Bridges on Proverbs 20:15

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 20:15


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15. There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

This is not the standard of the world. There gold and rubies are far above the lips of knowledge. So the young man made his choice, and preferred his “great possessions” to those gracious words that arrested the admiration of the multitude.† But when “gold is our hope and confidence,” it will surely be our ruin.† Solomon's estimate was that of one to whom “the LORD had given a wise and understanding heart.”† Gold and precious rubies were abundant in his days.† Yet all these earthly treasures were as nothing in his eyes in comparison of heavenly teaching. The lips of knowledge were a more precious jewel.† It is Divine knowledge only, however, that stands out in this high preeminence. Human wisdom may captivate the imagination, and furnish its measure of useful information. But the words for the most part die away upon the ear. They do not feed the heart. They furnish no comfort to the afflicted, no hope to the desponding, no teaching to the ignorant in “those things that belong to their” everlasting “peace.” (Luke 19:42.) If therefore they be “goodly pearls,” at least they are not “the pearl of great price” — that precious jewel, which dims the luster of earth's most splendid vanities. (Matthew 13:45, 46.)

How precious a jewel are the lips of knowledge, when the messenger of the gospel “brings glad tidings of great joy” to the burdened conscience — to him “that is ready to perish”! Truly the very sound of his “feet” is welcome for the sake of his message.† Precious also will be the communications of Christian fellowship. Though falling infinitely short of the grace that dwelt in our Divine Master; yet in proportion as we are taught of him, will our “tongues be as choice silver” (Chapter 10:20), and our “lips will disperse knowledge” (Chapter 15:7) as a precious jewel, enriching, and adorning with the glory of our heavenly Lord.

Footnote:

Matthew 19:22, with Luke 4:22.

Matthew 19:22

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

with

Luke 4:22

22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

Footnote:

Job 31:24, with 1 Timothy 6:9, 10.

Job 31:24

24 ¶ If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

with

1 Timothy 6:9, 10

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Footnote:

1 Kings 3:9.

1 Kings 3:9

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? {understanding: Heb. hearing}

Footnote:

Ib. 10:27.

1 Kings 10:27

27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. {made: Heb. gave}

Footnote:

Chapter 3:15; 8:10, 11, 19; 16:16. Job gave the same verdict, chapter 28:12-19.

Proverbs 3:15

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, 19

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. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Proverbs 16:16

16 ¶ How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Job gave the same verdic,

Job 28:12-19

12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. 14 ¶ The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. 15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. {It...: Heb. Fine gold shall not be given for it} 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. 17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. {jewels...: or, vessels of} 18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. {coral: or, Ramoth} 19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Luke 19:42

42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Matthew 13:45, 46

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Footnote:

Isaiah 52:7. Romans 10:14, 15. Such was the delight of hanging upon the lips of the golden-mouthed Chrysostom, that the common proverb was — 'Rather let the sun not shine than Chrysostom not preach.'

Isaiah 52:7

7 ¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Romans 10:14, 15

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Proverbs 10:20

20 ¶ The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Proverbs 15:7

7 ¶ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.