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21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. {destitute...: Heb. void of heart}
This Book of instruction probes our profession. What think we of folly? Not only does the ungodly practice it. But it is joy to him. He sins without temptation or motive. He cannot sleep without it.† It is “the sweet morsel under his tongue.”† He “obeys it in the lusts thereof.”† He “works it with greediness.”† He hates the gospel, because it “saves from it.”† But hear the humbling confessions of a child of God — “I am carnal, sold under sin. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?” Verily would he sink under his hated burden, but for the confidence — “I thank God — There is no condemnation.” (Romans 7:24, 25; 8:1.)
This appetite for sin proves the man to be destitute of wisdom. That which hath turned this fair world into a sepulcher; nay — that which hath kindled “everlasting burnings,” is his joy. And thus he goes on, intent upon the trifles of the day; and trifling with eternal concerns; preferring shadowy vanities to everlasting glory. Will he not open his eyes to the discovery, that “they that observe lying vanities, forsake their own mercy”? (Jonah 2:8.) The Lord save him, ere it be too late, from reaping the bitter fruit of his foolish choice!
But the man of understanding gives himself to the word of God. He has joy in wisdom (Chapter 21:15), as the sinner in folly. Even his painful discoveries of indwelling corruption ground him deeper in solid religion, than those who know only the surface. He is taught of God, and his upright walk is a bright “shining path.” (Chapter 4:18.) Give me, O my God, understanding, that my joy may be in thy wisdom, not in my own folly.
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