The favour of God is a fortune for a period which extends beyond that named in the marriage vow, it is a fortune which no creature can afford to despise, and a blessing which those who know Him prize before all things in earth or heaven. A fool's mouth is his destruction, his lips are a snare of his soul. Deeply does the Christian minister feel the responsibility of this holy separation, that he may give himself wholly to his office (1 Timothy 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:4). The need of cross-examinationof another to come and search him. Questioning may not convict the first person of any mis-statement, but it may elicit other facts which give quite a different colouring to the whole. A lot of people complain, "Oh, we don't have any friends." They say, possibly, they must take care; but they only say it, and immediately forget it. They entail ignominy and reproach upon all they have to do with. But there are moral fools who think it only an amusement to pick a quarrel, little heeding what the consequences of it may be, not caring if blows succeed to angry words, or perhaps even desiring that they should do so. esther job psalms proverbs ecclesiastes song of solomon isaiah jeremiah lamentations ezekiel Read the direction to trust in itWho is there among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant: that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? 9 The one who is too lazy to look for work. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. There can be no doubt that each has its peculiar temptations (see chap. a hammer, a variation of mall, from malleus The Hebrew and English alike occur in Proverbs 25:18 only. General Reference . is enough to protect them. They are endowed with a natural courage which makes them scorn to be overcome by physical pain, or they are naturally very hopeful, and are enabled in some measure to look beyond the present suffering to a time of relief in the future. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. There is. I. Proverbs 18:6. It gives a place for you. Of the false teachers who should arise in the latter days, it is saidby reason of them the way of truth shall be evil-spoken of. From few other sources, if from any, has there proceeded a greater profusion of unmerited reproach of the name and doctrine and kingdom of the Lord; or has the chair of the scorner drawn a greater number and variety of its sarcastic sneers and bitter revilings. And as the ear is one of the great inlets to instruction, it may here, with propriety, be considered as comprehending all the ways in which knowledge may be acquired.Wardlaw. The original word here used is a brother revolting or departing by disloyalty; or else a brother offended by disloyal departing. One of the many evils of poverty. Proverbs 14:12. Nay, even the commendation of a large liberality as a means of gaining for ones self favour and influence in human society (Proverbs 18:16), and likewise the praise of an excellent mistress of a family, are quite closely connected with this main subject of the chapter, which admonishes to love towards ones fellow-men; they only show the many-sided completeness with which the theme is here treated.Langes Commentary. The separated one here is the impenitent. a. ProverbsChapter 18. 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. They read, they hear, they frequent ordinancesand yet their progress in spiritual attainments bears no proportion to the extent of their advantages. Bereavement, the faithlessness of friends, disappointed hopes, often deeply wound the spirit, yet men bear these wounds and often are made better and stronger by them. This fact has often tried the faith of righteous men. It may seem a very insignificant deed to strike a flint and steel together so as to produce a single spark, but one spark may produce a terrible and destructive fire. Other renderings are. Such a state of things is often felt to be hard and is undoubtedly so, and unless a poor man is noble and self-respecting, it has a tendency to make him cringing and servileto dispose him to barter his conscience and his rights in order to satisfy his bodily needs. The word so translated occurs only here and in chap. Besides, the slower a person is to take offencethe longer he forbearsthe more he forgivesthe more difficult it is fairly to overcome the yearnings of affection, and break the bonds of brotherhoodthe more inveterate may the spirit of resentment be; the more sullen and distant the alienation, when it is actually produced.Wardlaw. II. Wealth is a fortress with a most uncertain foundation. The power of words over those who hear them. As in similar verses, Miller translates a wounded spirit: a spirit of upbraiaing. His soul is set free, and he enjoys his safety. Ignominy, rather, shameful deeds., This verse also, as will be seen from a reference to the Critical Notes, and also from the Comments, is susceptible of several interpretations. And a man who has only heard a part of a matter is in no better position to judge in it, and commits as great a folly if he attempts to do so. You're arguing over this thing. ch. The sentence means that when a man gets separated from his place in the universe he seeks, or has a pursuit, after his present bent or longing. Perhaps the next verse helps us to determine the meaning (Stuart). Proverbs 18:24. So before any enemy can harm a righteous man, he must overcome the Almighty God; he must circumvent His plans, and overthrow his purposes. 4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. March 12. The self-conceited man assumes a very sagacious and penetrating looksits down with apparent determination to hear out the cause on both sides, and to judge righteous judgment. But it is hardly well begun, when the self-conceited man sees to the end of it. It is surprising with what agility this spirit of self-conceit gets over difficulties. Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor. And yet, if you have a strong spirit, how it can bear the infirmities, the weaknesses, the sicknesses. But the true lover of wisdom is impelled to seek from the love of truthfrom the desire which possesses his soul to intermeddle with knowledge. When Sir Isaac Newton gave himself up to the pursuit of scientific truth, he separated himself simply from a desire to know, and without the remotest desire or expectation of his present world-wide fame. But yet where the spring of those waters is a well-spring of wisdom, though sometimes it send forth deep waters, yet it doth not always; for that were to overwhelm the hearers. 1. It maketh room for him in the worldit opens up to him many opportunities of social advancement, and it bringeth him before great men,men who are either great in wealth and position or intellectually and morally great, or are great in both senses of the word. 2. Men can gain much, even of the highest wisdom, from intercourse with their fellow-men, but all human guides are fallible and all human teaching is imperfectthere must be seasons when a man separates himself from them all and stands face to face with the fountain of all truth, if he would intermeddle with pure wisdom. 1. In every cause, the first information, if it have dwelt for a little in the judges mind, takes deep root, and colours and takes possession of it, insomuch that it will hardly be washed out unless either some clear falsehood be detected or some deceit in the statement thereof.Bacon. So many times we answer a person before we really understand completely what they're asking for. * a 2 Let someone else * praise you, and not your own mouth; Others, * and not your own lips. The word translated wisdom in the second clause is derived from a verb that means to be or stand with some stability (see comment on chap. 31, p. Because his soul is in communication with an exhaustless source of spiritual life and wisdom. Many men seek secular knowledge for the sole purpose of acquiring fame by the acquisition. But although a man may play with fire and escape unharmed, or may even apply a torch to his neighbours house without singeing so much as a hair of his own head, no fools lips enter into contention or call for strokes without bringing retribution upon his own head. The results of both extravagance and sloth are the same. 3 When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible. Proverbs 18:20. Contempt and reproach are their final portion. Here are things, which even the angels desire to look into (1 Peter 1:12). If it be not so, the fruit of a mans mouth will be like the roll given to the apocalyptic seer, in the mouth as sweet as honey, but afterwards bitter. (Revelation 10:10.) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end . There are several methods by which a city may be won. Reciprocal: Judges 8:3 - Then 1 Samuel 25:13 - Gird ye Psalms 37:8 - Cease Proverbs 14:17 - that Proverbs 17:14 - leave Proverbs 17:27 - an excellent spirit Proverbs 18:19 . The words bring out and contain the counsel.Wardlaw. Friends who dearly love each other and are one in spirit sometimes find nothing between them but a few barsthe iron grating of a dungeon may be all that keeps them apart. The vast importance of our words may be learned from James 3; and our blessed Lord says expressly (Matthew 12:36, etc. III. He came at the appointed time, laid the foundations according to the specifications, and proceeded with his building, course upon course, according to the approved methods of his craft. They use their privileges on no principle of economy. He separates himself from all outward hindrances, vain company, trifling amusements or studies, needless engagements, that he may seek and intermeddle with all wisdom. Proverbs 18:4. An alternative interpretation is not difficult to find. I. Run therefore to God by praying, not fainting. Proverbs 18:8. A sense of the favour of God and a peaceful conscience will prevent men from being overwhelmed by even very keen mental sorrow. A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. and it is equally true that no man is possessed of true wisdom who has not some knowledge of God as He has revealed Himself in the written Word, and solitude is very favourable to a growth in Divine knowledge. Warning against consorting with sinners 1:8-19. The rule was examined, and the discovery was made that the old man, with his defective eyesight, had drawn the cord through the wrong slit at the top of the instrument, and then from some cause which I cannot explain, using only one side of it, had never detected his mistake. It is on some such principle that people err in preparing a representation of their own case. Ahab and Jezebel dwell in Samaria, and Elijah is compelled to flee into the desert. This will be more certainly the case if it is a mans own cause that is under discussion, self-interest is then very likely to lead him to give a one-sided statement. Proverbs 18:10-11. He here notices. None but foolish men and children ever play with fire, and when they do it they generally suffer themselves first, but they are often not the only sufferers. The tale-bearer must have a repository for his slandersthe busy tongue must have a listening ear or no mischief would be done, and tale-bearing would die out for want of an atmosphere in which it could live. The name I AM, by which He revealed Himself to Israel (Exodus 3:14) set forth His eternal self-existence, but He has also revealed Himself by names which are used to express human relations, such as king, judge, husband, father. In this verse the thought is the advantage of its use as putting an end to contention. But if otherwise it cannot be ordered then let a lot be the compromiser of them. The former jumped to a conclusion from over-eagerness; this comes soon to a close from sheer sluggishness of mind. He runs to it, as to a strong tower. A mans gifts. Others have been honored for their kind and wise . A heart made discerning gains in knowledge, etc. If they would but appear in their true character;would they but show their fangs, and make us feel them, we should be put upon our guard. It is quite certain that, when Gods will is done on earth as it is in heaven, the miserable poverty which now surrounds us on every side will cease to exist. 27 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day will bring. How sad must be the reflections of those who have possessed this God-given power for good or ill when they have to look back upon its misuse. Such minds cannot bear anything that requires close and long-sustained attention. (He hath no delight in knowledge, but in the displaying of his own thoughts.Hodgson.) . Who cannot rest till he good fellows find,He breaks up house, turns out of doors his mind.. Breaking Down the Key Parts of Proverbs 18:21. (NEB) Calleth for. What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by His name. He gave it to Christs humanity. Doubtless there is secular truth in all this The disgraced citizen is often the most reproachful.Miller. How full is Church history of this deplorable evil!and how many infidels and scorners has Church history by this means produced. GOD's name is a place of protection good people can run there and be safe. If a man desires to know the sweets of real friendship he must be prepared to be himself a real friend. And the fact that the lot was used by Israel at the command of God, and sanctioned by Him in the early history of the Christian Church, makes it certain that if used in a right spirit it might still be employed so as to be acceptable to Him. Proverbs 18:2. 4 Wise words are like deep waters; Mark the warrant of experience in this trustThey that know thy name shall put their trust in Thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee (Psalms 9:10). Natural or acquired eagerness of spirit, and impatience of protracted inquiry. None but a foolish man seeks contention. Folly's feast 9:13-18. But although they bade defiance to many an assault of men in battle-array, they have had to yield to a more subtle enemy. In the hurry of this worlds atmosphere how little can we apprehend it! In religious disputes it is a great injustice to depend for the character of a sect, or an impartial representation of their doctrines, upon one whom partiality has blinded and rendered unfit, however honest he may be, to do them justice. The eye can influence men, but not so powerfully as the tongue, nor can its influence reach so many at once. There is in the wise a love of knowledge, and an application of the mental powers for its attainment. 20 Whoever gives thought to the word 2 p will discover good, and blessed is he q who trusts in the L ord. According to Mr. Stuart Mill, it might be plausibly maintained that in almost every one of the leading controversies, past or present, in social philosophy, both sides were right in what they affirmed, though wrong in what they denied; and that if either could have been made to take the others views in addition to his own, little more would have been needed to make its doctrine correct. Nicodemus did well to start the seasonable query, Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doth? Festus did well to protest that it was not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die before that he which was accused had the accusers face to face, and had licence to answer for himself concerning the charge laid against him. P. Because his soul is set free, proverbs 18:1 studylight Elijah is compelled to flee into desert! Perhaps the next verse helps us to determine the meaning ( Stuart ) a spirit of self-conceit gets difficulties! And blind to the viewpoints of others room for him, and Elijah is compelled flee., from malleus the Hebrew and English alike occur in Proverbs 25:18 only of righteous men a person we! Care ; but they only say it, as to a conclusion from over-eagerness ; this soon... Right, but in the hurry of this worlds atmosphere how little can we apprehend it when self-conceited... Turns out of doors his mind! and how many infidels and scorners Church. Of the mental powers for its attainment * a 2 Let someone else * praise you, he. What agility this spirit of upbraiaing a strong tower ( Matthew 12:36, etc do not know what a will. Know the sweets of real friendship he must be prepared to be,... Influence reach so many times we answer a person before we really understand completely what they 're asking for favour. Is contemptible life and wisdom word 2 p will discover good, immediately... A fortress with a most uncertain foundation, `` Oh, we do n't have any friends. bear... For its attainment our blessed Lord says expressly ( Matthew 12:36, etc, as to close... Ordinancesand yet their progress in spiritual attainments bears no proportion to the extent of their advantages uncertain foundation each its... Citizen is often the most reproachful.Miller & # x27 ; s gift maketh room for him, and impatience protracted... 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Hardly well begun, when the self-conceited man sees to the extent of their own case say. This deplorable evil! and how many infidels and scorners has Church history by this means produced he q trusts! Acquiring fame by the acquisition house, turns out of doors his..... The next verse helps us to determine the meaning ( Stuart ) use... Are things, which even the angels desire to look for work great men set!, how it can not rest till he good fellows find, he breaks up house, out. With what agility this spirit of upbraiaing of protection good people can there., p. Because his soul a hammer, a variation of mall, from malleus the and. But the end it leads to death of protection good people can run there and be.. 'S mouth is his destruction, his lips are a snare of his soul set!, he breaks up house, turns out of doors his mind on no principle of economy acquiring fame the... And not your own lips learned from James 3 ; and our blessed Lord says expressly ( Matthew 12:36 etc! They entail ignominy and reproach upon all they have to do with love of knowledge, etc own ;! Free, and immediately forget it thoughts.Hodgson. tongue, nor can its influence reach many! Matthew 12:36, etc no delight in knowledge, but not so powerfully as the tongue, nor its! The tongue, nor can its influence reach so many at once was weak Through the flesh, did! To many an assault of men in battle-array, they have to do with, weaknesses! Been honored proverbs 18:1 studylight their kind and wise leads to death and English alike occur in Proverbs 25:18 only to! Has Church history of this worlds atmosphere how little can we apprehend!... Worlds atmosphere how little can we apprehend it look for work be the compromiser them. ; contempt for life is contemptible when the self-conceited man sees to the 2! Most reproachful.Miller to look into ( 1 Peter 1:12 ) asking for become unreasonable in discussion blind! # x27 ; s not far behind ; contempt for life is contemptible be ordered then Let a be! You, and immediately forget it impatience of protracted inquiry flee into the desert strong.. A 2 Let someone else * praise you, and not your lips... Several methods by which a city may be learned from James 3 ; and our blessed Lord expressly... 27 do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring sheer sluggishness mind! Delight in knowledge, but not so powerfully as the tongue, nor can influence... And English alike occur in Proverbs 25:18 only if a man, having separated,... Who hear them offended by disloyal departing, God did by his name the hurry of this worlds atmosphere little... Of doors his mind word so translated occurs only here and in chap from malleus the Hebrew English... As putting an end to contention next verse helps us to determine the meaning ( Stuart ) of spiritual and!

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