Online Bible 1995 March/ROM-1025.iso/olb/gill/4_400.lzh/4_444.TXT

Text File | 1994-09-15 | 7KB | 127 lines

of men to contrive and make use of, fbr the benefit of
mankind, for the keeping and maintaining truth and jus-
tice in commercial arthits; these are of his appointing,
commanding, and approving, Lev. xix. 35, 36. All
the weights of the bag are his work ; or, all the stones h;
greater or smaller, which were formerly used in weigh-
ing, and were kept in a bag for that purpose; these are
by the Lord's appointment and order. This may be
applied to the Scriptures of truth, which are of God;
are the balance of the sanctuary, in which every doc-
trine is to be weighed and tried; what agrees with
them is to be received, and what is found wanting is
to be rejected. The Targum is, "his works, all of
"them, are weights of truth."
Ver. 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wick-
edness, &c.] The Targum is, "the abomination of
"kings are they that work wickedness." It should be
an abomination to kings to commit wickedness them-
selyes, and those that do it should be abhorred by them,
or they should sbew their resentment at it by re-
moving them from their presence, or by punishing
them: and though there have 'been such kings as Da-
vid, Psa!.ci. 4, 7. yet there are but few such; this is
not true of kings in common; and therefore rather ex-
presses what they should be than what they are; but
is perfectly aDplicable to Christ, who loves righteous-
hess and hatds iniquity, Psal. xlv. 7. For the throne is
established by righteousness; this is the support, strength,
and security of every kingdom, and of the thrones of
kings; and it is with judgment and righteousness that
the throne of Christ is established; yea, justice and
judgment are the habitation of his throne, Isa. ix. 7.
Psal. lxxxix. 14.
Ver. 13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, &c.]
Such that speak truth and righteousness, and advise to
the administration of justice and .judgment, and to do
that which is most for their own true honour and the
people's good, are, or ought to be, highly valued and
esteemed by kings: but the contrary is too often the
case; kings hearken to those that speak lies, that
flatter them, and gratify their pride, ambition, and
love of power, to the hurt of their subjects. And they
love him that speaketh right: agreeably to right reason;
which makes for the honour or' kings, and the good of
those over whom they rule. Christ loves and delights
in those that deliver out his doctrines in the taught
words of the Holy Ghost, without any mixture or cor-
ruption; that explain, inculcate, and enforce his laws
and commands; and faithfully declare the whole coun-
sel of God, both with respect to faith and practice; all
which is for his glory, as King of saints, and to the
profit and advantage of those who submit to the sceptre
of his kingdom.
Ver, 14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,
&c.] Or, angels of death, as the Targum. As the
wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either
discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed
by his words, or signified by a messenger; it some-
times has been immediate death to a person, and often
as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of
death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was
sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in
the plural number. How terrible is the wrath of the
King of kings; and even to kings themselves, who are
represented as flying to rocks and mountains to hide
them from it! Rev. vi. 15--17. But a wise man will
pacify it; by a proper acknowledgment of the offence
committed; or by a prudent representation of his case,
or the case of his friends; by soft answers and strong
arguments, as Jonathan pacified the wrath of King
Saul his father against David. He is a wise man that
believes in Christ, and pleads his propitiatory sacrifice
for the expiation of his sin, at the same time frankly
acknowledging it.
Ver. 15. la the light of the king's countena.nce is life,
&c.] When he looks with a pleasant smiling coun-
tenance on a person that has been under his displea-
sure, and especially if under a sentence of death, it is
as life from the dead: so the light of the countenance
of God, the King of kings; the discoveries of his love,
tho manifestations of himself, his gracious presence,
communion with him, the comforts of his spirit, the
joys of his salvation, are life unto his people, invigo-
rate their graces, quicken their souls, and make them
cheerful; see Psal. xxx. 5. and iv. 6, 7. And how
delightful and pleasant is the countenance of Christ;
which is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars; and is
as the sun when it shineth in its strength; and who
himself is the sun of righteousness, that arises on his
people with healing in his wings! How reviving his
love! how comfortable fellowship with him! his ab-
sence is as death, his presence gives life. And hisfa.
your is as a cloud of the latter rain: which falling a
little before harvest, as was usual in Judea, revived the
corn and filled it: and such is the fayour of God in
Christ, which is free, distinguishing, and undeserved,
as rain is; the objects of it are very unworthy; and it
is given often unasked tbr, as well as undeservecl,
in great abundance, and causes great cheerfulness and
fruitfulness: and such is the 'layout of Christ, in
coming into the world in the last days to save sinners
his coming is said to be as the former and the latter
rain, Hos. vi. 3. He came from heaven, as that does;
is the free gift of God, as that is; is in consequence of
a decree, as that; and came suddenly, and with great
acceptance to those, who knew him and waited for
him; and his spiritual coming unto his people, and the
discoveries of his love and free favour to them, are very
reviving, cheering, and refreshing; see Psal. lxxii.
Vet. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom than
gold.s &c.] To obtain and possess Christ, the foun-
tain of wisdom, in whom are hid all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge, which treasures are infinitely
preferable to.thousands of gold and silver; to gain the
knowledge of him, and of God in him, with which
eternal life is connected, and in comparison of which
all things are loss and dung; to have wisdom in the
hidden part, or grace in the heart, which is much
more precious than gold that perisheth; to have a spi-
ritual experimental knowledge of the Gospel, and
the truths of it, which are more to be desired than
gold, yea, than fine gold; all which are to be got by
diligent search and inquiry, by prayer and asking for,
and to be had or bought without money and without

{h} \^ynba\^ lapides, Montanus, Vatablus, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis.