Outward as was the life of an Israelite compared with that of a Christian, which had its first pattern and fullness in Christ Himself, God did not leave His people without the light of deeper things. So we find here in the first maxim, and not less may we discern elsewhere on fitting occasion.
“Evil thoughts [or, devices] are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words [are] pleasant.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Jehovah [is] far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.
The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth heart [or, sense].
The fear of Jehovah [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honor [goeth] humility” (vers. 26-33).
It is sad enough when evil appears, and we cannot but recognize it. But evil thoughts without a ground for them are the deepest offense to Him before Whom all is manifest, and Who would have His people simple concerning it, and confiding in Himself. Pure words contrariwise are pleasant not to Him only but to all save the wicked.
Greed of gain troubles every one with whom it comes in contact, and especially those nearest him that indulges it, his own house. He that hates gifts, instead of looking out for them, has chosen the good part. It is the path of faith, pleases God, and awaits another, a better, day.
Our answers need divine wisdom, for around us is an evil world; and neither Law, Psalms, nor Prophets failed to warn of a nature prone to evil, though only the gospel pronounces us lost. Hence the need for the righteous that the heart should study to answer, lest a wrong or deceitful word should provoke a hasty word or elicit no better. Where fear of God controls not, from the mouth of the wicked flows a stream of evil things.
As the wicked has no thought of Jehovah, so is He far from such; but how precious and sure is His ear in listening to the prayers of the righteous!
Even before as well as after this, how much, how constantly, He supplies words of goodness to cheer and guide! Thus are the eyes enlightened from above and the heart rejoiced: good tidings make the bones fat, as is said here, without any counterpart of evil to warn.
And so it is in the next adage. Very great is the blessing to the love that welcomes, instead of disdaining, the reproof of life; it ensures abiding among the wise. Otherwise it is an easy thing to turn, and turn again, to folly.
On the other hand, great is the danger and the sin of refusing instruction; but he that hears it even in the painful form of reproof acquires heart, which is surely better than silver and gold.
Then the fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom. What can exceed or equal its gain? With it goes humility, and from it honor; as we read in the instructive trial of Job who had to unlearn every good thought of himself, and in the humiliation of his friends who trusted in their evil thoughts, based on appearances, and unrighteous. Thus let him that glories glory in the Lord.