Bridges on Proverbs 20:30
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 20:30
 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 30 
 
30.  The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. {cleanseth...: Heb. is a purging medicine against}
 
Chastisement is the LORD's ordinance — the pain of the flesh for the subjugation of the spirit; sometimes even “the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 5:5.) It describes not the gentle stroke, but the severity of parental discipline; not in pleasure or caprice, much less in anger, but for profit. (Hebrews 12:10.) The diseased body needs medicine no less than food, and indeed to give nourishment. The diseased soul needs chastening no less than consolation, and as the main preparation for consolation. But if the blueness of the wound — the mark of severe chastisement — cleanseth away evil, is it not the lesser evil, as the means of subduing the greater? Do not the Lord's stripes cleanse the inward parts? Misery beyond measure miserable is the untamed stubbornness of self-will. A gentle stroke is first tried. When this remedy is ineffectual, the blueness of the wound is needful. Manasseh's Babylonish chains doubtless prevented the “everlasting chains of darkness.”† Similar discipline was effectual with the holy nation, the prodigal son,† and the incestuous Corinthian.† Multitudes have borne witness to the love, wisdom, and power of their Father's discipline — “chastened of the Lord, that they might not be condemned with the world.”† The evil was cleansed away; and those, who groaned under the stripes, to all eternity will tune their harps to the song — “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” (Psalm 119:75.)
Child of God! Think of your Father's character. “He knoweth your frame. He doth not afflict willingly.” (Ib. 103:14. Lamentations 3:33.) Nothing will be given in weight or measure beyond the necessity of the case.† But truly blessed are the stripes, that humble and break the proud will.† Rich indeed are “fruits of righteousness” from the conflict and suffering of the flesh.†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Corinthians 5:5
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
 
 
Hebrews 12:10
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. {after...: or, as seemed good, or, meet to them}
 
 
Footnote:
2 Chronicles 33:12, 13, with Jude 6.
 
 
2 Chronicles 33:12, 13
12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
 
with
Jude 6.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. {first estate: or, principality}
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 15:16-20.
 
 
Luke 15:16-20
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Corinthians 2:6-8.
 
 
2 Corinthians 2:6-8
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. {punishment: or, censure} 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Corinthians 11:32.
 
 
1 Corinthians 11:32
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
 
 
Psalm 119:75
75 ¶ I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. {right: Heb. righteousness}
 
 
Psalm 103:14
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
 
Lamentations 3:33
33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. {willingly: Heb. from his heart}
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 27:8. Jeremiah 10:24.
 
 
Isaiah 27:8
8 In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind. {it shooteth...: or, thou sendest it forth} {he...: or, when he removeth it with}
 
Jeremiah 10:24
24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. {bring...: Heb. diminish me}
 
 
Footnote:
Jeremiah 31:18-20.
 
 
Jeremiah 31:18-20
18 ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. 19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. 20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. {are...: Heb. sound}
 
 
Footnote:
Job 34:31, 32; 36:9, 10. Isaiah 27:9. Hebrews 12:11.
 
 
Job 34:31, 32
32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
 
Job 36:9, 10
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. 10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
 
Isaiah 27:9
9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. {images: or, sun images}
 
Hebrews 12:11
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.