Bridges on Proverbs 29:5
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 29:5
 
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5.  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
 
Most wisely were Bunyan's pilgrims warned — ‘Beware of the flatterer.’ Yet ‘forgetting to read the note of directions about the way,’ they fell into his net, and, even though delivered, were justly punished for their folly. The doctrine of man's goodness, strength, or freedom; innocent infirmities; venial offenses; softening down the statements of man's total corruption; a general gospel, without close application; its promises and privileges, without the counter-balance of its trials and obligations — all this is frightful flattery — ‘the black man clothed in white’ — “Satan himself transformed into an angel of light, and his ministers transformed as ministers of righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15.) Unwary souls are misled. Even unwatchful Christians fall into the net. And while they have to thank their faithful God for deliverance, they cannot forget his sharp and needful chastening of their folly. Where “the root of the matter” is not, heresy, or apostasy, is the baneful fruit of the flatterer. (Romans 16:17, 18. 2 Peter 2:1-3.)
But let us guard against this net in our daily path. Too readily do the flatterer's words pass current. Even when conscious of not possessing the loveliness attributed to us; when we know the flatterer to have no faith in his own words; instead of a just indignation at his smooth hypocrisy, is there not sometimes a secret self-satisfaction at being thought of sufficient importance to tempt to the deceit? Nay — even when it is so gross as to create disgust, is this disgust always unaccompanied with pleasure? Besides — What else is much of the language of smooth courtesy, or lively interest and affection? Who would venture to act with confidence on this heartless profession? Always is the net spread to allure into some devious path; often into the grossest wickedness. Thus the flattering woman beguiled her prey.† The parasites of Darius deified him for a month, to make him the tool of their malicious plot. (Daniel 6:6-9.) The enemies of Christ spread the flatterer's net for his feet. But here the wisdom of God was infinitely above them, and “took the wise in their own craftiness.”†
The feet of many strong men have been entangled in this net. Indeed seldom has the frailty of the man of God been more painfully exposed. David honored his God in the endurance of Shimei's curse. But Ziba's smooth words drew him to an act of gross injustice.† Usually some want of integrity has predisposed the mind for this poison. David was struggling to discover a plea for leniency to his murderous son, when the woman of Tekoah plied him with her flattering lips. The bribery of passion was far more powerful than her arguments.† But bitterly did the misguided parent reap the fruit of thus entering into the net spread for his feet.† Willful infatuation fully prepared Ahab, by listening to the flattery of his lying prophets, to his own ruin.†
Does a man thus load us with immoderate commendation? It is the flatterer's net. “Ponder the paths of thy feet.”† Exchange confidence for suspicion.† Fearful is the snare to those, whose rank or influence dispose them to walk rather before men, than before God. Indeed religious flattery is a common snare to a Christian profession. It may be natural, perhaps well-intentioned, to be willing to profit by more advanced experience, and to enquire of a brother, by what means he has been able to rise above the ordinary level; nay — even to express our envy at his higher knowledge, faith, or love. But all this tends to cherish self-complacency, “a confidence in the flesh” — the bane to that self-renouncing confidence in his Savior, which is the clear stamp of the faithful follower of his Lord. (Philippians 3:3.) Too often is the same net spread for the feet of the Minister of Christ, whether to gain his good opinions, or from the genuine but imprudent warmth of affection. But oh! — think — “He is a man as thou art” — beset with temptation — perhaps even “besides those that are common to men.” His heart, like thine, is fully susceptible of self-exalting imaginations. And to know that he has a reputation for holiness; that he is a man of influence; that his character is looked up to; that his opinion is valued — this is indeed “a fiery trial,” that brings out to view much base dross of vanity. (Chapter 27:21.) Far better would it be, that our Christian intercourse with each other should be molded by the wise resolution to refrain from “flattering titles,” as hurtful to the creature, and provoking to God.†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
 
 
Romans 16:17, 18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
 
2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. {pernicious ways: or, lascivious ways, as some copies read} 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 2:16; 7:21; 26:28.
 
 
Proverbs 2:16
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
 
Proverbs 7:21
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
 
Proverbs 26:28
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
 
 
Footnote:
Daniel 6:6-9
 
 
Daniel 6:6-9
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.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 22:15-23, with 1 Corinthians 3:19.
 
 
Matthew 22:15-23
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. {penny: in value seven pence halfpenny} 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? {superscription: or, inscription} 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
 
with
1 Corinthians 3:19
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 16:1-12.
 
 
2 Samuel 16:1-12
1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. 4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. {I humbly...: Heb. I do obeisance} 5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. {he came forth...: or, he still came forth and cursed} 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: {bloody...: Heb. man of blood} 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. {behold...: Heb. behold thee in thy evil} 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. {affliction: or, tears: Heb. eye}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 14:4-24.
 
 
2 Samuel 14:4-24
4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. {Help: Heb. Save} 5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead. 6 And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. {none...: Heb. no deliverer between them} 7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. {upon...: Heb. upon the face of the earth} 8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee. 9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless. 10 And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more. 11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. {that...: Heb. that the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy} 12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. 13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. 14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. {neither...: or, because God hath not taken away his life, he hath also devised means, etc} 15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid. 16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. {comfortable: Heb. for rest} {to discern: Heb. to hear} 18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: 20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. 21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. 22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. {thanked: Heb. blessed} {his servant: or, thy servant} 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 15:1-14.
 
 
2 Samuel 15:1-14
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. {came: Heb. to come} 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. {there...: or, none will hear thee from the king downward} 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 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. 7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. 13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. {bring: Heb. thrust}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
1 Kings 22:11, 12.
 
 
1 Kings 22:11, 12
11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. 12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 4:26.
 
 
Proverbs 4:26
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. {let...: or, all thy ways shall be ordered aright}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 26:24, 25; 27:14.
 
 
Proverbs 26:24, 25
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; {dissembleth: or, is known} 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. {speaketh...: Heb. maketh his voice gracious}
 
Proverbs 27:14
14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
 
 
Philippians 3:3
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
 
 
Proverbs 27:21
21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
 
 
Footnote:
Job 32:21, 22. Compare LXX 22, with Acts 12:22, 23. ‘Surely it is enough for us to have foes within and without to contend with, without having snares for our feet laid by our fellow-pilgrims. Oh! it is a cruel thing to flatter. The soul is often more exhausted and injured by disentangling itself from these nets, than by the hottest contest with principalities an powers. Those who have once known the torture the believer undergoes, while this poison is pervading his soul, the bitter, lowering medicines he must take as antidotes, the frightful oblivion of lessons of humility which he has been studying for years, will, I think (unless much under the influence of the enemy of souls), not administer the noxious potion a second time.’ – Helen Plumptre's Letters, pp. 43, 44 – a most profitable volume.
 
 
Job 32:21, 22
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
 
Compare
LXX 22,
 
with
Acts 12:22, 23
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.