Bridges on Proverbs 28:7
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:7
 
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7.  Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. {is a companion...: or, feedeth gluttons}
 
Keeping the law is national wisdom and honor. (Deuteronomy 4:6.) Invaluable is that training, which leads young persons, under the Lord's blessing, to this happy personal choice. (Isaiah 56:6, 7.) Such are manifestly taught of God, and guided by his Spirit into true wisdom. For suppose a son of polished manners and intellectual endowments, yet without right principle; or one of moderate ability, in an humble walk of life, yet deeply imbued with practical godliness; could we hesitate, which was the wise son, bringing honor to his father's name? (Chapter 23:24.) Yet how often is shame instead of honor, the father's bitter exercise! For how is his name blotted, when the depraved son, bent upon his own gratification, chooses the companionship of the ungodly, and shortly becomes one of them! Young man! in thy noisy mirth hast thou found solid enduring peace? Let the man of God direct you in the “cleansing thy way, by taking heed thereto according to the word.” Let his choice be thine — “I am a companion,” not of riotous men, but “of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” Meet the enticements of thy former companions with a decided protest — “Depart from me, ye evil-doers; I will keep the commandments of my God.” Here is honor to thy father, happiness to thyself, usefulness to the Church, meetness for heaven.
Parents! Do we shrink from this overwhelming shame? Let us more diligently, more prayerfully cultivate that wise and holy training of our children, which is God's appointed ordinance; and which, however long or severely he may try our faith, he will not fail to honor in his fittest time. (Chapter 22:6.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deuteronomy 4:6
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
 
 
Isaiah 56:6, 7
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
 
 
Proverbs 23:24
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 19:26; 23:19-22; 29:3, 15. Luke 15:13.
 

 
Proverbs 19:26
26 ¶ He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
 
Proverbs 23:19-22
19 ¶ Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: {of flesh: Heb. of their flesh} 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
 
Proverbs 29:3, 15
3 ¶ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. 15 ¶ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
 
Luke 15:13
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 14:13. Ecclesiastes 2:2; 7:6.
 

 
Proverbs 14:13
13 ¶ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
 
Ecclesiastes 2:2
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
 
Ecclesiastes 7:6
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. {crackling: Heb. sound}
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 119:9, 11.
 

 
Psalm 119:9, 11
9 ¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 119:63.
 

 
Psalm 119:63
63 ¶ I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. Verse 115.
 

 
Psalm 119:115
115 ¶ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
 
 
Proverbs 22:6
6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. {Train...: or, Catechise} {in...: Heb. in his way}