The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 117

v. RESOLUTENESS IN THE I\IGHT PATH, (Ver. 27.) There must be no "tumino- ngain to folly" (Ps. lxxxv. 8); no turning to the right or left into either ma.in hio-h'.:: ways of vice and open sin, or any byways of error and ill-doing. Even the pleas;nt path that seems to skirt the King's highway so closely that at any time we may return thereto, is a danger to be avoided. 'l'he road that leads off froIO that highway of holi- ness by ever so small an angle is a road that finds its way at last to a "City of Destruction." The best preservative from the perilous wandering is here indicated• it is- ' VI. STEADFAST GAZE UPON THE GOAL. (Ver. 25.) Look right on to the goal in front ; be so intent on reaching that, and on attaining to the prize which awaits the winner, that there will be no temptation to depart from the straight course. We keep a straighter path by fixing our eye on the object toward which we walk than by watch- ing the steps we take; how much more so than by looking about us on every hand ! Our heavenl.v wisdom is to be looking "right on," "straight before us," unto Jesus, the Leader and Perfecter of the faith (Heb. xii. 2). VII. lTs ISSUE, It issues in life and health (vers. 22, 23). Long life was promised to the wise and holy under the old dispensation; now we look confidently forward, as the issue of heavenly wisdom, to (1) a blessed life below, of spiritual wholeness, and (2) everlasting life beyond, where the inhabitants are never sick (Isa. xxxiii. 24).-C. Ver. 23.-Man's chief treasure. "Keep thy heart above all keeping" (marginal reading). Evidently there is a precious treasure which, as the disciples of Wisdom, we nre charged to keep. We ask- I. WHAT ARE THE CHIEF TREASURES WE HAVE IN CHARGE? These are threefold. 1. That which belongs to us, but which is entirely without us-our money, our houses, our lands, our shares, our ships, our precious documents, our "valuables." 2. 'l'hat which is more closely related. to us, but is still outside ourselves--our bodily frame, the tabernacle of our spirit, and, with this, our physical health and strength; the clear eye, the healthy brain, the strong nerve. 3. Our own very selves-that spiritual nature in virtue of which we are said to be "created in the image of God" (Gen. L 27). These are the treasures we may "keep." II. WHICH IS THE ONE OF SUPREME VALUE, AND WHY? "Keep thy heart above all keeping." That which is nearest ourselves must be of more value to us than that which is further from us. To keep our temporal estate is to preserve that which is precious, but which is not ourselves. To maintain our health is most desirable, but our body is only our temporary home and organ ; it is something we can lose and yet our- selves be. But our he:i.rt, that i~ our own very self. God made us, not to liave, but to be, living souls: that in us, that of us which thinks, loves, hopes, worships, rejoices in the spiritual and the Divine, that is ourself, and to keep that must be the supreme duty; that is to be kept beyond all keeping. But the wise m:i.n says there is a special reason why we should keep our heart beyond all keeping; he says, "for out of it are the issues of life." In other words, a well-guarded heart is the sprin~ and source of all that is best in human life. 1. The holy thoughts and pure feelings and. kind purposes which flow therefrom are, in themselves, a large part and the very best part of human life. 2. A well-guarded heart will prove the source of a well-regulated life-of a. life of honesty, virtue, peaceableness, sobriety; and these will ensure prosperity, esteem, joy. 3. A well-regulated heart will conduct to the life immortal in the heavenly land: this is the most blessed " issue" of all. With whatsoever anxiety, vigilance, diligence, we guard our temporal interests, or even our health and our mortal life, with far greater anxiety, far more eager vigilance, far more unremitting diligence, should we guard our heart-its purity, its tenderness, its devotion. III. WHAT ARE OUR FORCES OF DEFENCE? Wherewith shall we keep these hearts of ours? What are the forces at our command? They a.re these. 1. The power of introspection. We can interrogate and examine our own souls, and see how ":'e stand, what need there is for penitence and for renewal. 2. 'rhe power of self-nigulation. 1Ne can acquire healthrul habits, pass regulative resolutions which will (1) keep us away from temptation, and (2) take us where our souls will be nourished an~ strengthened in things Divine. 3. 'l'he power of the Divine Spirit. We can ask and gam the" might [which comes from] his Spirit in the inner man."-C.  EXPOSITION.