Bridges on Proverbs 24:7

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 24:7


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7. Wisdom† is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

The commendation of wisdom is here continued. The man richly endowed with it comes forth with authority, and speaks at the gate among the wise. The fool, destitute of wisdom, is debarred from this honor. The simple† and diligent† prove, that the treasure is not really out of reach. But it is too high for the fool. His groveling mind can never rise to so lofty a matter. He has no apprehension of it;† no heart to desire it;† no energy to lay hold of it.† And therefore, though in the Gospel “it is nigh him, even in his mouth, and in his heart,”† it is inaccessible. Its holy spirituality is too high for his reach. He commands therefore no respect in his own station of society.† His counsel is not sought. His opinion, if given, is of no account. Though he may have a babbling tongue in the street, yet he openeth not his mouth in the gate; utterly unfit to give judgment in the presence of wise and judicious men. Nor is this from natural defect, but from willful perverseness. His Lord had committed at least one talent to his trust. But he had frittered it away, not traded with it. (Matthew 25:24-30.) Oh! let wisdom be sought, while it is within reach; while it is so freely promised. (James 1:5.) When found, let it be diligently improved for the great end of life. What! if we should die without it, under the fearful responsibility of having done nothing for our God or fellow-creatures, of having neglected the way of life: and “in the greatness of our folly gone astray” to everlasting ruin? (Chapter 5:23.)

Footnote:

Wisdoms. Heb. Psalm 49:4. Schultens, &c.

Psalm 49:4

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

Footnote:

Chapter 8:9; 14:6. Matthew 11:25.

Proverbs 8:9

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Proverbs 14:6

6 ¶ A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

Matthew 11:25

25 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Footnote:

Chapter 2:1-6. John 7:17.

Proverbs 2:1-6

1 ¶ My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; {liftest...: Heb. givest thy voice} 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

John 7:17

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Footnote:

Psalm 10:5; 92:5, 6. 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Psalm 10:5

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

Psalm 92:5, 6

5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

1 Corinthians 2:14

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Footnote:

Chapter 17:16, 24.

Proverbs 17:16, 24

16 ¶ Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? 24 ¶ Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Footnote:

Chapter 13:4; 21:25.

Proverbs 13:4

4 ¶ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 21:25

25 ¶ The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

Footnote:

Romans 10:6-8.

Romans 10:6-8

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Footnote:

Contrast Job 29:7-10.

Job 29:7-10

7 ¶ When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. {The nobles...: Heb. The voice of the nobles was hid}

Matthew 25:24-30

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Proverbs 5:23

23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.