Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do - Examine here the What the How, and the Why.
I.What is necessary to be done in this life, in reference to another?
1.Turn from sin.
2.Repent.
3.Frequent the ordinances of God, and associate with the upright.
4.Read the Scriptures.
5.Pray for pardon.
6.Believe on the Lord Jesus, that thou mayest obtain it.
7.Look for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
8.Bring forth in their seasons the fruits of it -
(1)Repentance,
(2)Faith; and
(3)The Holy Spirit.
9.Live to get good.
10.And to do good.
11.And refer every purpose and act to the eternal world.
II.How should these be done? With thy might.
1.Be fully convinced of the necessity of these things.
2.Be determined to act according to this conviction.
3.Then act with all thy strength; put forth all thy power in avoiding evil, repenting of sin, etc., etc.
III.Why should this be done?
1.Because thou art a dying man.
2.Thou art going into the grave.
3.When thou leavest this life, thy state of probation, with all its advantages, is eternally ended.
4.If thou die in sin, where God is thou shalt never come. For,
1.There is no work by which thou mayest profit;
2.No device by which thou mayest escape punishment;
3.No knowledge of any means of help; and,
4.No wisdom - restoration of the soul to the favor and image of God, in that grave whither thou goest. Therefore, work while it is called to-day.
My old MS. Bible translates this nervously: Whatever thinge may thin hond don, besily wirch: for nouther were, ne resoun, ne wisdom, ne keennyng schuln be a nentis hell, whither thou gost. Properly speaking, every sinner is going to hell, and the wisdom of God calls upon him to turn and live.
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