The blessing of quietness at home, the value of wisdom there and elsewhere, the hearts tried by Jehovah, the evil-doer's heeding wicked lips, and falsehood listening to mischief, the reproach done to the Maker by mocking the poor, the mutual honor of parents and children in their due place, and the congruity of speech with those who speak, are here severally dealt with.
“Better [is] a piece of dry bread and quietness therewith than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
The crucible [is] for silver and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
An evil-doer heedeth iniquitous lips; falsehood listeneth to a mischievous tongue.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince!” (vers. 1-7).
The opening word contrasts the immense superiority of a peaceful household with hard fare, over one where plenty is found, embittered by contention, or, as is here energetically said, “full of the sacrifices of strife.” Love and peace may abound through Christ where is little else; only unhappiness abides where He is unknown, were all there that wealth can supply.
Then again, who has not known one from the lowliest place promoted for his wisdom over a son that bringeth shame, and even to share the inheritance of the family? A son crushes the family with his disgrace; a wise servant, especially in such circumstances, acquires love, respect, and honor with his full share.
But there is a moral government ever carried on by Him who is alone capable of trying the hearts, with a goodness and wisdom and patience, not wanted for refining silver and gold, which man can do. For the Christian it is as Father; for the Jew it was and will be Jehovah, the one true God.
There is also no small trial from those who wish and do evil; and we are here shown how close is the connection between malice and falsehood. If an evil-doer heeds false and unjust lips, falsehood listens to a mischievous tongue. Such is mankind without God, each in his own way, but all astray and malicious.
Nor is Jehovah indifferent to the pride that mocks the poor out of an overweening value for the passing advantages of this life. It is to reproach, if not blaspheme, his Maker. There is another ill-feeling hateful to God, gladness at calamities not our own. He that indulges in such heartlessness shall not remain unpunished.
Quite different from these is what follows: where family relations are maintained as Jehovah intended. “Childrens's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers.” How blessed when the aged feel their descendants an honor, and they no less delight in their parents!
The last of these verses glances at a twofold moral incongruity: when a fool (in the serious light of that word according to scripture) utters “excellent speech” out of all harmony with his character and life; and when a prince or noble, instead of being a pattern of probity in his exalted position, gives himself up to shameless deception. Yet such stumbling-blocks occur in this evil day. What a contrast with Christ who is the truth, and came to do the will of God!