Proverbs 1:31

31. Therefore For this reason they shall suffer the natural and penal consequences of their crimes. There is nothing arbitrary in their doom. As they have sown so shall they reap. They shall eat the fruit of their own doings.

It is possible that there is in the fearful language of this and the preceding verses a special reference to that class of persons described in Proverbs 1:11-19. It is natural that Solomon, as a sovereign, should think of such flagrant violators of law and right, having, probably, had frequently to deal with them, and being compelled in justice to treat them with great severity, notwithstanding their prayers for his clemency. They had proceeded in their evil courses until arrested by the hand of justice, and then, out of mercy to the innocent, no mercy could be shown to them. But the principle here developed is of higher and wider application. He who refuses to hearken to the voice of wisdom in cultivating and improving his mind till the time is past for such improvement, calls afterwards in vain for such knowledge.

The attainment mocks his efforts. There is a time, place, and opportunity for all things that ought to be done. But he that mis-improves or abuses them loses the advantage forever. So, in an eminent sense, of the knowledge of God and the attainment of his grace; if neglected in this, the day of salvation the appropriate period for seeking it the time will come when we shall have to say, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” “Many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able.” We should not, however, apply too rigidly, and without qualification, the strong words and imagery with which the poet-sage invests personified Wisdom, to the great and good sovereign Judge, who, notwithstanding the infinite compassion of his nature, is compelled by the obligations of his justice to treat finally impenitent sinners with great severity. Even a human judge may be very severe in his sentence, yet very kind in his heart. But he must not let his compassion as a man slacken his hand of justice as a judge.