The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 577

I. ON WOMEN, OR THE DUTY OF CHASTITY. (Ver. 3.) The weakness of this passion was one of the things, Alexander the Great was wont to say, which reminded him that h~ 'l'l'.as mo:tal. Davi~. and Solomon were ..both ~~rnings and beacon-lights against yieldmg to 1t (2 Sam. xu. 9, 10; comp. eh. 11., v., vu.). IT. ON WINE, OR THE DUTY OF TEMPERANCE. (Ver. 4, sqq.) Here is a sin in close affinity to the former (Hos. iv. 11). 1. A vice degrading in all, drunkenness is most especially unbefUting those in high station. Elah (1 Kings xvi. 8, 9), Benhadad (1 Kings xx. 16), and Belshazzar (Dan. v. 2-4), were all dark ex.a.mples of the danger (comp. Hos. vii. 5). 2. It may lead to moral perversion. (Ver. 6.) The wotqan wrongly ·condemned by Philip of Macedon exclaimed, "I appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober." .A.hasuerus (Esth. i. 10, 11) and Herod (Mark vi. 21-28) appear to have been guilty of arbitrary conduct under the same besotting influence. Men "err through strong drink" (Isa. xxviii. 7). 3. The true use of wine. (Ver. 6.) It is a medicine for the fainting. It is a restorative under extreme depression. '!;'he Bible tolerates and admits the blessing of wine in moderation as promotive of social cheerfulness. It "maketh glad the heart of man," and is even said to "cheer God" (Judg. ix. 13). Hence libations were a part of the sacrificial feast offered to the Majesty on high. As an anodyne it is admitted here (ver. 7). But all this does not exempt from close circumspection as to time, place, persons, and circumstances in its use. The priests, when performing their sacred functions in the tabernacle and temple, were to abstain from wine. But here, as in other matters, there is large latitude given to the exercise of the private ju~OTIJ.ent, the personal Christian conscience. .AJJ.y attempt to overrule the right of personal freedom creates a new class of evils. Let those who see their duty in that light adopt total abstinence ; and others labour according to their ability to strike at the indirect and deeper causes of what many regard as a national vice. Wherever there is a widespread vice, it is rooted in some profound misery. 'l'he surest, though longest, cure is by the eradication of the pain of the mind which drives so many towards the nepenthes, or draught of oblivion. III. ON THE FREE Al>'D FULL ADMINISTBATION OF JUSTICE. (Vers. 8, 9.) The royal heart and hand a.re to be at the service of those.who cannot help themselves-the widow, the orphan, the poor, and" all that are desolate and oppressed" (Job xxix. 15, 16). He is to be both advocate and judge. He is to be an earthly type of God. "Let his representatives on earth study the character of their King in heaven, and be conformed more fully to his image of forgiveness and love."-J. Vers. 10-31.-.The virtuou.s housewife. I. HER INFLUENCE m THE SPHERE OF HOME. (Vers. 10-22.) 1. Her exceeding worth. (Vers. 10-12.) A costly treasure not everywhere to be found; no commonplace blessing; an ornament and a joy above all that earth affords of rare and beautiful. A treasure on which the heart of th«;i possessor ever dwells with delight. "Continual comfort in a fe.ce, The lineaments of gospel books." She is the rich source of revenue to her husband in all good things. "All other goods by ·fortune's he.nd are given: .A wife is the peculiar gift of Heaven." (Pope.) "If women be good," said Aristotle, "the half of the commonwealth may be happy where they are." "The greatest gift of God is a pious, amiable spouse, who fears God, loves his house and with whom one can live in perfect confidence" (Luther). 2. The picture of her domestic industry. (Vera. 13-22.) It is an antique pictur~, the form and colouring derived from ancient custom; but the general moral effect 1s true for all times. The traits of the housP-wifely character are: (1) The personal example of diligence. She is seen from day to day spinning at her loom, th.e chief oc~upation of women in ancient times. She is an early riser (ver. 15). (2) Her unrelaawng energy. (Ver. 17 .) She has no idle hour; her rest is in change ?f. occupatio~. (3) !fer pe~sonal attention to business. (Vcrs. 16, 18.) Whether exammmg land with a view to mvest her savings in purcharn and cultivation, or inspecting goods, her mind is in all she does, OH, XXXI. 1-31.] THE PROVERBS. 607