Bridges on Proverbs 10:26
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 10:26
 
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26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
 
A lively figure of the vexation of the sluggard to his employers! (Contrast Chapter 26:6, with 13:17; 25:13.) Suppose a fire to be extinguished, medical assistance needed, a message of urgent haste to be conveyed — he is worse than unserviceable. Common prudence dictates the selection of active and industrious servants. And such when influenced by godly principles, are “worthy of double honour.” (Chapter 22:29. Genesis 24:1-14. 1 Timothy 5:17.)
Does then the sluggard disappoint and provoke his earthly master? See that we be not such sluggards to our heavenly Master. Laodicean professors are specially hateful in his sight. (Revelation 3:16.) The slothful Minister carries in a tremendous account to him that sent him. No more pitiable object is found, than the man who has time to spare; who has no object of commanding interest; and is going on to the end, as if he had spent his whole life in children's play, and had lived for no useful purpose. He may probably have parceled out a portion of his time for some miscalled religious duty. But he might as well be asleep as on his knees; in idleness as in meditation — so little pains — so little heart, is connected with his duties! Why “standeth he idle in the market-place?” It cannot be — “No man hath hired him.” His Master's call sounds in his ears — “Go ye into the vineyard.” (Matthew 20:7.) And at his peril he disobeys it. (Ib. 25:30.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contrast
Proverbs 26:6
6 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
 
with
Proverbs 13:17
17 ¶ A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. {a faithful...: Heb. an ambassador of faithfulness}
 
Proverbs 25:13
13 ¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 22:29
29 ¶ Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. {mean...: Heb. obscure men}
 
Genesis 24:1-14
1 ¶ 1 ¶ And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. {well...: Heb. gone into days} 2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. 5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter. 10 ¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. {for: or, and} 11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. {that...: Heb. that women who draw water go forth} 12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
 
1 Timothy 5:17
17 ¶ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revelation 3:16
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 20:7.
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 25:30.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.