Bridges on Proverbs 28:19
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:19
 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15-16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 
19.  He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
 
This Proverb also has been given before. (Chapter 12:11.) Such memories and hearts as ours need “line upon line” in the enforcement of practical obligation. (Isaiah 28:13.) If labor be a penal ordinance,† such a blessing is included in it, that its removal would diminish our most substantial source of happiness. Man was not born to be a stone without energy; or a machine, to be moved by mere passive force. Our true happiness is active dependence. Habits of diligence are the means of working it out fruitfully. The earth “bringeth forth of itself only thorns and thistles.” But he that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread.† The blessing comes, not by miracle, to encourage sloth; but in use of means, to stimulate exertion.
The contrast to this plenty of bread is poverty enough. The prodigal is a warning beacon. “In his father's house,” doubtless engaged in active exercise, “there was bread enough, and to spare.” When in his waywardness he left his plenty, and followed after vain persons, soon he found poverty enough — “I perish with hunger.” (Luke 15:17.) Idleness is a sin against God, against our neighbor, against ourselves. “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” — is the rule of prosperity in this world's concerns; much more in the momentous concerns of eternity.†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 12:11
11 ¶ He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Isaiah 28:13
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 3:19.
 
 
Genesis 3:19
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. Verse 18, with chapter 14:4; 27:23-27.
 
 
Genesis 3:18
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
 
with
Proverbs 14:4
4 ¶ Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
 
Proverbs 27:23-27
23 ¶ Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. {look...: Heb. set thy heart} 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? {riches: Heb. strength} {to...: Heb. to generation and generation?} 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens. {maintenance: Heb. life}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luke 15:17
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Romans 12:11. Ecclesiastes 9:10.
 
 
Romans 12:11
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
 
Ecclesiastes 9:10
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.