Exposition of Proverbs 1-3, Expositions · Chapter 3 · Verse 33
VERSE 33. The curſe of the Lord is in the houſe of the wickeed: but he bleſseth the habitation of the just.
IT might be objected againſt the former ver. that it doth not appear, that God lothes wicked men, and loves good men, for he makes evill men rich, when better men are poor. Solomon anſwers in this verſe, that it may ſo come to paſſe ſometimes, but yet, the plenty of evill men carries Gods curſe with it, which, like a moth, eats it up, and the want of good men carries Gods bleſſing with it, which brings comfortable ſupply. So he confirms the former propoſition by the effects of Gods hatred, and love.
Fore the words.
The curſe. His plagues, and judgements are threatned, and prepared, and in time ſhall be executed on them. Some underſtand it of want, and the bleſſing, of plenty; for the one is threatned to the wicked, the other promiſed to the godly in the Law. Gods curſe will bring the wicked rich man to poverty, and his bleſſing will bring the poor godly man to plenty. This God often doth, but not alwaies: therefore the former interpretation is better.
Of the Lord. Sent by the Lord. For the word, ſee on Chap. 1.7.
Is in the houſe. Though it bee never ſo ſtately a Palace: yea, on all in his houſe, as wife, children, goods, &c. For the word, ſee on Chap. 1.13.
Of the wicked. See on Chap. 2.22.
But. See on Chap. 2.22.
He bleſſeth. His good providence watcheth over it for good. The word foreign ſignifyeth
1. To bow the knee. Solomon kneeled down upon his knees. 2 Chron. 6.13.
2. To bleſſe. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoul. Pſal. 103.1.
3. To curſe. It may be, that my ſons have ſinned, and curſed God in their hearts. Iob 1.5. Here it is taken in the ſecond ſenſe for bleſſing, as it is tranſlated. Yet not for Verball bleſſing, as wee bleſſe God; but for a reall one, as hee bleſſeth us. I will bleſſe thee, and make thy name great, and thou ſhalt be a bleſſing. Gen. 12.2.
foreign. The habitation. The word ſignifies a ſhepheards Cotage, and is uſed alſo for any houſe. If a godly man have but a poor Cottage, yet Gods bleſſings ſhall be on him, and on all his in it.
Of the just. See on Chap. 2.20. on the word Righteous.
Figures. Houſe, and Habitation for the dwellers in them. As, The Lord bleſſed Obed Edom, and all his houſhold. 2. Sam. 6.11. The ſubject place for the adjunct.
Note. 1. The extent of Gods curſe.
2. Of his bleſſing.
In the firſt obſerve
1. The Author. Of the Lord.
2. The Action. The curſe.
3. The Object. Is in the houſe of the wicked.
In the ſecond note
1. The Author. But he.
2. The Act. Bleſſeth.
3. The Object. The habitation of the just.
1. Doct. Gods curſe is on wicked men, in all their waies. See Levit. 26.14. &c. Deut. 28.15. &c.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe their poverty, loſſes, and croſſes are not trialls as the afflictions of Gods people are, but beginnings of ſorrows, and an earneſt of Hell, aſſurances, that they ſhall have no true comfort here, nor hereafter
2. Becauſe their wealth and outward comforts are turned in to curſes; In enjoying them they meet with many croſſes in wives, children, ſervants; and are forced ſometimes to wiſh their wealth in the bottom of the Sea. In loſing them they meet with much ſorrow, and cannot bear want ſo well as they that never were rich. Gods curſe conſumes wealth, houſe, meat, drink, &c. Strumpets never are rich, though they have great gifts. Deceitfull tradeſmen often break. The uſes may be taken out of ver. 31.
1. Ʋſe. Envy not thou their worldly proſperity. Wouldſt thou have their riches with Gods curſes? It will weigh thee down to Hell.
2. Uſe. Imitate not their wicked courſes to get wealth. They may enrich you before the world; but they bring with them the ſting of Gods curſe to ruine you for ever.
2. Doct. Gods bleſſing is on godly men in all their doings. See Levit. 26.3, &c. Deut. 28.1. &c.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe if they have but little, yet they have content with it, which wicked rich men have not with all their wealth. And he that hath content, hath enough in a journey. He may look for plenty when he comes home.
2. Becauſe God will turn his poverty into plenty, if he ſee it fit for him.
Uſe. Embrace good waies. What canſt thou have more, then Gods bleſſing, which brings content in the way, and happineſſe in the end?
3. Doct. Whole families may fare better, or worſe for good, or bad Governours. Obed-Edom was a godly man, and entertained the Ark of God, and the Lord bleſſed Obed-Edom, and all his houſhold. 2 Sam. 6.11. The Lord give mercy to the houſe of Oneſiphorus: for he oft refreſhed me, and was not aſhamed of my chain. 2 Tim. 1.16. David had like to have deſtroyed all the males of Nabals family for their Maſters churliſhneſſe. 1 Sam. 25.22.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe under good Governours they have good example to encourage them to do well, and good inſtruction to ſhew them, how to do well. Happy are thy men, happa are theſe thy ſervants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wiſdom, ſaith the Queen of Sheba to Solomon. 1 King. 10.8. And under bad Governours they have bad example, and counſell.
2. Becauſe although they ſhould not regard either the one, or the other, yet God proſpers them outwardly for their Governours ſake ſometimes, as Cham fared well in the Ark for Noahs ſake, and the priſoners fared well, while Joſeph guided there. So did they that lived in Abrahams, Iſaacs, Jacobs, Davids, Solomons family. And on the contrary, ſervants may ſuffer for bad Maſters, as Nabals innocent ſervants had done, if God in mercy to them had not pacified Davids raſh anger by Abigails wiſe counſell.
Uſe. Take heed of living in bad families, and get into ſuch, as have godly Governours. There is a bleſſing in it, as in the cluſter on the Vine. Iſa. 65.8. foreign: The Gods are within alſo, ſaid the Philoſoper of his poor cottage. Much more may the ſervants of the true God ſay, in whoſe houſes God himſelf dwells, and in whoſe houſes are Churches of God. Philem. ver. 2. Their cottages are better to dwell in, then royall Palaces. Dwell then in ſuch with comfort, and expect Gods bleſſing.