Bridges on Proverbs 1:10-16

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 1:10-16


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10. ¶ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12. Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13. We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14. Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15. My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16.† For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Let the young hearken to the instruction and law of the godly parent and minister. Who that has the charge of youth does not mourn over the baneful influence of evil companions? Would that the Lord's servants were as energetic in his work, as sinners are in furthering the ends of their master! Almost as soon as Satan became an apostate, he became a tempter. And most successfully does he train his servants in this work. (Chapter 16:29. Genesis 11:4. Numbers 31:16. Isaiah 56:12.) If sinners entice thee — This is no uncertain contingency. ‘My son’ — said the wise son of Sirach — ‘if thou come to serve the Lord prepare thy heart for temptation.’ (Ecclesiasticus 2:1.) Yet we have one rule against all manifold enticements (Chapter 7:5-23. Compare Deuteronomy 13:6-8. 1 Chronicles 21:1. 1 Kings 13:15-19) — Consent thou not. Consent constitutes the sin. Eve consented, before she plucked the fruit (Genesis 3:6); David, before he committed the act of sin. (2 Samuel 11:2-4. Compare Joshua 7:21.) Joseph resisted, and was saved. (Genesis 39:8, 9.) Job was sorely tried; “yet in all this Job sinned not.” (Job 1:22; 2:10.) If the temptation prevail, charge it not on God; no — nor on the devil. As the worst he can do, he can only tempt, he cannot force us, to sin. When he has plied us with his utmost power, and most subtle artifice, it is at the choice of our own will whether we yield or no. (See James 1:13-15.) The habitual resistance of the will clears us of responsibility (Compare Romans 7:14-17, 19, 20, 23.) The consent, even if it be not carried out into the act, lays the responsibility at our own door.

The enticement here was to robbery and blood; covetousness leading to murder. Most fiendish was the plot. The innocent was to be murdered without cause (Genesis 4:8. Psalm 10:8), swallowed up alive and whole; like Korah and his company, going down into the pit in their full strength. (Numbers 16:33.) The invitation at first was seemingly harmless — Only come with us. Soon the demand rises — Cast in thy lot with us. ‘But we shall be discovered.’ No — they reply — ‘we will do all so cleverly, that there will be no more blood to be seen, than if the earth swallowed them up; or they died a natural death, and were decently buried.’† The spoil of precious substance will be found, when our victim is destroyed. (Compare Matthew 21:38.) Precious substance! Why! This is as large a promise, as that from the mouth of the Son of God. (Chapter 8:21.) But how can substance be found belonging to a world of shadows? (Psalm 39:6.) Much more, how can the fruit of robbery be precious, with the curse of God? (Chapter 21:6. Psalm 62:9, 10.)

Not that this horrible plot is usually propounded at first. But step by step, unless the Lord graciously restrains, it may come to this at last. The cover and varnish are here taken off, to show what sin is in its nature, character, and certain end. What young man but would shudder and start away from the wickedness, if presented to his imagination alone? But many a deluded sinner is thus hurried on by the influence of company to lengths of sin, that he had never contemplated.† Other enticements are prepared for the amiable and the uninitiated just entering into life; less fearful and obvious, and therefore more really dangerous. Such “advantage does Satan get of us by our ignorance of his devices”! (2 Corinthians 2:11.)

Is it safe then to trust in our good resolution or principles? No — Walk not in the way with them. The invitation is — Come with us. The warning is — Refrain thy foot from their path. (Chapter 4:14, 15. Compare Psalm 1:1.) Avoid parleying with them. No one becomes a profligate at once.† But “evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33.) The tender conscience becomes less sensitive by every compliance. Who can stop himself in the down-hill road? One sin prepares for another, pleads for it, nay, even makes it necessary for concealment. David committed murder to hide his adultery, and for his covering charged it upon the providence of God. (2 Samuel 11:4, 17, 25.)

Again then — we repeat with all earnestness — Refrain. The path may be strewed with flowers; but it is a path of evil, perhaps of blood.† Every step on Satan's ground deprives us of the security of the promises of God. Often has ruin followed by not refraining from the first step. (Compare Mark 14:54, 71.) The only safety is in flight. (Genesis 39:10, 12.) Run then into “thy hiding place, and behind thy shield,” and boldly bid thy tempter “depart from thee.” (Psalm 119:114, 115. Compare Matthew 4:10.) Awful is the thought! There is not a sin, that the highest saint of God may not commit, if trusting in himself. “Thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear.” (Romans 11:20.)

Proverbs 16:29

29 ¶ A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Genesis 11:4

4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Numbers 31:16

16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Isaiah 56:12

12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

King James Version:

1 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.

Douay Translation:

1 Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.

Proverbs 7:5-23

5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. 6 ¶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, 7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, {the youths: Heb. the sons} 8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, 9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: {in the evening: Heb. in the evening of days} 10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. 11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, {with...: Heb. she strengthened her face and said} 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. {I have...: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me} 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. 19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: 20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. {with...: Heb. in his hand} {the day...: or, the new moon} 21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; {straightway: Heb. suddenly} 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Compare

Deuteronomy 13:6-8

6 ¶ If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:

1 Chronicles 21:1

1 ¶ And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

1 Kings 13:15-19

15 Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. 16 And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: 17 For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. {it...: Heb. a word was} 18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. 19 So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.

Genesis 3:6

6 ¶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. {pleasant: Heb. a desire}

2 Samuel 11:2-4

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? {Bathsheba: or, Bathshuah} {Eliam: or Ammiel} 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. {for she...: or, and when she had purified herself, etc, she returned}

Compare

Joshua 7:21

21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. {wedge: Heb. tongue}

Genesis 39:8, 9

8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Job 1:22

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. {charged...: or, attributed folly to God}

Job 2:10

10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

See James 1:13-15

13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: {evil: or, evils} 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Compare Romans 7:14-17, 19, 20, 23

14 ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. {allow: Gr. know} 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Genesis 4:8

8 ¶ And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Psalm 10:8

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. {are...: Heb. hide themselves}

Numbers 16:33

33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

Footnote:

Cartwright. But see Genesis 4:10. 2 Kings 9:26:

Genesis 4:10

10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. {blood: Heb. bloods}

2 Kings 9:26

26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD. {blood: Heb. bloods} {plat: or, portion}

Matthew 21:38

38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

Proverbs 8:21

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Psalm 39:6

6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. {a vain...: Heb. an image}

Proverbs 21:6

6 ¶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

Psalm 62:9, 10

9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. {altogether: or, alike} 10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Footnote:

Chartist Associations afford ample evidence of this awful delusion.

2 Corinthians 2:11

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Proverbs 4:14, 15

14 ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Compare

Psalm 1:1

1 ¶ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {ungodly: or, wicked}

Footnote:

‘Nemo fit repente turpissimus.’ — Classical adage.

1 Corinthians 15:33

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

2 Samuel 11:4, 17, 25

4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. {for she...: or, and when she had purified herself, etc, she returned} 17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. {displease...: Heb. be evil in thine eyes} {one...: Heb. so and such}

Footnote:

Verse 16. Isaiah 59:7. An apt illustration of the total depravity of man in the perverted use of the members of his body. — Romans 3:15:

Proverbs 1:16

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Isaiah 59:7

7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. {destruction: Heb. breaking}

Romans 3:15

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Mark 14:54, 71

54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Genesis 39:10, 12

10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Psalm 119:114, 115

114 ¶ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 115 ¶ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Compare

Matthew 4:10

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Romans 11:20

20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: