Bridges on Proverbs 28:25
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:25
 
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25.  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
 
The contrast between the proud, and him that trusteth in the LORD, is very remarkable. It shews, that pride is the root of unbelief. The man, having cast off God, expects nothing, fears nothing, from him. He lives as if there was no God. His proud heart is large; not, like the wise man's, in fullness of capacity (1 Kings 4:29), but in ambitious grasp, and insatiable appetite. Never is he content within his own bounds. In the world he would be a Haman (Esther 3:1, 2), in the church a Diotrephes — one “loving to have the pre-eminence.” (3 John 9.) It is his nature to stir up strife. Every one that does not accord with his own opinion of himself, is supposed to be wanting in respect. Thus “by pride cometh contention.” (Chapter 13:10.) And always will there be some thorn of mortified ambition (Esther 5:11-13), or some fresh craving of unsatisfied desire (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11), wasting him, so that he “fadeth away in his ways.” (James 1:11.) What an empty shadow of fugitive happiness! So contrary to the fatness of him, that putteth his trust in the LORD. (Chapter 16:20. Psalm 84:12. Jeremiah 17:7, 8.) ‘He shall be filled with good and solid things.’
Christian! Dread the occasions of stirring up strife — the canker of vital godliness. Keep near to thy Lord. It was when the disciples were talking together by the way, instead of walking in immediate communion with their Master, that strife was stirred up. (Mark 9:33, 34.) Does not this point to the grand preservative? Let it be thine element and thy joy. Here alone we cherish the life of faith. And truly — as Luther says — ‘Faith is a precious thing.’ (Compare 2 Peter 1:1.) It rolls away all disquieting care. (1 Peter 5:7.) Our cause is with him, and we are at rest. (Psalm 37:5-7.) How much more, when the great burden is removed! ‘Smite, Lord, smite; for thou hast pardoned.’ “Healed with the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, we shall be made fat, as the calves of the stall.” (Malachi 4:2. Isaiah 58:11.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Kings 4:29
29 ¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
 
 
Footnote:
Heb. Holden. Dathe.
 
 
Esther 3:1, 2
1 ¶ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
 
 
3 John 9.
9 ¶ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
 
 
Proverbs 13:10
10 ¶ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
 
 
Esther 5:11-13
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11
10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
 
 
James 1:11
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
 
 
Proverbs 16:20
20 ¶ He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. {handleth...: or, understandeth a matter}
 
Psalm 84:12
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
 
Jeremiah 17:7, 8
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. {drought: or, restraint}
 
 
Footnote:
Diodati.
 
 
Mark 9:33, 34
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
 
 
2 Peter 1:1
1 ¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: {Simon: or, Symeon} {God...: Gr. of our God and Saviour}
 
 
1 Peter 5:7
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
 
 
Psalm 37:5-7
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. {Commit...: Heb. Roll thy way upon} 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 ¶ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. {Rest in: Heb. Be silent to}
 
 
Malachi 4:2
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
 
Isaiah 58:11
11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. {drought: Heb. droughts} {fail: Heb. lie, or, deceive}