“Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.”—Proverbs 26:26.
Interpretation.—The wise king’s pen continues to draw the character of a dissembler begun two verses above. “Although his hatred may disguise itself with deceit, yet his wickedness shall be displayed in the assembly. The prominent thought seems to be that some day this malicious hypocrite will so commit himself in public, perhaps in a court of justice, as that the mask shall be torn from his face and his true character revealed.
Illustrations.—David’s friendly overtures to Uriah were treacherous in the extreme, and that treachery, has it not been “proclaimed upon the housetop” from those days until now? Bigthan and Teresh, the king’s chamberlains, professing loyalty, formed a secret conspiracy against Ahasuerus, which was detected and is exposed at this day (Esth. 2:21–23). Herod, who thought craftily to have deceived the Wise Men, was himself deceived; and his wickedness is read in the ears of all Christian congregations throughout the world. Though Ananias and his wife might have cheated individuals, their imposture could not stand before the whole Church.
Application.—The preceding “counsel” was against being deceived; this is for the deceiver. The certainty of detection and exposure some day is here laid down. No doubt hypocrisy may prosper for a time. It often does, and hence, too many presume upon its success. Yet a profession of friendship concealing malice is not one easy to be kept up at all times and under all circumstances. The true sentiment is apt to betray itself in unguarded moments; it will peep out through the eyes, or be detected in the tones of the voice. An unfortunate omission on the part of the accomplished actor will sometimes mar his acting as effectually as a downright blunder. It has been well said that, “Love is the best armor, but the worst cloak, and will snare dissemblers as the disguise which Ahab put on and perished in.” Through some weak point or flaw, the arrow of conviction will generally penetrate in time. But if not, in eternity, at the Great Assize, before the “multitude which no man can number,” shall not the perfidious friend be brought to light, and his “portion appointed with the hypocrites”? Nay, before judgment is pronounced, will not such characters be heard calling upon “the mountains and rocks to fall upon them and hide them” (Rev. 6:16). But in vain; their sin will have found them out, and a blazing scroll shall declare it to the universe. And if upon earth even the laws of a conventional morality would exclude such black-hearted traitors from society, will they be endured in heaven?
Pearson, C. R. (1881). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 2, p. 122). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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