Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them (NASB).
To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them (NLT).
The "law" referred to in this text (and in other texts in Proverbs) is probably not the Mosaic law, but more at "instruction" or "teaching." Two attitudes toward instruction are highlighted. In the first example, those who turn their back on teaching give glory to those who scorn God. In the second case, those who obey instruction do battle with the wicked. The truth is clear--obeying God is not simply a matter of individual preference, or private consequence. Obedience and disobedience have societal implications external to the believer.
The law is also pictured as an outside reference point in the text. The God fearer is not left to determine right from wrong based upon some misinformed internal moral compass. God's revelation is his guide. Kidner nails it well here, "Without revelation, all is soon relative; and with moral relativity, nothing quite merits attack." This kind of moral neutrality is prevalent in the Church today. It is only sophisticated to be tolerant of deviant doctrine or dangerous practice. One must not be too harsh. Kidner continues, "The tyrant is accepted because he gets things done; and the pervert, because his condition is interesting." Our relativism turns to pragmatism, and our tolerance to hedonism.
The sage makes it plain here, those who fear Yahweh must make up their minds about instruction: forsake it, and sing a song of praise to those who hate your God; embrace it, and lock yourself in immortal combat with the godless. There is no third option.
Comments