Proverbs 26:26 Commentary and Bible Study

The justice of God chooses the punishment which the offender most dreads. That punishment demonstrates that sin is never profitable, so that what sin gains is seen to be far less than it loses. ‘He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal’ (John 12:25). Hatred likes to operate in the darkness but God will drag it out from where it hides into the light of his countenance. It covers its tracks with all manner of subtlety and deceit, and congratulates itself that nobody knows what it is doing, rejoicing that its schemes are untraceable by any human eye. It is confident that its malice and cruelty lie buried in obscurity. What then will be its consternation when secrets which it thought were known to none but itself are brought out into the open for all to see? This is the thing it most dreaded and most carefully tried to avoid. It cannot bear the eyes of those who love the truth, who follow after righteousness, being fixed on all its naked wickedness. Why does hatred try to disguise itself? Because it wants to make progress unseen and knows that if it came out into the open it would be vigorously opposed. While it remains unknown no one will take steps to guard against it. It is also ashamed of itself and instinctively clings to the darkness. Even the conscience of a single weak child of God is a source of fear to it. How terrible therefore will it be for the one full of cunning hatred to be summoned into the presence of God and the angels and the elect from all ages, and to be exposed to their righteous scrutiny. Deception is a thin cover and can last only until the true light is come. How does hatred disguise itself? By biding its time; by choosing its moment; by waiting until the prevailing atmosphere changes in its favour. Until then, a subtle word here and an insinuating criticism there, will be enough, for hatred hopes to patiently arrive at the point where it can openly attack its enemy.