Bridges on Proverbs 17:1
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 17:1
 
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1.  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
 
THE allusion is to the Jewish ordinance of feasting at home upon the remains of the sacrifices. A house full of sacrifices was therefore a house of plentiful provision. Yet when the spirit of love does not rule, self predominates, the fruitful source of strife and confusion. Well may the Christian be content with his dry and quiet morsel, to be delivered from such jarrings. ‘Holy love, found in a cottage,’ is better than the most luxurious feast in the palaces of strife. (Chapter 15:17.) The happiness is not adding to our condition, but straitening our desires, and proportioning them to our condition. The secret dew of the Lord's blessing brings the rich gain of godly quietness (1 Timothy 6:6) and contentment, and provides a satisfied meal, and a well-furnished house in the poorest dwelling.
The marriage-feast perhaps was comparatively a dry morsel. Yet was this a feast of love better than the Pharisee's house, full of sacrifices with strife. Would we then enjoy our temporal mercies? Welcome the Savior to them. Cherish his Spirit. Eye his glory in their enjoyment. The scanty fare or the more abundant store will be alike blessed with the token of his presence, and the seal of his everlasting love.
Ponder every thought that may quiet to contentment. If you have not so many comforts as you had, or as you might have, or as others less deserving enjoy; yet have you not far more than you deserve? Might not a larger abundance have tempted you to forget God, and to live for the world? Will not the remembrance of the earthly lot which thy Savior chose, turn every thought of discontent into the adoring rapture of thankfulness and love? Such is the “great gain of godliness with contentment.”
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Leviticus 7:16; 19:6. 1 Samuel 9:24.
 

 
Leviticus 7:16
16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
 
Leviticus 19:6
6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.
 
1 Samuel 9:24
24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. {left: or, reserved}
 
 
Footnote:
 
 
Proverbs 15:17
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:6
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 
 
Footnote:
John 2:1-3, with Luke 7:36-39; 11:37, 38, 45, 53.
 

 
John 2:1-3
1 ¶ And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
 
with
Luke 7:36-39
36 ¶ And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
 
Luke 11:37, 38, 45, 53
37 ¶ And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. 38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. 45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. 53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: