Wicked people are zealous in seducing others into the paths of the destroyer: sinners love
company in sin. But they have so much the more to answer for. How cautious young people should
be! “Consent thou not.” Do not say as they say, nor do as they do, or would have thee to do; have
no fellowship with them. Who could think that it should be a pleasure to one man to destroy another!
See their idea of worldly wealth; but it is neither substance, nor precious. It is the ruinous mistake
of thousands, that they overvalue the wealth of this world. Men promise themselves in vain that
sin will turn to their advantage. The way of sin is down-hill; men cannot stop themselves. Would
young people shun temporal and eternal ruin, let them refuse to take one step in these destructive
paths. Men's greediness of gain hurries them upon practices which will not suffer them or others
to live out half their days. What is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his life?
much less if he lose his soul?
Verses 20–33
Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here
declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is
Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their
simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter
themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that make a jest of every thing.
Scoffers at religion, that run down every thing sacred and serious. 3. Fools. Those are the worst of
fools that hate to be taught, and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness. The precept is plain;
Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs, if we do not turn from evil to that
which is good. The promises are very encouraging. Men cannot turn by any power of their own;
but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere
conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the
promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be
asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the
consequences of dying without Christ are considered? Now sinners live at ease, and set sorrow at
defiance; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they shall
cry in vain. Are we yet despisers of wisdom? Let us hearken diligently, and obey the Lord Jesus,
that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God; be free from evil, in life, in death,
and for ever.
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
Promises to those who seek wisdom. (1–9)
The advantages of wisdom. (10–22)Verses 1–9