Bridges on Proverbs 1:8-9

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 1:8-9


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8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. {an...: Heb. an adding}

Let the young mark the fear of the LORD connected with reverence to parents. Thus the opening of this book puts honour upon “the first commandment with promise.” (Ephesians 6:2. Compare 1 Timothy 5:4.) God here, speaking by the mouth of a parent or teacher,† blends paternal tenderness with his Divine authority — My son. The command supposes the godly character of parents, and recognizes the responsibility of both parents.† Children are rational creatures. Instruction, not blind submission, must be inculcated. Yet they are wayward. Instruction must therefore be enforced with the authority of Law. God puts his own stamp upon parental discipline. Hear it — Forsake it not. Reverence for his mother's law was the honourable mark of Timothy's profession. (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15.) Nor must this reverence be confined to the years of restraint. The disciple of the Bible will own himself to be a child in relative obligations, long after he has ceased to be a child in years. (Jeremiah 35:8-10, 18.) Neither age nor rank gives any claim for exemption. Joseph — when ripe in years, the head of a family, and the first Lord in Egypt — bowed before his father's feet. (Genesis 46:29; 48:12.) Solomon, in the glory of his crown, forgot not the respect justly due to his mother.† Nor were the crown upon his head, and the chain of gold about Joseph's neck (Compare Chapter 4:9, with Genesis 41:39, 42), so graceful as this ornament of filial humility. (1 Peter 5:5.) This indeed commands the praise of the world, and may sometimes be a delusive, self-righteous dependence. But wherever it is grounded upon right principle, it is the “putting on of the Lord Jesus Christ” in his lovely example. (Romans 13:14.) Though angels were subject to him, yet was he “subject to his parents.” (Luke 2:51, with Hebrews 1:6.) Yea, how did he honour his mother in his last dying command to his disciple — “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:27.)

The same reciprocal obligation binds the spiritual father and his children. Authority softened by tenderness — instruction molded in parental endearment — will always command its measure of reverential and affectionate attention. Such was the Apostolical Ministry to the Churches of Philippi and Thessalonica. Humility, tenderness, mutual communion and cheerful subjection, formed the harmony of Christian love and happiness. (Philippians 4:9-19. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13.)

Ephesians 6:2

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Compare

1 Timothy 5:4

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. {piety: or, kindness}

Footnote:

Thus the prophets were called Fathers — 2 Kings 2:12; 13:14. Our blessed Lord used the same endearing address — John 21:5. Compare Matthew 9:2, 22. Thus the apostles also acknowledged both their individual converts and collective Churches — 1 Timothy 1:2. 2 Timothy 1:2. Titus 1:4. 1 Corinthians 4:15; with 1 John 2:1; 5:21.

2 Kings 2:12

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

2 Kings 13:14

14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

John 21:5

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. {Children: or, Sirs}

Matthew 9:2, 22

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

1 Timothy 1:2

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:2

2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Titus 1:4

4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

1 Corinthians 4:15

15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

1 John 2:1

1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 5:21

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Footnote:

See Judges 13:12. No ancient system, so fully as the Bible, recognizes the Mother's just and equal claims. Compare 6:20; 15:20; 20:20; 23:22; 30:17. Leviticus 19:3. Deuteronomy 21:18-21. Cartwright observes, that the names of Mothers of good and bad kings are mentioned in Kings and Chronicles, as partakers in their credit or reproach. See also Ecclesiasticus 3:1-16.

Judges 13:12

12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? {How shall we order...: Heb. What shall be the manner of the, etc} {how shall we do...: or, what shall he do?: Heb. what shall be his work?}

Proverbs 6:20

20 ¶ My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 15:20

20 ¶ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 20:20

20 ¶ Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. {lamp: or, candle}

Proverbs 23:22

22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Proverbs 30:17

17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. {the valley: or, the brook}

Leviticus 19:3.

3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

18 ¶ If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Ecclesiasticus. 3:1-16.

1 The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love. 2 Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved. 3 For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children. 4 He that loveth God shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days. 5 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure. 6 He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard. 7 He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father shall be a comfort to his mother. 8 He that feareth the Lord honoureth his parents, an will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world. 9 Honour thy father in work and word, and all patience, 10 That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end. 11 The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation. 12 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee. 13 For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son. 14 Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life; 15 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten. 16 For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother:

2 Timothy 1:5

5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2 Timothy 3:14, 15

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 35:8-10, 18

8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; 9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: 10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. 18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:

Genesis 46:29

29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

Genesis 48:12

12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

Footnote:

1 Kings 2:19, 20. See also Queen Esther's respect for Mordecai, her reputed father — 2:20.

1 Kings 2:19, 20

19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand. 20 Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.

Esther 2:20

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Compare

Proverbs 4:9

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. {a crown...: or, she shall compass thee with a crown of glory}

with

Genesis 41:39, 42

39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou: 42 And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of {1} fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; {1) Or cotton}

1 Peter 5:5

5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Romans 13:14

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Luke 2:51

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

with

Hebrews 1:6

6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. {again...: or, when he bringeth again}

John 19:27

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Philippians 4:9-19

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 ¶ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. {hath...: or, is revived} 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. {I have all: or, I have received all} 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-13.

7 ¶ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 ¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.