A GIFT IS AS A PRECIOUS STONE

Initially there might seem little to connect these three verses together but closer examination reveals that they all concern the way in which actions can influence others.

The Hebrew word sohad translated ‘gift’, v. 8, is used 23 times in the Old Testament and in every other passage it refers to a bribe and such is its significance here. Just as a precious jewel displays different hues as it is turned and catches the light so is a bribe in the estimate of the one who gives it. The expression ‘pre­cious stone’ is literally ‘stone of favour’. The idea is that the bribe puts the one who has received it under obligation to do whatso­ever the giver desires, in whose eyes it will be of benefit and prosper in whatever purpose he might turn it to. It may be to pervert justice, 1 Sam. 8. 3, obtain favours, 1 Kgs. 15. 19, or even to commit murder, Deut. 27. 25. Such is the nature of man, even wise and righteous men can succumb to bribery, Exod. 23. 8. In God’s eyes it is wickedness, Prov. 17. 23, as it should be in the estimate of every believer, Acts 8. 18-23.

What a relief to turn from the man who resorts to bribery to the one who ‘seeketh love’, v. 9. Other verses tell us that love covers a multitude of sins, Prov. 10. 12; 1 Pet. 4. 8; cf. 1 Cor. 13. 6; Jas. 5. 20. Here we have an advance on that, the man who covers sins not only gives expression to his own love for the offender but also displays a desire to promote love and friendship with him. The contrast to that is the man who dwells upon, and con­stantly brings to remembrance, past misdemeanours to the loss of those with whom he once enjoyed true friendship. The one who ‘covereth’ gains, the one who ‘repeateth’ loses; the former is a follower of God, Eph. 4. 32; 5. 1, the latter follows him who is the ‘accuser of … brethren’, Rev. 12. 10.

The covering of sin does not mean that we should be indiffer­ent to failure, for wrong must be reproved, v. 10, but one such word will accomplish more with the wise, as ‘thou art the man’ did with David, 2 Sam. 12. 7, than a severe beating can accom­plish with a fool.

Does our conduct affect others for good or ill? When it comes to reproof are we as the wise or the fool?