The bad thing about being a thief’s partner, is that when the thief gets caught, and the authorities haul his partner into court, the accomplice finds himself in a "no win" situation. If he defends his partner, he shares his guilt, but if he says nothing (or pleads the fifth amendment), his accusers assume he shares his guilt. Many a businessman has discovered this to his sorrow. read more
Kings and Fathers3. Cp. the prodigal son (Luke 15). 6. His transgression is the snare which catches and ruins him. 9. If a wise man has a lawsuit with a fool the latter will exhibit the most diverse moods, but one thing he will not do, and that is to listen quietly. 10. RM ’But the upright care for his soul.’12. They argue that truth does not pay. 13. To the poor and ’the oppressor’ (RV), to all classes alike, God gives the light of life (Psalms 13:3; Psalms 38:10). 17. ’Better the child weep... read more
(24) Hateth his own soul.—See above on Proverbs 1:19.He heareth cursing.—Rather, the oath or adjuration of the judge that anyone cognisant of the theft shall give information with regard to it. He hears and remains silent, and thus becoming the accomplice of the thief, he shares his punishment. read more
The Vision Which Saves Proverbs 29:18 Of all the blessings for which we thank God, none are greater than the light and the powers of sight which we possess. Obvious as are the advantages of the powers of physical sight, they only emphasize a condition which is indispensable in the moral and spiritual sphere. The wise man is thinking of the catastrophes which await those who for any reason are blind to the truth about life and who are 'destroyed for lack of knowledge'. I. History contains many... read more
CHAPTER 30THE NEED OF REVELATION"Where no vision is, a people casts off restraint, but he that keepeth the law is happy."- Proverbs 29:18THE form of the proverb shows that we are not to treat the vision and the law as opposite, but rather as complementary terms. Visions are it is true, especially the mark of the prophets, and the law is often confined in a special sense to the Pentateuch; but there is a much wider usage of the words, according to which the two together express, with tolerable... read more
CHAPTER 29 The Final Instructions These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous chapters. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb shows that the author is not Solomon but He who is perfect in knowledge. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Scripture abounds with examples of cases of hardening the neck and the heart, like Pharaoh, Ahab and others. This proverb... read more
This FIFTH SECTION now has similarities to the fourth, but carries us further, for if the fourth stresses mainly the testing of ways and walk. This dwells more upon results, that is the recompenses of a true Divine government. What is sown will also be reaped, and this is to be a most sobering consideration as regards our entire conduct. The first verse vividly declares this principle: "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." ... read more
This division of the book is introduced in the first verse of chapter 25, as the “proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out.” What these words mean it is difficult to say, except in the general sense that the teachers of Hezekiah’s period selected and gathered together wise sayings that had been written, or handed down orally in previous generations. They may have been those of Solomon only, and yet his name may be attached to them simply because they were now... read more
A Stiffnecked People, Etc. Proverbs 29:0 Men hardened their necks against the yoke of God, which is described by Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:29 , Matthew 11:30 . Those who thus harden their necks shall be destroyed; that is to say, shall be shattered or dashed to pieces like a potter's vessel that cannot be put together again. This shattering shall be final "without remedy." Nothing more can be done for the man than has been done by the process of frequent and affectionate reproof. By "reproof"... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 29:1-27
D. Instructive Contrasts chs. 28-29Most of the proverbs in this section are couplets, and most of them set forth a truth by means of a contrast. read more