Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Hated Instruction

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Proverbs 5:11-14 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. 

‘And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed.’ She will bring you down in remorse and physical suffering. In this remorse, you will become awakened to your foolishness (5:12-13).

‘Mourn’ [Hebrew: naham] is the most excessive kind of mourning because of physical suffering.

‘Body’ [Hebrew: she’er] its root, sha’ar refers to the remains of anything. Here it applies to what is left of the diseased body of a man brought down to death by a life of debauchery.

‘How have I hated instruction.’ Those who live with their consequences and in lives that are broken and sometimes beyond repair because of continuous iniquities are guilty of hating instruction. They don’t follow any godly advice (20:18; Ps. 1:1) and hate to ask for it, for they are almost always wise in their own eyes (3:7; Rom. 11:25). God’s Word is perfect in converting the soul and it makes the simple wise (Ps. 19:7). It is the Wisdom we should hear, walk in and obey (8:32,34; Ps. 119:2).

‘I was almost in all evil.’ Literally, I soon became an evil man. To follow in the ways of those who do not serve God always leads to apostasy (1Jn. 2:15-17).

Down to Death

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Proverbs 5:4-10 But her [strange woman] end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou can not know them. Hear me now therefore, O you children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger 

‘Death’ [Hebrew: maveth] means death to the body, or the separation of the soul from the body (Jas. 2:26).

‘Hell’ [Hebrew: She’owl] is the place of the soul, not of the body.

‘Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou can not know them.’ She keeps you from reflecting on your present conduct and its end, for she constantly changes her allurements to trap you. You cannot conceive of all her tricks and wiles.

‘Remove thy way far from her.’ Fifteen reasons to stay away from a moral-less woman: She is an apostate (5:3). She is deceptive. She is a flatterer. Her end is like wormwood (a bitter taste, 5:4). Her end is destructive. Her feet go down to death (5:5). Her steps lay hold of hell. Her ways are unpredictable (5:6). She will ruin your reputation (5:9). She will cause years of trouble. She will bring material ruin (5:10). She will ruin your health (5:11). She will bring remorse (5:12-13). She will reduce to wickedness (5:14). She will cause eternal ruin (5:23).

‘Thy years unto the cruel.’ Your years will end in suffering.

‘Labours be in the house of a stranger.’ She will own what you have laboured for.

A Strange Woman

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Proverbs 5:1-3 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou may regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 

‘Attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding.’ Again the repetitive warning (4:1, 20; 5:1; 7:24) to obey godly instruction and reproof, no one will have an excuse one day to say they didn’t know (Hos. 4:6) – knowledge and wisdom have always been available to those who ask and seek it truly (Matt. 7:7-8; 21:22; John 15:7; Jas. 1:5-8; 1Jn. 3:22; 5:14-16).

‘Discretion’ [Hebrew: mezimmah] used in a good sense of judgment and discretion (1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2). Translated as “intents” (Jer. 30:24) “thought” (Job 42:2; Ps. 10:4; Jer. 23:20) and “devices” in a wicked sense (Job 21:27; Ps. 10:2; 21:11; 37:7; Pro. 12:2; 14:17; Jer. 51:11).

‘Strange woman’ – Two words are used of “strange” and “stranger”: zuwr meaning an apostate Israelite woman gone over to the idolatrous impurities of heathen religion (2:16-19) and nokriy, a purely foreign woman of a similar character that was apostate to a foreign religion of which prostitution was a part to make converts. Such religions were always a snare to Israel (Num. 25:1-18).

Remove Thy Foot From Evil – Part 2

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Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. 

‘Ponder the path of thy feet.’ A repetitive warning to trust in the Lord completely and not to lean on our own understanding, to acknowledge Him in all our ways and thus enable Him to direct us in our daily lives (3:5-7). Seven examples of pondering the right path: Abraham (Gen. 24:1-9); Eleazar (Gen. 24:5); Joshua (Jos. 24:15); Ruth (Rth. 1:16-18); David (Ps. 39:1); The good wife (Pro.31:27); Daniel (Dan. 1:8; 6:3-4).

‘Remove thy foot from evil.’ Six physical parts to be controlled: To keep one’s heart with all diligence (4:23). To put away the froward mouth (4:24). To put away perverse lips. To look straight with the eyes (4:25). To look straight with the eyelids. To guide one’s feet in righteousness (4:26-27).

The tongue is the smallest member that causes the most destruction in our lives and gets its encouragement from thoughts that are not godly and according to His Word (2Cor. 10:3-6; Php. 4:8; Col. 3:2: Eph. 4:22-23; 6:17; Jas. 1:14-15). Salvation alone can help a man control the tongue (2Cor. 5:17-18).

The circle of human life is continually excited by the tongue unless it is kept sanctified. Evil surmisings, misrepresentations, falsehoods, jealousies, envyings, wrath, and malice, all form part of the destroying flames of fire from the tongue of the ungodly. The whole course of life is set on fire in hell. This refers to the anger and violent passions of wrath related to the vile language of the tongue. It also pictures the confusion and misery caused by the tongue – like the misery of hell.

Twelve things about the tongue (Jas. 3:1-12): A little member. Boasts great things. Is a fire. A world of iniquity. It defiles the whole body. Sets on fire the course of nature. It is untameable. An unruly evil. Full of deadly poison. Used to bless God and curse men. Capable of good conversation. Capable of bitter strife.

Remove Thy Foot From Evil – Part 1

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Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. 

‘Keep thy heart with all diligence.’ Above all, guard the heart from going astray, for out of it are the issues of life. The reference is not only to the arteries which carry the blood to all parts of the body but also to the evil and good deeds that come from the heart (centre) of man. (Mark 7:19-21). When one keeps the heart from evil – what we read, listen to or look at – it is an easy matter to obey the other commands of this passage (4:23-27).

‘Froward mouth and perverse lips.’ A perverse mouth is referred to in a threefold way: Froward speaking (2:12). Froward mouth (4:24; 6:12). Perverse lips (4:24).

This covers all the speaking faculties and their sinful exercise. Every idle word will be judged (Matt. 12:36-37).

‘Eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight.’ The eyes and eyelids must be kept from sin – what we look at (1Jn. 2:15-17).

Life and Health

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Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh. 

‘Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.’ Again the repetitive warning (4:1, 20; 5:1; 7:24) to obey godly instruction and reproof.

‘For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh.’ Four secrets of health and eternal life: Attend to my words (4:20). Incline your ears to my sayings. Constantly look into God’s Word (Ps. 1:2-3; Jas. 1:21-27; 2Tim. 3:16). Keep the Word in the heart (4:21; Rom. 1:16; 10:17). These secrets are life and health to all who find and obey them (Ps. 91:1-16; 107:20; John 15:7; Rom. 1:16).

‘Health [Hebrew: marpe’] Translated as “health” (4:22; 12:18; 13:17; 16:24; Jer. 8:15); as “healing” (Jer. 14:19; Mal. 4:2); “cure” (Jer. 33:6); “remedy” (2Chr. 36:16; Pro. 6:15; 29:1); “sound” (14:30); and “wholesome” (15:4). That physical health and healing are referred to is clear in all these passages. Here, it states “health to all their flesh,” not spirit. When Christians awake to their full rights in the gospel they can have a healthy body as well as soul (3Jn. 1:2; 1Pet. 2:24; Matt. 8:16-17; Jas. 5:14-16).

Shining Light… Darkness

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Proverbs 4:18-19 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 

‘But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.’ This is the 4th prophecy in Proverbs (4:18) being fulfilled.

‘The path of the just.’ Proverbs 4:14-17, verse 19 shows the gloomy, dark, and violent path of the unjust. In verse 18 the bright and luminous path of the just is revealed. This verse is proof that at death the righteous one does not go into a dormant, unconscious state until the resurrection, but his path gets brighter and brighter until he emerges into the full blaze of endless glory (Col. 3:4). Even the wicked continue in consciousness after death (Luke 16:19-31; Isa. 14:9).

Five examples of increasing light to people: Jacob (Gen. 32:24-32; 49:10, 18); Nathaniel (John 1:46-51); Eunuch (Acts 8:27-39); Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48); All Christians (Acts 26:18).

‘The way of the wicked is as darkness.’ Sinners have no way of seeing what lies ahead in their everyday life, except in some small way by their own experience, but they don’t have the light of God (6:23; Ps. 119:105 – His Word) to guide them on their ways and show them the stumbling blocks and they mostly don’t take others advice kindly (9:7-9). Five examples of darkness in the way of the wicked: Korah (Num. 16:16-19); Ahab (1Kin. 16:31); Babylon (Isa. 47:11); Jews (Jer. 5:19, 25; 44:15-23); Gentile world (Rom. 1:21-32).

Enter Not… Avoid It, Pass Not By It

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Proverbs 4:14-17 Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 

‘Enter not into the path of the wicked.’ Do not follow others in their wicked ways, hence the warning about having worldly friendships (1Jn. 2:15-17) and to be in friendship or partnerships with those who do not obey God’s Word in every area of their lives (Ps. 1:1; Jer. 17:5-6; 1Cor. 5:11-13; 2Cor. 6:14-18; 2Jn. 1:9-11).

Three examples of avoiding wicked paths: are the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-19); Joseph (Gen. 39:7-23); and Jesus (Heb. 4:14-16). Three examples of entering wicked paths: Lot (Gen. 13:10-13); Solomon (1Kin. 11:1-8); and Jehoshaphat (2Chr. 18:1; 21:6).

‘Avoid it’ – a warning not to walk in sin [live in sin], the Word warns us to stay away from sin, no one has an excuse for living in sin whatsoever.

‘For they sleep not, except they have done mischief.’ The wicked will not rest if they can not fulfil their wicked calling, thus should we exercise the consecration laws and stay away from them otherwise we will carry the consequences of their sins (Ps. 1:1; 6:8; 26:4-5; Rom. 16:17; 1Cor. 5:9-13; 2Cor. 6:14 – 7:1; 2Tim. 3:2-5; 2Jn. 1:9-11; etc.).

Preserve Thee

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Proverbs 4:6-13 Forsake her not [wisdom], and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour when thou do embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou go, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou run, thou shall not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. 

‘Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee…’ Commanded to preserve God’s Word in our hearts in Proverbs: Retain it (4:4); obey it (3:1; 4:4); study it to get wisdom and understanding and to be happy (3:13, 18; 4:5, 7, 13); do not forget or decline it (3:1, 21; 4:5); do not forsake it, for it shall preserve you (4:2, 6); love it, and it shall keep you (4:6); exalt it and it shall promote you (4:8); embrace it and it shall bring you honour (3:4, 16; 4:8); it shall be an ornament of grace and bring you a crown of glory, as it delivers you (4:9); it will extend your life (3:2, 16; 4:10); you will be lead on the right paths without stumbling (3:6, 23; 4:11-12) and she will give you eternal life (4:13).

Get Wisdom

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Proverbs 4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 

‘Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.’ This is a Biblical command to obey God’s Word that will give us wisdom and understanding and we must never depart from His truth.

‘Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.’ In preserving and loving God’s Word, the enemy will not be able to steal these Truths from our hearts as described by the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:3-9, explained in verses 18-23). We cannot create our own beliefs concerning His Word and ‘cherry-pick’ only that which is acceptable, we must take into account in context which commands were given to whom and when He is talking to Israel as a nation or to Christians. Anything relating to our behaviour and sin, whether Old or New Testament, is still applicable, but things about the Jews (Israel) and the law of Moses with regards to governing Israel, her sabbaths and feasts and rituals have all been fulfilled in the ascension of Jesus Christ as we see in the book written to the Galatians.