The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 300

Ver. 3.-God's searching glance. The text, with others treating of the same Rubject, assures us, concerning the Divine notice of us, that- I. IT rs ABSOLUTELY uxrvERSAL. The eyes of the Lorcl are" in every place." There is no secret place, however screened from the sight of man, which is not "naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (see Ps. cxxxix.; J er. xxiii. 24; Heh. iv. 13). , , II. IT rs CONSTANT. Absolutely unintermitted, day and night; through youth and age; in prosperity and in adversity; under all imaginable conditions. III. IT IS THOROUGH. Penetrating to the innermost sanctuary of the soul, searching its most secret places, "discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart;" discovering (1) beneath the fair exterior that which is foul within; (2) beneath the rugged surface the inward bea.uty which is breaking forth. IV. IT IS TO BE FEARED BY THE REBELLIOUS AND THE DIBOBEDIBNT. 1. Those who are living and are purposing to live in the commission of some flagrant, sin. 2. Those who are deliberately rejecting the authority and disregarding the merciful overtures of God in Jesus Christ. 3. And also those who are continually postponing the hour of decision and of return to their allegiance. These souls may fear to think that the eye of the Holy One is continually upon them; or they may be ashamed as they think that the eye of the appealing and disappointed Saviour is regarding them. V. IT IS TO BE COURTED BY THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL. 1. The hearts that are turning toward a Divine Redeemer may be encouraged to believe that his glance of kind encouragement is upon them (see Mark x. 21). 2. The hearts that are surrender- ing themselves to Christ in faith and love may till with peace and rest as they are assured of his acceptance (Matt. xi. 28-30; John v. 24; vi. 46, 47). 3. The hearts that, in his holy service, are honestly and earnestly striving to follow and to honour him and to do his work may be glad with a pure, well-founded joy as they count on his precious regard, his loving approval. To these it will be a perpetual delight that the "eyes of the Lord are in every place," beholding every human heart and every human life.-C. Vers. 8, 9.- With whom God is pleased. With whom is God well pleased? A great question, that has had many answers. The statement of the text gives us- I. GoD's ATTITUDE TOW ARD THE WIOKED. 1. Their whole life is grievous to him. '' The way of the wicked is an abomination," etc. And this, not because they hold some erroneous opinions, nor because they make many serious m_istakes,. nor bec~use they are betrayed into occasional transgressions; but because they determmately with- hold themselves from his service; because they claim and exercise the right to dispose of their own life according to their own will; because they deliberately disregard the • will of God. They are thus in a state of fixed rebellion against-his rule, of settled disavowal of his claims upon them, of consequent neglect of his holy Law. 'rherefore their entire course or "way" is one of disobedience ancl disloyalty; it must be painful, grievous, even "abominable" in the sight of the Holy One. 2. Their worship is wholly unacceptable to him. If we "regard iniquity in ou: heart, the _Lord w_ill not hear ue" (P8 . I. 16-22; lxvi. 18; Isa. i._ 15). God "des1reth truth Ill the rnward parts;" be cannot and will not accept as of any value whatever the oITering that comes from a heart in a state of determined disloyalty- to himself and hatred of his OH. XV. 1-33.] THE PROVERBS. 307