Bridges on Proverbs 27:21
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 27:21
 
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21.  As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.†
 
The fining pot and furnace have been before mentioned, as the LORD's “trial of the heart.”† The most searching furnace is here shown. He that is praised is not only much approved, but much proved. The courting of the praise of our fellow-creatures is the world within. Praise is a sharper trial of the strength of principle than reproach. ‘If a man be vain and light, he will be puffed up with it. If he be wise and solid, he will be no whit moved therewith.’† A haughty and supercilious deportment; “loving to have the pre-eminence” (3 John 9); forwardness to give our opinion, and offense, if it be not taken — this is the dross brought out of the furnace. Count the discovery a special mercy. Know thy need of purifying, and let the great Refiner do his perfect work. (Malachi 3:2, 3.)
But see a man humbled by praise, in the consciousness how little he deserves it, and “who maketh him to differ.” (1 Corinthians 4:7.) See him made more careful and diligent, bearing his honor meekly, and the same man as before; here the furnace proves the real metal, and brings out “a vessel of honor, meet for the Master's use.” (2 Timothy 2:21.)
Absalom was tried in this fining-pot, and found “reprobate silver.”† Herod, under the shouting praise of his flatterers, “gave not God the glory,” and was blasted in shame.† Joseph† and David† — maintained their humility; Daniel his consistency;† the apostles their singleness for their Master's glory. Here was the bright gold in the heated furnace.
Fearful often is the trial to a minister of Christ. When he becomes the object of popular applause — his people's idol;† when men of strong impulse and weak judgment put the servant in the Master's place† — then he is in the fining-pot. He that is but dross consumes. Even if there be true metal, the man of God “is saved, yet so as by fire.” Without painful discipline his usefulness would be withered, his spirituality deadened, his soul lost. (2 Corinthians 12:7.)
Two rules strongly present themselves — Be careful in giving praise. Even the children of the world can discover the deadly tenacity of pride in our nature. ‘Do you know’ — remarked M. de Stael on her death-bed — ‘what is the last thing to die in man? It is self-love.’ We cannot therefore do our brother a greater injury, than by supplying fuel for pride by irregulated praise. Even if he be a public man, he is not always before God as in the eyes of the Church. It may be that the most eminent servant of God is one of whom the Church has taken little cognizance. And at best we are far too short-sighted to take the accurate measure of our brother's piety. We cannot weigh it aright without the balances of the sanctuary, which are fully in his hands alone who searcheth the heart. Therefore till the day appointed for manifestation, it is well to judge each other, whether for good or evil, with becoming moderation. And to which — is it merciful to expose a weak fellow-sinner to the frown of a jealous God, by stirring up the innate corruption of his heart?† For put even the finest gold into the furnace, how humbling is the spectacle of the dross that yet cleaves to it!† Be not less careful in receiving praise. While our taste revolts from extravagant flattery, yet we are apt to think it kindly meant, and it is very rare not to take unconsciously a drop of the poison. But the praise of the church is by far the most insidious poison, — so refined, so luscious! Specially when we feel it to be lawfully obtained, how hard to receive it with self-renouncing consecration to God! ‘Christian! thou knowest thou carriest gunpowder about thee. Desire those that carry fire to keep at a distance. It is a dangerous crisis, when a proud heart meets with flattering lips.’† May not even the habit of speaking humbly of ourselves be a snare of the devil? Would it not be safer not to speak of ourselves at all? At least — to confine our conversation in strict sincerity to what we are, not what we appear to be, would be a “wise refraining of our lips.” (Chapter 10:19.) Guard against dwelling even in thought upon anything that brings man's approving eye upon us. Delight mainly in those works, that are only under the eye of God. Value alone his approbation. Ever think of the love of human praise as the most deadly bane of a Christian profession, to be resisted with intense energy and perseverance. (John 5:44; 12:43, 44.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Gesenius (Gibbs) translates this verse — ‘What a crucible is to gold, that let a man be to the mouth that praiseth him’ — i.e. let him examine the praise carefully.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 17:3. Compare Ecclesiasticus 2:1, 5.
 
 
Proverbs 17:3
3 ¶ The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
 
Compare
Ecclesiasticus 2:1, 5
1 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. 5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Hall.
 
 
3 John 9
9 ¶ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
 
 
Malachi 3:2, 3
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
 
 
1 Corinthians 4:7
7 ¶ For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? {maketh...: Gr. distinguisheth thee}
 
 
2 Timothy 2:21
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 14:25; 15:6, with Jeremiah 6:30. Ezekiel 22:18.
 
 
2 Samuel 14:25
25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. {But...: Heb. And as Absalom there was not a beautiful man in all Israel to praise greatly}
 
2 Samuel 15:6
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.
 
with
Jeremiah 6:30
30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them. {Reprobate...: or, Refuse silver}
 
Ezekiel 22:18
18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. {dross of silver: Heb. drosses, etc}
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 12:21-23.
 
 
Acts 12:21-23
21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 41:41-43; 45:5-8.
 
 
Genesis 41:41-43
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; {fine...: or, silk} 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. {Bow...: or, Tender father: Heb. Abrech}
 
Genesis 45:5-8
5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. {nor...: Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes} 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. {to preserve...: Heb. to put for you a remnant} 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 18:7, 8, 15-18.
 
 
1 Samuel 18:7, 8, 15-18
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? {displeased him: Heb. was evil in his eyes} 15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. 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} 18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
 
 
 
Footnote:
Daniel 6:3-5
 
 
Daniel 6:3-5
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 3:11-16; 10:25, 26; 14:11-15.
 
 
Acts 3:11-16
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 12 ¶ And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. {Prince: or, Author} 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
 
Acts 10:25, 26
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
 
Acts 14:11-15
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
‘We should feel’ — said the venerable Mr. Simeon in his own way — ‘as if our ears were stung with blasphemy, when we discover any attempt to transfer the crown of glory from the head of the Redeemer to that of any of his servants.’ Henry Martyn continually expresses his sensitive conscience upon this besetting temptation. — Life. chapter ii. iii. Dr. Payson — a careful self-observer — mentions among his trials — ‘well-meant, but injudicious, commendations!’ When I am praised, — ‘God! humble me,’ — was the prayer of one marvelously preserved in the fearful furnace. — Life of Mrs. Godolphin, p. 22. See also Author's Christian Ministry, part iii. chapter vii.
 
 
2 Corinthians 12:7
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
 
 
Footnote:
‘I do not know’ — said Neff — ‘that I ought to thank you so very warmly for what I have too much reason to fear the old man will be ready to take advantage of; his life being, you know, principally supported by praise.’ — Biography, p. 369. ‘Every one here’ — writes Dr. Payson to his mother — ‘whether friends or enemies, are conspiring to ruin me. Satan, and my own heart, of course will lend a hand; and if you join too, I fear all the cold water, which Christ can throw upon my pride, will not prevent it from breaking out into a destructive flame. As certainly as anybody flatters and caresses me, my Father has to scourge me for it, and an unspeakable mercy it is, that he condescends to do it.’
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 39:2. 2 Chronicles 32:31.
 
 
Isaiah 39:2
2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. {precious things: or, spicery} {armour: or, jewels: Heb. vessels, or, instruments}
 
2 Chronicles 32:31
31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. {ambassadors: Heb. interpreters}
 
 
Footnote:
Flavel.
 
 
Proverbs 10:19
19 ¶ In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
 
 
John 5:44
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
 
John 12:43, 44
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44 ¶ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.