Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

Proverbs of Solomon copied out by the men of Hezekiah.
1 These are also proverbs of have seen.
Solomon, which the men of
Hezekiah king of Judah copied

out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out

a matter.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righte

ousness.

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedi

ent ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest 14 Whoso boasteth himself of put lower in the presence a false gift is like clouds and of the prince whom thine eyes wind without rain.

LECTURE 1055.

Means of avoiding strife.

Here begins a distinct part of this book, being a collection of Solomon's proverbs copied out, and added to the former portion of the book, by "the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah." This good king, like Solomon, thought it "the honour of kings to search out a matter." He laboured, and employed others to labour, in the search of divine truth; that truth which God has thought fit to conceal in these proverbs and dark sayings, in order to prove us, and to try us, whether we will take pains to study them or not. Some of these wise sayings relate especially to the case of those who are possessed of kingly authority. Their heart is said to be unsearchable, like the height of heaven, and the depth of earth; which is probably an admonition to rulers that they ought to be careful in keeping the secrets of the state. They are told further, that as upon taking "away the dross from the silver, there shall come forth a vessel for the finer," so also on the wicked being removed from a king's court and counsels, "his throne shall be established in righteousness." But how

difficult is this rule for a king to put in practice! How often does he seem to be forced by circumstances over which he has no control, to give his authority and countenance to those, whom for their sins he ought rather to banish from his presence! And when we think of the difficulties which beset our sovereigns in the attempt to discharge their kingly duties on really religious principles, we shall see how deeply their subjects are bound to pray in their behalf, that their throne may be "established in righteousness."

One of the great difficulties which beset a king is this, that those of his subjects who are least deserving are the most apt to thrust themselves forward into notice, whilst those who would serve him best are such as obey the injunction here laid upon them, not to push themselves into the notice of the great; they are such as would rather wait to have it said unto them, "Friend, go up higher," than run the risk of being reprimanded thus, "Give this man place." Luke 14. 9, 10. Next to this due backwardness in our intercourse with those who are our superiors in rank and station, we are recommended to be slow in beginning any kind of strife, any suit at law, or other contest with each other, lest if we enter into such a struggle hastily, we find occasion to regret for a length of time the shame and loss ensuing. And often we shall do well to open our grievance to our neighbour in private, and so escape the public exposure of matters which may be turned to our disadvantage in the end. Which counsel may remind us of our Lord's injunction, "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him of his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." Matt. 18. 15.

In the proverbs which follow next, and in most of those which occur in the ensuing chapter, we are taught lessons of divine truth by similitudes taken from earthly objects. Thus the excellency of edifying conversation in due season, is set forth, by comparing it to "apples of gold in pictures of silver," which may perhaps mean the "pomegranates," and the "nets of checker work," and the "lily work," with which the chapiters of ten of the pillars of the temple were adorned. See 1 Kings 7. 17, 18, 19. Again, the excellency of "a wise reprover upon an obedient ear," is like the beauty of "an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold." Again, the refreshment which snow may be made to yield, in the hot weather of harvest, serves by comparison to illustrate the value of "a faithful messenger to them that send him." Again, clouds and wind without rain, "at a time when rain is wanted," are an apt likeness of a man that "boasteth himself of a false gift," whose professions of bounty are not borne out in the fulfilment. Never then let us thus disappoint each other. Ever let us be faithful to those who employ us in whatsoever service we undertake. And finally, let us reprove wisely, if at all; and let us obediently listen to wise reproof.

[merged small][ocr errors]

Proverbs of Solomon copied out by the men of Hezekiah. 15 By long forbearing is a to drink: prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water

22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

LECTURE 1056.

Against giving way to an irritable temper.

We have here several proverbs of similitude. Long forbearance succeeds in persuading a prince, even as the soft parts of the mouth render assistance in breaking hard bones asunder. Let us then endeavour to prevail by gentleness and meekness, not by force and violence. Tarrying too long in a neighbour's house would be apt to weary him, even as eating too much honey is apt to cloy and produce sickness. Let us then beware of being troublesome to others, but in this and all other respects let us do unto them as we would that they should do unto us. A false witness is compared to "a maul," or heavy mace, "and a sword, and a sharp arrow." Let us then beware that if we bear false testimony, we do wrong, as surely as if we were to wield against our neighbour these weapons of destruction. "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." Let us then be on our guard against confiding in the faithless, and much more be resolved that we will never prove unfaithful ourselves.

"As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.”

If then mirthful singing be so discordant and unwelcome to the afflicted, let us study to shew our sympathy for them that mourn, not only by refraining from mirth, but by speaking in that tone of affectionate concern which is most in harmony with the voice of their distress. "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." This also is a parable of similitude. And the likeness must be taken from the effect of red hot coals in melting or softening hard substances. Such is the effect of undeserved and unexpected kindness in subduing the hatred of an enemy. Such is the aim and object of God's love and mercy, most unexpected, most undeserved, heaped up on our heads in the Gospel. May such be its effect fully realized in us, to soften our hearts in love towards Him who has thus first loved us!

"The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue." Let us then put on a look of displeasure by way of checking those who would report evil to our ears. Let us feel hurt and vexed in our hearts at hearing any evil told against our neighbours. Our looks will then without any effort express our dislike of the practices of backbiting. "It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." And this is no less true of a brawling man. Let us therefore exercise a due discretion in choosing with whom we live in the same house. And let us take pains with our own tempers, and set a watch on our own tongues, that we may not be the cause of pain and grief to those with whom we dwell. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Let us here think with joy and thankfulness on the glad tidings of the Gospel. Let us be athirst for the living waters which are given unto those who come to Christ by faith. See Is. 55. 1.

"A righteous man falling down before the wicked is a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring." This likeness has additional force when we consider how precious a clear stream of pure water must have been in the warm climate of Judea. Far be it then from us not to help the righteous in their cause. Far be it from us not to defend them as far as in us lies from the unjust assaults of the wicked! "It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory." Far be it then from us to lay ourselves out for praise, or to devour greedily that sweet commendation, which even when unsought, and moderate in quantity, is apt to disorder the soul. "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." Far be it then from us to expose ourselves by an unsubdued temper to the assaults of every ill disposed person; and for want of being able to resist irritation, to lay our peace of mind at the mercy of any one who is inclined to vex us!

Proverbs of Solomon copied out by the men of Hezekiah.

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

LECTURE 1057.

The hopeless case of a vain person.

These proverbs for the most part relate to foolish persons and to their foolishness. But the folly here spoken of is not that dulness of the faculties which a man cannot help, but such want of thought, such heedlessness, and wilful ignorance, as are in themselves sinful, and are the cause of a man's falling into many other sins. It is much to be regretted when persons of this kind are promoted to stations of honour. They are then as much out of place "as snow in summer, and as rain in harvest." "The curse causeless," which in their folly they are apt to swear, shall take no effect, but shall fly far from the mark like a wandering bird. A rod is suitable for the back of such as these, even as a bridle is needful to guide an obstinate animal, and a whip to intimidate a vicious one. Such persons are apt to shew their foolish disposition by foolish speaking; as, for instance, by jesting at things sacred, by railing at good men, and by speaking in praise of that which is evil. When they do so, we may adopt either of the two rules following, according to the circumstances of the case; first, "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him;" next, "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." When we cannot admit any part of his statements without sharing in his foolishness, we had better not reply to him at all, unless it be to contradict him altogether. But when we can shew him, that according to his own principles, he is wrong, then it may be well to

« AnteriorContinua »