MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 10:32
ACCEPTABLE WORDS
I. The righteous man knows what words are acceptable to God from a study of Divine laws. The courtier knows how to approach his king—in what words to address him—because he has made himself acquainted with the laws of the court. The righteous man is well acquainted with the laws of the kingdom of God, and, being so, he knows how to draw near to the Divine King—he sets his words in order before Him as the wood is laid in order upon the altar for the sacrifice. God has not left man in ignorance of what kind of words are acceptable to Him (Hosea 14:2; Malachi 3:16; Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 5:19-20, etc).
II. He knows what words are acceptable to men from a study of their character. Man’s character is a prophecy of the kind of words that will be acceptable. The righteous man makes it his business, and regards it as his duty to frame his speech—so far as is consistent with righteousness—in such a manner that those to whom he speaks will be won to listen to his words.
III. He speaks what are acceptable words from the habit of his heart. It is natural for a good tree to bear good fruit, and it is the nature of a righteous man to speak words of humility and faith to his God and of kindness to his fellow-men. As the tree is, so is the fruit. As the man’s heart is, so, with rare exceptions, are his words. (See on Proverbs 10:20).
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Proverbs 10:32. The plain sense is, that the righteous speak those things whereby they have the favour both of God and man, and whereby they are in friendship and peace both with heaven and earth. But the mouth of the wicked careth not to offend either God or man, and seeketh not for love anywhere, being wholly pleased in perverseness. But many know what is acceptable to God and man, but their lips do not know it. So the liar knoweth truth to be acceptable to God and man, but their lips do not know it: the profane person knoweth prayer to be acceptable, but his lips do not know it: the ill governor knoweth the reproof of vice to be acceptable, but his lips do not know it: the brawler knoweth mildness of speech to be acceptable, but his lips do not know it. Yea, the lips also of many speak that which is acceptable, but their lips do not know it; their speaking of it being in such a manner as maketh that which is acceptable not to be acceptable. But the righteous man speaketh that which pleaseth God and pleaseth man, and he speaks it in a pleasing manner. Or else as Clemens Alexandrinus readeth, the lips of the righteous know high things in speaking the high praises of the highest God, and in opening the truth of high things unto men.—Jermin.
How, what, when, to whom to speak, is a matter of great wisdom. Yet this consideration of acceptableness must involve no sacrifice of principle. Let it be a considerate accommodation of mode to the diversities of tastes; a forbearance with lesser prejudices and constitutional infirmities; avoiding not all offences (which faithfulness to our Divine Master forbids), but all needless offences, all uncalled-for occasions of design and irritation. “The meekness of wisdom” should be clearly manifested in Christian faithfulness (James 3:13.) Thus Gideon melted the frowardness of the men of Ephraim (Judges 8:2-3). Abigail restrained David’s hands from blood (1 Samuel 25:23; 1 Samuel 25:33). Daniel stood fearless before the mighty monarch of Babylon (Daniel 4:27). Their lips knew what was acceptable, and their God honoured them.—Bridges.
HOMILY ON THE ENTIRE CHAPTER. The pious and ungodly compared in respect—
1. To their earthly good; 2 To their worth in the eyes of men;
3. To their outward demeanour in intercourse with others;
4. To their disposition of heart as this appears in their mien, their words, their Acts 5. To their diverse fruits, that which they produce in their moral influence upon others;
6. To their different fates as awarded to them at last in the retribution of eternity.—Lange’s Commentary.