Bridges on Proverbs 26:23-27

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 26:23-27


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23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; {dissembleth: or, is known} 25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. {speaketh...: Heb. maketh his voice gracious} 26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. {by...: or, in secret} 27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

The sin here described is a disgrace to society! Yet is it often covered with a flattering garb, as the worthless potsherd with a thin coat of silver. “The tongue of the just is as choice silver.” Here is only silver dross — “the heart of the wicked, which is nothing worth” (Chapter 10:20); lips burning with warm affection, yet covering a heart filled with malice and wickedness.† Such were the lips of Joseph's brethren, when “they rose up to comfort their father” under the bereavement which they had brought upon him. (Genesis 37:35.) Such was Absalom's smooth hypocrisy. (2 Samuel 15:1-9.) Such were the traitor's lips and heart, uniting with the rest in protestations of faithfulness; yet “betraying the Son of man with a kiss.”† An open enemy could be much better borne. (Psalm 55:12.) The cant of hypocrites, the benevolence of infidels, the smooth enticement of the false “angel of light” — all answer to this strong figure. ‘Hypocrisy is spun often of a very fine thread; and the heart of man, abounding with so much hypocrisy as it doth, is the most deceitful thing, yea, and the most deceivable too, actively and passively both, of anything in the world.’†

Often also, when the lips do not burn, there is dissembling of hatred. “Cain talked with his brother in the field,” while murder was in his heart. (Genesis 4:8.) Saul pretended to honor David, while he was plotting his ruin. (1 Samuel 18:17, 21.) Absalom dissembled with his brother, by seeming to let him alone, for two years laying up deceit within him. (2 Samuel 13:22-28.) Joab covered his murderous intentions with peaceable profession.†

Christian prudence will guard against credulity,† which is in fact the “harmlessness of the dove,” without “the wisdom of the serpent.” (Matthew 10:16.) This weakness cost Gedaliah his life.† A sounder spirit saved Nehemiah from the snare of his malignant adversaries.† The source of this wickedness gives good reason for distrust. There are seven abominations — a great variety† of abominations — closely folded up in his heart, only within the ken of that heart-searching eye, “before whom all secret things are naked and open.”† And here lies the root of the disease. ‘A guileful heart makes guileful tongue and lips. It is the workhouse, where is the forge of deceit and slander; and the tongue is only the outer shop, where they are mended; and the lips the door of it; so then such ware as is made within, such and no other can be set out. From evil thoughts, evil speakings; from a deceitful heart, guileful words, well-varnished, but lined with rottenness.’† Oh! let this despicable character be a beacon to us to shun all approaches to false dealings. Better to risk giving offense by faithfulness (though let this, so far as conscience allows, be avoided) rather than cover our hatred by flattering words.

Dissembling never answers in the end. The Providence of God brings dark deeds to light. “The voice of Abel's blood cried from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10.) “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” (1 Timothy 5:24.) The hand strips off the mask, and exposes the flatterer to shame. His seven abominations shall be proclaimed, if not more privately, at last before the whole congregation, when all shall appear before men and angels as they really are, and when the hypocrite shall receive his just recompense of “everlasting contempt.” (Luke 12:2.)

Often however does retribution reach the offender in this world. ‘He will fall into the pits, which he has bestowed pains to dig for his neighbor, and be crushed by the stone, which he meant to roll upon him.’† Even the place of sinning is sometimes made the place of punishment.† Those who plot mischief for others, will be overwhelmed with it themselves.† Moab, in attempting to curse Israel, fell himself under the curse of God.† Haman's gallows for Mordecai was his own “promotion of shame.”† The enemies of Daniel were devoured in the ruin, which they plotted against him.† Thus does God “take the wise in his craftiness,”† “the wicked in his wickedness.”† The death of Christ, which was to be the means of warding off national judgment, was the just cause of the deprecated scourge.† The malice that meditates the evil, is often the cause of its own overthrow. What an Aceldama would this world be, but for the restraining grace of God! Oh! may my heart, my soul, every member, every principle, not only be restrained from hateful passions; but be imbued with the spirit of the Gospel, and consecrated to the service of God!

Proverbs 10:20

20 ¶ The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Footnote:

Chapter 10:17. Psalm 55:21. Compare Ecclesiasticus 19:26-28. See Bunyan's description of the town of ‘Fair-Speech.’

Proverbs 10:17

17 ¶ He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. {erreth: or, causeth to err}

Psalm 55:21

21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Compare

Ecclesiasticus 19:26-28

26 There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit, 27 Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware. 28 And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.

Genesis 37:35

35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

2 Samuel 15:1-9

1 ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. {came: Heb. to come} 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. {there...: or, none will hear thee from the king downward} 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7 ¶ And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

Footnote:

Matthew 26:35. Luke 22:47, 48.

Matthew 26:35

35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Luke 22:47, 48

47 ¶ And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Psalm 55:12

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

Footnote:

Bp. Sanderson's Sermon on Galatians 5:22, 23.

Galatians 5:22, 23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Genesis 4:8

8 ¶ And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

1 Samuel 18:17, 21

17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. {valiant: Heb. a son of valour} 21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

2 Samuel 13:22-28

22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. {have...: or, will you not, since I have commanded you?} {valiant: Heb. sons of valour}

Footnote:

Ib. 3:27; 20:9, 10. Compare Genesis 34:15-25. Psalm 28:3; 55:20.

2 Samuel 3:27

27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. {quietly: or, peaceably}

2 Samuel 20:9, 10

9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. {struck...: Heb. doubled not his stroke}

Compare

Genesis 34:15-25

15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised; 16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. 17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. 18 ¶ And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. 19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father. 20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying, 21 These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters. 22 Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised. 23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. 25 ¶ And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

Psalm 28:3

3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

Psalm 55:20

20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. {broken: Heb. profaned}

Footnote:

Jeremiah 9:8; 12:6. Micah 7:5. Compare Ecclesiasticus 12:10-17.

Jeremiah 9:8

8 Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. {in heart: Heb. in the midst of him} {his wait: or, wait for him}

Jeremiah 12:6

6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee. {they have called...: or, they cried after thee fully} {fair...: Heb. good things}

Micah 7:5

5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Compare

Ecclesiasticus 12:10-17

Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away. Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith. Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts? So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity? For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou begin to fall, he will not tarry. An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood. If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first; and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee. He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

Matthew 10:16

16 ¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. {harmless: or, simple}

Footnote:

Jeremiah 40:14; 41:6, 7.

Jeremiah 40:14

14 And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. {to slay...: Heb. to strike thee in soul?}

Jeremiah 41:6, 7

6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. {weeping...: Heb. in going and weeping} 7 And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

Footnote:

Nehemiah 6:1-4.

Nehemiah 6:1-4

1 ¶ Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

Footnote:

Bp. Hall. Verse 16; 24:16.

Proverbs 26:16

16 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Proverbs 24:16

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Footnote:

Jeremiah 17:10. Hebrews 4:13.

Jeremiah 17:10

10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Hebrews 4:13

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Footnote:

Leighton on 1 Peter 3:16.

1 Peter 3:16

16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Genesis 4:10

10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. {blood: Heb. bloods}

1 Timothy 5:24

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Luke 12:2

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Footnote:

Scott.

Footnote:

1 Kings 21:19, with 2 Kings 9:26. Jeremiah 7:31, 32.

1 Kings 21:19

19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

with

2 Kings 9:26

26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD. {blood: Heb. bloods} {plat: or, portion}

Jeremiah 7:31, 32

31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. {came...: Heb. came it upon my heart} 32 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

Footnote:

Psalm 7:15.

Psalm 7:15

15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. {He made a pit: Heb. He hath digged a pit}

Footnote:

Numbers 22:6; 24:17.

Numbers 22:6

6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

Numbers 24:17

.
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. {smite...: or, smite through the princes of}

Footnote:

Chapter 3:35. Esther 7:10.

Proverbs 3:35

35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. {shall be...: Heb. exalteth the fools}

Esther 7:10

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

Footnote:

Daniel 6:24.

Daniel 6:24

24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Footnote:

Job 5:13.

Job 5:13

13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Footnote:

Chapter 11:6.

Proverbs 11:6

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

Footnote:

John 11:50. Matthew 23:32, 38.

John 11:50

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Matthew 23:32, 38

32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.