Proverbs 29
Expositor's Dictionary of Texts
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
The Vision Which Saves

Proverbs 29:18

Of all the blessings for which we thank God, none are greater than the light and the powers of sight which we possess. Obvious as are the advantages of the powers of physical sight, they only emphasize a condition which is indispensable in the moral and spiritual sphere. The wise man is thinking of the catastrophes which await those who for any reason are blind to the truth about life and who are 'destroyed for lack of knowledge'.

I. History contains many sad records of such catastrophes from the wilful refusal to behold the vision of life and duty.

1. We remember in the history of Israel how the people could not wait in patience for the revelation God would make known to them through Moses.

2. Again, in the judgment that came upon Eli and his sons we are told significantly, 'The word of the Lord was rare in those days. There was no open vision.'

3. In the days of Isaiah, because of the iniquity of the people, the punishment which shall fall upon them is spoken of as a penal visitation of blindness.

4. So true is it that men, having eyes, see not; they will not look beyond the fleeting, changing scene which allures them, to the vision of unchanging eternal reality, and therefore they perish. The sad lament never rang more pathetically than when at last it was said of Jerusalem: 'If thou hadst known in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes'.

II. The gift of vision. The greatest gift of God to man has been the revelation of truth which has been vouchsafed in the person of the Eternal Son, Jesus Christ The vision of truth and the meaning of life has been finally manifested to mankind in the intelligible form of a human life. God has vouchsafed the vision of truth, which is 'the Light of Life'; but He has also given power to take in the vision, insight into the veiled mystery of truth, discernment of the inner reality which lies behind the transitory shapes of things which meet our eyes. 'He hath given unto us His Holy Spirit.'

III. Such is the gift. Consider how its inexhaustible benefits are conveyed to mankind. The gift is for the enrichment of human life, that men 'may have life, and have it more abundantly'. The interpreters of Divine messages, whether through the medium of paint or marble, through intellectual pursuits or discovery, as men of action or as thinkers, have been men of vision, 'the seers,' and are among 'the goodly fellowship of the prophets'.

At every crisis in the world's or our nation's history salvation or destruction has depended upon the capacity of men to see beyond the present, and the resolution to pursue with inflexible determination the vision which had been revealed.

—J. P. Maud, Christian World Pulpit, vol. LXXII., 1907, p. 55.

References.—XXIX. 18.—Lyman Abbott, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xlviii. 1895, p. 170. A. E. Garvie, ibid. vol. lxv. 1904, p. 27. J. P. Maud, ibid. vol. lxxii. 1907, p. 55. J. Pulsford, Our Deathless Hope, p. 157. XXIX. 25.—W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth, p. 550. XXX. 1-9.—Ibid. p. 559. XXX. 2.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxxvi. No. 2140.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Nicoll - Expositor's Dictionary of Texts

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