Vera. 21-23.-The wise and the loving life. I. IT IS AN ARDENT ENTHUSIASTI0 LIFE. (Ver. ·21.) Literally, he who hunts after justice and love will find life, righteousness, and honour. So in' other figures-of hungering and thirsting, of digging eagerly for hid treasures, etc.-the earnest enthusiasm of the true life is depicted. ll. IT IS A LIFE OF PRESENT POSSESSION A.ND ENJOYMENT. So in the New Testament (Rom. iii. 26; Gal. iii. 21). _ III. THE RESISTLESS POWER OF wrsooM. (Ver. 22.) The like penetrative power to that which we ascribe to the subtlest forces of nature-heat, magnetism, etc.-is possessed, but in a higher degree, by the intelligence and the will of man. The barriers of time and space seem to fall before hi1!1 who knows and_ him wh 0 loves. Let none rely on walls and fastnesses. \Vhat man s hands ho.w raised man1 s hands can break to pieces. We are truly strong only by means of the arts and works of intelli- gence and love. 416 'l'BE PROVERBS. [OH, XXI, 1-31.
IV. THE SAFETY OF THE PRUDENT TONGUE, (Ver. 23.) As one quaintly says, .. God, as the Creator, has placed a double wall before the mouth-the teeth and lips to show that we ought to use and guard the tonguo with all care." "He that bath ~ satirical vein, ~s he maketh others afraid of his wit, so he had need to be afraid of others' memory." "Discretion of speech is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably with him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words or in good order 11 (Bacon).-J.
Vers. 24-26.-Tl,e process of vice. I. VICES HANG TOGETHER LIKE THE LINKS OF A CHAIN. (Ver. 24.) Contempt is born of pride, wrath of contempt, and from wrath scoffing and manifold injuries. II. IDLENESS LIES IN CLOSE AFFTh'ITY TO MANY VICES. (Vere. 25, 26.) We have here a brief anatomy of idleness. It is wishing without corresponding exertion. The idle man would rather sit still and starve than set his hand or head to painful toil. He would live by wishing. The effort to) rise from the easy-chair, to take the hand from the bosom, is too great for him; hence he.is consumed with vain desires. The hope of enjoyment is out of reach, though not out of sight, for want of exertion. In reli!rlon mere wishes, idle prayers, will not bring us good. The knocking and seeking must go with the asking. And again (ver. 26), in this analysis we are reminded of the selfish- ness which is at the root ~f this indolence. In contrast to a habit of coveting for self, we have the hand of the righteous man, who "gives and spares not."~ Willin" labour surrender of time and thought for others' good,-this, indeed, enriches the soul~and th~ man who waters others waters himself~ and is a "blessing in the land.."-J.
Vers. 2i-31.-The ;'ust ;'udgmentR of the Ete,·nal. I. ON RELIGIOUS ACTS. (Ver. 27; cb. xv. 8.) 'l'he hypocrisy of devotion, the play-acting of religion, is as hideous a sight as true worship is beautiful. All the conditions of genuine worship are wanting in the bad man; there is no heart, no way of access, no faith (Bridges). We have scriptural examples in Balaam (Numb. xxiii.), Saul (1 Sam. xiii.), Absalom (2 Sam. xv.), Jezebel, the Pharisees. Compare the terrible invective of Isaiah (i.) s.gainst those who come with hands full of blood to worship and offer vain oblations. II. ON FALSEHOOD. (Ver. 28.) Compare the ninth commandment. "The essence of a lie is the intention to deceive." But exaggeration, the vice of those who perpetu- ally talk for talking's sake, seems also pointed at. 'l'he second clause describes the quality of the trustworthy witness. 'l'o hear before we speak; and witness to nothing but wbat we have heard and seen and known to be true. It is more from carelessness about truth than unintentional falsehood, that there is so much untruth in the world (Dr. Johnson). III. ON INSOLENCE AND PRESUMPTION. (Ver. 29.) Effrontery, which assumes the brazen brow upon guilt. There was nothing among the heathen which was thought more to expose a man to the wrath of Heaven than presumption. 'rhe picture of the opposite temper is given as a willing docility to rebuke, anxiety for improvement, which brings honour in the sight of God and of man. Insolent presumption would force its will and way in spite of God; true humility would seek direction in its way by the will of God. Ver. 30 reminds us of the folly and presumption of vain human creatures to lift themselves up in rivalry to heaven. Earthly greatness, state:: policy, pride, stoical firmness, avail nothing against the Divine wisdom and the eternal will. Entire obedience and resignation are our duty and our safety. May all our doings be beaun, continu~,d, and ended in God I 'l'here is no success without God (ver. 31). The ho~se may be ready for the battle, the "powder may be dry," but all is vain unless his blessinu has been sought and gained; and this cannot be unless our enterpri~e is just. N ev~r act without dependence on God, nor without attention to the appropriate means of success.-J. Ver. 1.-Buman power and Divine direction. The course of human affairs impresses, we might perhaps say oppresses, us with the thought- !. How MUCH POWER IS IN ONE MAN'S HAND, We shall always have kings amongst us-of one kind or another. They may not bear that name; they may not occupy the precise social position indicated by the word_; but there will always be men who OII. XXI, 1-81.] THE PROVERBS. 417