The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 39

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-6.-Design and character of proverbial wisdom. We may regard the opening words as a general index: of the contents, as a designation of the object, and a statement of the value and profit of the teaching, of the book. I. 1TB DESIGN IB TO IMPART PRACTICAL BENSE. 1. And first, this in general includes the information of the understanding and of the memory by wisdom. This Hebrew word (chokrruih) denotes, strictly, all that is fiud for human knowledge. We may render it "insight." In other places in the Bible, the judge (1 Kings iii. 28), the artist (Exod. xxviii. 3), or the man of skill and renown in general, are thus said to be men of insight, craft, or cunning, in the original and good sense of those words. Applied to religion and conduct, it means insight into the principles of right conduct, the knowledge of how to walk beforepod, choosing the right and avoiding the wrong p~th-the know- ledge of the way to peace and blessedness. 2. 'l'be training of the will. The word rendered "instruction" denotes moral education or training. Here, then, is the prac- tical side of the matter. Not only sound intelligence is aimed at, but pure feeling, right affections, the will guided by the polar star of duty. All this is general. 3. But next, particulars, falling within this great scope, are poiated out, viz. "the attainment of justice and right and fair dealing." The first is all that pertains to God, the supreme Judge-bis eternal order and will. The second refers to established custom and usage among meu-to law, in the human sense. The third, an expressive word, signifying literally what is straight, points to straightforward, honourable, and noble conduct. 4. But the book has a special object in view, and a special class: "To hold out prudence to simple ones, and knowledge and reflectiveness to boys." Each of these words has its peculiar force. The Hebrew expression for the first class is literally the "open ones," i.e. those who in ignorance and inexperience are open to every impression, good or bad; simple-minded ones (not fools, which is another idea), who are readily governed by the opinions and examples of stronger minds. They need that prudence, or caution, which the hints of proverbial sense may supply, to enable them to glide out of danger nnd avoid snares (for the word rendered "subtilty" denotes smoothness, like that of the slippery snake). Boys, or youths also, stand in peculiar need of "thoughtfulness "-a. habit of reflecting with attention and forethought upon life and different modes of conduct. The Book of Proverbs, all must see, is specially adapted for these classes. But not for them alone. 5. The book is a book for all. The wise man may listen and gain instruc- tion ; for men "grow old, learning something fresh each day." And the intelligent man may obtain guidance. For although by middle life the general principles and maxims of wisdom may have been stored up, still the applications of them, the exceptions to them, form avast field for ever-growing acquisition. Knowledge is practically infinite; we can think of no bounds to it. New perplexities continually arise, new cases of c6n- science present themselves, old temptations revive in fresh combinations; and the records of others' experience continually flash new light from angles of observation distinct from our own. II. THE CHARACTER AND VALUE OF THE DOOK. (Ver. 6.) 1. It is a collection oj proverbs. Condensed wisdom. Landmarks in the field of experience. Be.1.."0ns of warning from dangerous shores. Objects of interest in life's travel. FingHT-post..<.  24 Tiit PROVERBS. toa. 1. 1-83.