Bridges on Proverbs 12:11
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 12:11
 
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11.  He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
 
Special honour is given to the work of tilling the land. God assigned it to Adam in Paradise. (Genesis 2:15.) It was the employment of his eldest son. (Ib. 4:2.) Its origin appears to have been under immediate Divine Teaching. (Isaiah 28:23-26.) In ancient times it was the business or relaxation of kings.† A blessing is ensured to diligence; sometimes abundant (Genesis 26:12); always such as we should be satisfied with. (Chapter 27:23-27.)
The principle applies alike to every lawful calling. Industry is an ornamental grace (Chapter 31:13-22), and a Christian obligation. (Romans 12:11. 1 Thessalonians 4:11.) Most ample is its reward in the work of God. How rich is the harvest for the diligent student of the Scriptures! Truly he shall be satisfied with bread. But idleness is a spot upon our royal name. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.) As an old writer observes — ‘The proud person is Satan's throne, and the idle man his pillow. He sitteth in the former, and sleepeth quietly on the latter.’† The man therefore that followeth vain persons, instead of honest labour, proves himself to be void of understanding, and will reap the fruits of his folly (Chapter 13:20. Acts 5:36, 37) — perhaps throughout eternity.†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Genesis 2:15
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. {the man: or, Adam}
 
 
Genesis 4:2
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. {Abel: Heb. Hebel} {a keeper: Heb. a feeder}
 
 
Isaiah 28:23-26
23 ¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. 24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? 25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? {the principal...: or, the wheat in the principal place, and barley in the appointed place} {rie: or, spelt} {place: Heb. border?} 26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. {For...: or, And he bindeth it in such sort as his God doth teach him}
 
 
Footnote:
2 Chronicles 26:10. ‘Omnium rerum, ex quibus aliquid acquirtur, nihil est agricultura melius, nihil uberius, nihil dulcius, nihil homine libero dignius.’ Such was the judgment of the Roman Moralist. — Cicero De Offic. B. I. xliii. ‘Of all the arts of civilized man, agriculture is transcendently the most essential and valuable. Other arts may contribute to the comfort, the convenience, and the embellishment of life. But the cultivation of the soil stands in immediate connexion with our very existence. The life itself, to whose comfort, and convenience, and embellishment, other arts contribute, is by this sustained: so that others without it can avail nothing.’ Wardlaw on Ecclesiastes 5:9.
 
 
2 Chronicles 26:10
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. {digged...: or, cut out many cisterns} {Carmel: or, fruitful fields} {husbandry: Heb. ground}
 
Ecclesiastes 5:9
9 ¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
 
 
Genesis 26:12
12 ¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. {received: Heb. found}
 
 
Proverbs 27:23-27
23 ¶ Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. {look...: Heb. set thy heart} 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? {riches: Heb. strength} {to...: Heb. to generation and generation?} 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens. {maintenance: Heb. life}
 
 
Proverbs 31:13-22
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. {buyeth: Heb. taketh} 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. {She...: Heb. She tasteth} 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. {She...: Heb. She spreadeth} 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. {scarlet: or, double garments} 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
 
 
Romans 12:11
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
 
1 Thessalonians 4:11
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
 
 
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
 
 
Footnote:
Swinnock's Christian Man's Calling, Part I. 346.
 
 
Proverbs 13:20
20 ¶ He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. {destroyed: Heb. broken}
 
Acts 5:36, 37
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. {obeyed: or, believed} 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. {obeyed: or, believed}
 
 
Footnote:
The LXX gives a curious addition to this verse, not without some wholesome application to young votaries of pleasure — ‘He that is sweet in wine-parties shall leave behind disgrace in his strong places.’