A fool's way and a fool's vexation introduce the verses which now claim our heed, where the utterance of truth and wisdom follows with weighty instruction in righteousness.
“The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth to counsel.
The vexation of the fool is known presently (in that day); but he that concealeth shame is prudent.
One uttering truth showeth forth righteousness, but a false witness deceit.
There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
The lip of truth shall be established forever; but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.
Deceit [is] in the heart of those that devise evil; but to the counselors of peace [is] joy.
No evil shall happen to the righteous; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Lying lips [are] an abomination to Jehovah; but those that deal truly are his delight” (vers. 15-22).
For man with a fallen nature and in a fallen world to confide in himself is to play the fool. God is not in any of His thoughts. He is sure he needs no advice; he is right in his own eyes. What can his eyes do but help him to judge according to sight, which the Lord contrasts with judging righteous judgment? and what so dangerous as every question of self. For there is nothing a man dislikes more than thinking ill of himself, unless it is of believing good of God. Truly the way of a fool is right in his own eyes. He that is wise distrusts himself and hearkens to counsel; nor does he cheat God and his conscience by seeking counsel of the weak and easy-going but of the godly.
The vexation of the fool breaks out in immediate and uncontrollable anger. He forgets God, himself, and every body else. On the other hand he is prudent who conceals rather than exposes shame; he feels the insult, instead of despising his brother, and steeling his own breast in worldly pride. But his quiet spirit adds no fuel to the flame, and helps the offender perhaps to judge his unbridled impropriety. How prudent to ignore such provocations, to conceal shame not only from others but from ourselves!
To utter truth simply, and characteristically, in a world where men walk in a vain show, is a real display of righteousness; and the righteous Jehovah loves righteousness. There may be deeper and higher truth now that the Son of God is come and has given us understanding to know Him that is true. But righteousness is indispensable; without it pretension to grace is a delusion. Again, a false witness is an evident slave of Satan. To mistake we are all liable; but deceit is quite a different and a most evil thing, as mischievous to man as offensive to God.
Babbling or rash speaking is compared most aptly to the piercings of a sword; it inflicts wounds and pain; it flows from levity if not malice, and it has no aim of good. The tongue of the wise carries conviction to every upright heart. It may smite if duty call for it righteously, but it is a kindness: such wounds heal, as they prove and remove what only harms. The tongue of the wise is health.
The lip of truth may be gainsaid and disliked by such as have reason to dread it, but it shall stand forever. There is no need therefore to spend time in defending it or exposing those that are its adversaries. If one waits quietly, the more will its reality and importance appear; whereas a lying tongue is but for a moment save among such as love it; and where will the end be?
Of falsehood deceit is the essence; and here it is written that it is in the heart of those that devise evil. Thus it is equally akin to malice as to untruth. How awful that the heart which should be the spring of affection is really given up to devise evil! If others are deceived, still more is that heart.
But to the counselors of peace is joy.” Blessed are they, said the Lord; they shall be called sons of God. Theirs is joy now; theirs to enter into their Lord's joy by-and-by.
How triumphant is the Christian answer in Rom. 8 to verse 21! “No evil shall happen to the righteous.” Suppose “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? But in all these things we more than conquer through Him that loved us.” Christ has changed all things to us. How terrible to reject, despise, or even neglect Him! For then all our evil falls on our own heads. Truly the wicked are not fuller of mischief now than of misery in that day and forever.
Jehovah concerns Himself about every lie. Lying lips are an abomination to Him, even as an idol that is set up to rival and ruin His glory. So those that not only speak but deal truly are His delight. How precious to Him was the One Who, when asked, Who art thou? could answer, “Absolutely what I also speak to you” (John 8:2525Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. (John 8:25)). He is the truth.