The Bible Ideal of Man
L. D. Bevan, D.D. Proverbs 22:29 See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. The Bible is a history of human life and a picture of character extending through many ages, and embracing in its scope a vast variety of the family of man. There emerges from this story of life an ideal. There is a moral purpose in all the historical Scriptures. 1. The Bible always recognises a basis of character which is found in the natural endowments of a man. 2. According to the teaching of the Bible there must be a diligent use of these natural powers. 3. The diligence of life must be, according to the Scripture ideal, accompanied by the virtues and purities of a moral self-restraint 4. This ideal man of the Scripture is to be further inspired by a sense of the Divine presence and power. There is one remark necessary to complete the Bible idea of human life. There is a condition which the Scriptures give us as belonging to life, not necessary to perfection, but almost always present, and helpful to its development. The best of men are greatly crossed and exercised by the sorrows and oppositions which are incident to life. Trouble plays an important part as testing and strengthening and sweetening life. (L. D. Bevan, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. WEB: Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.