The Bible says a great deal about both anger and hatred. At first glance it may seem that these are, if not the same things, then at least so similar that the words "anger" and "hatred" can be used as synonyms. And yet, as we can see, this is not so. Indeed, hatred toward a person, judging by...
The Bible says a great deal about both anger and hatred. At first glance it may seem that these are, if not the same things, then at least so similar that the words "anger" and "hatred" can be used as synonyms. And yet, as we can see, this is not so. Indeed, hatred toward a person, judging by the sacred writer's word, arises when he deliberately does evil. But a hot-tempered person may, in a burst of anger, and the meaning of the corresponding Hebrew word points specifically to a flash of anger connected with impatience, commit a foolish act that he will quite possibly have to regret later. Yet, as we can see, he does not provoke hatred, or at least the author of the aphorism says nothing about it.
The point here is not that a burst of anger is only an insignificant episode: impatient people are inclined to such outbursts, and they may recur regularly for all sorts of reasons. The point is another one, namely the spiritual depth of what is taking place. Outwardly, on the psychological level, the manifestations of anger, especially in emotional people, and hatred may sometimes look similar, though a person not inclined to show emotion may not display his hatred openly. But a person who consciously does evil has clearly decided for himself that he has a right to this evil, or has justified his action in some other way. In any case, this is precisely a matter of choice, of conscious intention, and therefore of the properly spiritual sphere. It is no wonder that such behavior evokes nothing but hatred: hatred means first of all rejection of a person and drawing away from him, an unwillingness to communicate and a desire to exclude the person from one's life. In our world, a person who consciously does evil cannot evoke anything else in anyone; only someone who has already become a participant in the Kingdom and lives by its life can desire good for such a person.
A burst of anger caused by impatience, however, is not so hard to forgive, especially since the person who flared up will most likely regret his action himself. There is no conscious intention here. Such outbursts certainly darken spiritual life, but they do not distort it irreversibly the way consciously chosen evil does. Therefore, as a rule, such anger does not provide spiritual grounds for hatred in response.
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14:1 Buildeth - Maintains and improves her family and estate.Her hands - By her idleness or sin.
14:3 A rod - His insolent speeches as they are like a rod, offensive to others, so, they make a rod for their own backs.
14:4 The crib - The stable is empty of food for cattle, and much more for man. In the same sense cleanness of teeth is put for famine, Amo 4:6.The strength - By their labours, or by diligence in husbandry, which then was principally managed by oxen.
14:6 Findeth it not - Because he doth not seek it aright. That understandeth - That is honest and pious.
14:8 His way - Consists not in vain speculations, but in a diligent study of his duty, and of the way to eternal happiness. The folly - The wit of ungodly men, which is really their folly, is employed only in finding out ways of deceiving.
14:9 Favour - They find favour both with God and men.
14:10 Bitterness - The inward griefs and joys of mens hearts, are not known to any but a man's self.
14:12 Right - There are some evil courses which men may think to be lawful and good. The end - The event shews that they were sinful and destructive.
14:13 In laughter - The outward signs of joy are often mixed with real sorrow.
14:14 In heart - He who departs from God inwardly. Filled - With the fruit of his ways, the punishment of his sins. Satisfied - From the pious temper of his own heart, which cleaves to the Lord, he shall receive unspeakable comfort.
14:15 The simple - A foolish man. Looketh - He orders his dealings in the world with due circumspection, not considering so much what other men say as what he ought to do.
14:16 Feareth - Trembles at God's judgments when they are either inflicted or threatened. Rageth - Frets against God; or is enraged against his messengers. Confident - Secure and insensible of his danger.
14:17 Foolishly - His passion hurries him into foolish speeches and actions. Wicked devices - One who suppresses his passion, but meditates revenge. Hated - Both by God and men.
14:18 Inherit - They possess it as their inheritance, holding it fast, and glorying in it. Knowledge - The saving knowledge of God and of their own duty.
14:19 The evil - Good men shall have the pre - eminency over the wicked.
14:20 Hated - Despised and abandoned.
14:21 Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor.
14:23 The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty.
14:24 Riches - They are a singular advantage and ornament to them.But - As for rich fools, their folly is not cured, but made worse and more manifest by their riches.
14:25 Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations.
14:27 To depart - To preserve men from destructive courses.
14:29 Exalteth - Heb. lifteth up, like a banner, makes it known and visible to all men.
14:30 A sound heart - Free from envy and inordinate passions.Is life - Procures and maintains the health and vigour of the body.
14:31 His maker - Whose image the poor man bears, by whose providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be their protector and avenger.
14:32 Driven away - In his death, from God's favour and presence.Death - In his greatest dangers and distresses, yea even in death itself.
14:33 Resteth - Is laid up and hid there. In the midst - In the heart. Made known - They will publish in all times and companies.
14:35 Shame - Both to himself, by his foolish management of the king's affairs, and to the king who made so foolish a choice of a servant.