Proverbs 1

Notes

Ver. 1. The choice, divine, substantial, instructive, and governing, but sometimes darkly expressed, sentences of the incomparably wise and inspired Solomon. 2. Framed by the Spirit of God to teach men true and solid wisdom in things pertaining to God and their neighbour, to enable them to discern sin and duty, and to receive and profit by whatever good instructions or advices are given them: 3. To incline and persuade them readily to hearken to such instructions as direct them to live in a wise, candid, upright, and virtuous manner; 4. That those who are unskilful, rash, and incautious, may become circumspect, prudent, and discreet in their conduct: 5. And those who are wise in the matters of time and eternity, may become still more wise and prudent; and be able, with great advantage, to govern themselves and others; 6. And be capable of finding out the meaning of the wise, though dark, sayings of God or men, and profitably to apply them to themselves, or explain them to others.—7. It is necessary that every one who desires true wisdom should begin with, and chiefly study, the saving knowledge of God, and live under a holy awe in the love, worship, and service of him; as, without this, all other knowledge is vain and useless; and, for want of it, wicked men, who prefer trifles to things of infinite importance, pour contempt on the wisest instructions that can be given them. 8, 9. And, next to the fear of God, it is necessary, my dear young men, that you reverence, honour, and obey your parents, and gladly receive and earnestly practise their instructions, as things of inestimable value, which will render you more amiable and honourable than all the gay adorning on earth. 10. And, in order to promote the fear of God and regard to parental instructions, see that with the utmost circumspection and earnestness you avoid all unnecessary fellowship with wicked persons, and all hearkening to their flattering enticements. 11-15. If, in the most courteous manner, and by every argument drawn from profound secrecy, sure success, immense profit, and good fellowship, they would seduce you to robbery, or any other wickedness, abhor their counsels and flee from their company: 16. For, being set on mischief themselves, if they once entangle you, they will perpetually hurry you from one horrid crime to another. 17. And while they lay snares for others whom they reckon rash and inconsiderate, themselves, like silly birds, rush into courses, of which the dangerous issue might be easily perceived: 18. And, in the end, all their pains and cunning to undo others bring ruin upon themselves from the hand of God and men: 19. And all unrighteous methods of procuring wealth but issue in the destruction of the procurers.—20-23. While you shun and abhor the enticements of the wicked, listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, who, in his word and ordinances of the gospel, in the most public, affectionate, earnest, and importunate manner, calls you, however simple, ignorant, foolish, or even scornful, to forsake your wicked courses, and turn to him by faith and repentance, to receive his Spirit, freely given, and believe his words divinely manifested unto you. 24-29. But in the most solemn manner he warns you, that if you persist in despising his gracious calls, instructions, and offers, his righteous judgment shall overtake and ruin you and your nation, in the most unexpected, fearful, complete, and remediless manner;—and that, while your most rueful cries for deliverance shall be disregarded, your own counsels and contrivances shall render you inexpressibly miserable, and your occasional escapes, and even prosperity, shall, by encouraging your folly, pride, and wickedness, prove means of hastening and aggravating your ruin; 33. While they who hearken to his instructions, and believe on his name, shall, by his watchful providence, be marvellously protected, comforted, and eternally saved.

Ver. 1. The Hebrew word rendered 'proverb,' literally signifies 'likeness' or 'comparison.' It originally involved, therefore, the idea of a simile, but it had given to it at an early period a wider signification. It came to denote 'such short, pointed sayings, as do not involve a comparison directly, but still convey their meaning by the help of a figure. From this stage of its application it passed to sententious maxims generally, many of which, however, still involve a comparison. Such comparisons are either expressed, or the things compared are placed side by side, and the comparison left for the hearer or reader to supply. Next we find it used of those longer pieces in which a single idea is no longer exhausted in a sentence, but forms the germ of the whole, and is worked out into a didactic poem. Many instances of this kind occur in the first section of the Book of Proverbs.' The title therefore which is here given by the author or compiler to the whole of this book is appropriate, expressing very well its general character. P.

Ver. 2-4 form a general introduction to the whole book, explaining briefly its nature, and stating its object. The object was, to impart wisdom, not merely theoretical, but practical; such wisdom, in fact, as will enable man to understand what he is himself, what God is, what he owes to God, what is necessary for his salvation, and how he is to live, and speak, and think in the world. P.

Ver. 5. A wise man will hear. Right hearing is the great mark and duty of God's children. It is the great remedy against idolatry: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord,' De. 6. 4. It is the special claim of Jesus: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,' Mat. 13. 9. It is the special claim of the Spirit: 'Let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,' Re. xxvii. It is the great principle of the spiritual life: 'Hear, and your soul shall live,' Is. 55. 3. It is the great channel of faith: 'Faith cometh by hearing,' Ro. 10. 17. C.

Ver. 7. The fear of the Lord. 'Doth not perfect love cast out fear?' True, but not the fear of God. It casteth out the fear of condemnation, Ro. 8. 1; it triumphs over the fear of death, 1 Co. 15. 57; but it implants and cherishes the fear of reverence for the majesty, the holiness, and the mercy of God. C.

Ver. 11. Innocent. The sinners do not call their contemplated victims innocent in the sense of guiltless, for that would detract from their enticement; they call them innocent in the sense of simple?, unwarlike.—Without cause. Whose religion, instead of bringing safety and profit, renders them an easy prey. The speech of the bandits of the desert preparing to watch and plunder the caravans; the principle of avarice stimulating to dishonesty and cruelty in every form and in every generation. O believer, beware of covetousness, and be content with such things as thou hast, Lu. 12. 15. C.

Ver. 18. Robbery generally leads to murder, and experience proves that murderers seldom escape undetected and unpunished; so that the plotter against his neighbour is really ensnaring himself, and toiling for his own ruin. C.

Ver. 23. I will pour out my Spirit. Christ, 'in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,' Col. 2. 3, here promises to pour out that Spirit which alone can make the letter of the word effectual, and the soul wise to salvation. C.

Ver. 26. How can a merciful Saviour thus 'laugh and mock' at the 'calamity and fear' of sinners? Just because they are still impenitent sinners. The devil is even now as much a 'liar and a murderer' as he was in the beginning of his rebellion, and his hosts 'believe and tremble,' but they never desire to love. Even so, the 'carnal mind' abideth 'enmity against God,' and hates the Judge while it writhes beneath the judgment. C.

Ver. 32. Turning away of the simple, &c. 'The turning away' to worldly ease, carnal indulgence, and spiritual sleep.—Prosperity of fools, &c. Because they think not of death, of judgment, of eternity; and are promising ease to their bodies, till their souls are demanded of them.—Note, Rebel not in adversity, for 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.' C.

Reflections.—The inspired oracles of God are calculated to convey the most solid and precious instruction in the things both of time and eternity: and it is necessary and profitable that all, even the wisest, should carefully search them, particularly in the days of youth, in which the faculties are most quick, the temptations most numerous, and our conversation, for time and eternity, just forming. Deep regard to God and to parental admonitions are highly necessary in those who desire true wisdom. But there can be no solid knowledge or prudence where the heart is not changed, believes not on Christ, and loves not God as in him. With amazing earnestness and craft do sinners seduce others, particularly young and simple ones, into fellowship with them in sin. It is necessary, therefore, to be always impressed with the awe of God's omniscience and just judgment, that no temptation of secrecy or of gain may tempt us to wickedness: and to avoid the society of the wicked if we choose to escape their ruin. But with what infatuation do men, more stupid than birds, rush into danger when fairly warned! and in ruining others, they but ruin themselves in a more miserable manner: and however secrecy or power may protect them from men, the judgment of God overtakes them. Their cruelty and avarice hurry them and their companions into lasting misery and woe. Alas! how great is their folly, who, for a perishing world, destroy an immortal soul; and for a momentary pleasure, plunge themselves into everlasting woe! But great is the compassion of Jesus to such rebellious sinners: in the most earnest and open manner he pleads with them, in the ordinances of his grace, to promote their eternal salvation. Condescending are his offers and invitations of mercy, pointed to the most unworthy and wicked; and precious and necessary the benefits which he offers. But inexcusable is their guilt, and dreadful their ruin, who obstinately refuse them. Rejected of God in their misery, even their ease and prosperity harden and ensnare them, and aggravate their woe! But blessed above all with salvation and rest are those who receive them, and listen to his gracious voice.