The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 433

II. IT IB wnoNG TO ENVY SINNERS. 1. This is to doubt God's justice. Though we cannot yet see the issue of events, we must believe that God will not allow injustice to flourish for ever, unless he cares not for the course of the world or is unable to set it right. 'l.'o suppose any such condition is to distrust God. 2. This is to form a low estimate of the pwrpose of life. We are not sent into the world simply to enjoy ourselves, but primarily to do our duty. If we are fulfilling that great purpose, it is a degradation to envy those who seem to be more fortunate than ourselves in the mero r.njoyment of worldly pleasures. 3. This is to yield to the attraction of unworthy delights. The pleasures of sinners are sinful. To lust after such forbidden fruit is to have a deprave<l appetite. 'l'he soul that is truly pure will loathe the delights of sin. It will not be harrl on a good man that his conscience forbids him to frequent the haunts of vicious revelry. He could find no true pleasure for himself amid such scenes. III. IN THE END THE MISTAKE OF ENVYING SINNERS WILL BE DEMONSTRATED. "For surely there is an end." The pleasure-seeker is short-sighted. To judge of the wisdom of following his course, we must see what it leads to. 1. The pleasure must end. The delights of evil are brief, and they are followed by wretchedness. The wild devotee of pleasure soon becomes a debauched and blasi wreck of humanity. If one is prudent enough to avoid extreme folly, still death will soon come and put an end to all worldly pleasure. 2, Sinful pleasure produces suffering. It corrupts body and soul; it sows seeds of disease and misery. '!'hey who sow to the flesh will reap corruption. 3. There will be retribution in the next world. There is a future. Does the sinner consider this? Does the foolish man who envies him remember it? Ver. 26.-0ur Father's claim. I. GoD CLAIMS NOTHING LESS THAN THE H&I.RT. 1. Some offer belief of the intellect. It is well to understand truth and to believe in that which is revealed about God. We may give many thoughts to God; but these, with- out the heart, will not satisfy him. 2. Some offer external service. This is claimed by God, but only as the fruit of a loving heart. Given in hard, mechanical work, without love or devotion, it is worthless in the sight of God. 3. Some offer money, sacrifices, worship. All such things are acceptable only as growing out of the heart. In hean- less worshippers these are but mockery, and are rejected by God. 4. God's true children must give their hearts. They must give themselves, their inmost being, their very lives, thoughts, affections, desires. II. THE HEART IS CLAIMED BY Gon ABOVE ALL. 1. The world tries to claim it. Some men are enchained in its fasci:irn.tions, and so withdrawn from God. 2. Sin endeavours to ensnare it. If it is not a divine possession, it will be held by sin. It cannot he detached. It will be given to evil if no~ to God. 3. Self hopes to hold it. la selfish- ness men would retain their hearts, their love and devotion, for their own interests. Yet in doing so their hearts harden, shrink, and perish. 4. God bas the supreme claim on the heart. We must not be satisfied with devotion to tbe Church or with good will towards men. The first duty is to love the Lord our God with all our heart. He m·ut be first. III. THE HEART MUST BE WHOLLY GIVEN TO GoD. We must not be content to love God half-heartedly. We must give our heart to God, and give it wholly, if ~'e would satisfy his claim. 1. Give it in a:ffection. This means a supreme surrender of our henrt's love to God, 2. Give it in devotion. God expects loyal service, not merely the adoration of the lips or the work of the bands, but the consecration of the very soul and life and being to him. 3. Give it in trust. If one truly gives his heart to God, it is put in a safe place, to be guarded from harm and sin. God is the safest trea~ury for man's most precious treasure. When the heart is entrusted to God, ho will not betray it; its affection and devotion will lead it not to desire evil; it will be in a sa",Ctuary amid the storms and battles of life. IV. GoD CLAIMS THE HEART OF ms BON DECAUSE HE IS A F ATHEil, This i~ a family claim. The call, "My son," justifies the claim, "Give me thine heart." 1. The claim rests on the obligations of the filial tie. A young man may freely choose nr refuse a particular person to be his friend. But ho is not thus free in regard to his father. Hti owes duty and love to a father. God is represented by Malachi ns snyin~, "A son hononreth bis father . . . if then I be a Father, whore is mine honour?" (Mai. i. 6). 2. 'l'he claim iij strengthened by the love of God. He is a good Father ; he tloe~ not ask PROVERBS, 2 0  450 THE PROVERBS. [err. XXIII. 1-35.