Bridges on Proverbs 29:16
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 29:16
 
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16.  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
 
The increase of transgression is obviously proportioned to the increase of transgressors. (Hosea 4:7.) Nor is it merely a numerical increase, but also in power and daring of sin. “The men, who began to multiply upon the face of the old earth, were giants” in wickedness, as in strength, until “the striving of the Spirit of God” could endure no longer. (Genesis 6:3.) Thus was it with the Babel-builders (Ib. 11:8), and the cities of the plain. (Ib. 18:20.) Combination emboldens in sin. (Isaiah 41:7.) Each particle of the mass is corrupt. The mass therefore of itself ferments with evil. Hence the prevalence of infidelity in our densely-crowded districts above the more thinly-populated villages. There is the same evil in individual hearts; but not the same fermentation of evil.
But for the prospects of faith, the Christian eye could not bear the sight. But the righteous shall see their fall.† Noah saw the destruction of the old world,† Abraham the ruin of the devoted cities;† “Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore.” (Exodus 14:30.) ‘Let not the righteous’ — said good Bishop Patrick — ‘be discouraged; for the wickeder men are, the shorter is their reign.’ The faithful Minister, conscious of his inability to stem the everflowing torrent of iniquity, would sink in despair, but for the assured confidence, that he is on the conquering side; that his cause, as the cause of his Lord, must eventually prevail. Yes — though now sin seems to triumph, and Satan boasts of his victories; yet “the kingdoms of this world,” with all their vast population, shall “become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15.) This is indeed the supporting joy of faith; to realize the glory of this day, when the righteous shall see the fall of the now triumphing wicked; and one universal shout shall swell throughout the earth — “Alleluia; salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God; for true and righteous are his judgments — Alleluia; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.”†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hosea 4:7
7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
 
 
Genesis 6:3
3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
 
 
Genesis 11:8
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
 
 
Genesis 18:20
20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
 
 
Isaiah 41:7
7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved. {goldsmith: or, founder} {him...: or, the smiting} {saying...: or, saying of the soder, It is good}
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 37:34; 58:11.
 
 
Psalm 37:34
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
 
Psalm 58:11
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. {a reward...: Heb. fruit of the, etc}
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 7:23.
 
 
Genesis 7:23
23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 19:28.
 
 
Genesis 19:28
28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
 
 
Exodus 14:30
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
 
 
Revelation 11:15
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
 
 
Footnote:
Revelation 19:1-6, with 15:4; 18:20. Compare Isaiah 66:24.
 
 
Revelation 19:1-6
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
 
with
Revelation 15:4
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
 
Revelation 18:20
20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
 
Compare
Isaiah 66:24
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.