Exposition of Proverbs 1-3, Expositions · Chapter 3 · Verse 32
VER. 32. For the froward is an abomination io the Lord: but his ſecret is with the righteous.
THE reaſons that follow to the end of the Chapter are by ſome writers applyed to the former precepts. ver. 27. &c. To wit, that we ſhould not any way wrong our neighbour, becauſe God will revenge it. Others tie them to ver. 31. as reaſons why we ſhould neither envy nor imitate oppreſſours, becauſe God hates them. Rather follow good men, whom God loves, and to whom he reveales his ſecrets, and ſhews them, what miſery he will bring on rich oppreſſours. In this verſe and thoſe which follow there is a fourfold oppoſition between good men, and bad ſet forth by divers names, curſes, and bleſſings. The names, Froward, oppoſed to righteous; Wicked to just; Scornrs to lowly; Wiſe to fooles; The curſes, and bleſſings. Gods abominating to reveiling his …. His curſe on the family; to his bleſſing on it; Scorning, to giving grace; Inheriting glory to ſhame.
For the words.
For. A reaſon of what went before. Envy them not, nor follow them, for theirs is but ſeeming felicity, God abhors them, and will certainly puniſh them. Do not thou loſe thy labour. God will break them to pieces. Therfore thou hadſt more need to pitty them, then to envy them, or chuſe any of their waies. For foreign ſee on Chap. 1.9.
The froward. For the word, ſee on Chap. 2.15. Here it may well be underſtood of the oppreſſour mentioned. ver. 31. For ſuch are contentious perſons, and common barators.
foreign. An abhomination. Extreamly hated, as hatred it ſelf. Not onelyonly hated, but abominated, as a ſtinking carcaſe, that we cannot endure near us. It ſignifies a thing, which offends the ſenſes, from which men turn away ears, eyes, noſe, &c. It ſhews Gods utter diſlike of the ungodly. Lo, ſhall we ſacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? Exod. 8.26.
To the Lord. Heb. Of the Lord. For the word, ſee on Chap. 1.17.
But. See on Chap. 2.22.
His ſecret. Some underſtand it of that ſecret, that God intends to deſtroy the oppreſſours, though he let them thrive for a time. Others of the way to Heaven, which is a ſecret to the world. Others of ſecret conſolation. Though they meet with troubles abroad, God gives them ſtore of comfort within. Others of Gods protection in times of trouble. They have Gods ſecret place, wherein to hide them, till the ſtorm be over. Pſal. 91.1. But the beginning of this verſe by way of oppoſition, and the next verſe by way of expoſition ſhews, that it is a deſcription of friendſhip, and that God is ſpoken of after the manner of men, who diſlike ſome men ſo much, that they will not admit them to ſecret familiarity, nor truſt them with any private buſineſſe: but they love others ſo well, that they will often converſe in private, and communicate their ſecret intentions to them. So God hates and curſes evill men: but loves, and bleſſes good men. The word foreign ſignifies
A ſecret. A thing kept from others. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him. Pſal. 25.14.
2. A plot deviſed privily to bring miſchief on others, which is commonly kept ſecret, leſt it ſhould be prevented. O my ſoul come not thou into their ſecret. Gen. 49.6.
3. An aſſembly of men, that lay their heads together to conſult, for ſuch conſultations uſe to be carried in ſecret. I will pour it out upon the aſſembly of young men together. Ier. 6.11. Here it is taken in the firſt ſenſe. He acquaints them with what he keeps ſecret from others.
With the righteous. Such as fret not at the proſperity of wicked men, or rather ſuch as do not imitate them in oppreſſing others, but deal juſtly with all men. For the word ſee on Chap. 2.21.
Figures. An abomination for an abominable thing. The adjunct for the ſubject.
Note. 1. The portion of the wicked.
2. Of the godly. In the former obſerve
1. The word of coherence. For.
2. The Subject. The froward.
3. The Adjunct. Is an abomination.
4. The Object. To the Lord.
In the latter note.
1. The word of oppoſition. But.
2. The Adjunct. His ſecret.
3. The Object. Is with the righteous.
1. Doct. There is a great difference between the condition of a good man and of a bad. This is ſhewed at large. Pſal. 1. and Pſal. 33. all over. It is alſo proved by the particulars in the text, and after it.
1. Becauſe God loves the one, and hates the other. And this appears in that he communicates his ſecrets unto the one, as to friends, but conceals them from the other, as from enemies in this verſe. And
2. Becauſe he curſes the wicked, and blaſts all their endeavours, and bleſſes the other in all they do enjoy. ver. 33. wicked mens comforts are curſed, and godly mens croſſes are bleſſed to them.
3. Becauſe he ſcornes, and contemns ungodly men; but he favours all that are godly. ver. 34. Now his favour is better then life, his anger worſe then death.
4. Hee prefers godly men to glory, that will laſt for ever: but hee ſends the wicked aſhamed to Hell. ver. 35.
Uſe. Labour with Mary to chuſe the better part. Who would not rather be in a low condition with his Princes favour, that can raiſe him, then in an high one with his anger, that can pull him down, when he will?
2. Doct. God hates ungodly men. They that are of a froward heart, are an abomination to the Lord. Chap. 11.20. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. Chap. 15.9.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe though men flatter, and commend them, yet God alwaies ſpeaks ill of them, and their waies, and hee alwaies ſpeaks, as he thinkes. Hee will not ſpeak ill of them he likes, nor well of them hee likes not. Hee cannot diſſemble.
2. Becauſe hee is reſolved to ruine all that live and die wicked. Men prefer and ſet up wicked men for their own ends: but if God do prefer them in the world, it is but to ruine them for ever. Tolluntur in altum, ut lapſu graviore ruant. They are lifted on high, that they may have the heavier fall.
Uſe. Contemne the proſperity of wicked men, for God will certainly ruine them, notwithſtanding their wealth.
3. Doct. God intimatly loves godly men. The mercy of the Lord is from everlaſting to everlaſting upon them that love him. Pſal. 103.17. The Lord loveth the righteous Pſal 106.8.
Reaſon. 1 Becauſe he communicates his ſecrets to them; as in the text. Where Gods ſecret is, there is his heart, yea himſelf. He makes them of his privy counſell. I have called you friends, for all things, that I have heard of my father, I have made known unto you. Ioh. 15.15.
2. Becauſe he will have them with him for ever in Heaven: and wee love them well, whom wee deſire never to part withall.
Uſe. Let us be godly, that we may be great in Gods books. No matter then, though the world count us baſe, afflict, and oppreſſe us. God will make us of his counſell here, and happy for ever. Pſat. 73.24.