2 Kings 17:7-25 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt… "The burnt child dreads the fire;" it boldly trifles with sticks and papers until it is burnt or scalded, and henceforth keeps a respectful distance from the bars. This is equally true of men in their business life. Let a man speculate in some concern or other that turns out badly, people say, "Ah! he has burnt his fingers." Now, when a man has done that, beware how you approach him with your rosy prospectuses. He has lost his money with a farm, or a bank, or a mine, or a mill; do not go to him with a farm, even were it in the land of Goshen, or a mill, even were it the mint, or a bank even were it the Bank of England. He will show you his blisters, and send you away with scant courtesy. As the Oriental says, "He who has suffered from a fire-brand is afraid of a firefly;" "He who has been bitten by a serpent is afraid of a rope," a victim is afraid of anything that bears the most distant likeness to that from which he has suffered. This is rational — if a man acts otherwise it is because he is a fool But men are not thus cautious in regard to the moral life. (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, |
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