Bridges on Proverbs 10:20-21

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 10:20-21


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20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. {of wisdom: Heb. of heart

The wisdom of refraining our lips must always be connected with diligence in improving our talent. If our tongue be our shame in the overflowing of sin (Verses 18, 19): is it not also our glory? (Psalm 57:8; 108:1.) When “speaking of the things touching the king” (Ib. 45:1), or sketching the features of his transcendent loveliness (Ib. 2. Song of Solomon 5:10-16); is it not then as choice silver, refined from this world's dross, and shining with heavenly brightness? Who would not eagerly gather up the silver scattered in the streets? And shall not we enrich our store from the choice silver of the just man's tongue, pouring out its precious instruction before us? If, as regards this world's wealth, the Lord's poor must say — “Silver and gold have I none;” at least they may scatter choice silver with a widely-extended blessing — “As poor, yet making many rich.” (Acts 3:6. 2 Corinthians 6:10.)

Observe also the usefulness of this member. If we be living with God, it will diffuse a salt, a heavenly leaven, a rich propagation of holiness in our various circles. The lips of the righteous feed many from the rich stores of “the indwelling word” (Colossians 3:16); “ministering to them grace,” the soul's true and proper nourishment! (Ephesians 4:29. Job 4:3, 4; 29:22, 23.) ‘Their breath is food to others, as well as life to them.’† When “the priest's lips keep knowledge, and they seek the law at his mouth,” he feeds the church of God.† And as our great Master broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples for their distribution (John 6:11); so does he now dispense to his servants heavenly provision, suitable, and abundantly sufficient for the need of their charge. And every Sabbath is the wondrous miracle displayed before our eyes. The imperishable bread multiplies in the breaking. The hungry, the mourners, the weary and fainting; yea, all that feel their need, are refreshed and invigorated.

The wicked — his coffers may be full. But his heart, being empty of the choice silver, is little worth. (Jeremiah 22:28.) So far from feeding others, the fool dies himself for want of wisdom; or rather for want of heart to seek it. He despises the lips that would feed him, and ‘dies of famine in the midst of the rich pastures of the Gospel.’† Oh! how often are we reminded that sin is self-destruction! (Hosea 13:9.)

Proverbs 10:18, 19

18 ¶ He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 ¶ In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Psalm 57:8

8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Psalm 108:1

1 ¶ {A Song or Psalm of David.} O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Psalm 45:1

1 ¶ {To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.} My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. {Maschil: or, of instruction} {is inditing: Heb. boileth, or, bubbleth up}

Psalm 45:2

2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16

10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. {the chiefest: Heb. a standard-bearer} 11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. {bushy: or, curled} 12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. {fitly...: Heb. sitting in fulness, that is, fitly placed, and set as a precious stone in the foil of a ring} 13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. {sweet flowers: or, towers of perfumes} 14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. 15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. 16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. {mouth: Heb. palate}

Acts 3:6

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

2 Corinthians 6:10

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Colossians 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. {to...: or, to edify profitably}

Job 4:3, 4

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. 4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Job 29:22, 23

22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Footnote:

Flavel On Soul of Man. — Works, 8vo. ii. 551.

Footnote:

Malachi 2:7, with Jeremiah 3:15. John 21:15. Acts 20:28. 1 Peter 5:2. Of Bishop Ridley our Martyrologist records in his own beautiful style, that ‘to his Sermon the people resorted, swarming about him like bees, and coveting the sweet flowers and wholesome juice of his fruitful doctrine.’ — Foxe, vii. 407.

Malachi 2:7

7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

with

Jeremiah 3:15

15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

John 21:15

15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Acts 20:28

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Peter 5:2

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which...: or, as much as in you is}

John 6:11

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

Jeremiah 22:28

28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

Footnote:

Schultens. Compare Acts 13:41, 45, 46.

Acts 13:41, 45, 46

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Hosea 13:9

9 ¶ O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. {is...: Heb. in thy help}