The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 89

Ver. 22.-Tliefolly of misdirected wisdom. I. WICKEDNESS 1s FOLLY. The" fool," according to Scripture, is both morally corrupt and intellectually imbecile (e g. Ps. cvii. 17). There is a truth underlying the sayin~ of Socrates, that " Virtue is know- ledge, and vice is'ignorance." It is apparent, indeed, that men may have an intellectual conception of the right while they do wrong, as also that good men may fall into error. Ilut, on the other hand : 1. We cannot progress in goodness till we discern the way; we must know God to love him, recognize the good to choose it. 2. lmmoralily deadens the faculty of spiritual intuition; purity purges the vision of the soul. 3. Wisdom is not mere intelligence, but applied intelligence, practical intelligence. It is not perfected till it is practised. He who knows the good is not wise until he does it ; and he who does right from instinct, habit, or mere inclination is not really per- forming a moral action. An action is moral when it is performed with an intelligent regard to principle, i.e. when it is under the direction of spiritual wisdom. Il. THE FOLLY OF WICKEDNESS .llAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH MISDIRECTED WISDOM, The "fool" in spiritual things may be a worldly wise man and clever in the execution of wickedness. Ironical as is tbe language of the text, it may often find a literal application. Sbrewd business men may be spiritually blind. Men who are wakeful and eager in material concerns become dull and listless when they touch higher interests. 'l'his may be explained by two considerations. 1. We develop most wisdom in regard to those things wMch interest us most. Interest rouses attention, quickens perception, excites inquiry, stimulates intellectual activity; while lack of interest leaves the mind in a slumberous c-0ndition, working at half-power. If we feel no interest in goodness, we 6hall be dull and foolish in regard to it. 2. Spiritual wisdom depends upon a spiritual tone of mind. 'l'he greatest intelligence is not capable of detecting subtle harmonies and discords if it is not accompanied by "an ear for musio." '.l'he cold intellect, which is but a huge calculating-machine, has not the fitting powers •)f perception for discerning spiritual truth. 'l'his requires a spiritual sympathy \ l Car. ii. 14). Therefore (1) let the man of conscious intellectual power beware of the danger of aesqming t-0 judg!l spiritual qucstjoQs boforo he has ~cquircd tho roquisit11 ou. tv. 1-31.] 'l'HE DOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET JEil.EMIAH. 85