“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” — Proverbs 27:20
This proverb sets two things before us that are never full: death and sin. These two are close relatives. Death is never satisfied. The grave receives multitudes daily and still has plenty of room. Hell enlarges itself and still has room. Destruction never says, “Enough.”
Sin is the same way. The eyes of man are never satisfied. The carnal mind looks toward profit and pleasure, but it never reaches a place of true rest. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, it wants more. More color, more beauty, more spectacle. The one who loves silver is not satisfied with silver. We strive for things that fill the moment but do not truly satisfy. Often these things leave us more troubled than before.
Matthew Henry traces this unrest back to Eden. Our first parents were surrounded with all the trees of Eden, yet they were not satisfied. Their eyes turned toward the forbidden tree. Since then, the heart of man has carried that same restless appetite. What is seen, gained, tasted, or possessed still does not quiet the soul.
This proverb is a warning. If the eyes of man lead the heart, they will keep asking for more. Profit will not be enough. Pleasure will not be enough. Seeing will not be enough. Silver will not be enough.
Henry also points to the better way: Those whose eyes are ever toward the Lord are satisfied eternally. The eyes that wander after the world continue in hunger. While eyes that focus on Jesus find satisfaction in him. The question is simple: Where is my focus?
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