The value of wisdom is the main topic in these verses, but here not as we have already seen in the fear of Jehovah, but as the strength of the faithful in the midst of evil men given to destruction and mischief. Why should any envy their lot or like their company?
“Be not thou envious (or, against) evil men, neither desire to be with them; for their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant wealth.
A wise man [is] in strength, and a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For with wise counsels thou shalt make thy war; and in the multitude of counselors [is] safety (or, victory).
Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he will not open his mouth in a gate. He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a master of intrigues.
The thought of foolishness [is] sin, and the scorner [is] an abomination to men” (vers. 1-9).
Men may be clever and interesting; but what of these qualities, if they are “evil”? They may flourish for a while; but they are enemies of God, and just object of horror, but pity too, and no more to be envied in any respect than their company to be sought. Underneath wit on the surface is their study of destruction; so that their lips cannot conceal the mischief they talk.
It is wholly different with the wisdom that begins with fearing Jehovah, which instead of active mischief builds up a house for family use, and by understanding establishes it. And as He prospered the wise in their projects, so He gave knowledge to furnish richly and pleasantly. For this book contemplates His people on earth, not present suffering with Christ and glory on high. How different Christ's part here below, and the lot of His faithful ones!
A wise man is strong, we are told. It is moral strength the reverse of Samson's physical with moral weakness and folly. Hence too a man of knowledge increaseth strength, instead of losing its advantage by heedlessness. As it is prospered in peace, so wise counsel is of the greatest weight in war (ver. 5), where as danger thickens safety is in multitude of counselors, not in self-confidence.
How well it is said that “wisdom is too high for a fool!” He is self-satisfied, knows not his emptiness, and asks not of God what he lacks. So far, he does well not to open his mouth where counsel is sought; for what could a fool say?
But there is a man more to be dreaded and avoided than the senseless; such as devises evil doings. Hence he earns the character of a master of intrigues. These men are truly mischievous.
To a godly soul another consideration arises still more serious: “the thought of foolishness is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.” It is not only the carrying out of mischief, but the thought of foolishness is sin. How sad when the heart allows it, instead of fleeing at once to God against it! But the scorner is odious above all, as one who is not only evil in mind and heart, but he takes pleasure in lowering and maligning the righteous.