Proverbs 21:10-13 - Homilies By E. Johnson

Lessons and warnings from life experience

I. THE MERCILESSNESS OF EVIL DESIRE . ( Proverbs 21:10 .) There is nothing more cruel than unbridled appetite of any kind. All bad desires are perversions of self-love, and men thus became "hateful and hating one another." It is the grace of God which converts the selfish imagination, ever fixed on one narrow object, to the all-embracing imagination which is necessary to the fulfilment of the "golden rule" ( Matthew 7:12 )

II. THE LESSONS OF PUNISHMENT AND OF REWARD . ( Proverbs 21:11 , Proverbs 21:12 .) Daily life is full of this contrast, will we but heed its warnings. When the evil meet their just doom, let us say with the psalmist, "Thou puttest away the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love thy testimonies" ( Psalms 119:119 ). And not less when the wise and good are made happy (this is the sense of the next clause) let us own the hand of him who pronounces concerning every good deed, "It shall in no wise lose its reward."

III. RETRIBUTION ON THE HARD HEART . ( Proverbs 21:13 .) The pitiless man closes the door of pity against himself in the time of need. If the cries of the poor are not heard by us, they will be heard against us ( Exodus 22:23 ; Matthew 18:30-34 ). The parable of the unmerciful servant is the best commentary on this text.—J.