"He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die."
Proverbs 19:16
“He that guards the commandment guards himself;
in scattering his ways, he dies”
(Proverbs 19:16, Miller’s translation).
Part 2
Yesterday:
“He that keepeth the commandment.”
He/she treasures up God’s Word in their heart. They will know the Word, believe the Word, and do the Word.
“Keepeth his own soul.”
Obedience is a place of safety for the genuine believer.
Today:
“But he that despiseth his ways.”
This person does not care which way he/she goes. Their ways are “scattered.” Any direction is alright with them as long as it is going away from God. It is illogical and unfortunate that so many people have no concern for what God thinks or says. But this is the nature of a fallen human. The rebel running from God wants nothing of God. This person is so consumed with their headlong descent from Him that nothing He lovingly says to them matters. They refuse to hear God.
As sad as that is, what also ought to disturb our thinking is how many “Christians” can say they know and love God but seem oblivious to Him in their daily lives. They may like the “Christian lifestyle,” but without God or His Word intruding into their lives?! Those who profess to know Jesus Christ, are content with a little bit of “salvation,” tacking on “Jesus” to their already busy lives. Friends, we need to remember that Jesus will never be content to be an “add-on” to our lives!
Could these kinds of “Christians” also be ones who are “despising their ways?” This is a dangerous course for a “Christian.”
Note how the Hebrew word translating “despiseth” is defined.
“[despiseth] i.e., pays no heed to them,… through a contemptuous disregard of ‘the commandment’ which should regulate them.”[1]
“despiseth … ways — opposed to keeping or observing, neglects… (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct”[2] (JFB).
“To despise one’s own way is equivalent to, to regard it as worth no consideration, as no question of conscience whether one should enter upon this way or that”[3] (K&D).
The person described here is neglectful and willfully disregards the Scriptures. This is not done in ignorance. They do not say, “I didn’t know.” “Christians” who live like “practical atheists” may know the truth of God’s Word, but they stubbornly refuse to let God’s Word be involved with their lives. Being obedient to God is far from their thoughts. There is nothing in their lives that hints that they are genuine believers.
What happens to those who will not regard God or His Word? Tomorrow we will look at “the end of the story.” See you then.
Quote: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
[1] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword.