Divine Design.- 20. Proverbs
The collection of “the words of the wise” which next claims our heed is as different in character from the book of Psalms as one can conceive, though both may be in form poetical, the latter in the highest degree. But they are the inverse of one another: the Psalms mostly presenting to us Jehovah, or God in His nature rather than in covenant, the expression by the Holy Spirit of His people's and His own feelings in their varying experience, in hopes and fears, joy and distress, as well as in the acknowledgment of His ways.; the Proverbs, His wisdom in view of the difficulties and trials, snares and joys, and all other circumstances in the earthly path. The fear of Jehovah is the key-note. The special design of the book is unmistakable. No other part of the Bible fulfills or even shares its place. It communicates Jehovah's wisdom in its authoritative instruction of His people. Hence “God” as such occurs very sparingly in the prologue, 2:5, 17, 3:4; not at all in the strict “Proverbs of Solomon” (10-24); once in the supplement which Hezekiah's men transcribed (25:2); and twice in the appendix of Agues words (30:5, 9). This however gives no countenance to the dream of Astrue, but one more plain proof that it is false, senseless, and misleading.
After the preface of 1:1-7, we have a very full and affectionate introduction in the first nine chapters. In contrast with the authority given to parents is the enticement in the world through independence and lust, which calls to violence in ch. 1 and corruption in ch. 2. But if that authority works early and within, wisdom on Jehovah's part cries without, warning of the judgment at the end on the wicked man and the strange woman, and assuring of the moral value and blessing at all times for those that hear and prize her voice. In ch. 3 not our own intelligence but Jehovah's fear and instruction can avail. Hence in ch. 4 wisdom's words are to be sought to get true intelligence, avoiding all other ways. In ch. 5 is shown that only remorse and ruin come from swerving to corruption, while Jehovah would have His own enjoy the relations He sanctions. Ch. 6 warns against suretyship and sloth, evil activity and adultery; as ch. 7 pursues the latter in detail to death and Sheol. In ch. 8 the wisdom of God, energetic and importunate in love, rises up to Him Who is Son; as Christ is said to be His wisdom in the N.T. (object of Jehovah's delight), and His delights not merely in Israel but “with the sons of men.” In ch. 9 wisdom has built her house with her seven pillars, answering to the house of God, as it were, and not His call only, but contrasted with “the foolish woman” who leads her victims to destruction. Wisdom has an organization of good, as the strange and “clamorous” woman has of evil.
The intermediate chapters to 24, with the supplement in 25-29, present us the detailed wisdom of Jehovah for His people on the earth. The special walk of the Christian is not contemplated; still less is the church of God before us; any more than Christ suffering as God's witness, or for our sins, or His exaltation on high as Head, and in the heavenly sanctuary as Priest. But we have those divine apophthegms on the earthly path, which have drawn out the admiration of the wisest among men. After all they are but a selection from the “three thousand proverbs” which Solomon spoke (1 Kings 4:3232And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. (1 Kings 4:32)). For God gave the king wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all nations round about. What we have is a selection made by the Holy Spirit: a principle just as true of the “signs” wrought by our Lord (John 20:30, 31; 21:24, 2530And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:30‑31)
24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:24‑25)). Every scripture is of God's special design.
Of the concluding chaps. 30; 31 we would say here little more than that they are in keeping with the book and worthy of forming its close. They claim the character of “prophecy “; and every word bears the stamp of God. The picture of the matron in the last 22 verses (acrostics) of the book is beautiful, and shows what woman might be under the law, even before Christ came and gave her a yet higher dignity.