Proverbs 8:34 Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. I. THE REASONABLENESS OF ATTENDING ALL THE INSTITUTED MEANS OF OUR INSTRUCTION. If God had never vouchsafed to men a positive revelation, we should have been obliged to feel after virtue if haply we might find it. And it is surprising to what lengths some have arrived without the help of that "grace which bringeth salvation." But when it hath pleased God to erect a kingdom in the world, it is great ingratitude, a heinous contempt of God's authority, an affront to His love, and so must be inexcusable folly so to neglect our own true interest. II. WHAT IS IMPORTED IN HEARING. Scripture represents this as the sum of that duty and respect which God demandeth for Christ who is His Wisdom, and the great revealer of His will to mankind. Whatever is meant by hearing Christ, the Wisdom of the Father, it is enjoined and enforced with all the authority and obligatory power with which any Divine precept can be enforced. Hearing importeth a serious and attentive consideration, and a diligent application of the mind, to understand the important contents of the Divine message. We are to understand by hearing — 1. An attentive regard to instruction. The Wisdom of God hath the first right to be heard, and what He prescribeth, to be attended to. 2. Hearing signifies a submissive disposition. To hear is to turn at the reproofs of Wisdom, to tremble at the threatenings of God, to hope in His promises, and practise what He enjoineth. 3. Hearing Wisdom importeth an absolute unreserved obedience. III. THE PROPER DISPOSITIONS OF MIND, AND THE MANNER OF HEARING AND USING ALL MEANS. 1. It importeth a sense of our constant need of instruction, that we may be still making further progress in knowledge and in grace. If this be the temper of our minds, it will incline us to a daily attendance at the gates of Wisdom; that is, a daily use of the appointed means for our increase in knowledge and virtue. 2. A constant care and solicitude that the benefit of them may not be lost; and particularly a strict vigilance over our own spirits and our whole behaviour. 3. Patience, which is signified by waiting, is also needed. Our progress to religious knowledge and virtue is gradual. Patience is the character of a continuance in well-doing, as well as of enduring afflictions. Always endeavour with alacrity and vigour to use the means of our religious instruction and improvement. (J. Abernethy, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.WEB: Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. |
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