Proverbs 1:25

1:20-33 Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that make a jest of every thing. Scoffers at religion, that run down every thing sacred and serious. 3. Fools. Those are the worst of fools that hate to be taught, and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness. The precept is plain; Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs, if we do not turn from evil to that which is good. The promises are very encouraging. Men cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered? Now sinners live at ease, and set sorrow at defiance; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they shall cry in vain.

But ye have set at nought all my counsel,.... The same with "the counsel of God", Acts 20:27 . The whole Gospel, and all the truths of it; the entire scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ, which is the produce of divine wisdom, and is according to the counsel of the divine will, and his eternal purpose in Christ Jesus; this the Jews set at nought, made no account of, but despised and rejected, as they did Christ, the author of it, Acts 4:11 ; as also his ordinances, which go by the same name, because of the wisdom and will of God in them; particularly baptism, rejected by the Scribes and Pharisees, Luke 7:30 ; and would none of my reproof; would not hearken to it, nor take it, nor receive any instruction from it nor caution by it; did not like it, but contemned it, and trampled upon it; see Matthew 23:37.

Verse 25. - Ye have set at nought; rather, rejected (Umbreit, Ewald, et alii ). The Authorized Version rendering here is equivocal, inasmuch as it is capable of meaning "despised," whereas פְרַע ( para ) signifies "to let loose," "to let go" (cf. the German fahren lassen ), and hence "to overlook, or reject." Its force is fairly represented in the LXX., Ἀκύρους ἐποιεῖτε ἐμὰς βουλὰς , "Ye rendered my counsel of no effect." Counsel ( עֵצָה etsah ); i.e. advice, in the sense of recommendations for doing good, as opposed to reproofs for the avoidance of evil (see vers. 23 and 30). Would none. The same verb, אַבַה ( avah ), occurs in vers. 10 and 30, hence used with the negative לא ( lo ) in the sense of ἀπειθεῖν (LXX.), "to refuse compliance with," as in AEschylus, 'Agam.,' 1049. Proverbs 1:25

פּרע is synonymous with נטשׁ, Proverbs 1:8 ; cf. Proverbs 4:15 פּרעהוּ, turn from it. Gesenius has inaccurately interpreted the phrase פרע ראש of the shaving off of the hair, instead of the letting it fly loose. פרע means to loosen ( equals to lift up, syn. החל), to release, to set free; it combines the meanings of loosening and making empty, or at liberty, which is conveyed in Arab. by fr' and frg. The latter means, intrans., to be set free, therefore to be or to become free from occupation or business; with mn of an object, to be free from it, i.e., to have accomplished it, to have done with it (Fl.). Thus: since ye have dismissed (missum fecistis) all my counsel (עצה as לדה, from יעץ, Arabic w'd), i.e., what I always would advise to set you right. אבה combines in itself the meanings of consent, Proverbs 1:10 , and compliance, Proverbs 1:30 (with ל), and, as here, of acceptance. The principal clause begins like an echo of Psalm 2:4 (cf. Jeremiah 20:7 ).

(Compare Proverbs 22:22, 23). 11. redeemer —or avenger (Leviticus 25:25, 26; Numbers 35:12), hence advocate (Job 19:25). plead … thee —(Compare Job 31:21; Psalms 35:1; 68:5). 12. Here begins another series of precepts. 13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good. 15, 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence. 16. my reins —(Compare Psalms 7:9). 17, 18. (Compare Margin ). The prosperity of the wicked is short. 18. an end —or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare Psalms 37:28-38). 19-21. guide … way —or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Proverbs 4:4; 9:6). 20. riotous … flesh —prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin ), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure. 21. drowsiness —the dreamy sleep of the slothful. 22. Hearken —that is, obey (Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:1). despise … old —Adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed. 23. Buy —literally, "get" (Proverbs 4:5). truth —generally and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds. 24, 25. (Compare Proverbs 10:1; 17:21, 25). 26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Hosea 4:11). give me —This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented (Proverbs 8:1; 9:3, &c.). heart —confidence. observe —keep. my ways —such as I teach you (Proverbs 3:17; 9:6). 27, 28.

The scope of the whole is a comment on Proverbs 11:23. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty. 25. liberal soul —(Compare Margin ). made fat —prospers (Proverbs 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:15; Luke 6:38). watereth … watered —a common figure for blessing. 26. Another example of the truth of Proverbs 11:23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn. selleth it —that is, at a fair price. 27. good [and] mischief —that is, of others. procureth … seeketh —implying success. 28. (Compare Proverbs 10:15; Psalms 49:6; 1 Timothy 6:17). righteous … branch —(Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8). 29. troubleth —as Proverbs 15:27 explains, by greediness for gain (compare Proverbs 11:17). inherit … wind —Even successful, his gains are of no real value. So the fool, thus acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for others. 30. a tree of life —Blessings to others proceed from the works of the righteous (Proverbs 3:18). winneth souls —(Compare Margin ) to do them good as opposed to Proverbs 6:25; Ezekiel 13:18 (compare Luke 5:10). 31. Behold —Thus calling attention to the illustrations (compare Proverbs 11:23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not excluding future rewards and punishments. ## CHAPTER 12 Proverbs 12:1-28. 1. loveth knowledge —as the fruit of instruction or training (Proverbs 1:2). hateth reproof —(Proverbs 10:17). brutish —stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Psalms 49:10; 73:22). 3.