Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.… There are three methods of using natural facts as moral illustrations. 1. The poetic: which employs facts according to their impressions on the senses. 2. The scientific: which employs facts according to their best ascertained laws, with respect to sensible impressions. 3. The composite: which unites the poetic and scientific; applying facts in accordance both with the laws that govern them and the manifestations which accompany them. The poetic method is generally employed in the Bible. The scientific method would have required a scientific revelation, and the time for this had not yet come. The text is an example of poetic illustration. I. THE CHARACTER OF THE JUST. It is distinguished by these two facts — 1. Its elements are pure and complete. They are matters of intellect, sentiment, propensity, conscience, and will. The intellect of the just man is always thoughtful of moral principles. The sentiments of the just man admire moral principles. He sees that they sustain self-respect, and claim, rightly, the respect of the community. The propensities of the just man cling to moral principles. As thought excites admiration, so admiration excites love. The conscience of the just man is responsive to moral principles. Its instant intuitions of virtue and vice, and its instinctive excitments, consequent upon these intuitions, aid the intellect in its studies, encourage the sentiments in their admiration, and confirm the propensities in their attachment. Not vain, however, of its natural sagacity, it acknowledges the necessity and superiority of revelation, and corrects its own errors by the infallible decisions of the Word of God. The will is faithful to moral principles. This is his grandest distinction. 1. These elements are well proportioned in their combination, in the character of the just. What is wanted is a balance of powers: all the faculties and principles in equal and harmonious action. The elements of chaacter in the just man are pure, complete, and well-proportioned. II. THE DESTINY OF THE JUST. What are the distinctions of the sun's path? 1. It is a high path. Far too high for any earthly obstruction. 2. It is a radiant path. It is glorious because it is radiant. The glory of the just is from within. It is a radiation. 3. It is a triumphant path. 4. It is a benignant path. (T. H. Stockton.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. |
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