Bridges on Proverbs 12:1
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 12:1
 
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1.  Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
 
INSTRUCTION, as the contrast teaches, chiefly implies discipline (Judges 8:16. Jeremiah 6:8) — that most needful course for acquiring spiritual knowledge. (Psalm 119:67, 71.) For so contrary is it to our proud hearts, that the submission of the will is our only road to Christian attainment. (Matthew 18:3, 4.) Yet the value of this attainment abundantly covers the cost. (Philippians 3:8.) A faithful Ministry, therefore, is a most valuable blessing; and all instructive discipline may well be loved as “the way of life.” (Chapter 9:8. Psalm 141:5, with chapter 6:23. Compare Psalm 16:7; 94:12; Jeremiah 31:18.)
But that irritable pride, that hates reproof, as if it were an affront to be told of our faults, argues not only want of grace (Chapter 10:17; 15:10), but want of understanding — brutish folly (Isaiah 1:3. Jeremiah 8:7): ‘like the horse, which bites and kicks at the man, who performs a painful operation upon him; though absolutely necessary for removing a dangerous distemper. He is surely a brute, and not a rational creature, who has swallowed poison, and will rather suffer it to take its course, than admit the necessary relief of medicine, lest he should be obliged to confess his folly, in exposing himself to the need of it.’† O for a teachable spirit to “sit at the feet of our Divine Master,” and learn of Him!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Judges 8:16
16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. {taught: Heb. made to know}
 
Jeremiah 6:8
8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. {depart: Heb. be loosed, or, disjointed}
 
 
Psalm 119:67, 71
67 ¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 71 ¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
 
 
Matthew 18:3, 4
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
 
 
Philippians 3:8
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
 
 
Proverbs 9:8
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
 
Psalm 141:5
5 ¶ Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. {me; it shall be a...: or, me kindly, and reprove me; let not their precious oil break, etc}
 
with
Proverbs 6:23
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: {lamp: or, candle}
 
Compare
Psalm 16:7
7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
 
Psalm 94:12
12 ¶ Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
 
Jeremiah 31:18
18 ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 10:17
17 ¶ He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. {erreth: or, causeth to err}
 
Proverbs 15:10
10 ¶ Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. {Correction: or, Instruction}
 
 
Isaiah 1:3
3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
 
Jeremiah 8:7
7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
 
 
Footnote:
Lawson in loco. Compare Psalm 32:9.
 
 
Psalm 32:9
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.