Bridges on Proverbs 17:18
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 17:18
 
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18.  A man void of understanding (heart, Marg.) striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
 
Though we are to feel ourselves born for adversity, ever ready to “bear one another's burdens” (Galatians 6:2): yet we must not befriend our brother at the risk or expense of injustice to our family. We have therefore another warning against imprudent suretyship. (Chapter 6:1-5; 11:15.) Beware of striking hands in agreement without ascertaining, whether we can fulfill our engagement, or whether our friend is not equally able to fulfill it himself. This shews a man void of understanding; specially to do this in the presence of his friend. For why is not his word taken, but from the suspicion of insolvency or dishonesty? A prodigal, thoughtless kindness may gain us a popular name. But the principle, closely examined, will be found to be another form of selfishness. There is no true benevolence in rash engagements, which may involve our name and family in disgrace or ruin. True indeed — had not those hands that were nailed to the cross been stricken in suretyship, the handwriting that was against us could never have been canceled. (Colossians 2:14.) Yet the eternal counsel is no pattern for our simple folly. Nor is infinite love combined with perfect wisdom a plea for our rash generosity. Religion, though it warns its professors against imprudence, yet too often unjustly bears the blame of them. If we would adorn the Christian profession, and avoid occasions of stumbling to the ungodly, we must “provide for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of man.” (2 Corinthians 8:20, 21.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 7:7; 10:13; 11:12; 15:21; 24:30. ‘It denotes the want of all the faculties of the soul, through ignorance, carelessness, and the prevalence of evil propensities of various kinds.’ Scott on 11:12.
 

 
Proverbs 7:7
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, {the youths: Heb. the sons}
 
Proverbs 10:13
13 ¶ In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. {of understanding: Heb. of heart}
 
Proverbs 11:12
12 ¶ He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. {void...: Heb. destitute of heart}
 
Proverbs 15:21
21 ¶ Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. {destitute...: Heb. void of heart}
 
Proverbs 24:30
30 ¶ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
 
Proverbs 11:2
2 ¶ When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Galatians 6:2
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
 
 
Proverbs 6:1-5
1 ¶ My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. {and make...: or, so shalt thou prevail with thy friend} 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
 
Proverbs 11:15
15 ¶ He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. {smart: Heb. be sore broken} {suretiship: Heb. those that strike hands}
 
 
Colossians 2:14
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
 
 
2 Corinthians 8:20, 21
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.