Sermon Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:12
Proverbs 3:12 (with 1 Corinthians 15:55 ) In the case of a saint, his afflictions and death fall to be considered: (1) as they have a respect to himself, and (2) as they have a respect to his neighbours and friends. I. As they have a respect to himself. (1) The design of a saint's afflictions may be to rebuke him for backsliding, and not seldom for spiritual sloth and dulness of heart, with a view of recalling him from his wanderings, or arousing him from his lethargy. (2) A saint may be... read more
Sermon Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:11
Proverbs 3:11 I. Affliction acts as a dyke against the overflow of evil; it incessantly restrains and thrusts it back. Sin finds its limit in suffering; passion strikes against pain as a fatal bourne, where it perishes; lust is quenched in disgust; and death is there to say to the raging waves of our dissolute passions, "Thus far shall ye go and no farther." Thus far; namely, to that gravestone against which evil always dashes itself at last. II. Suffering is not a blessing simply because it... read more