The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23-27

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The man diligent in his business

I. ECONOMY AND FORESIGHT. (Proverbs 27:23-25.) He looks after the outgoings of his farm, well aware that there is in all things constant waste, that even the royal crown is a perishable thing. All knowledge is useful, and prudence applies through the whole scale of our being. Let the man, "if he have hands, handle; if eyes, measure and discriminate; let him accept and hive every fact of chemistry, natural history, and economy; the more he has, the less he is willing to spare any one. Time is always bringing the occasions that disclose their value. Some wisdom comes out of every natural and innocent action." To preserve and hold together are as necessary as to gain in every kind of riches.

II. THE FRUITS OF INDUSTRY. (Proverbs 27:26, Proverbs 27:27.) Joyous is the sight when man's toil united with the forces of nature, has been blessed with the abundant harvests and the rich flocks. Let a man keep the laws of God, and his way will be strewn with satisfactions. To find out the secret of "working together with God" in all the departments of our life is one of the deepest secrets of satisfaction and blessedness.—J.

HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON

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The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:1-27Proverbs 27:1-27 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:23-27Proverbs 27:23-27 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWe ought to have some business to do in this world, and not to live in idleness, and not to meddle with what we do not understand. We must be diligent and take pains. Let us do what we can, still the world cannot be sec…Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:23-27Proverbs 27:23-27 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere is, I. A command given us to be diligent in our callings. It is directed to husbandmen and shepherds, and those that deal in cattle, but it is to be extended to all other lawful callings; whatever our business is,…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23-27Proverbs 27:23-27 · The Pulpit Commentary(and Proverbs 27:8) A commendation of diligence It is likely enough that Solomon, oppressed with the burdens and vexations, with the difficulties and dangers, of the throne, looked longingly toward those pastoral scenes…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23-27Proverbs 27:23-27 · The Pulpit CommentaryA mashal ode in praise of a pastoral and agricultural life. The moralist evidently desires to recall his countrymen from the luxury of cities and the temptations of money making to the simple ways of the patriarchs and…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23Proverbs 27:23 · The Pulpit CommentaryBe thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks. "State;" פנִים (panim); vultum, Vulgate; the face, look, appearance. The LXX. has ψυχάς, which may perhaps mean "the number"—a necessary precaution when the sheep wande…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:1-27EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Proverbs 27:23-27We ought to have some business to do in this world, and not to live in idleness, and not to meddle with what we do not understand. We must be diligent and take pains. Let us do what we can, still the world cannot be sec…Matthew Henry commentaryMatthew Henry on Proverbs 27:23-27Here is, I. A command given us to be diligent in our callings. It is directed to husbandmen and shepherds, and those that deal in cattle, but it is to be extended to all other lawful callings; whatever our business is,…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23-27A mashal ode in praise of a pastoral and agricultural life. The moralist evidently desires to recall his countrymen from the luxury of cities and the temptations of money making to the simple ways of the patriarchs and…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23-27(and Proverbs 27:8) A commendation of diligence It is likely enough that Solomon, oppressed with the burdens and vexations, with the difficulties and dangers, of the throne, looked longingly toward those pastoral scenes…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:23Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks. "State;" פנִים (panim); vultum, Vulgate; the face, look, appearance. The LXX. has ψυχάς, which may perhaps mean "the number"—a necessary precaution when the sheep wande…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:24For riches are not forever; as Proverbs 23:5. Money and other kinds of wealth may be lost or wasted; it is therefore expedient to have the resources of agriculture, land and herds, to depend upon. Chosen (Proverbs 15:6)…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 27:25As Proverbs 27:23 commended the rearing of cattle, and Proverbs 27:24 supported the injunction by showing its comparative permanence, so this and the following verses discuss the material advantages of such occupation.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors