A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
A prudent (man) foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself (from it, until it has passed by, Isaiah 4:6 ; Isaiah 26:20 ; Isaiah 32:2 ): but the simple pass on (apprehending nothing, and therefore not getting out of the way of the evil), and are punished - for their sinful inconsiderateness or foolhardihood. If the simple see the evil, yet they do not see it in its true magnitude. They are so hurried away by their passions that they recklessly pass on. The godly prudent, through spiritual instinct, guided by Scripture, along with experience, often foresee spiritual danger, and shun it. It is true wisdom to flee from coming wrath. So Noah, Hebrews 11:7. 'It is nature which teaches a wise man in fear to hide himself. But grace and faith teach him where. Where should the frighted child hide his head but in the bosom of his loving Father? where a Christian, but under the shadow of the wings of Christ, his Saviour?' (Hooker's 'Remedy against Fear.')