Bridges on Proverbs 23:23-25
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 23:23-25
 
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23.  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24.  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25.  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
 
This is the merchant-man, who purchased the “pearl of great price at the cost of all that he had.” (Matthew 13:45, 46.) The blessing can indeed only be “bought without price.” (Isaiah 55:1.) It is as free, as it is precious. But the figure sets out the importance of gaining it at any cost. First, however, let us satisfy ourselves that the seller is no deceiver; that he is perfectly upright in his dealings. “Buy of me” (Revelation 3:18) — saith the Savior. This sets the matter at rest. If we do not really want the article, we shall not pay much heed to the injunction. “Buy those things that ye have need of — is the rule. Ponder also its inestimable value. It is the truth, the only means of salvation, the only deliverance from sin, the only principle of holiness, the “One thing needful.” Place the blessing fully in view — “The excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord — that I may win Christ, and be found in him — that I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” We cannot be defrauded in the purchase. It is a cheap purchase at any price. (Chapter 3:15.) The “lover of pleasure” values highly the baubles of Vanity Fair. But Bunyan beautifully describes the pilgrims, answering the sneering reproach — ‘What will you buy?’ They lifted up their eyes above — ‘We will buy the truth.’
But, like the well-practiced merchant, we must secure the genuine article. Many a counterfeit article is put forth. Bring everything “to God's standard.” That which brings wisdom, instruction, and understanding, is the truth of God.
Then having ascertained its riches and its purity — not only wish for it, gaze at it, commend it; but buy the truth. Not only bid, make an offer; but strike the agreement. Make it thine. The man did not wish for the field with the “hidden treasure;” but he “sold all that he had, and bought it.” And let thy purchase be the whole truth. Every particle, the very filings of the gold, are invaluable — “Set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee.” (Ezekiel 40:4.) Many are content to be at some pains, but they stop short of the prize. (2 Timothy 3:7.) Shrink not from the full price; as did Herod; the young ruler; Agrippa; and therefore they bought it not. Moses gave up for it “the treasures of Egypt;” Paul, his Jewish privileges, and high reputation. The Hebrews “took joyfully the spoiling of their goods.” The martyrs “loved not their lives unto the death.” And who of these repented of the costly purchase?
Having thus made the purchase, shall we part with it? Should we not find it all we expected; or should we after all discover that we did not want it, we should be glad to be rid of it. Many an estate has been bought, and sold again, from disappointed expectations. But though usually what we have bought, we are at liberty to sell; here is a command to buy, but a prohibition to sell. And a merciful prohibition it is! For those who sell the truth, sell their own souls with it. And “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul!” (Matthew 16:26.) Can we look at Esau, Judas, Demas, selling their treasure for a thing of nought, without sorrowful trembling? Yet their apostasy clearly proved, that they had never “received the truth in the love of it:” that it was some shining shadow, merely notional and speculative; never engrafted in their hearts. Having therefore never felt the power, or known its price, they could sell it for this world's pleasure, or for the more flattering delusions of their own hearts. Reader: have you ever known that apprehension of Divine Truth, that has made it in your eyes worth every sacrifice to buy it? No one — be assured — who has really bought it, will ever be willing to sell it.
A joyous sight it is to see children realizing their parents’ fondest hopes; proving “a wise heart” (Verses 15, 16) by a diligent inquiry about this only gainful purchase; not content with receiving it by education, but making the contract for themselves; discovering that religion must be a personal concern, an individual transaction between God and their own souls. Cause is it indeed for greatly rejoicing, to see our righteous children thus enriched for eternity, in possession of a treasure which they can never spend, and which no troubles, no changes, no malice of hell, can touch. If the godly parents have had a seed-time of tears, these precious sheaves of joy are an abundant recompense. The stern exclusive system which recognizes little, save the divine purpose and sovereignty, annuls, or at least enervates, the responsibility of means, and thus loses the privilege both of trusting the promise, and witnessing its accomplishment. Will not the child feel the constraining obligation to fulfill his parent's rejoicing thus vividly portrayed? Most unnatural must he be, if his heart does not glow with the desire thus to repay his father's anxious love, and the yearning tenderness of her that bare him. They ask no other requital, than the joy and gladness of seeing a righteous and a wise son. Selfishness itself might supply a motive; since parental gladness is the child's own joy, walking in “wisdom's ways of pleasantness and peace.”
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Isaiah 55:1
1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
 
 
Revelation 3:18
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
 
 
Footnote:
John 13:29.
 

 
John 13:29
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Timothy 2:4.
 

 
1 Timothy 2:4
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
 
 
Footnote:
John 8:32. 2 Timothy 2:25, 26.
 

 
John 8:32
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
 
2 Timothy 2:25, 26
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. {recover...: Gr. awake} {taken...: Gr. taken alive}
 
 
Footnote:
John 17:17.
 

 
John 17:17
17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 10:42.
 

 
Luke 10:42
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
 
 
Footnote:
Philippians 3:8-11.
 

 
Philippians 3:8-11
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, 9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
 
 
Proverbs 3:15
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Corinthians 11:3, 14. Galatians 1:6, 7.
 

 
2 Corinthians 11:3, 14
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
 
Galatians 1:6, 7
6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Thessalonians 5:21. 1 John 4:1. Isaiah 8:20.
 

 
1 Thessalonians 5:21
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
 
1 John 4:1
1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
 
Isaiah 8:20
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. {no...: Heb. no morning}
 
 
Ezekiel 40:4
4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.
 
 
2 Timothy 3:7
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
 
 
Footnote:
Mark 6:17-20.
 

 
Mark 6:17-20
17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: {a quarrel: or, an inward grudge} 20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. {observed him: or, kept him, or, saved him}
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 18:23.
 

 
Luke 18:23
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 26:28.
 

 
Acts 26:28
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
 
 
Footnote:
Hebrews 11:24-26.
 

 
Hebrews 11:24-26
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. {of Christ: or, for Christ}
 
 
Footnote:
Philippians 3:4-8.
 

 
Philippians 3:4-8
4 ¶ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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:
Hebrews 10:34.
 

 
Hebrews 10:34
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. {in yourselves...: or, that ye have in or, for yourselves}
 
 
Footnote:
Revelation 12:11. Acts 20:23, 24.
 

 
Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
 
Acts 20:23, 24
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. {abide me: or, wait for me} 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
 
 
Matthew 16:26
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
 
 
Footnote:
Hebrews 12:16, 17.
 

 
Hebrews 12:16, 17
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. {place...: or, way to change his mind}
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 27:3-5.
 

 
Matthew 27:3-5
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Timothy 4:10.
 

 
2 Timothy 4:10
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Thessalonians 2:10. 1 John 2:19.
 

 
2 Thessalonians 2:10
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
 
Compare
1 John 2:19
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
 
 
Proverbs 23:15, 16.
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. {even...: or, even I will rejoice} 16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 126:6. Compare chapter 10:1; 15:20. Contrast 17:25.
 

 
Psalm 126:6
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. {precious...: or, seed basket}
 
Compare
Proverbs 10:1;
1 ¶ The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
 
Proverbs 15:20
20 ¶ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
 
Contrast
Proverbs 17:25
25 ¶ A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.