Tag: Gospel

Regards Reproof

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Proverbs 13:18  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honoured. 

‘Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honoured.’ Poverty and shame come to him that rejects correction, but an honour to him that profits from his mistakes. The righteous man accumulates knowledge so that he can better serve God, but the wicked refuse correction and instruction because correction is painful to the backslider (10:17; 15:10). He who rejects advice hates his own soul, but the one who profits by it gets wisdom and understanding and shall be a companion of the wise (15:31-32).

True riches: Riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). Riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:18). Unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8). Riches of glory (Eph. 3:16; Rom. 9:23). Riches of His goodness (Rom. 2:4). Riches of wisdom, knowledge (Rom. 11:33). Riches in glory (Php. 4:19). Riches of the glory of the mystery of Christ in you (Col. 1:27). Riches of the full assurance of understanding of God’s mystery (Col. 2:2). Reproach of Christ greater riches than in Egypt (Heb. 11:26).

A Wicked Messenger

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Proverbs 13:17  A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 

‘A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.’ A wicked messenger fails to carry out his duty, but a righteous one brings honour and safety to his king.

Five kinds of words: Appropriate words – words that come naturally, that run smoothly as if upon wheels, that are not forced, and that are without design to hurt are like apples of gold upon carvings of silver (25:11). Reproving words – words of a wise reprover to an obedient ear are like the most beautiful and cherished ornaments of fine gold to a refined and beautiful woman (25:12). Refreshing words – words of a faithful messenger are as refreshing and satisfying as a drink cooled by the snow in the heat of the harvest labour (25:13). Vain words – words of the boaster are as disappointing as clouds without rain (25:14). Kind words – by words of kindness, understanding, and longsuffering a judge is persuaded – as easily as a soft answer overcomes obstinacy in others (25:15).

The Word – Part 2

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Proverbs 13:13-16 Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding gives favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly. 

‘Good understanding gives favour.’ Seven examples of obtaining favour: Abraham (Gen. 23:10-11); Joseph (Gen. 39:2); Joshua (Jos. 6:27); David (1Sam. 18:14); Abigail (1Sam. 25:3, 18-34); Daniel (Dan. 1:8-9; 6:3) and Samuel (1Sam. 2:26)

‘Hard’ [Hebrew: ’eytan] strong, rough. Sinners suffer more pain and hardships in damning their souls than the righteous do following the path of salvation. The way of the transgressor is hard, desolate, and fruitless.

‘Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.’ The wise man does all things with understanding, but a fool opens himself to folly.

‘But a fool lays open his folly.’ Three examples of opening self to folly: Balaam (Num. 22:29-30); Ahasuerus (Est. 3:10-15) and Herod (Matt. 14:7; Mark 6:23).

The Word – Part 1

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Proverbs 13:13-16 Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding gives favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly. 

‘Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed.’ This is the 9th prophecy in Proverbs (13:13) and it is being fulfilled. Four examples of destruction: The world (Gen. 6:1-22; 1Pet. 3:20); Israel (Deut. 28:15-68); Jehoiakim (Jer. 26:20-24) and Amaziah (2Chr. 25:16-27).

‘But he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.’ Four examples of being rewarded: Pharoah’s servants (Ex. 9:20-25). Amaziah (2Chr. 25:6-11). Ebed-melech (Jer. 39:15-18) and Josiah (2Chr. 34:27-30).

‘The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.’ The law is a fountain of life to the wise, for by obedience he escapes the penalty of breaking it.

To be continued…

Hope Deferred

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Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. 

‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.’ Hope, when delayed in its realization, sickens the heart, but when it is realized it comforts and invigorates body and soul.

1Corinthians 15:19 warns that we shouldn’t only have hope in Christ for this life alone, for then we are most miserable because we trust God only for earthly things and blessings instead of Godly things and eternal life.

Eight Christian hopes: Salvation (Rom. 8:20-25; 15:4, 13; 1Thess. 5:8; 2Thess. 2:16; 1Pet. 1:1-25). Righteousness (Gal. 5:5). God’s calling (Eph. 1:18; 4:4). Eternal inheritance (Col. 1:5; Eph. 1:11-18; Heb. 9:15; 1Pet. 1:4). God’s glory (Rom. 5:1-5; Col. 1:27). Resurrection (Acts 23:6; 24:15; 1Thess. 4:13; Tit. 2:13; 1Jn. 3:3). Eternal life (1Cor. 13:13; 15:19; Eph. 2:12; Col. 1:23; Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 18, 19; 7:19; 1Pet. 1:3-13). Converts safe in heaven (1Thess. 2:19).

‘The heart sick’ – Three examples of heartsickness: Abraham (Gen. 15:2-3); David (Ps. 42:1-3) and the disciples (Luke 24:17, 21).

Labour

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Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase. 

‘Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase.’ Ill-gotten wealth shall not be permanent, but that received by honest labour will continue to be blessed.

The righteous labour to support life and then have to divide with the poor, but the wicked live to produce sin. They live to satisfy their appetites (10:16). All labour profits, but all talk and no work brings poverty. A man of words is not always a man of deeds (14:23).

Three examples of labouring for riches: Lot (Gen. 13:10); the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20); rich men (1Tim. 6:9-10; Jas. 5:1-6).

Two things not to labour for: To be rich only (23:4). To have temporal food only (John 6:27).

Eight things to labour for: Eternal food (John 6:27). To help the poor (Eph. 4:28). To win lost souls (Php. 2:16). To support the weak (Acts 20:35). To perfect the saints (Col. 4:12; Eph. 4:11-14; Gal. 4:11; 1Thess. 5:12). Not to burden others (1Thess. 2:9). To enter eternal rest (Heb. 4:1). To be accepted by God (2Cor. 5:9).

Contention

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Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 

‘Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.’ By pride comes contention and strife between men and nations, but those who hear counsel will act wisely and suppress it.

It is as impossible for contention to start where there is no contentious person as it is for fire to start and continue without coals of fire and fuel (26:21).

‘Contention’ – Four examples of pride causing contention: Korah (Num. 16:1-50); the men of Ephraim (Jdg. 12:1-6); Rehoboam (1Kin. 12:1-33) and the apostles (Luke 22:24).

Contention (strife) is one of the cut-off sins from the fruit of the flesh of Galatians 5:19-21 It is the Greek word eritheia, “strife” (Gal. 5:20; 2Cor. 12:20; Php. 2:3; Jas. 3:14, 16); “contention” (Php. 1:16; Rom. 2:8) and can be anything from disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavour to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one.

Shall Be Put Out

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Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 

‘The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.’ This is the 8th prophecy in Proverbs (13:9). All the wicked will be turned into hell (Matt. 16:18; Luke 16:19-31).

The English word “hell” is defined as “the abode of evil spirits; infernal regions; place of eternal punishment or extreme torment; in ancient times, the place of departed spirits.” The word infernal means “belonging to hell.” The word inferno is another word for “the infernal regions; hell.” Gehenna is defined as “the place of future torment; hell; hell-fire.” Tartarus is defined as “the place of punishment in the lower world.” Hell is the torment compartment of Sheol/Hades where wicked souls have always gone and will always go until the end of the Millennium. Then the wicked will be brought out of here to be reunited with their resurrected immortal bodies, and cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Rev. 20:11-15).

Rich vs. Poor

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Proverbs 13:7-8 There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches. The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke. 

‘There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.’ This proverb could have two meanings: The rich, poor man who hoards all riches for himself, not giving to others so he can receive true riches; and the poor rich man who gives his all for others and is rich in God (Luke 6:38; 12:21; 2Cor. 9:6). A poor man who pretends to be rich, and a rich man who pretends to be poor.

‘The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke.’ A rich man may be able to ransom his life by giving him riches, but no amount of threats will force a poor man to pay anything.

Righteousness vs. Wickedness – Part 2

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Proverbs 13:5-6 A righteous man hates lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame. Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Reasons for God not to hold His peace with the wicked: The mouth of the wicked and deceitful man is opened against the righteous (Ps. 109:2). They have lied against the righteous. They surrounded him with words of hatred (Ps. 109:3). They fought against him without cause. They are his adversaries despite his love toward them (Ps. 109:4). They have rewarded him evil for good (Ps. 109:5). They have rewarded his love with hatred.

Characteristics of the wicked: They speak wicked and deceitful words (Ps. 109:2). They speak lying words and words of hatred and they hate without cause (Ps. 109:3). They despise the love of good men (Ps. 109:4) and return evil for good (Ps. 109:5). They return hatred for love and are agents of satan (Ps. 109:6). They pose as prayerful men (Ps. 109:7) but are unmerciful (Ps. 109:16). They are oppressors of the poor and needy and murderers of helpless and innocent men. They love cursing (Ps. 109:17-19). They lack appreciation of blessings (Ps. 109:17). They speak evil of others (Ps. 109:20) and reproach good men (Ps. 109:25). They lack pity and kindness and are adversaries of good men (Ps. 109:29). They condemn the poor and needy (Ps. 109:31).