Bridges on Proverbs 1:20-23
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 1:20-23
 
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 10-16 
 17-19 
 20-23 
 24-31 
 32-33 
 

20.  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: {Wisdom: Heb. Wisdoms, that is, Excellent wisdom} 21.  She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22.  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23.  Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
 
A Father's instruction has warned us against the enticement of Satan. Wisdom — the Son of God himself, now invites us, — in all the plenitude of his Divine authority and grace. Full of yearning love to sinners, he crieth, not only in the temple, but without in the streets, in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates (Compare Chapter 8:1-5. Matthew 13:2, 3a. John 7:37-39; 18:20, 21. Psalm 40:9, 10) —  How long? Simplicity is another term for folly. It is the temper of mind of those that fear not God. They weigh not what they say or do. They live as if there were neither God nor eternity. Their understandings are blinded by the love of sin. In other cases man delights, not in his ignorance, but in its removal. But these simple ones, ignorant of the value and danger of their souls, love simplicity. They consider all endeavours to enlighten them, as breaking in upon an indulgent repose, and exciting a groundless alarm. For while they live riotously, slothfully, or licentiously, “they consider not in their hearts, that God remembereth all their wickedness,” and “that for all these things he will bring them into judgment.” (Hosea 7:2. Ecclesiastes 11:9.) They are encouraged by a few more furious than themselves —  scorners  — who have neither fear nor shame, remorse of heart, nor decency of manner; who take an active delight in their scorning: shooting their poisoned arrows against godliness. (See Psalm 64:3, 4.) All earnestness in religion is with them a weakness unworthy of sensible men. The very Scripture terms are revolting. A saint in Scripture means one sanctified by the Spirit of God. With them it means a foolish person or a hypocrite. Their souls are too high to stoop to the vulgar thoughts and habits of the gospel of Christ. Thus do they prove themselves (both the indolent mass of the simple ones, and their scornful leaders) to be fools, that hate knowledge. (Verses 7, 29, 30. Job 21:14; 24:13.) Aiming to keep out alarm, with it they shut out all that would make them wise and happy. If they hate the knowledge of their lost condition, they exclude all that follows upon it, to make them “wise unto salvation.” Of other knowledge they have often too much: mischievous, as keeping out better things; giving them an evil eye, filling the soul with darkness; making them “hate the light, so that they will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved.” (John 3:19, 20.)
Our Lord deals with this case on the perfect freeness of the gospel. He would melt down the hardness by pleading remonstrance —  How long? (Compare Matthew 23:37. Luke 19:41, 42.) He sweeps away all the suggestions of unbelief, all the heartless excuses of indolence, by inviting promises —  Turn at my reproof. ‘I cannot turn myself.’ But I will pour out my Spirit as a living fountain unto you. And — as the consequence of this blessing —  I will make known my words unto you. The Bible, before a dark and sealed book, shall be made clear to you. ‘I offer to you both my word outwardly to your ears, and a plentiful measure of my Spirit inwardly to your heart, to make that word effectual to you.’
But we are often told, that all the illumination to be expected in our day is the written word, interpreted, like every other book, by our own reason; and that the Spirit's teaching is an enthusiastic delusion. Now this may pass with the simple and the scorner — who know nothing of the blindness of their hearts, and of the power of natural prejudice, which Divine grace alone can conquer. But the man that knows his own darkness, and that nothing less than the power of God can teach him — he will — he must “cry for knowledge, and lift up his voice for understanding” (Chapter 2:3); not because the word is dark (for it is light itself), but because he is dark, and therefore utterly unable to receive its instructions. (1 Corinthians 2:9-14.) We do not want a new revelation, we only want a Divine Teacher, we want the pouring out of the Spirit to make known the word. The word is the same Divine word as before. But it was not understood, discerned, not therefore practically effectual. Now there is joy, a power and sweetness, of which before we had no conception. It humbled us in the sense of our ignorance, and makes us pant for more of its heavenly light and influence.
But the proud caviller complains of God, as if he reckoned with him for a blindness and inability, which he cannot help, — innate without his consent. “Nay, but O man, who are thou that repliest against God?” (Romans 9:20.) He at once answers this Satanic plea, by offering to you present, suitable, and sufficient relief. He meets you on your way to condemnation with the promise of free and full forgiveness. (Isaiah 1:18; 43:23, 26.) Your plea will be of force, when you have gone to him, and found him wanting. The power indeed is of him. But he hath said — “Ask, and it shall be given you.” (Matthew 7:7.) If your helplessness is a real grievance, bring it to him with an honest desire to be rid of it. If you have never prayed, now is the time for prayer. If you cannot pray, at least make the effort. Stretch out the withered hand in the obedience of faith. (Mark 3:5.) If your heart be hard, your convictions faint, your resolutions unsteady; all is provided in the promise —  I will pour out my Spirit upon you. Move then, and act in dependence upon the Almighty Mover and Agent. (Compare Philippians 2:12, 13.) Christian experience explains a mystery unfathomable to human reason. It harmonizes man's energy and God's grace. There is no straitening, no exclusion, with God. His promises with one mouth assure a welcome to the willing heart. If it cannot move, his Spirit can compel, point, draw it to the Savior. Yea, in the desire to turn, has not the Savior already touched it, and drawn it to himself?
But remember — the call —  How long? is to an instant conversion; not to the consideration or resolution of the morrow, but to the decision of today. Delay is mockery of God. “Quench not the Spirit” now striving, but which “will not always strive with man.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19. Genesis 6:3.) Add not thus to the mass of guilt ready to sink you into perdition.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
The cry, the chief place of concourse, the outpouring fountain of the Spirit, are identified, John 7:37-39. This very remonstrance, accompanied, as here, with a stirring invitation, is also given in prophecy from the Savior's own mouth. Isaiah 55:1-3. The terms of the promise forbid any other than a personal application. We can easily conceive a spirit to have wisdom. But that an attribute of wisdom may dispense his Spirit or influence to others, is beyond conception. Moreover, the Messiah assumed this personal title (Matthew 23:34, with Luke 11:49); and his apostle expressly gives it to him (1 Corinthians 1:24). The plural noun joined with the singular verb (mar. Compare chapter 9:1) seems to point him out as the author and whole substance of all wisdom; ‘the very wisdom of the most wise God, “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” and by whom rivers of wisdom are poured into man by the word.’ (Glass Lib 3. Tract. i Can. 24.) The future tense in the original may possibly give a prophetic character to the proclamation. Altogether, ‘this interpretation gives to the exhortation of Wisdom a peculair majesty and emphasis; setting forth the eternal uncreated Wisdom of the Father, using all means to draw men to God; both by his works and by his word, inviting all men to know the truth.’ — Scott. Bishop Hall. Compare notes on 1:24. 8:1.
 

 
John 7:37-39
37 ¶ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
 
Isaiah 55:1-3
1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye {1} spend money for that which is not bread? and your {2} labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. {1) Heb weigh 2) Or earnings} 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
 
Matthew 23:34
34 ¶ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
 
with
Luke 11:49
49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
 
1 Corinthians 1:24
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
 
Proverbs 1:20, margin:
20 ¶ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: {Wisdom: Heb. Wisdoms, that is, Excellent wisdom}
 
Compare
Proverbs 9:1
1 ¶ Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
 
Compare notes on
Proverbs 1:24
 
Proverbs 8:1
1 ¶ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compare
Proverbs 8:1-5
1 ¶ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
 
Matthew 13:2, 3a
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying,,,
 
John 7:37-39
37 ¶ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
 
John 18:20, 21
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
 
Psalm 40:9, 10
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hosea 7:2
2 And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. {consider...: Heb. say not to}
 
Ecclesiastes 11:9
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
 
 
Psalm 64:3, 4
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: 4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
 
 
Proverbs 1:7, 29, 30
7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. {the beginning: or, the principal part} 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
 
Job 21:14
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
 
Job 24:13
13 ¶ They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
 
 
John 3:19, 20
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. {reproved: or, discovered}
 
 
Compare
Matthew 23:37
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
 
Luke 19:41, 42
41 ¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Hall.
 
 
Proverbs 2:3
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; {liftest...: Heb. givest thy voice}
 
 
1 Corinthians 2:9-14
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 
 
Romans 9:20
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? {repliest...: or, answerest again, or, disputest with God?}
 
 
Isaiah 1:18
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
 
Isaiah 43:23, 26
23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. {small...: Heb. lambs, or, kids} 26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
 
 
Matthew 7:7
7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
 
 
Mark 3:5
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. {hardness: or, blindness}
 
 
Compare
Philippians 2:12, 13
12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:19
19 Quench not the Spirit.
 
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.