Next we have the vivid sketch of one who has to do with a helpmate whose willful temper is the source of continual chagrin and shame. Yet the word of wisdom gives good counsel to relieve and comfort notwithstanding such a calamity.
“Better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a contentious woman in a wide house [or, house of society].
The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
The righteous considereth the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, and not be heard.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement wrath.
[It is] joy to the righteous to do justice, but destruction to the doers of iniquity “(vers. 9-15).
A contentious woman is of necessity a trial to every member of the household, but most of all to her husband. The house may be roomy, but only jars follow her; and if visitors call, it is but to increase his pain. No better place is there for him than to find a corner in the housetop; there can quiet be found, and, for piety, access to the Highest.
The soul is the living man's center; it is himself, the seat of his will. If this be unrenewed by, grace, and therefore under the enemy's dominion, he has pleasure in evil, not only himself doing things worthy of death, but enjoying the evil of others. What room is there in such a heart for loving another, whatever his need or distress? Favor in his eyes there is none even for the nearest neighbor.
The scorner has not only no respect for what is excellent, but affects to despise it and actively hates it. When such a one meets an exemplary retribution, it is a wholesome lesson to the simple who takes warning against that wicked way. But the wise, when he is instructed, receives positive knowledge for good.
So again the righteous is not merely grieved at the house of the wicked, but considers it to solemn profit. And no wonder; for the wicked are overthrown to ruin, even in this world.
Then the world is full of want, suffering, and misery. Is anyone disposed to stop his ears at the cry of the poor? God is not mocked, but resents hardness of heart; for “he also shall cry, and shall not be heard.”
On the other hand even the angry are not insensible to a gift if it be in secret. It would be resented if others saw or knew, or if the donor were prominent or talked. It is not only bad men whose anger is thereby pacified. See the effect on David when Abigail brought to his bosom a reward that exercised his conscience.
To the righteous it is their life and joy to do what is right, as it is a great sorrow when through any lack of care they, may fail. But nothing is so uncongenial to the workers of iniquity, ever in quest of gain through wrong. And destruction must be their portion. For there is not a creature unapparent before God, but all things are naked and laid bare to His eyes.