Bridges on Proverbs 12:23
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 12:23
 
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23.  A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
 
Knowledge is a talent to be wisely, not promiscuously, communicated. (Chapter 9:9. Matthew 7:6.) In Scriptural knowledge indeed there must be no concealment of fundamental truths (Psalm 40:9, 10. 1 Corinthians 15:3); or in declaring on suitable occasions, or to suitable persons, the gracious dealings of God to our own souls. Much harm would be done by obtruding upon the ungodly those interior matters of Christian experience, which we are invited to tell to those “that fear God.” (Psalm 66:16.) Everyffor every person, or for every time. (Ecclesiastes 3:7. Amos 5:13.) Our blessed Lord charged upon his disciples the prudent concealment of knowledge, after his example, till a more favorable season. (Matthew 16:20; 17:9. John 16:12.) The Apostle concealed his knowledge for fourteen years, and even then mentioned it reluctantly, to vindicate his own rightful claims of Apostleship. (2 Corinthians 12:1-6.) Elihu, though “full of matter,” and longing to give vent, yet prudently concealed his knowledge, till his elders had opened his way. (Job 32:6, 18, 19.)
Circumstances also may sometimes prudently dictate concealment. Abraham spared the feelings of his family, and cleared his own path, by hiding the dreadful message of his God. Joseph concealed his kindred for the discipline of his brethren (Genesis 42:7); Esther from a prudent regard to consequences to herself. (Esther 2:10.) Nothing can justify speaking contrary to the truth. But we are not always obliged to tell the whole truth. Jeremiah answered all that he was bound to speak; not all that he might have spoken. (Jeremiah 38:24-27.) In all these cases “the wise man's heart will discern both time and judgment” (Ecclesiastes 8:5. Chapter 15:2); cherishing at once a sound judgment and an ardent love for truth.
The fool however everywhere proclaims his foolishness. (Ecclesiastes 10:3, 12-14.) He imprudently opens his heart. (Judges 16:17.) He is dogmatical in dispute, when wiser men are cautious. He is teaching, when he ought to take the learner's place; his self-confidence proclaiming his emptiness. (1 Timothy 6:3, 4.) Self distrust and humility are most important, to enable us to improve the gifts of God for his glory.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 9:9
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
 
Matthew 7:6
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
 
 
Psalm 40:9, 10
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
 
1 Corinthians 15:3
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
 
 
Psalm 66:16
16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 3:7
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 
Amos 5:13
13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
 
 
Matthew 16:20
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
 
Matthew 17:9
9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
 
John 16:12
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
 
 
2 Corinthians 12:1-6
1 ¶ It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. {I will come: Gr. For I will come} 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. {lawful: or, possible} 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
 
 
Job 32:6, 18, 19
6 ¶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. {young: Heb. few of days} {durst...: Heb. feared} 18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. {matter: Heb. words} {spirit...: Heb. spirit of my belly} 19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. {hath...: Heb. is not opened}
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 22:1-7. Compare Moses’ conduct, Exodus 4:18.
 

 
Genesis 22:1-7
1 ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. {Behold...: Heb. Behold me} 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 ¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? {lamb: or, kid}
 
Compare Moses’ conduct,
Exodus 4:18
18 ¶ And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. {Jethro: Heb. Jether}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Genesis 42:7
7 ¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. {roughly...: Heb. hard things with them}
 
 
Esther 2:10
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
 
 
Jeremiah 38:24-27
24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die. 25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee: 26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there. 27 Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived. {they...: Heb. they were silent from him}
 
 
Ecclesiastes 8:5
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. {shall...: Heb. shall know}
 
Proverbs 15:2
2 ¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. {poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth}
 
 
Ecclesiastes 10:3, 12-14
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. {his...: Heb. his heart} 12 ¶ The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. {gracious: Heb. grace} 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. {his talk: Heb. his mouth} 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? {is full...: Heb. multiplieth words}
 
 
Judges 16:17
17 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:3, 4
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, {proud: or, a fool} {doting: or, sick}