Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: Civil government is the great comprehensive worldly blessing; for it is the foundation of peace and quiet, the spring and fountain of all those inestimable advantages which adorn and felicitate human societies. I. THE DUTIES WHICH WE OWE TO GOD AND THE KING. The fear of God is oftentimes put for the whole sum of religion. We are also to fear the king, and though there is not an equal reason, yet there is a sufficient one for this fear. The king is God's vicegerent and representative. And there must be something to work upon men's fears as well as to convince their understandings, before they will learn or practise the duty of subjection. Religion and loyalty have a close dependence on each other, and a strict connection with each other. No man can be truly religious who is not a good subject. No man can be steadily and immovably loyal who is not truly and sincerely religious. II. A PROPER MEANS PRESCRIBED FOR SECURING AND PRESERVING US IN OUR DUTY. Beware of those who are given to changes, e.g., the atheist, the restless, the rebellious. (William Stainforth.) Parallel Verses KJV: My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:WEB: My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious: |
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