Proverbs 30:11-14 - Homilies By E. Johnson

Detestable phases of human character

I. THOSE UNGRATEFUL TO PARENTS . ( Proverbs 30:11 .) "Without natural affection." Solon, asked why he had made no law against parricides, said that he could not conceive of any one so impious and cruel. In the Law of Moses the cursing of a parent was visited with the same punishment as the blaspheming of God (Le Proverbs 20:9 ; Proverbs 24:11-16 ; comp. Isaiah 45:9 , Isaiah 45:10 ; 2 Timothy 3:2 ).

II. CRASS SELF - CONCEIT AND PRIDE . ( Proverbs 30:12 , Proverbs 30:13 .) The Pharisees in the gospel ( Matthew 23:25-27 ), the Laodicean Church ( Revelation 3:17 , Revelation 3:18 ), are examples. But the character is a constant one, and reappears in every age as a foil to genuine Christianity. Compare Mozley's powerful sermon on the Pharisees. But it was a noble Pharisee who learned, in the humility of Christ, to "have no confidence in the flesh" ( Philippians 3:3 ).

III. PITILESS CRUELTY AND OPPRESSION . ( Proverbs 30:14 .) Wolves in human guise or in sheep's clothing. Similar pictures are to be found in Psalms 57:5 ; Psalms 58:7 ; Isaiah 9:12 ; Jeremiah 5:17 ; Jeremiah 30:16 , Jeremiah 30:17 . These pictures of the heart, its exceeding deceitfulness and desperate wickedness, should lead us to examine our own. The germs of all the world's evil are to be found in these microcosmi— these "little worlds." When we know ourselves truly, the prayer will the more sincerely arise to him to whom all hearts are open, that he will cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit.—J.