Proverbs 29:18

I. If we did not belong to two worlds—that is, if we had not two very distinct natures—we should of course be utterly insusceptible to the vision of a higher, purer world than this. But because the physical man enshrines an inner man, the world of spirits can just as clearly be demonstrated to us as this world is demonstrated to our senses. Whether the opening up of communication between our spirit and the spirit-world will be during our earth life remains with God. But it is a fixed law and rule with Him, in order to keep faith alive on the earth, that some in every age shall not taste death until they have seen the glory of God and the forms of the immortals.

II. There ought never to be an age without visions. If there be no open vision, then there is no direct testimony of the existence of God, or of the soul, or of a future life. A materialistic age, an age that sees no vision, but is entirely absorbed by material thoughts and in the pursuit of material good, may be a prosperous, flourishing world-age; but souls are ignored and given over to perish.

III. Reasoning from the conduct and method of God in all ages, we are driven to the conclusion that it is most reasonable to look for visions in our own day. No new age ever did, or ever can, dawn which is not inaugurated, however privately and secretly, 6y a new communication from God to man. Therefore we may be sure that to certain men and women in our own century the heavens have been as literally opened as they ever were to an Ezekiel, a Paul, or a John. In the age of no faith, Heaven breaks silence, and "the Son of man cometh." Therefore is it that here and there in our valley of dry bones there stands a man who is announcing the new faith with majestic authority and the earnestness of realisation.

J. Pulsford, Our Deathless Hope, p. 157.

Reference: Proverbs 29:19-27.—R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs, vol. iii., p. 306.

Proverbs 29:25This has been proved to be true: (1) in the profession of Christianity; (2) in protesting against personal and social evils; (3) in attempting service on behalf of Christ; (4) in the proposition of new lines of thought. The fear of man produces three effects upon the sufferer: (1) loss of self-control; (2) modification of emphasis; (3) deepening of selfishness.

Parker, City Temple, vol. i., p. 62.

References: Proverbs 29:25.—Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Genesis to Proverbs, p. 198; W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven, 2nd series, p. 366. Proverbs 30:1-6.—R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs, vol. iii., p. 318. Proverbs 30:1-9.—W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven, 2nd series, p. 379. Proverbs 30:4.—A. Fletcher, Thursday Penny Pulpit, vol. xiii., p. 113. Proverbs 30:7-9.—G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons, p. 247. Proverbs 30:7-12.—R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs, vol. iii., p. 333. Proverbs 30:8.—Spurgeon, Evening by Evening, p. 165. Proverbs 30:13-20.—R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs, vol. iii., p. 345. Proverbs 30:20.—S. Cox, Expositor, 2nd series, vol. vi., p. 256. Proverbs 30:21-33.—R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs, p. 354.