We have next the contrast distinctly drawn between the course, character, and end of those that are open to divine discipline, and of such as refuse it; of him that obtains Jehovah's favor, of the malicious too, and of the righteous unmoved by that which sweeps away the wicked. Nor is the woman of worth unnoticed any more than the one who makes ashamed. The thoughts and words of both classes are confronted, with the dread issue.
“Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish. A good [man] obtaineth favor of Jehovah, but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved. A woman of worth [is] a crown to her husband, but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous [are] judgment, the counsels of the wicked deceit. The words of the wicked [are] a lying-in-wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. Overthrow the wicked, and they [are] no more; but the house of the righteous shall stand” (vers. 1-7).
As original uprightness was lost in the fall, even if there be a new nature by grace, soul-discipline is ever needed, and blessed in the genuine humility that values knowledge from on high. Pride and vanity are alike disdainful of reproof, and therefore go from bad to worse. Those unwilling to own their faults or to submit to faithful dealing sink below humanity.
He that is good in his measure (Rom. 5:77For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (Romans 5:7)) has been so formed by his faith in Jehovah's loving kindness, and obtains fresh favor; whereas He condemns the man who yielding to his evil nature lives in spiteful devices.
Nor is it in the nature of wickedness to establish a man, for it makes slippery the high place he may reach; but the righteous have a root which, however assailed, shall not be moved.
If you wish a full-length portrait of a woman of worth, it is furnished in the last chapter of this book. Such a woman is not only a blessing but “a crown” to her husband. For even if naturally or spiritually beyond him, she will not fail to hide herself behind and help efficiently under him as her head, to the good order of children and servants, as well as in the circle of their friends or foes. On the other hand, what a curse is she that makes ashamed, however it may be! It is an evil ever felt to be hopeless in itself. How truly described as “rottenness in his bones"!
As righteousness means consistency with our relationships to God and man, “the thoughts” are a main part of it. Self-righteousness is really its opposite, and consists of outward observances if there be any pretense of ground for it. What value can these have, where the heart is far from Jehovah, proving it by disregard of His Anointed and by hopes resting on their own ways according to the precept of men? True righteousness is inseparable from being begotten of God; and thus the thoughts are right, as being the inward effect of a new life, which comes from God's object of faith on whom they rest. The counsels of the wicked, who know Him not, are deceit; for they flow from an evil nature assuming to be good.
And what are “the words” of the wicked but, as they are here characterized, “a lying-in-wait for blood”? If they have not life in Christ, they are the habitual prey of him who is from the beginning a liar and a murderer. “My soul,” says the Psalmist, “is in the midst of lions; I lie down among those that breathe out flames, the sons of Adam, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” Smooth was the milk of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords. On the other hand, the mouth of the upright speaks to conscience and heart, and God knows how to give it effect, so that it shall deliver them.
As the wicked build on the sand, overthrow comes and is fatal; but the house of the righteous, being built on the rock, shall stand. Rain may descend, and floods come, and winds blow, but only to prove that it is founded and preserved. So is he who hears and obeys the word.