Bridges on Proverbs 16:16
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 16:16
 
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16.  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
 
This apart from inspiration, must be considered to be a competent judgment. It was formed by one, who had the largest portion of both blessings, that ever fell to the lot of man. (1 Kings 3:12, 13.) Calculate in the balances of the sanctuary the overwhelming interests of heaven above earth, of the soul above the body, of eternity above time; and who will dispute this verdict? One who had made the choice counted all things but loss and dung in comparison. (Philippians 3:8.) It is more valuable,† more abiding,† more fruitful,† more satisfying. It is inexpressibly better. The question implies admiration and delight — How much better to get wisdom than gold? understanding than silver!† It is the only thing under the sun exempted from the universal verdict — “All is vanity.”† The spiritual apprehension of it is like the sudden discovery of a rich treasure ready for immediate use.
The security of the possession also heightens its value. Multitudes labor night and day for gold; yet miss the treasure. But who was ever disappointed in the effort to get wisdom?† When has earnestness and prayer failed of success?† “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding.”† Nothing less than salvation is the great end.† How rich must be that blessing, of which the Son of God is the storehouse! For “in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3.) And none shall spoil us of our portion.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Kings 3:12, 13
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. {shall...: or, hath not been}
 
 
Philippians 3:8
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 3:13-15; 8:10, 11, 18.
 
 
Proverbs 3:13-15
13 ¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. {that getteth...: Heb. that draweth out understanding} 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
 
Proverbs 8:10, 11, 18
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. 18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 23:5.
 
 
Proverbs 23:5
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. {set...: Heb. cause thine eyes to fly upon}
 
 
Footnote:
Ecclesiastes 7:12.
 
 
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}
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 5:10.
 
 
Eccesiastes 5:10
10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
 
 
Footnote:
Ecclesiastes 1:2.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 1:2
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 11:12.
 
 
Matthew 11:12
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. {suffereth...: or, is gotten by force, and they that thrust men}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 2:3-5. James 1:5.
 
 
Proverbs 2:3-5
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; {liftest...: Heb. givest thy voice} 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
 
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:
Chapter 4:7.
 
 
Proverbs 4:7
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Timothy 3:15.
 
 
2 Timothy 3:15
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
 
 
Colossians 2:3
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. {In whom: or, Wherein}