Bridges on Proverbs 8:5-11
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 8:5-11
 
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 22-31 
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 34-36 
 
5. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. {an...: Heb. the abomination of my lips} 8. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. {froward: Heb. wreathed} 9. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10. Receive my instruction, and not† silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
 
The great Teacher calls the simple and fools to hear. (Chapter 1:23; 9:4, 5.) And where else can they hear such excellent things? Worthy are they of the attention of princes†  — his glorious person; his everlasting covenant; his rich and sovereign love to sinners. (Verses 12-31.) Often does the truth of God, by the tradition of men† or the subtlety of the father of lies (Compare Matthew 4:6, 7, with Psalm 91:11), become virtually a principle of error. (Galatians 1:7-9.) But here all is unchangeable righteousness. There is no froward perversion. Every such wickedness is an abomination. (Chapter 30:5. Psalm 19:9; 33:4; 119:152, 160.)
But are they within the reach of the multitude? They who “lean to their own understanding” (Chapter 3:5. 1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:18); who care more to be learned than to be holy; who value the tree of knowledge more than the tree of life; who desire “meat for their lust,” rather than manna for their souls. Such, indeed, make difficulties for themselves. The “voice out of the whirlwind” rebukes them, as “darkening counsel by words without knowledge.” (Job 38:1, 2.) Scripture difficulties belong not to the Book itself, but to man's blind and corrupt heart. The carnal man cannot understand it, any more than the blind can see the noon-day light of the sun. But ‘it is easy to all that have a desire to it, and which are not blinded by the prince of this world.’† The “babes” are taught of God. (Matthew 11:25; 18:4.) He not only unfolds the truth, but opens their hearts to receive it. There will be, indeed, great depths. But they will grasp important, saving truths. Here ‘the wisest Solomon may fetch jewels for ornament, and the poorest Lazarus bread for life.’† Come then — sinner — “sit,” with one of old, “at the feet” of thy Divine Teacher. (Luke 10:39.) Receive his instruction more precious than silver or fine gold. (Verse 19; 16:16. Job 28:15-19. Psalm 19:10; 119:127.) Enrich thyself with his satisfying and enduring treasures, compared with which all the things that may be desired are lighter than vanity. (Chapter 3:15.) And will not the children of God daily draw more abundantly from these treasures? Oh! let them not be, like the pomp of this world, the object of gaze, but of active desire and increasing enjoyment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Rather than silver. See next clause, and Compare Hosea 6:6.
 
 
Hosea 6:6
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 1:23
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
 
Proverbs 9:4, 5
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Heb. princely.
 
(note; In this footnote Mr. Bridges is referring to the Hebrew word in verse 6 translated “excellent things” (Stongs' #05057; dygn nagiyd naw-gheed' or dgn nagid naw-gheed'), which in the Authorized Version is translated as “ruler,” “prince,” “captain,” “leader,” “governor,” “nobles,” etc.).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
It was a keen reply of one of the Martyrs, when asking of Bonner's chaplain — ‘Is not God's book sufficient for my salvation?’ — the answer was — ‘Yes, it is sufficient for our salvation; but not for our instruction.’ ‘God send me the salvation, and you the instruction.’ — Exam. of Thomas Hawkes. Foxe, vii. 100.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compare
Matthew 4:6, 7
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. {tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof}
 
with
Psalm 91:11
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Galatians 1:7-9
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. {pure: Heb. purified}
 
Psalm 19:9
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. {true: Heb. truth}
 
Psalm 33:4
4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
 
Psalm 119:152, 160
152 ¶ Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 160 ¶ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. {Thy word...: Heb. The beginning of thy word is true}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 3:5
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 
1 Corinthians 1:20
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
 
1 Corinthians 3:18
18 ¶ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Job 38:1, 2
1 ¶ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Reformers’ Notes. Compare chapter 14:6; 17:24. ‘What wonder, if the unlettered and despised Christian know more of the mysteries of Heaven than the naturalists, though both wise and learned? Christ admits the believer into his bosom, and He is in the bosom of the Father.’ — Leighton's Sermon on Heavenly Wisdom.
 
 
Proverbs 14:6
6 ¶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
 
Proverbs 17:24
24 ¶ Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 11:25
25 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
 
Matthew 18:4
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Reynolds on Hosea 14:9.
 
 
Hosea 14:9
9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luke 10:39
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 8:19
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
 
Proverbs 16:16
16 ¶ How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
 
Job 28:15-19
15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. {It...: Heb. Fine gold shall not be given for it} 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. 17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. {jewels...: or, vessels of} 18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. {coral: or, Ramoth} 19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
 
Psalm 19:10
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. {the honeycomb: Heb. the dropping of honeycombs}
 
Psalm 119:127
127 ¶ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 3:15
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.