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Did Joseph in the house of Potiphar listen to the policy "Be not righteous over much"?
or did he not rather in the prison and on the throne realize the truth of "He that feareth
God shall come forth of them all"? Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego listen to this
policy, "Be not righteous over much"? Did they not "come forth of them all"? This
"coming forth" is used of birth (5: 15); of coming out of prison (4: 14); of coming out of
the ark (Gen. 8: 19). Let not the believer heed the temporizing policies of the day. He
will only too soon meet the kindly-spirited brother who will advise compromise under
the guise of long-suffering, gentleness, judging not, etc. Let him beware of such;
long-suffering and gentleness let us have by all means, but let us abhor the wisdom of the
age which urges us to be neither righteous over much nor wicked over much, but just
nicely and comfortably Laodicean through and through. Koheleth says, "Much study is a
weariness to the flesh" (12: 12). True, but does he mean then that we should not study?
Again, "In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth
sorrow" (1: 18). Shall we infer then that "Ignorance is bliss"? If sorrow be the price of
true wisdom we must pay it. If weariness be the result of much study we must be
prepared for it.
"Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city" (7: 19).
Verse 20 commences with "for" and is usually read as an explanation. It is difficult to
see how the fact that "there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not"
can be a reason why "wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which
are in the city". Verse 19 concludes the statement of verses 11-18, and verse 20 opens a
new section. It may be objected that the verse commences with "for". The word can also
be rendered "because" and thus read gives better sense:--
"Because there is not a just man . . . . . Also take no heed unto all the words that are
spoken, lest thou hear thy servant revile thee. For oftentimes also thine own heart
knoweth that thou likewise hast reviled others" (7: 20-22).
We shall be wise to take no heed to either the policy of worldly wisdom (16, 17), or to
the censure and criticism of others, however just they may be. Our one aim and desire
should be to fear God, and in the confidence that we shall come forth of them all, we are
to hold on our way. "It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this" (7: 18), said the
Preacher. Let us hold fast the truth in the day when it is being deserted; the Lord is
faithful, and one day, how soon we know not, they that be wise shall shine.