Verses 20-21
20, 21. I lead אהלךְ , perhaps better, I move habitually; that is, as the leader and exemplar of my votaries: for the purpose stated in the next verse.
Righteousness Rectitude.
Judgment Judicial or administrative justice.
Substance All real substantial good.
Treasures Treasuries, storehouses. “That I may insure abundance to those who love me.” Zockler. “So results a heritage to those who love me.” Miller. Thus ends this head of the discourse of wisdom. How magnificent and substantial the blessings she holds out to her votaries! How great the contrast between her and the syren of voluptuous pleasure! The lovers of a short-lived, carnal indulgence plunge speedily into utter misery and ruin:
the lovers of heavenly wisdom secure to themselves and their posterity permanent good of the highest kind. It may positively be true, that in the mind of the writer these blessings did not go beyond the present life. But we, to whom life and immortality are fully brought to light by the Gospel, may extend and amplify the principles here laid down, to the laying hold of the spiritual and eternal. We may carry forward the promises and propositions of wisdom, so as to include “the life that is to come;” “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:4-5.
The following verses are admired by all critics as a composition of wonderful excellence. The general subject is the same as the preceding; the personification is continued; but wisdom, instead of being regarded as a quality or attribute of man, is presented, in a bold prosopopoeia, as an attribute of God himself. The design is to show the claims of wisdom on the ground of her antiquity, her divine origin, and her sympathy with man.
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