Category: Bible

The Blessing of the Lord – Part 1

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Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 

‘Blessing of the LORD, it makes rich.’ Five examples of the Lord making rich: Abraham (Gen. 24:1); Isaac (Gen. 25:11; 26:12); Jacob (Gen. 28:4; 30:27); Solomon (1Kin. 3:13); Job (Job 42:10).

There are 750 promises in the New Testament, but only 250 separate benefits (blessings) because many of the promises are repeated in different books. These blessings are Forgiveness of sins (Matt. 6:14; 12:31; 18:35; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 5:24; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 26:18; Rom. 3:25; 4:7-8; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1Jn. 1:9; 2:12)Salvation from sin (Matt. 1:21). Salvation by grace through faith, not of works (Rom. 3:24-31; Eph. 2:8-9; 2Thess. 2:13; Tit. 2:11-12). The simplicity of salvation (Rom. 10:9-10; 1Cor. 15:2; 1Jn. 1:9; 2Thess. 2:13). Salvation of the lost (Matt. 18:11; Luke 5:32; John 5:25; 10:9; Rev. 22:17). Filling of righteousness (Matt. 5:6; Luke 6:21). Conversion upon obedience (Matt. 13:15; Acts 3:19; Jas. 5:19-20). Fruitfulness (John 15:5; 2Pet. 1:8). The Holy Spirit in a measure (John 16:7-13; Rom. 8:14-16) and in all fullness (Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 7:37-39; 14:12-18, 26; 15:26; Acts 1:8; 2:16-21, 38-39; 5:32). Guidance (John 16:13-15). Joy, righteousness, and peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17).

To be continued…

The Just vs the Wicked

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Proverbs 10:20-21 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. 

‘The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.’ What a just man speaks is like silver, but what comes out of the heart of a wicked man is like worthless dross. A gentle tongue speaks truth and life, but a piercing tongue kills the soul (15:4). 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 (Jas. 3:6). Salvation alone can help a man control the tongue (2Cor. 5:17-18).

‘Feed many’ – They shepherd or instruct many. Six examples of godly instruction: Job (Job 4:3-4; 29:21-22); David (Ps. 78:70-72); Peter (Acts 4:1-4); Philip (Acts 8:5-8); Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:32-35); Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32-33).

‘Fools die for want of wisdom.’ Three examples of fools dying: are Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50); Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20-25) and the rich fool (Luke 12:16-26).

Refrains His Lips

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Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise.

‘In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise.’ It is unusual for one to talk constantly without sinning and defaming someone’s character. The control of the tongue is a show of wisdom.

‘Wants not sin.’ Three examples of sinning by talking too much: Job (Job 32:2; 34:5, 12; 35:16; 42:3); Job’s comforters (Job 32:3; 42:7-8); Idle widows (1Tim. 5:13).

‘Refrains his lips is wise.’ Even a fool is considered a wise one if he knows when and where to speak, and a so-called wise man is considered a fool if he does not know when to hold his tongue (17:28).

Three things about speaking evil: Commands against it (Exo. 22:28; Eph. 4:25-31). Shortens life (Ps. 34:13; 1Pet. 3:9-10). Brings sure judgment (Ps. 12:3-4; Matt. 12:36-37; 1Cor. 6:10).

Three examples of wisdom in speaking: Eleazar (Gen. 24:21; cp. Pro. 15:28); Aaron (Lev. 10:3); Saul (1Sam. 10:27; cp. Pro. 11:12).

Lying and Slander

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Proverbs 10:18 He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool. 

‘He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.’ A fool hides resentment, plots, and even murder in his heart by lies and pretensions of holding no ill feelings over injuries received. He that slanders is also a fool.

‘Hatred’ enmity (Luke 23:12; Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2:15-16; Jas. 4:4); hatred (Gal. 5:20). Bitter dislike, abhorrence, malice and ill will against anyone; tendency to hold grudges against or be angry at someone. Hatred seeks an occasion to provoke enmity and delights in brawls (10:12).

‘Lying lips’ One of the six things the LORD hates and that is an abomination unto Him is a lying tongue (6:16-17). A lying tongue hates those who are afflicted by it. He that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury he has done him. The one who does the wrong seldom if ever feels kindly toward those he has hurt. The debtor cannot bear the sight of a creditor, nor a robber of those whom he has robbed. Only in Christ is this law broken (26:28).

Two kinds of tongues and destinies (Jas. 3:1-18; 1Pet. 3:10-11). Twelve things about the tongue (Jas. 3:5-14): It is a little member (Jas. 3:5), that boasts great things. It is a fire (Jas. 3:6), a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature. It is untameable (Jas. 3:7-8), an unruly evil and full of deadly poison. It is used to bless God and curse men (Jas. 3:9). Capable of good conversation (Jas. 3:13) and capable of bitter strife (Jas. 3:14).

The Way of Life

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Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life that keeps instruction: but he that refuses reproof errs. 

‘He is in the way of life that keeps instruction: but he that refuses reproof errs.’ The righteous man accumulates knowledge to serve God better, but the wicked refuse correction and instruction. He who heeds advice shall be a companion of the wise (15:31). A rebuke does more good to a wise man than a hundred stripes to a dense or stupid man (17:10) because they hate instruction, and their hearts despise reproof (5:12). 

2Timothy 3:16-17 states that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Those who hate reproof or correction will never be instructed in righteousness, be perfect or thoroughly furnished unto all good works. The Word of God means nothing to them and thus has no purpose or place in their lives.

Three characteristics of the wicked (Isa. 26:10): He will not learn righteousness when favour is given to him. He will deal unjustly with neighbours. He will refuse to recognize God in all His merciful dealings with him.

Rich vs Poor

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Proverbs 10:15-16 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labour of the righteous tends to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. 

‘Wealth is his strong city.’ Literally, wealth is the city of his strength. Psalms 49:6-7 warns that those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches have no power to redeem someone. Trusting and boasting in riches is a fool’s confidence and it soon vanishes.

God gives power to get wealth, so it is not sinful in itself. It is the misuse of wealth – its use contrary to God’s will – that constitutes sin.

God sanctions wealth and riches for the righteous man (Ps. 112:3). How foolish to condemn riches and class rich men as wicked just because of their prosperity. Wealth is a blessing if used as God intended. It was God’s original plan that all men be prosperous and use all things in creation for their own good and God’s glory. It is still God’s purpose, and when the Messiah reigns every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree, which indicates there will be universal peace and prosperity (Isa. 2:2-4; 65:20-25; Mic. 4:1-8).

‘Destruction of the poor is their poverty.’ A poor man lives in destruction. Poor is the Hebrew word dal and means weak. “Poverty” is the Hebrew word reysh meaning want or need. Poverty and shame come to him that rejects correction, but honour to him that profits by his mistakes (13:18). Poverty also comes to those who love sleep more than they should because it makes you lazy (20:13). Be alert and diligent in business and you will prosper.

Poverty shall come over those who: reject correction (13:18); to those who are lazy (20:13); to drunks and gluttons (23:21); those who follow after vain persons (28:19) and he that is in a hurry to be rich (28:22).  

The prayer of the wise (30:8-9): Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 

‘The labour of the righteous tends to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.’ The righteous labour to support life, but the wicked live to produce sin. They live to satisfy their appetites.

Understanding

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Proverbs 10:13-14 In the lips of him that has understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 

‘But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.’ The rod is an instrument of knowledge if properly applied. Any form of consequence (as a rod) can open the ears of understanding for the righteous but not for the wicked (Isa. 26:9-10).

‘Wise men lay up knowledge.’ Practical holiness is shown to spring from truth and faith in God. One cannot grow into Christ, but he may grow in knowledge, experience, and fullness of grace benefits by being in Christ and walking in the light (Col. 1:23; 2:6-7; 3:1-17). Knowledge is also a true understanding of the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10; Pro. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; Isa. 11:2; 1Cor. 12:8) and wise men will always exercise this truth in all their ways. Proverbs 28:5 states that they who seek the LORD understand all things.

It is God’s will that everyone comes to the knowledge of the truth (1Tim. 2:4; 2Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12). He gives knowledge to all who obey His commandments (Ps. 111:10; 119:66). To know God and His Word is more profitable to an individual than multiplied wealth (Ps. 119:72, 75). Man, following the example of the Messiah (Christ), learns that the true source of wisdom and knowledge is God and His Word (Ps. 119:97-104). To get to know God we have to study His Word (His words given to us in written form) – because it is the foundation of good judgment and knowledge (Ps. 119:66, 130).

‘A fool will repeat them everywhere and cause strife.’ A fool tries to force his knowledge on others – no matter how good, correct or righteous the knowledge is, strife will follow when knowledge is forced on anyone.

Hatred vs Love

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Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins. 

‘Hatred stirs up strifes.’ Hatred seeks an occasion to provoke enmity and delights in brawls, but love is conciliatory and removes all occasions for trouble.

Three examples of stirring up strife: are Ishmael (Gen. 21:9-14); Esau (Gen. 27:41-42); and the Jews (Acts 13:50; 14:2-4; 17:5-13).

‘Love covers all sins.’ Love here refers to forgiveness – to forgive someone’s sin is part of love just as God’s love includes forgiveness of sin – it never states that love allows or approves sin. Without repentance – a real change of mind and attitude toward sin and its cause, not merely the consequences of it (Matt. 3:8, 11; 9:13; Luke 24:47) no one can receive forgiveness. Forgiveness and restoration to grace show that seeking God, repentance, praying, confession of sin, and meeting other conditions are required of men who backslide. All scriptures require reinstatement with God when sin is committed (Ps. 51:1-19; Isa. 1:16-20; 55:7; 59:1-2; Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; 24:47; Acts 2:38-39; 3:19; 26:18; Rom. 2:4-7; 3:24-31; 6:1-23; 8:1-13; 1Cor. 1:18-24; 9:27; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 3:5-10; Rev. 2:5; etc.). The term “blot out” means to erase, as a debt from a book. Confession is always a condition of forgiveness (Luke 13:3, 5; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9).

Four examples of love covering sins: Joseph (Gen. 40:15; 45:5-8); David (2Sam. 1:1-27); Jesus Christ (Luke 23:34; John 20-21); and Paul (Phm. 1:9-21).

Life vs Violence

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Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 

‘The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life.’ A gentle tongue speaks truth and life. A well is a spring or fountain (Mark 5:29; Jas. 3:11-12; Rev. 7:17; 8:10; 14:7; 16:4; 21:6); and well (John 4:6, 14; 2Pet. 2:17).

Sixteen sources of life: The tree of life (Pro. 15:4). The path of life (Ps. 16:11; Pro. 5:6). The fountain of life (Ps. 36:9; Pro. 13:14; 14:27; Rev. 7:17). The well of life (Pro. 10:11; John 4:14). The way of life (Pro. 10:17; 15:24). The wellspring of life (Pro. 16:22). The bread of life (John 6:35). The ways of life (Acts 2:28). The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15). The Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2; Rev. 11:1-19). The savour of life (2Cor. 2:16). The Word of life (Php. 2:16; 1Jn. 1:1-10). The promise of life (2Tim. 1:1). The hope of life (Tit. 3:7). The grace of life (1Pet. 3:7). The water of life (Rev. 22:1; 17).

‘But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.’ The second time this is used in this chapter (10:6, 11). In Psalms 11:5 we read that the Lord’s soul hates the wicked and him that loves violence and in Psalms 140 we see David’s earnest prayer to be delivered and preserved from the evil violent man, thus giving us an example to believe that God will do the same for us if we adhere to the consecration laws as stated throughout Scripture (Ps. 1:1-6; 6:8; 26:4-5; Rom. 16:17; 1Cor. 5:9-13; 2Cor. 6:14 – 7:1; 2Tim. 3:2-5; 1Jn. 2Jn. 1:9-11 etc).

Upright vs Perverted

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Proverbs 10:9-10 He that walks uprightly walks surely: but he that perverted his ways shall be known. He that winks with the eye causes sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. 

‘Walks uprightly walks surely.’ He is never afraid of detection, because he never acts in deceit. Twelve characteristics of the righteous: They walk uprightly – without blame. They work righteousness. They speak truth inwardly. They are free from backbiting (Ps. 15:3). They do no evil to neighbours. They receive no reproach about neighbours. They hold vile people condemned (Ps. 15:4). They honour them that fear the Lord. They keep their word even to own hurt. They take no advantage of one in need to increase riches (Ps. 15:5). They refuse bribes. They protect the innocent.

‘But he that perverts his ways shall be known.’ Folly is a joy to fools, but wise men walk sensibly (15:21). Proverbs 28:18 states that he that walks uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. This is the secret of being saved or backsliding.

Two examples of being discovered: Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50). Diotrephes (3Jn. 1:9-10)

Korah the Levite, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath (Ex. 6:18, 21, 24), began a rebellion against Moses, with Dathan and Abiram cooperating, because they wanted more authority in the congregation and contended that Moses and Aaron had too much. They caused 250 of Israel’s chief princes to rebel (Num. 16:1-3). Ultimately, 14,700 died (Num. 16:49) besides the original rebels and their families (Num. 16:29-34), and the 250 princes (Num. 16:35). Perhaps Korah felt slighted because Elizaphan, who was of the younger branch of Kohathites, was made head of all Kohathites (Num. 3:27, 30). Korah camped among the Kohathites next to Reuben on the south of the tabernacle which made it convenient to talk over grievances. Reubenites were perhaps discontented because their birthright had been taken away from them and they had not been given what they considered their proper place among the tribes. Korah’s object was not to abolish the distinction between the Levites and the people, but to win the priesthood for himself and his kinsmen (Num. 16:10). This design was hidden under the pretext that all the people were holy and should be equal.

Who Diotrephes was is unknown. Regarding character, he is known as being proud, ambitious, exclusive, malicious, inhospitable, despotic, and rebellious against apostolic authority (3Jn. 1:9-10).