Bridges on Proverbs 27:11
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 27:11
 
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11.  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
 
The Christian Parent takes his full share of the Minister's “greatest joy” to see “his children walk in truth.” (2 John 4. 3 John 4.) Then indeed are they “the olive branches round about his table” (Psalm 128:3) — the ornament of his family — yea, “plants of renown” — the glory of the Church and of the land. Every other portion for them we rest with the Lord, for “surely we know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12.) Gladdened is our heart by their godly wisdom; and strengthened are we by what flows from this wisdom — their holy prayers. And truly will we put our seal to the choice of a parent thus honored and blessed — ‘I had rather have my house filled with my children's prayers, than filled with gold.’
But an ungodly child is indeed the parent's reproach. He can but take up the father's weeping under different circumstance. “Alas! my child! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me.” (Judges 11:35.) On this account the offending damsel was “stoned at the door of her father's house.” (Deuteronomy 22:21.) The graceless children of gracious parents are a special reproach, even upon the name of God.† The world will charge it (however in many cases most wrongfully) to their parents’ example or neglect. Here therefore a wise son makes the heart glad.† He is his father's weapon of defense “when he speaketh with his enemies in the gate.”† Should not the children of the Church ponder this deep responsibility, to carry such a profession, as may answer him that reproacheth, and stop the mouth, ever ready to open with taunts against the Gospel? Specially should this responsibility be felt by children of Ministers; to ‘adorn’ (as Mr. Richmond affectionately inculcated upon his children) ‘not only their Christian profession, but their parents’ principles; shewing, that the principles of their father's house and Ministry are the rules of their conduct, and their real delight.’†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 John 4.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
 
3 John 4.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
 
 
Psalm 128:3
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 8:12
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
 
 
Judges 11:35
35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.
 
 
Deuteronomy 22:21
21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 34:30. 1 Samuel 2:17.
 
 
Genesis 34:30
30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
 
1 Samuel 2:17
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 10:1; 29:3.
 
 
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 29:3
3 ¶ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 127:5.
 
 
Psalm 127:5
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. {his...: Heb. filled his quiver with them} {speak...: or, subdue, or, destroy}
 
 
Footnote:
Life, pp. 294, 295. The Mosaic law severely punished the sins of the priest's daughter for the disgrace brought upon the holy office, Leviticus 21:9. “Faithful children” is a Ministerial qualification. 1 Timothy 3:4, 5. Titus 1:6. It was a frequent petition in Philip Henry's family worship, that ‘ministers’ children might have grace to carry it, that the Ministry might in nothing be blamed.’ — See the Author's Christian Ministry. Part 3. Chapter 9.
 
 
Leviticus 21:9
9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
 
1 Timothy 3:4, 5
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
 
Titus 1:6
6 ¶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.