The first of these apothegms we have had before in chap. 14:12. The repetition indicates its importance, and our aptness to forget it. We may therefore consider it again.
“There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof [is] the ways of death.
The appetite (or, soul) of the laboring man laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.
A man of Belial diggeth evil, and on his lips [is] as a scorching fire.
A froward (or, false) man soweth contention: and a talebearer separateth chief friends.
A violent man enticeth his neighbor, and leadeth him a way [that is] not good.
He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; he that biteth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
The hoary head [is] a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.
The slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision [is] of Jehovah” (vers. 25-33).
Self-love and self-will lead into self-deception, whatever be the honesty that would oppose a conscious wrong. We need therefore to look to Him who is greater than our heart, that we be guided by a wisdom above ourselves. How terrible to have trusted what one should have judged, lest, to one following a way that seemed right, its end should be only a way of death! He that hears and knows and follows the voice of Jesus finds Him not only the way but the truth and the life. Nor can one be too simple in listening to His words open to all. This is the Christian highway; and therefore is peace and joy, whatever the suffering and danger.
Humanly speaking, as idleness is a peril and misery, labor is good for man as he is. He that is a truly working man has a need that impels him on his course of daily toil. His soul (appetite, or life) has wants that call for supply, or, as it is here put, “his mouth urgeth him on.” Others understand that “the soul of him that is troublesome shall suffer trouble; for his mouth turneth it on him.”
Ver. 27 vividly sketches the ungodly. Not content with what appears on the surface, a man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips is as a scorching fire. As James says of the tongue, it sets on fire all the course of nature, and is itself inflamed by hell. What can one think of the comment by a learned Romanist expositor (Maldonat), which Bishop Patrick cites?— “This is apparent by the example of the Spanish Inquisition, whereby he who speaks anything rashly against the faith is deservedly delivered to the fire, which I wish were done everywhere.” Romanism ignores and reverses Christianity.
The next form of mischief is a perverse or froward man sowing contention; and a tale-bearer separating chief friends. May we have grace not only to refuse such a spirit, but to reprove it, whenever it betrays its injurious and often insinuating way.
The violent man may not be so insidious; but the openness of his course, with apparent honesty, may entice his neighbor, and lead him into a way that is not good, possibly beyond his misleader.
The picture in ver. 30 describes one of those that shut the eyes in their evil work; but it is to devise froward things: and one biting his lips, that he may bring evil to pass.
Nor must one be deceived by age, though it claims reverence. But how deplorable if it help on evil! “The hoary head is a crown of glory; it is (or, if it be) found in the way of righteousness.”
What a testimony to the patient and the self-restrained in ver. 32! If we walk in the light, as every Christian does, even more than this should flow freely. Yet slowness to anger and self-control are admirable in their place.
The Jew resorted to the lot (ver. 33), till the Spirit was given the believer in the gospel. But he was reminded that Jehovah directed. Christianity in this as in all things shows God providing some “better thing,” faithful though God was of old, and is still, now that in Christ He is far more intimately revealed and known.