“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”— Proverbs 27:20 (28:19).
Interpretation.—“Hades and death are never satisfied.” The destroying power is here personified. And to it, in its insatiable character, are compared the eyes of man. But these organs represent the passions to which they minister, covetousness and greed and lust in every form. Of these it is here affirmed that the more they are indulged the more do they cry, with the grave and open sepulcher, “Give, give!”
Illustrations.—Ahab’s eyes could not be satisfied with “the cities that he built” and “the ivory house which he made,” but they must crave the vineyard of a subject, and were fixed upon Ramoth-Gilead at the time when they closed in death. Even King David could not be content without laying hands on a poor neighbor’s one pet lamb. Of the miser it is well said, “There is no end of all his labor, neither is his eye satisfied with riches” (Eccles. 4:8). Nay, did not the wise king, having exhausted all the springs of earthly gratification, write “vanity” upon them all?
Application.—It has been said with fearful irony that “nothing fills the eyes of man but, at last, the dust of the grave.” It is, however, still more true that of the evil passions looking out of the eyes there will be satisfaction—never. It would seem to be a part of the punishment of those who have had “eyes full of adultery,” of greed, of ambition, to be ever craving the things upon which they have set their hearts, preferring them to the things of God. Thus, Dives is tormented with that thirst of which Jesus said, “He that drinketh of this water shall thirst again.” The self-pleasers shall “gnash their teeth” over pleasures of which they have the vision only to be tantalized. How mad then to allow our desires now, and with them our eyes, to rove over forbidden prospects! Was it not by this sin entered the world; and has it not been ever since the cause of sin? “The eyes make the first advances in love.” So, where our affections are placed thither will our eyes turn. But shall I set my affections on perishable and transitory joys, nay, on things which are wisely forbidden because they disappoint and defile? Shall I enlarge my desires as hell and as death, with the certainty of a “woe” in the end (Hab. 2:6)? Nay, is it not my wisdom and happiness to have my eyes continually upon Him Who alone can fill the heart? For, surely, an immortal being can only quench his thirst from an infinite source.
“Lord, Thou hast made us for Thyself.” We are so great in our littleness that Thou only canst fill the heart. “Our heart can have no rest until it rest in Thee.” And Thou hast said (oh, words how sweet! how true!), “Come unto Me, and I will give thee rest.”
Pearson, C. R. (1881). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 2, p. 135). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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