Proverbs 30:32 Commentary and Bible Study

Finally, Solomon appeals to conscience and calls for self-examination and repentance, and he does so in a most graphic way. First, we might relate these words to the king just mentioned. He is not one who treats rebellion lightly. You have spoken very unwisely in his presence, and you do not know how far his patience will stretch; it is a very risk business. He will not be convinced that you have come to a better state of mind unless he sees some tangible sign of this, so lay your hand on your mouth. But we have treated a far greater King in the same way: the King of kings and Lord of lords. Look to yourself, and be honest in your evaluation of yourself, because absolute honesty is required in those who are returning to the Lord or coming to him for the first time. Solomon has to call for this serious self-assessment because it is so different to our normal way we look at ourselves. No one can come to God who is not prepared to see himself as the Lord sees him, and to concur with his judgment. Solomon takes two example sins, but the importance of self-examination applies to all we have done. Has pride got hold of us so that we have been lifted up in our own estimation and therefore tried to lift ourselves up in the estimation of others? Have we done this even though we are in the presence of the Almighty God before whom all are as nothing? Repentance is a return to reality and to a real insight into what we are, and when we come to our senses, we see that what we have done is a matter of shame. Previously we chose not to see the shame and by an act of will we hid from ourselves the true nature of our pride. We emboldened ourselves with boast and claims that we hoped would go unchallenged. But now the challenge comes from our own hearts and we have no strength to resist it. We have indeed behaved foolishly, and now the only right course is to lay our hands on our mouths as those who deeply regret ever having spoken such words and who will not repeat the same foolishness again.The same is true in his other example of those who devise evil. They have been cunning and deceitful about it, divulging their intentions only to others equally corrupt, and carefully concealing it from the righteous. They have plotted and lied and laid snares for the unwary, and perhaps they have been successful in harming their enemies. How can they undo the evil they have already caused to others? How can they cancel their debt to men and to God? Only by coming to the Lord in sincere repentance and asking for his free forgiveness. God’s grace and mercy alone can remedy their situation. To show the sincerity of their repentance, they must do works fitting for repentance, although these can do nothing to pay the debt. Again, they must deeply regret the words that they have allowed to come out of their mouths, and determine with God’s help to set a guard on their mouths in all future speech.