Proverbs 20:12-19 - Homilies By E. Johnson

Religion, industry, prudence, and honesty

I. GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD .

1 . Of all bodily good. The eye, the ear, with all their wondrous mechanism, with all their rich instrumentality of enjoyment, are from him.

2 . Of all spiritual faculty and endowment, the analogues of the former, and "every good and perfect gift" ( James 1:16 ). The new heart, the right mind, should, above all, be recognized as his gifts.

3 . In domestic and in public life. Good counsels of Divine wisdom, and willing obedience of subjects to them, are the conditions of the weal of the state; and it may be that these are designed by the preacher under the figures of the eye and the ear.

II. VIRTUES INDISPENSABLE TO HAPPINESS .

1 . Laborlousness. ( Proverbs 20:13 ) This is a command of God: "If any man will not work, neither let him eat;" for which the seeing eye and hearing ear are needed. Viewed in one light, of imagination, labour may appear as a curse; for it thwarts our natural indolence, our love of ease, and our sentimental views in general. But viewed in the light of actual experience, the law of labour is one of the divinest blessings of our life-constitution.

2 . Honesty.

3 . Sense and prudence. ( Proverbs 20:15 , Proverbs 20:16 , Proverbs 20:18 .)

(2) Good sense is shown caution and avoidance of undue responsibility. This has been before emphasized ( Proverbs 6:1-5 ; Proverbs 11:15 ; Proverbs 17:18 ). We have enough to do to answer for ourselves.

4 . Reserve with the tongue, or caution against flatterers. ( Proverbs 20:19 .) The verse may be taken in both these senses. In all thoughtless gossip about others there is something of the malicious and slanderous spirit; there is danger in it. As to the listener, rather let him listen to those who point out his faults than to those who flatter.—J.