“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”—28:13.
Interpretation.—The proverb applies to sins against men and God. To “cover” is to conceal, deny, justify, palliate. Faults thus dealt with will deservedly not obtain the pardon of a fellow-creature whom we have justly offended. How, then, should they of God, seeing that the sense of justice in man is a reflex of His nature? But as few men can and none ought to refuse forgiveness to a sin which is so truly repented of as to be both confessed and forsaken, much less will God Who is the Fount of mercy.
Illustrations.—Did Cain prosper who attempted to conceal his murder? Or Saul, who would have excused his disobedience? Or Gehazi, who denied his covetousness? But to David and Manasseh, on their true repentance, pardon was freely accorded. The king of Nineveh and his people were respited when they not only “cried mightily to God,” but “turned every one from his evil way.” The Ephesian converts proved the reality of their penitence when they burned their bad books.
Application.—These words contain the Gospel in its practical bearing upon man’s life. For what is the good news from heaven but a message of mercy—mercy already conceived, wrought out, offered? Now, here we are taught how that mercy may be obtained. True repentance is essential. And this consists of three elements—sorrow for sin, confession of it, amendment. The first of these involves the two last. Let my sorrow for sin be genuine, I shall not attempt to conceal, deny, justify, or palliate it. Convinced by the Spirit of the injury done to God, my first steps will be to His throne of mercy. Should my brother have been wounded by my fault, to him also I shall sue for pardon. In any case, the putting away of the evil, the amendment of the life, will attest my sincerity. For professed penitence without reformation is not penitence at all. Forgiveness is promised on the faith of God’s Word to as many as confess their sins (1 John 1:9). But should that peace which belongs to the assurance of pardon be withheld, the human ministry may be invoked. The Church, under the guidance of her great Head (John 20:23), has provided for such cases (vide first Exhortation to Communion and Visitation of Sick). Sin cast forth from the heart will pollute no more, nor be an element of judgment within. And if mine be the “peace which passeth understanding”—the peace of the absolved—shall I be less merciful than God? Shall I weary of pardoning the penitent? Shall not my love cover the sin confessed? Shall not my heart yearn over every sin-burdened soul?
Pearson, C. R. (1880). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 1, p. 79). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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