The sacred writer's statement about God, who sees the evil and the good alike, can be interpreted in different ways. There will be, perhaps, some whom this thought confirms either in complacency...
The sacred writer's statement about God, who sees the evil and the good alike, can be interpreted in different ways. There will be, perhaps, some whom this thought confirms either in complacency, if they openly or deep down realize that in God's eyes they will turn out to be evil rather than good, or in despondency, if they count themselves among the good and hope for swift heavenly justice. Meanwhile, the author of the aphorism, it appears, says nothing about God's attitude toward what He sees. The author only states the fact that nothing is hidden from God.
Of course, this statement itself was needed most of all because, for many, what is said is not obvious at all. Sometimes it can really seem that God has no concern for people and their good and evil deeds. But what if the sacred writer is right? Then the most natural thing is to suppose that justice is only being postponed. And why it is being postponed is something we can only surmise.
From the point of view of New Testament revelation, much is explained by the Savior's parable of the wheat and the weeds sown in one field: until the time of harvest they grow together, otherwise there is a chance of pulling up the ears of grain along with the weeds. Indeed, it is hardly possible to change a person radically without the complete transformation of human nature, just as it is impossible to change human society radically. In that case, every attempt at the radical destruction of sin will inevitably turn into something resembling a worldwide flood. And God waits for the day of harvest. And we wait for the day of Judgment and final transformation.
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15:2 Aright - Expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully.Poureth out - Plentifully, continually, and vehemently, as a fountain does waters.
15:4 Wholesome - Which utters sound and useful counsels. Tree of life - Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers.Perverseness - False or corrupt speeches. A breach - Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers.
15:6 Revenues - Though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble.
15:7 Disperse - Freely communicate to others what they know.
15:8 Sacrifice - All the religious services, yea, the most costly; one kind being put for all the rest. Prayer - The cheapest and meanest services.
15:11 Destruction - The place of destruction, of which men know nothing but by Divine revelation.
15:14 Foolishness - Wickedness is meat and drink to them.
15:15 Afflicted - Of the troubled in mind. Evil - Tedious and uncomfortable. Chearful - Heb. of a good heart.
15:16 Trouble - Tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares, and horrors of conscience.
15:19 An hedge - As a way hedged up with thorns, troublesome, perplexed, and full of difficulties. Plain - Is easy and pleasant to him, notwithstanding all its difficulties.
15:22 Counsel - When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others.
15:23 The answer - By a wise, or good and seasonable answer.
15:24 The way - The way a wise man takes to obtain life, is to place his heart, and treasure, and conversation on things above.
15:25 The proud - Of the mighty oppressors. The border - The estate, the border being often used, for the land within the borders.
15:26 Pleasant - Acceptable to God.
15:27 Troubleth - Brings God's curse upon himself and family.Gifts - Bribes given to corrupt judgment. Live - Shall preserve himself and family from ruin.
15:28 Studieth - He speaks considerately. The mouth - Not the heart; for he rashly speaks what comes into his mouth, without the direction of his heart or conscience.
15:30 A good report - A good name. Fat - Not only chears a man for the present, but gives him such stable comfort as revives his soul, and gives vigour to his body.
15:31 The ear - The man that hearkens to that reproof which leads to life, seeks and delights in the company of the wise.
15:33 The instruction - Doth instruct men in true wisdom.