Bridges on Proverbs 26:17
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 26:17
 
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17.  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. {meddleth: or, is enraged}
 
If we would honor our God in our Christian path, we must take time at every step, for prayer, and for the exercise of a sound judgment. Else we shall often rush on unbidden to our loss. To take a dog by the ears will bring good reason to repent of our folly. To meddle with strife belonging not to us will surely bring its trouble (1 Kings 22:4, 32) — its own cross, not our Master's. A wide difference is made between “suffering as a busy-body, and suffering as a Christian.” It is alarming to those who have no adequate sense of the criminality to find the Apostle classify the one with “murderers, and thieves, and evil-doers.” In striking contrast to the other he gives the dignified exhortation — “Let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:16.) If we must not “go forth hastily to strive” (Chapter 25:8) in our own cause, still less in our neighbor's. This is “entering into contention” — the wantonness of the fool. (Chapter 18:6; 20:3.)
Even with Christian intentions many of us are too fond of meddling with strife not belonging to us. We constitute ourselves too readily judges of our neighbor's conduct. Neutrality is often the plain dictate of prudence. Uncalled-for interference seldom avails with the contending parties; while the well-meaning mediator involves himself in the strife to his own mischief. Our blessed Master reads us a lesson of godly wisdom. He healed the contentions in his own family. But, when called to meddle with strife belonging not to him, he gave answer — “Who made me a judge or a divider over you?”†
Must we then “suffer sin upon our brother”? (Leviticus 19:17.) Certainly not. But we should ponder carefully the most effectual mode of restraining his sin. Think of the special “blessing to the peace-makers.” (Matthew 5:9.) But the true peace-maker, while he deplores the strife, well knows, that interference in the moment of irritation will kindle rather than extinguish the fire. Yet his self-control is not indifference. He commits the matter to Him whose wisdom he so greatly needs. He will seize the first moment for favorable remonstrance; “and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Chapter 15:23.) Indeed the common intercourse of life much requires that “wisdom which dwelleth with prudence.” (Chapter 8:12.) “Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Kings 22:4, 32
4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. 32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
 
 
1 Peter 4:16
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
 
 
Proverbs 25:8
8 ¶ Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
 
 
Proverbs 18:6
6 ¶ A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
 
Proverbs 20:3
3 ¶ It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 18:1-6. 20:24-28, with Luke 12:13, 14.
 
 
Matthew 18:1-6
1 ¶ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
 
Matthew 20:24-28
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
 
with
Luke 12:13, 14
13 ¶ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
 
 
Leviticus 19:17
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. {and...: or, that thou bear not sin for him}
 
 
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
 
 
Proverbs 15:23
23 ¶ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! {due...: Heb. his season}
 
 
Proverbs 8:12
12 ¶ I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. {prudence: or, subtilty}
 
 
James 3:13
13 ¶ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.