Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. I. THESE WORDS DESCRIBE THE UNGODLY. 1. By their present way of sin. 2. By their future state of misery. II. THEY DESCRIBE THE SIN OF THE UNGODLY. 1. By the occasion. 2. By the act. 3. By the habit. Prosperity and ease is the occasion; turning away from God and rejecting His counsel is the act; and folly or simplicity is part of the habit. III. THEY DESCRIBE THE GODLY. 1. By their obedience. They hearken. 2. By their privilege or reward. They be quiet from fear of evil. (1) It is so that "the prosperity of fools destroyeth them."(2) How folly and prosperity concur to their destruction. By the pleasing of their sensitive appetite and fancy, and so overcoming the power of reason. The more amiable the world appears, the more strongly it doth allure the soul to love it. Hereby it taketh the soul off from God. The very noise and bustle of earthly things divert their minds and hinder them from being serious. The sense of present ease and sweetness doth make them forget the change that is near. Pride lifts them up, so that God abhors them, and prosperity engages them in opposition to the word and ways and servants of the Lord. (3) The uses to make of the text. Do not grudge at the prosperity of ungodly men. Do not desire riches or prosperity. Honour those that are great and godly, rich and religious. Let great men have a double interest in your prayers. ( R. Baxter.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.WEB: For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. |
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