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Pro_14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Ver. 31. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker.] Since it is he that "maketh poor, and that maketh rich, and thereby killeth and maketh alive." {1Sa_2:6-7} Rich men only seem to be alive. Hence David, sending his servants to that Pamphagus, that rich curmudgeon, Nabal, speaketh on this sort, "Thus shall ye say to him that liveth" {1Sa_25:6} - there is no more in the original - as if rich men only were alive. Poor people are "free among the dead" {Psa_88:5} - free of that company, as David was, when they are crushed and oppressed, especially by rich cormorants and cannibals. {Psa_14:4} A poor man’s livelihood is his life, {Luk_8:43} for a poor man in his house is like a snail in his shell - crush that, and you kill him. This reflects very much upon God, the poor man’s king, as James IV of Scotland was called, who will not suffer it to pass unpunished, "for he is gracious." As unskilful hunters may shoot at a beast, but kill a man, so do these oppressors hit God, the poor man’s maker.
But he honoureth him that hath mercy on the poor.] Quibus verbis nihil gravius, nihil efficaciu dici potuit. God takes it for an honour; how should this prevail with us! "Honour the Lord with thy substance," {Pro_3:9} and take it for a singular honour that he will vouchsafe to be thus honoured by thee, as David did. How exceedingly shall such be honoured in that great Panegyris {a} at the last day, when the Judge shall say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father: I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat," &c. {Mat_25:34-35}
{a} ðáíçãõñéò , Heb_12:23.