Bridges on Proverbs 14:31
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:31
 
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31.  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
 
Are not the poor no less than the rich “made in the image of God”? (Genesis 9:6.) Both “meet together” before the Maker without respect of persons. (Chapter 22:2. Job 31:15.) Both carry the same undying principle in their bosom. Both sink to the same humiliating level of death. Both rise to the same eminence of immortality. Besides — have not the poor a special interest in the Gospel?† Was not the Gospel first spread by the poor?† Has not the voluntary poverty of the Son of God for us put high honour upon the lowly condition?† Then what ground is there to oppress the poor, as if they were of a lower grade than ourselves? This involves the guilt of reproaching our Maker. (Chapter 17:5.) It is slighting his own work; despising his own ordinance (Deuteronomy 15:11), and charging him with injustice, as if he had formed the poor to be the footstool of their oppressors. (1 Samuel 2:7.) Would we honour God? We must not only refrain from oppressing; but we must have mercy on the poor. Sure and large is the interest of this mercy (Chapter 19:17. Psalm 41:1) in the case of the Lord's poor. High indeed is the privilege, and everlasting the recompense, of honouring the Savior in his own person. (Matthew 25:40.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Genesis 9:6
6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
 
 
Proverbs 22:2
2 ¶ The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
 
Job 31:15
15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? {did not one...: or, did he not fashion us in one womb?}
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 11:5. James 2:5. Psalm 68:10.
 
 
Matthew 11:5
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
 
James 2:5
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? {of the: or, of that}
 
Psalm 68:10
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 28:19, 20. Acts 4:13.
 
 
Matthew 28:19, 20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {teach...: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations} 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
 
Acts 4:13
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 2:7. Philippians 2:7. 2 Corinthians 8:9. Matthew 8:20.
 
 
Luke 2:7
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
Philippians 2:7
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
 
2 Corinthians 8:9
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
 
Matthew 8:20
20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
 
 
Proverbs 17:5
5 ¶ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. {unpunished: Heb. held innocent}
 
 
Deuteronomy 15:11
11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
 
 
1 Samuel 2:7
7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
 
 
Proverbs 19:17
17 ¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. {that which...: or, his deed}
 
Psalm 41:1
1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. {the poor: or, the weak, or, sick} {in time...: Heb. in the day of evil}
 
 
Matthew 25:40
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.