Bridges on Proverbs 26:10

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 26:10


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10. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. {The great...: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors}

It is difficult to fix with certainty the interpretation of this Proverb.† All however expound from it the Divine government, direct or permissive. Suppose the Great One to be God, that formed all things. He proportions exactly the reward of the wicked.† The fool is responsible for sins of ignorance; not only for the little he knew, but for the much, which, had he not neglected the means, he might have known. The transgressor is much more responsible for his sins against knowledge, warning, and conviction. And at “the day of revelation of the righteous judgment of God, he will render to every man according to his deeds. The servant, that knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.”†

Or suppose the Great One to be a mighty prince; powerful in forming the minds, character, and principles of all around him. If he “rule in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3), will not he reward the fool and the transgressor, the ignorant and the presumptuous? For how can his kingdom prosper upon the encouragement of the wicked?†

Or if he be a wicked prince, he grieveth all by his countenance of sin: hiring transgressors as instruments of his will.† Still is it the government of God. The scepter is in the hands of unlimited power, wisdom, and goodness. “The wicked are his sword, his hand, the rod of his anger, and the staff of his indignation.”† Shall we then “reply against God?” Reverence, faith, humility, patience, expectation, are graces of the Lord's children. “Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.” (Psalm 97:2.) There is no sleeping of his Providence; no interruption of his Government. We are living only in a preparatory state. The veil will soon be lifted up, and the grand consummation will explain all. Fools and transgressors will receive their just reward; and one universal chorus will burst from heaven — “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Revelation 15:4.)

Footnote:

Our venerable translators have supplied with some doubtfulness an ellipsis of the principle term. The word in the original may mean either the Great God, or a great man. Nor does the construction clearly determine either meaning.

Footnote:

Psalm 31:23. Isaiah 3:11.

Psalm 31:23

23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Isaiah 3:11

11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. {given...: Heb. done to him}

Footnote:

Romans 2:5, 6. Luke 12:47, 48.

Romans 2:5, 6

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Luke 12:47, 48

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

2 Samuel 23:3

3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. {He...: or, Be thou ruler, etc}

Footnote:

Habakkuk 2:1-3. Chapter 20:12; 15:31.

Habakkuk 2:1-3

1 ¶ I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. {tower: Heb. fenced place} {unto me: or, in me} {when...: or, when I am argued with: Heb. upon my reproof, or, arguing} 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Proverbs 20:12

12 ¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Proverbs 15:31

31 ¶ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Footnote:

Judges 9:4. 1 Kings 21:10.

Judges 9:4

4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.

1 Kings 21:10

10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

Footnote:

Psalm 17:13, 14. Isaiah 10:5.

Psalm 17:13, 14

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: {disappoint...: Heb. prevent his face} {which is: or, by} 14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. {which are: or, by} {they...: or, their children are full}

Isaiah 10:5

5 ¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. {O...: or, Woe to the Assyrian: Heb. Asshur} {and: or, though}

Psalm 97:2

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. {habitation: or, establishment}

Revelation 15:4

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.