Pro Rege

Extracted from Charles Bridges, Commentary on Proverbs, iii. 16-18

Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour; 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

—Proverbs 3:16-18

Behold this heavenly Queen dispensing her blessings! Her right hand presents the promise of both worlds (Prov. 3:2; Ps. 91:16; 1 Tim. 6:8)—the rich enjoyment of the world’s lawful comforts (1 Tim. 6:17), and the yet higher joy of serving the Lord and his church — a privilege for which the Apostle was content for a while to be detained from heaven. (Phil. 1:23, 24.) Add length of days for eternity to the balance; and the amount sets at nought all computation. Her left hand offers riches and honour, so far as may be for her children’s good; yet in their highest splendour, only a faint shadow of her more “durable riches,” and of the honour of a heavenly crown.

But what say we of her ways? Is she a sullen matron, who entertains her followers only on sighs and tears; so that to obtain the joys of the next life, we must bid eternal adieu to the contents of this life; ‘we must never more expect a cheerful hour, a clear day, a bright thought to shine upon us?’ This is the world’s creed —a slander of the great forger of lies, to deter us from wisdom’s ways. They must be ways of pleasantness, because “Thus saith the Lord.” And if we feel them not to be so, we know them not.

The man of pleasure utterly mistakes both his object and his pursuit. The only happiness worth seeking is found here; that which will live in all circumstances, and abide the ceaseless changes of this mortal life. The ways may be dark and lonely; yet how does the sunshine of reconciliation beam upon their entrance! Every step is lighted from above, and strewed with promises; a step in happiness, a step to heaven. Wisdom’s work is its own reward (Ps. 19:11; Isa. 32:17)—strictness without bondage. (Matt. 11:29, 30.) God rules children, not slaves. They work neither from compulsion, nor for hire; but from an ingenuous principle of gratitude to their Benefactor; filial delight in their Father. Pleasant therefore must be the labour—yea—the sacrifices—of love; short the path; cheerful the way, when the heart goes freely in it.

It is saying far too little, that the trials of those ways are not inconsistent with their pleasantness. They are the very principles of the most elevated pleasure. ‘The verdict of Christ,’—says Dr. South—‘makes the discipline of self-denial and the cross—those terrible blows to flesh and blood—the indispensable requisite to the being his disciples.’ And yet, paradoxical as it may appear, in this deep gloom is the sunshine of joy. For if our natural will be “enmity to God” (Rom. 8:7), it must be the enemy to our own happiness. Our pleasure, therefore, must be to deny, not to indulge it; to mortify sinful appetites, that only “bring forth fruit unto death.” (Rom 7:5.) Even what may be called the austerities of godliness are more joyous than “the pleasures of sin.” Far better to cross the will, than to wound the conscience. The very chains of Christ are glorious. (Acts 5:41, 42; 16:24, 25). Moses endured not “his reproach” as a trial. He esteemed it as a treasure—greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” (Heb. 11:26.) Our principles are never more consoling than when we are making a sacrifice for them. Hannah yielded up her dearest earthly joy. But did she sink under the trial? Did she grudge the sacrifice? “Hannah prayed and said—My heart rejoiceth in the Lord” (1 Sam. i. 26; ii. 1); while—to show that none serve him for nought—for one child that was resigned, five were added. (1 Sam. 2:20, 21.)

In fact, the world have no just conception of the real character of wisdom’s ways. Religion to them is associated with cold, heartless forms and irksome restraints—much to do, but nothing to enjoy. But they only see half the prospect. They see what religion takes away.

But they see not what it gives. They cannot discern, that, while it denies sinful, it abounds in spiritual, pleasures. We drudge in the ways of sin. But we “shall sing in the ways of the Lord.” (Isa. 57:10; with Ps. 138:5.) Here is the only thing below worth the name of joy—solid—abiding—overflowing—satisfying (Hab. 3:18)—God’s own joy. (John 15:11, 17:13.) It is not a mere impulse of vapid sentimentalism, but a principle of Christian energy, invigorating for duty, supporting for trial. (Neh. 8:10.) Here, then, “we have less toil, and reap more fruit.” For will not any reasonable man, upon the hearing of the names of the things only, presently yield, that “love, joy, peace, and gentleness,” which are “fruits of the Spirit,” are far more lovely, more easy, fuller of sweetness and calmness, less vexatious, than are “hatreds, emulations, murders,” and those other “works of the flesh?”

But ways of pleasantness are not always safe. Yet all wisdom’s paths are peace. The deadly breach is healed. The cloud vanishes. Heaven smiles. And peace, the Saviour’s last bequest, is realised even in the heat of “this world’s tribulation.” (John 16:33.) “The feet are shod” for the rugged path “with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.” (Eph. 6:15; with Deut. 33:25.) The subjugation of the will, the sorrow of contrition, the weariness of the cross—all end in peace. (Ps. 37:37; Isa. 57:2, 20, 21.)

Yet nothing can make wisdom’s ways palatable to a carnal mind. “They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh;” so that, as “they cannot please God,” God’s ways cannot please them. (Rom. 8:5, 8) Nor again—though wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness, are wisdom’s children always happy. Sometimes a naturally morose temper gives a gloomy tinge to religion. Professors forget, that it is no matter of option, whether they should be happy or not; that it is their obligation no less than their privilege to be so; that the commands of God on this duty carry weight, and demand obedience. The prophets in the burst of their rapture search heaven and earth, bring forth the most beautiful objects of nature; nay—call the inanimate creation into glowing sympathy with the joys of the Gospel. (Ps. 96:11-13, 98; Isa. 44:23, 55:12-13.) A rejoicing spirit is the character of the servants of God (Phil. 3:3; Acts 2:46, 47), specially in affliction. (2 Cor. 6:10, 8:2; 1 Pet. 1:6-8.) Has there not been some deviation from wisdom’s paths? Thy God calls thee to search, to humble thyself, to return. (Jer. 2:17-19; Hos. 515, 6:1.)

Lastly—to the glory, beauty, and fruitfulness of wisdom, the Paradise of God alone can furnish the full counterpart. (Rev. 2:7.) ‘The tree of life was the means ordained of God for the preservation of lasting life, and continual vigour and health, before man sinned. So true wisdom maintains man in the spiritual life of God’s grace, and the communion of his Spirit’ Once our way was barred up, and none could touch her. (Gen. 3:22-24.) Now our way is opened to her in a better paradise. (Heb. 10:19-22.) We “sit down under her shadow with great delight.” Her branches bend down upon this world of sin and misery. Her clusters hang within the reach of the youngest child, and “the fruit is sweet to the taste” (Cant. 2:3); sweeter than ever man tasted, since he became an exile from Eden. For what is so refreshing, as near communion with God; access to him; boldness in his presence; admission to his most holy delights? And if the earthly shadow and fruit be so rich, what will be “on the other side of the river,”— her monthly fruits, her healing leaves! (Rev. 22:2.) And yet only the weeping, wrestling soul can lay hold upon the beloved object (Gen. 32:26-28; Hos. 12:3, 4), and embrace it, in despite of all the enemy’s struggle to loosen the grasp. (Matt. 11:12.) And even, when Almighty power has enabled us to lay hold, the same continual miracle of grace, the same continually-renewed effort of faith, is needed to retain it. (1 Tim. 6:12.) There must be “continuance in the ways” (Isa. 64:5. John 8:31); “settled, rooted, and grounded” (Col. 1:23, 2:7); “keeping the works;” holding the beginning of our confidence steadfast “unto the end.” (Rev. 2:26; Heb. 3:6, 14.) Happy is every one that retaineth her. The promises are “to him that overcometh.” (Rev. 2:3.) God honours perseverance in the weakest saint.

This lovely description of wisdom’s blessing is no fancy picture, but Divine reality. Rest not, till thine heart is filled with its substance. Take it to the Lord in prayer; and ere long, thou shalt rejoice in thy portion.