The chapter concludes with a fatherly application to impress the blessedness of wisdom's ways on the young, but from Jehovah.
“And now, sons, hearken to me; and blessed are [those that] keep my ways: hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of Jehovah. But he that sinneth against (or, misseth) me doeth violence to his own soul: all that hate me love death” (vers. 32-36).
When He Who was afterward to become flesh and dwell among us was brought (so distinctly for the O.T.) before the hearer of the written word, we can understand that His grace makes itself deeply felt and calls special heed to communications meant to deal with the inner man. They rise far above ordinary obligation; they are not clothed with the thunder and lightning of Sinai, nor do they consist of typical pictures which illustrated the provision of divine mercy, when men failed and would own their sins suitably, the shadows of the good things to come. A divine personality (the daily delight to Jehovah, whose delights were with the sons of men, who calls Himself, though set up from eternity, wisdom dwelling with prudence) appeals peculiarly to heart and conscience. For who does not feel the need of such guidance? Sons of men must be welcome to Him, and He because He is divine must be able to render Himself acceptable to them.
Doubtless the lack of known-forgiveness and of life eternal in the Son of God left much to be desired, which we enjoy through the gospel. But what clearly appears in such a chapter as this was an immense favor; and none need wonder at the exhortation which follows it up, that the “sons” should hearken. But such words, like those of our Lord on the mount, are meant to be done as well as heard. Indeed every one that hears and does them not can only be likened to a foolish man that built his house on the sand: great the fall when it comes; worse than if no house were built.
Here accordingly we are told that “blessed are those that keep my ways.” The glory and grace of Him Who deigns to point out the ways of wisdom act on living faith and make it energetic through love. Where faith is not, all else fails are long. “Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.” How touchingly wisdom pleads while we only are the gainers! What can we add to divine majesty? The love of God delights in blessing; but blessing cannot be for sinful man but in hearing instruction from Him Who was made to us wisdom from above.
Again we have it applied to the individual. “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” Here we have earnestness day by day and perseverance like a beggar in need that will not be denied, and waits in the face of what would discourage others less importunate. We find in the beginning of Luke 11 the value of prayer on His part Who prayed as none else did, and led a disciple to seek of Him to teach them to pray. But the Spirit of God at the close of Luke 10 makes us know the need of His word antecedently; that we may not trust our own reasonings or imaginations, instead of all resting on the groundwork of divine truth received in faith. Of this the blessed sample is Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and heard His word, and reaped endless and deep profit in comparison with her sister, Martha, who, loved of Him and doubtless loving Him, was cumbered with much serving, and hence anxious and troubled about many things. Mary's part is the good one which shall be taken away from none who value it.
“For (on the one hand) whoso findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favor of Jehovah.” So the prince of prophets writes: “Wherefore do ye weigh money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently to me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, and your soul shall live.” What better was known than “life” above that of nature through the faith of the divine word, and Jehovah's favor enjoyed also? It was not blessing in the city and in the field, or in the kine and in the flock, in the bucket and in the kneading-trough, nor even in being made the head rather than the tail. O. T. believers knew and possessed by grace the blessing, though far from that fullness which we have now through and in Christ.
On the other hand the way of self will is ruinous for the life that now is, and for that which is to come. It is just the path of sin. “And he that sinneth against me (wisdom) doeth violence to his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” There is not, nor ever was, true living, living to God, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Therefore it is that the just shall live by his faith. For faith comes of hearing, and hearing by the divine word. Outside the path of faith on either side are the ways of death, and many are those who take them in the pursuit of man's thoughts or present objects, of human religion or human irreligion, apart from the true God and Him in Whom He reveals Himself by His word and Spirit.