Bridges on Proverbs 27:3-4
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 27:3-4
 
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3.  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. {heavy: Heb. heaviness} 4.  Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? {Wrath...: Heb. Wrath is cruelty, and anger an overflowing} {envy: or, jealousy?}
 
The wrath even of a wise man in the moment of folly is cruel.† What then must be a fool's wrath, ‘where there is not a drop of heavenly water to quench the fire’?† It is indeed the weight of a stone or sand† — intolerable, ‘being without cause, measure, or end.’† Its abiding sullenness distinguishes it from the temporary impulse, to which the child of God may too hastily yield. Absalom kept it in for two years.† David's anger melted away under the first conviction of reproof, and “the sun went not down upon his wrath.”†
And yet cruel as wrath may be,† overflowing as the spring-tide, it may be appeased. Esau's wrath was soothed into brotherly love.† The outrageous despot was subdued in witnessing the presence and power of God.† But envy is an implacable passion, the native principle,† with a fearful train of evils.† Anger is stirred up by offense; envy by godliness,† prosperity,† or favor.† Reason operates rather as the oil to fan the flame, than the water to quench it. ‘Proud men would be admired by all, and preferred above all; and if it be not so, a secret enmity invadeth their spirits, and settleth itself. Men cannot endure the real or reputed excellency of others. The proud creature would shine alone.’†
The wise man had before described the curse of this deadly passion to the man who indulges it. (Chapter 14:30.) Here he shews its subtle, and almost irresistible power upon its victims. For indeed, in contrast to the fine description of ‘mercy, it is twice’ cursed. It curses both its subjects and its object. ‘Like the star called wormwood, that embittereth all the rivers and fountains of waters on which it fell (Revelation 8:11), it poisons and bereaves of their sweetness all the sources and streams of human enjoyment.’†
Well then might it be asked — Who is able to stand before envy? Even the perfect innocence of paradise fell before it. Satan lost his own happiness. Then he envied man, and ceased not to work his destruction. (see Wis. 2:23, 24.) It shed the first human blood, that ever stained the ground. (1 John 3:12.) It quenched the yearnings of natural affection, and brought bitter sorrow to the patriarch's bosom.† Even the premier of the greatest empire in the world was its temporary victim.† Nay more — the Savior in his most benevolent acts was sorely harassed,† and ultimately sunk under its power.† “His servants therefore must not expect to be above their Master.”†
But — Christian — remember — though the promise is sure, “that sin shall not have dominion;”† yet the struggle is sharp to the end. Let us probe this corruption deeply. Men will look at grace, as we have seen, with an envious eye. They will darken the lives, that outshine their own and defame the holiness, which they have no heart to follow. But ‘those who have true worth in themselves, can never envy it in others.’† Do we then love to see a brother's superior eminence, his larger gifts or graces? (Numbers 11:28, 29.) Do we take pleasure in his prosperity, in honor paid to him, though to our own disparagement? (John 3:30.) Is our tone of praise as decided towards him, as we should wish that of others to be of us? Can we bear to be past by in favor of those, who may seem to be doing our work in opposition to ourselves? (Philippians 1:15-18.) Oh! how hateful would be the exhibition of the hidden depths of our deceitful hearts! “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 25:13, 21.
 
 
1 Samuel 25:13, 21
13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. 21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
 
 
Footnote:
Cartwright.
      ‘Ira furor brevis est; animum rege; qui, nisi paret,
      Imperat; hunc fraenis, hunc tu compesce catena.’
      Hor. Ep. i. 2, 62, 63.
 
 
Footnote:
Exodus 15:5. Compare Ecclesiasticus 22:14, 15.
 
 
Exodus 15:5
5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
 
Ecclesiasticus 22:14, 15
14 What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool? 15 Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding.
 
 
Footnote:
Poole. Compare chapter 17:12.
 
 
Proverbs 17:12
12 ¶ Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 13:22, 23.
 
 
2 Samuel 13:22, 23
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.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 25:32, 33. Ephesians 4:26.
 
 
1 Samuel 25:32, 33
32 ¶ And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
 
Ephesians 4:26
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 49:7. Matthew 2:16.
 
 
Genesis 49:7
7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
 
Matthew 2:16
16 ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 27:41; 33:4.
 
 
Genesis 27:41
41 ¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
 
Genesis 33:4
4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
 
 
Footnote:
Daniel 3:13-30.
 
 
Daniel 3:13-30
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? {true: or, of purpose} 15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? {dulcimer: or, singing: Chaldee, symphony} 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 ¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. {full: Chaldee, filled} 20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. {most...: Chaldee, mighty of strength} 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. {coats: or, mantles} {hats: or, turbans} 22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. {commandment: Chaldee, word} {flame: or, spark} 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. {counsellors: or, governors} 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. {they...: Chaldee, there is no hurt in them} 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. {mouth: Chaldee, door} 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 28 ¶ Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. {I make...: Chaldee, a decree is made by me} {any...: Chaldee, error} {cut...: Chaldee, made pieces} 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. {promoted: Chaldee, made to prosper}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Mark 7:22. Galatians 5:20, 21. Titus 3:3. James 4:5.
 
 
Mark 7:22
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: {covetousness...: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses}
 
Galatians 5:20, 21
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
Titus 3:3
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
 
James 4:5
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? {to envy: or, enviously?}
 
 
Footnote:
Romans 1:29, 30. 2 Corinthians 12:20. James 3:14, 16.
 
 
Romans 1:29, 30
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
 
2 Corinthians 12:20
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
 
James 3:14, 16
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}
 
 
Footnote:
Ecclesiastes 4:4. Daniel 6:3-5.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 4:4
4 ¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. {every...: Heb. all the rightness of work} {for this...: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour}
 
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:
Genesis 26:14. Psalm 73:3.
 
 
Genesis 26:14
14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. {servants: or, husbandry}
 
Psalm 73:3
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 4:5-8. 1 Samuel 18:6-9, 16, 17.
 
 
Genesis 4:5-8
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 ¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. {be accepted: or, have the excellency} {unto...: or, subject unto thee} 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 18:6-9, 16, 17
6 ¶ And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. {Philistine: or, Philistines} {instruments...: Heb. three stringed instruments}
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}
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
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}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Manton on Psalm 119:77.
 
 
Psalm 119:77
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
 
 
Proverbs 14:30
30 ¶ A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
 
 
Revelation 8:11
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
 
 
Footnote:
Wardlaw on Ecclesiastes 4:4.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 4:4
4 ¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. {every...: Heb. all the rightness of work} {for this...: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour}
 
 
Wisdom 2:23, 24
23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.
 
 
Footnote:
1 John 3:12.
 
 
1 John 3:12
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 37:3, 4, 23-35. Acts 7:9.
 
 
Genesis 37:3, 4, 23-35
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. {colours: or, pieces} 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. 23 ¶ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; {colours: or, pieces} 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
 
Acts 7:9
9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
 
 
Footnote:
Daniel 6:6-17.
 
 
Daniel 6:6-17
6 ¶ Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. {assembled...: or, came tumultuously} 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. {decree: or, interdict} 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. {altereth not: Chaldee, passeth not} 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11 ¶ Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
John 12:10, 11.
 
 
John 12:10, 11
10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 27:18-20.
 
 
Matthew 27:18-20
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 5:17, Marg; 13:44, 45; 17:4, 5, with Matthew 10:24.
 
 
Acts 5:17, Marg.
17 ¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, {indignation: or, envy}
 
Acts 13:44, 45
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
 
Acts 17:4, 5
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
 
with
Matthew 10:24
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
 
 
Footnote:
Romans 6:14.
 
 
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
 
 
Footnote:
Sir Philip Sidney's Aphorisms.
 
 
Numbers 11:28, 29
28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
 
 
John 3:30
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
 
 
Philippians 1:15-18
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
 
 
Psalm 19:12
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.