Bridges on Proverbs 14:18
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:18
 
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18.  The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
 
The simple and the prudent are again contrasted. The child of Adam is born to folly. (Job 11:12.) That is his inheritance. He “received it by tradition from his fathers” (1 Peter 1:18): yea, from his first father. (Genesis 5:3. Psalm 51:5.) So long as he remains simple, he confirms his title. Unlike an earthly inheritance, he cannot relinquish it. He holds it in life; and, when he “returns naked to the earth, from whence he came” (Job 1:21. 1 Timothy 6:7), he still holds it firm in death, and reaps its bitter fruits throughout eternity. Here is no injustice, no just cause of complaint. Sinner! is not wisdom freely offered to thee in asking for it? (James 1:5.) Dost not thou therefore continue simple only by thy willful neglect? If knowledge is at hand, to be satisfied with ignorance is to throw away a talent of inestimable price. ‘I confess’ — says Doctor South — ‘God has no need of any man's learning; but certainly then he has much less need of his ignorance.’ The prudent, instructed in heavenly knowledge, are enabled to behold Divine objects in a Divine light. Is not this knowledge therefore their crown, the light, holiness, joy, and glory of life eternal? This is not that religion of eccentric singularities, which obscures the glory of the Divine image. Steady consistency is stamped upon it, such as enthrones its possessor in the conviction and regard even of those, who are unfriendly to his principles. (1 Peter 2:12.) Thus “the wise” in this life “inherit glory.” (Chapter 3:35.) What shall be their glory in eternity, sitting on the throne of God, crowned with the hand of God himself!
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Job 11:12
12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. {vain: Heb. empty}
 
 
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;
 
 
Genesis 5:3
3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
 
Psalm 51:5
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. {conceive...: Heb. warm me}
 
 
Job 1:21
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
 
1 Timothy 6:7
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
 
 
James 1:5
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Kings 13:33, 34. Vol. i.
 

 
1 Kings 13:33, 34
33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. {made...: Heb. returned and made} {consecrated...: Heb. filled his hand} 34 And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.
 
 
1 Peter 2:12
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. {whereas: or, wherein}
 
 
Proverbs 3:35
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. {shall be...: Heb. exalteth the fools}