avoid offending Him, but trusts in Him as his protector and guide....

EXPOSITION This chapter reinforces many precept given previously. PROVERBS 29:1 HE THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK; literally, _a man of reproofs—_one_ _who has had a long experience of rebukes and warnings. Compare "a man of sorrows" (Isaiah 53:3). The hardening of the neck is a metaphor derived from obstinate draught animals who will not submit to the yoke (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 27:8). Christ calls his yoke easy, and bids his followers

THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE,.... Either that which is subjectively in man; not a divine fear, or the fear of God, that grace which is put into the heart, for that leads to no snare, but tends to life; but a human fear, a servile one, a distrust of the power and providence, grace and goodness, of God, which has torment in it; which brings into bondage, and into many distresses and difficulties, and is opposed to trust in the Lord: or objectively, which has man for its object; a fear of losing the favour and friendship of men, of not having honour and applause from them; and a fear of their reproaches and reviling; of the wrath of men, of persecution from them, and of sufferings by them, even death itself; which has been sometimes a snare to ministers of the word, to drop or conceal some truths of it; and to professors of religion, not to embrace, own, and profess them; as many, throu...

TRUST (_ See Scofield) - (Psalms 2:12), Also; (Proverbs 28:25). _...

CHAPTER 29 THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous Chapter s. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb shows that the author is not Solomon but He who is perfect in knowledge. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Scripture abounds with examples of cases of hardening the neck and the heart, like Pharaoh, Ahab and others. This proverb will be finally proven to be the truth when an ungodly age will end with judgment for those who were often reproved and continue in sin. Once more the sin of flattery is mentioned. “A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet” Proverbs 29:5. Flattery is akin to lying and can never be right, but is always a mistake, which results in the gravest consequences. More servants

PROVERBS 29:2. _cf._ Proverbs 11:10 f., Proverbs 28:12. Proverbs 29:4. he that exacteth gifts: lit. a man of presents. Proverbs 29:9 b. Who is the subject? If it is the wise man, the meaning is that however he treats his opponent, seriously or lightly, he cannot end the matter. If it is the fool, the thought will be that he shows no decorum of manner. The proverb seems directed against a wise man's going to law with a fool....

THE FEAR OF MAN. Refers to the inward feeling of timidity. See note on "fear", 2 Timothy 1:7. THE FEAR... A SNARE. One of the two great snares. The other is "the praise of man": (John 12:43. Compare Romans 2:29; John 5:44). Illustrations: parents (John 9:22); rulers (John 12:42); Nicodemus (John 3:2; John 7:50. Contrast Pro 19:39

_shall be safe_ "Heb. _shall be set on high_" (marg. of A.V. and R.V.), as on an inaccessible rock, or in an impregnable fortress. Comp. Proverbs 18:10....