autions against rash suretiship. (1-5) A rebuke to
slothfulness. (6-11) Seven things hateful to God. (12-19)
Exhortations to walk according to God's commandments. (20-35)
Verses 1-5: If we live as directed by the word of God, we shall find it
profitable even in this present world. We are stewards of our
worldly substance, and have to answer to the Lord for our
disposal of it; to waste it in rash schemes, or such plans as
may entangle us in difficulties and temptations, is wrong. A man
ought never to be surety for more than he is able and willing to
pay, and can afford to pay, without wronging his family; he
ought to look upon every sum he is engaged for, as his own debt.
If we must take all this care to get our debts to men forgiven,
much more to obtain forgiveness with God. Humble thyself to him,
make sure of Christ as thy Friend, to plead for thee; pray
earnestly that thy sins may be pardoned, and that thou mayest be
kept from going down to the pit.
Verses 6-11: Diligence in business is every man's wisdom and duty; not
so much that he may attain worldly wealth, as that he may not be
a burden to others, or a scandal to the church. The ants are
more diligent than slothful men. We may learn wisdom from the
meanest insects, and be shamed by them. Habits of indolence and
indulgence grow upon people. Thus life runs to waste; and
poverty, though at first at a distance, gradually draws near,
like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an armed man, too
strong to be resisted. All this may be applied to the concerns
of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams
of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we
not give diligence to secure our own salvation?
Verses 12-19: If the slothful are to be condemned, who do nothing, much
more those that do all the ill they can. Observe how such a man
is described. He says and does every thing artfully, and with
design. His ruin shall come without warning, and without relief.
Here is a list of things hateful to God. Those sins are in a
special manner provoking to God, which are hurtful to the
comfort of human life. These things which God hates, we must
hate in ourselves; it is nothing to hate them in others. Let us
shun all such practices, and watch and pray against them; and
avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them,
whatever may be their rank.
Verses 20-35: The word of God has something to say to us upon all
occasions. Let not faithful reproofs ever make us uneasy. When
we consider how much this sin abounds, how heinous adultery is
in its own nature, of what evil consequence it is, and how
certainly it destroys the spiritual life in the soul, we shall
not wonder that the cautions against it are so often repeated.
Let us notice the subjects of this chapter. Let us remember Him
who willingly became our Surety, when we were strangers and
enemies. And shall Christians, who have such prospects, motives,
and examples, be slothful and careless? Shall we neglect what is
pleasing to God, and what he will graciously reward? May we
closely watch every sense by which poison can enter our minds or
affections.
autions against rash suretiship. (1-5) A rebuke to
slothfulness. (6-11) Seven things hateful to God. (12-19)
Exhortations to walk according to God's commandments. (20-35)