Proverbs 31 Woman

Archive for the ‘Commentary’ Category

” We must closely attend to the word of God, for that is the word of wisdom, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, v. 1,2. We must be CONVINCED that the words of God are the fountain and standard of wisdom and understanding, …We must INCLINE OUR EAR and APPLY OUR HEARTS to them, as to wisdom or understanding itself. Many wise things may be found in human compositions, but divine revelation, and true religion built upon it, are all wisdom. We must, accordingly, receive the word of God with all readiness of mind, and bid it welcome, even the commandments as well as the promises, without murmuring or disputing. Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears….”

“…Even wise men must hear, and not think themselves too wise to learn. A wise man is sensible of his own defects (Plurima ignoro, sed ignorantiam meam non ignoro – I am ignorant of many things, but not of my own ignorance), and therefore is still pressing forward, that he may increase in learning, may know more and know it better, more clearly and distinctly, and may know better how to make use of it. As long as we live we should strive to increase in all useful learning….” page 649 vol. 3

“Child of God! let the trembling of insufficiency in thyself be stayed by the recollection of all-sufficiency in thy God.  What he demands of thee, that he works in thee.  His covenant secures thy holiness, no less than thine acceptance – thine holiness, not, as some would have it, as the gound, but as the fruit, of thine acceptance.  Let the one then be primarily sought; and the other will assuredly follow.  “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts…for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.’  (Jer. 31: 33, 34)’”

“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

Reading through this Proverb and meditating on it has been convicting.  Charles Bridges states, “… no good results can arise from the spirit of the talebearer, because with him it is pure selfishness, without a principle beyond the love of sin for its own sake.  He lives upon the scandal of the place, and makes it his hateful business to carry about tales, or slanders of his neighbour’s faults.  Such reports are eagerly devoured, and the mischief-maker feeds with greedy appetite upon the fruit of his cruel indulgence.  To him this may appear harmless play.  But if it draws no blood, and no outward hurt is shewn, an internal, and often incurable, wound is inflicted.  (Chap. 26:22)  We may seem to make light of the tale brought to our ears, and wholly to despise it.  But the subtle poison has worked.  “Suppose it should be true.  Perhaps, though it may be exaggerated, there may be some ground for it.”  The thought indulged only for a moment brings suspicioun, distrust, coldness; and often it ends in the separation of chief friends.”

May the Lord guard my lips and every word that comes out of my mouth.