PROVERBS CHAPTER 17.
V. 4. The Lord hath made all things for Himself, according to His all-wise plans; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil, for even the works of the ungodly are included in His government, although His punishment will finally overtake them, the evil thus serving for His glorification.
V. 5. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord, He loathes such as exalt themselves; though hand join in hand, that is, most assuredly, he shall not be unpunished.
V. 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, loving and faithful conduct toward one’s neighbor, however, not being named as the reason for the expiation of sin, but as an invariable expression of a penitent and believing heart, cp. Luke 7, 47; and by the fear of the Lord, which is shown in the virtues of mercy and truth, men depart from evil, that is, the believer thereby escapes moral evil, sin in all its forms.
V. 7. When a man’s ways please the Lord, when Jehovah finds that a person’s conduct, the objects which he has in mind, and the means which he uses to accomplish them, are in accordance with His will, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him, causing them to abandon their hostile attitude and even to take his part.