Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9:1-12

Christ and sin are rivals for the soul of man, and here we are told how they both make their court to it. 1. Christ, under the name of wisdom, invites us to accept of his entertainment, and is in enter into acquaintance and communion with him, ver. 1—6. And having foretold the different family of his institution, ver. 7—9. he shows, in short, what he requires from us, ver. 10. And what he designs for us, ver. 11. And then leaves it to our choice what we will do, ver. 12. 2. Sin, under the character of a foolish woman, enters us to accept of her entertainment, ver. 13—16. Pretends it is very charming, ver. 17. But Solomon tells what the reckoning will be, ver. 18. And now chuse you this day whom you will follow.

1. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. 2. She hath killed her beasts, the hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3. She hath sent forth her maidens, the criers upon the highest places of the city. 4. Who is simple, let him turn in his/her: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him. 5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6. For sale the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7. He that reproveeth a scarver, geteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, geteth himself a blot. 8. Keprove not a scarver, lest he hate thee: “rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will yet be wise: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou korneth, thou alone shalt bear it.

When in the days of his flesh the wisdom of God appeared upon earth, he chose for the most part to convey his divine instructions by parables, a method which he had used of old, to communicate the mysteries of his gospel.

1. A rich entertainment is provided in a sumptuous palace for wisdom’s guests. She hath builded her house, the church of the redeemed on earth, founded on Christ, the rock of ages, and gloriously adorned with all the gifts and graces of the Spirit therein abundantly dispensed; or the heavenly mansions provided for the faints everlasting rest, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. She hath hewn out her seven pillars; intimating the stability and perpetuity thereof, seven being the number of perfection; or referring to the constant provision of wise and able ministers, qualified with gifts and graces for the edifying of the body of Christ, and the support of the interests of his church and people. She hath killed her beasts, or her sacrifice; she hath weighed her wine; she hath also furnished her table. The sacrifice is a crucified Jesus, offering himself upon the cross for sinners. The wine is his blood, the richest cordial to the guilty soul. The table is furnished with all the blessings of grace, pardon, righteousness, peace, strength, con-

Refuse Christ 1000. Mat. xii. 12. Mat. xiii. 5. 6. Her killing, in law. 5. Ver. 5. Rom. x. 11. 10.

Proverbs 9:27

11. 9 Heb. Addeth. 4 Job xvii. 16. PC. ix. 23. Ezekiel. vii. 17.

12. The fear of the LORD + prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Though God hath fixed the days of our life by an unchangeable decree, yet he who ordains the end, ordains the means. A regard to God and his fear, by preferring the body in temperance, soberness, and chastity, tends to prolong life; whilst a course of wickedness brings on diseases, and hastens the sinner to his grave.

28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Proverbs 9:28

The hope of the righteous shall be, or is, gladness; it brings delight and satisfaction to the soul, and the issue of it will be eternal joy, when it shall be swallowed up in fruition: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Whatever prospects are before him, and however he fastens himself with confidence of success, disappointment shall blast his enterprises, his hopes prove delusion, and despair eternal close the scene.

29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

v. 29, 30. Say unto the righteous, It shall be well with them; but woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with them.

Vol. I.

The upright, who walk in God’s way, find him their strength; his providence is their protection, his grace their support in every trial, temptation, and difficulty; and they shall never be removed; preserved by God’s unchangeable love, almighty power, and everlasting faithfulness; and thus enabled to persevere unto the end. But the wicked have no support: destruction terrible and irresistible awaits them; and out of that earth on which they place their affections, shall they be rooted, and cut off from the enjoyment of all their possessions.

31. The mouth of the jull bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

v. 31, 32. By a man’s words he may be known. The righteous, knowing what is acceptable, out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things, such as are suited to minister grace to the hearers, and make them wise unto salvation: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness, offensive to God, and hurtful to his neighbour; and therefore in jull judgment his tongue shall be cut out, or silenced in everlasting humanity.