Bridges on Proverbs 13:8
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 13:8
 
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8.  The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
 
The last Proverb rebuketh discontent with our lot, whether of riches or poverty. The wise man here strikes the balance between these two conditions. A man's riches may be the ransom of his life. Extortion of money may prompt false accusation, and riches may be a ransom cheerfully paid.† Or they may be the price of deliverance from his enemies. They may save him from the punishment of the law (Exodus 21:29, 30.) or from imminent danger of his life. (Jeremiah 41:8.) Yet if “money is a defense” (Ecclesiastes 7:12), so also is often want of money. If “the rich man's wealth is a strong city” (Chapter 10:15), the poor man's poverty is often his safeguard. He is beneath notice. He hears not many a rebuke; he escapes many a danger, which is destruction to his richer neighbour. (2 Kings 24:14; 25:12.) Had Isaac's flocks been less numerous (Genesis 26:13, 14) or Jacob less prosperous (Ib. 31:1), they would not have heard so much rebuke from their selfish enemies. The poor with his empty pocket travels with security. His cottage offers little temptation to the nightly robber. “A man's life” therefore — his true happiness — “consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15.)
His riches may be the ransom of his life. But “what shall he give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26.) Too “precious” is it to be “redeemed with corruptible silver and gold.” (1 Peter 1:18.) So far as he is concerned, “it ceaseth for ever.” (Psalm 49:8.) Praised be the LORD! when all the treasures of earth would have been beggared in the ransom, the riches of heaven were freely poured out. (1 Peter 1:19. Hebrews 10:5-8.) The blood of the Son of God was the acceptable price. The voice was heard from heaven — “Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.” (Job 33:24.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
See Job 2:4. The Apostle refused to avail himself of this ransom. Acts 24:26. ‘The primitive Christians quoted this proverb in defense of their occasional habit of giving money to restrain the fury of their persecutors.’ — Geier in loco.
 
 
Job 2:4
4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
 
Acts 24:26
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
 
 
Exodus 21:29, 30
29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. 30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
 
 
Jeremiah 41:8
8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 7:12
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. {defence: Heb. shadow}
 
 
Proverbs 10:15
15 ¶ The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
 
 
2 Kings 24:14
14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
 
2 Kings 25:12
12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
 
 
Genesis 26:13, 14
13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: {went...: Heb. went going} 14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. {servants: or, husbandry}
 
 
Genesis 31:1
1 ¶ And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.
 
 
Luke 12:15
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
 
 
Matthew 16:26
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
 
 
1 Peter 1:18
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
 
 
Psalm 49:8
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
 
 
1 Peter 1:19
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
 
Hebrews 10:5-8
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: {hast...: or, thou hast fitted me} 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 ¶ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
 
 
Job 33:24
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. {a ransom: or, an atonement}