Bridges on Proverbs 20:16
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 20:16
 
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16.  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. (Chapter 27:13.)
 
Again and again are we warned against suretyship for a stranger, — any new acquaintance, whose company may entice; much more for a strange woman, whose character has lost all credit. This is the sure road to beggary and ruin. If a man is so weak as to plunge into this folly, he is not fit to be trusted. Lend nothing to him without good security. Nay, if needful, take his garment as his pledge. The letter of the Mosaic law forbade this extremity. But the spirit and intent of the law pointed at the protection of the poor and unfortunate, who were forced to borrow for their own necessity, and therefore claim pity. The command here touches the inconsiderate, who deserve to suffer for their folly, in willfully plunging themselves into ruin. Nor does it in any degree incur the just suspicion of covetousness or close dealing. The love of our neighbour does not involve the forgetfulness of ourselves. The path of godly prudence is the safest for all parties. It never can be wise to assist, where kindness only gives advantage to hurry on to ruin. The refusal may be an exercise of self-denial. It is well that it should be so. Let it be clearly seen to be the sacrifice, not the indulgence, of self-prudence, not selfishness. This grace is one of the combined perfections of Immanuel. (Chapter 8:12.) Let it not be wanting in the profession of his people. It is necessary to the completeness of the Christian profession, and to avoid many occasions of offense to the Gospel.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18.
 

 
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}
 
Proverbs 17:18
18 ¶ A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. {understanding: Heb. heart}
 
 
Footnote:
Exodus 22:26, 27. Deuteronomy 24:12, 13. Compare Job 22:6. Amos 2:8.
 

 
Exodus 22:26, 27
26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: 27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
 
Deuteronomy 24:12, 13
12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: 13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
 
Compare
Job 22:6
6 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing. {the naked...: Heb. the clothes of the naked}
 
Amos 2:8
8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. {the condemned: or, such as have fined, or, mulcted}
 
 
Proverbs 8:12
12 ¶ I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. {prudence: or, subtilty}