Tag: Gospel

Will Not Suffer

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Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casts away the substance of the wicked. 

‘Will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish.’ Examples are Elijah (1Kin. 17:1-24) and David (2Sam. 17:1-29).

Elijah is considered one of the greatest of the prophets. He is not called a writing prophet because he didn’t leave a book like the ones from Isaiah to Malachi, but he did write four verses (2Chr. 21:12-15). No prophet has been more vividly described as he has been, nor have any been so counterfeited. Many throughout the ages have claimed to be Elijah since he is clearly predicted to return to the earth to help restore Israel just before the second coming of Christ (Mal. 4:5-6; Rev. 11:3-12). Elijah is also revealed as one of two anointed men who now stand before God, symbolized by two olive trees and two candlesticks (Zech. 14:11-14; Rev. 11:3-12). He is the only prophet whom people tried to identify with John the Baptist (Matt. 16:14; Mark 6:15; 8:28; John 1:21-25), and the only one whom John the Baptist imitated in spirit, power, and ministry (Matt. 11:14; 17:11-12; Mark 9:12-13; Luke 1:17).

Three times Elijah was miraculously fed: By ravens – many meals, twice daily for several days (1Kin. 17:4-7) – an amazing miracle for creatures of limited intelligence who are afraid of man and have no obvious means of providing food. By a widow (1Kin. 17:9-16). By an angel (1Kin. 19:5-6).

David was provided for – fourteen kinds of supplies – by others (2Sam. 17:28-29) through God’s provision when he hid from Absalom in Mahanaim.

‘Casts away the substance of the wicked.’ Four examples of destroying goods of the wicked: Israel (Jdg. 6:1-4); Samaria (1Kin. 18:2; 2Kin. 6:25); Jerusalem (Lam. 5:10; Zeph. 1:18); Chaldeans (Hab. 2:8).

A Wise Son… A Foolish Son

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Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

‘Proverbs of Solomon.’ This title also covers the first 9 chapters (1:1). Here there are 288 individually contrasted persons and things (10:1-19:19). These sayings were all composed by Solomon who spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs (1Kin. 4:32). All the proverbs in this section are composed of 2 statements, except Proverbs 19:7. They are miscellaneous and generally not connected in thought. For some that are thought connected see Proverbs 10:2-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15-21, 22-25, 27-30; etc.

‘A wise son makes a glad father.’ A good example was Joseph (Gen. 47:12; cp. Gen. 48:2). What a joy to any parent – a wise child!

‘A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.’ A good example was Esau (Gen. 26:34-35; 27:45-46). Any foolish child – no matter what age – causes his parents and family grief. A fool who has no sense of responsibility is a shame to his parents (17:25) because he brings troubles, calamities and ruin (19:13).

The Giants – Part 1

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Proverbs 9:18 But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. 

“Dead’ [Hebrew: rapha’] Rephaim, a proper name of one of the races of the giants, identifies the wickedness of the giants as sexual sins (Gen. 6:1-4). The fact that giants have lived on earth is clearly stated in Scripture. The Hebrew word nephil means “giant” or “tyrant” (Gen. 6:4; Num. 13:33). The men of Israel were grasshoppers compared to them (Num. 13:33). The Hebrew word gibbowr is also translated as “giant,” meaning powerful, giant, mighty, or strong man (Job 16:14).

The Anakims were a great and tall people (Deut. 1:28; 2:10-11, 21; 9:2; Jos. 11:21-22; 14:12-14). Anak himself was a giant (Num. 13:33). If all Anakims were as big, we can be assured other giants were also. The land of Ammon was “a land of giants,” for “giants dwelt therein in old time” (Deut. 2:19-20). The Emims were also “great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims” (Deut. 2:10-11). The same was said of the Zamzummims who formerly inhabited the land of Ammon (Deut. 2:19-21). Og, king of Bashan, is described as a giant whose iron bedstead was thirteen and a half feet long, and six feet wide. This is not a measurement of wickedness, but of a material bed for a giant body measuring nearly thirteen feet tall (Deut. 3:11; Jos. 12:4; 13:12). Bashan is called “the land of the giants” (Deut. 3:13).

A “valley of the giants” is mentioned in Joshua 15:8; 18:16. This is the valley of Rephaim, the name of another branch of the giant races mentioned in Scripture (Gen. 14:5; 15:20; 2Sam. 5:18, 22; 23:13; 1Chr. 11:15; 14:9; Isa. 17:5). The Rephaims were well-known giants, but unfortunately, instead of retaining their proper name in Scripture, the translators used dead (Job 26:5; Ps. 88:10; Pro. 2:18; 9:18; 21:16; Isa. 14:8; 26:19); and deceased (Isa. 26:14). It should have been a proper name in all these places, as it is ten times otherwise.

To be continued…

A Foolish Woman

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Proverbs 9:13-17 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanted understanding, she said to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 

‘A foolish woman is clamorous.’ Five facts about a foolish woman: She is clamorous – in continual uproar; noisy; boisterous (9:13; 7:11). She is simple – silly; easily seduced (9:13; cp. 2Tim. 3:6); the opposite of wisdom in Proverbs 9:1. She knows nothing – knows no shame; utterly ignorant and depraved (9:13). No shame in her manner, clothing and appearance. She watches for victims of sin (9:14; Gen. 38:14; Jer. 3:2). Sinners always seek company. She is impudent or bold to call to any stranger and tempt the innocent to sin (9:15-17).

‘Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither.’ One who goes into a woman who behaves like a harlot lacks understanding (9:13, 16).

‘Stolen waters are sweet.’ The foolish woman (9:13) preaches that unlawful pleasures are sweeter than lawful ones. Upon this is built all the adulterous behaviour in the land (9:17).

The Beginning of Wisdom

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Proverbs 9:10-12 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shall be wise for thyself: but if thou scorn, thou alone shall bear it. 

‘The fear of the LORD’ – to have a whole reverence for God. We are warned to be in the fear of God all day long (23:17-18). The fear of the LORD is: to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth (8:13); the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (9:10); prolonged days, whereas the years of the wicked shall be shortened (10:27); there is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge (14:26); it is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death (14:27); is the instruction of wisdom (15:33); men depart from evil (16:6); it tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil (19:23); by humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life (22:4).

‘For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.’ Vice shortens life; righteousness has the promise of long life (Ps. 91:1-16).

‘If thou be wise, thou shall be wise for thyself.’ A wise man may profit himself, but not God; the same was true of a righteous man (Job 22:2-3). The sin of man cannot affect God’s plan or conduct; it only affects man’s destiny (Job 35:6).

‘But if thou scorn, thou alone shall bear it.’ Rebels seek wisdom but don’t find it because they reject God, the source of wisdom (1:7; 9:10).

A Scorner – Part 2

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Proverbs 9:7-9 He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 

Three examples of rebuking and being hated: Joseph (Gen. 37:2, 18-28). The prophet (2Chr. 25:16). John the Baptist (Matt. 14:1-10).

‘Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.’ We can rebuke or warn a fellow Christian, depending on how far and for how long such an individual has backslidden. Christ warns that He will spew such a person from His mouth because they are lukewarm (Rev. 3:15-17) and most people do not want to ‘hear the truth’ about their sinful state, that’s why they choose it and keep on living in that state – they reject the knowledge of the Truth and will thus be rejected (Hos. 4:6; Heb. 10:26).

Three examples of rebuking and being loved: Nathan (2Sam. 12:1-31). Two disciples (Luke 24:25-29). Peter (John 21:17; Gal. 2:11-14).

‘Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.’ To instruct – reading (or quoting), not preaching – from God’s Word will remind us of how we must live and act and keep us on the straight and narrow (Matt. 7:13-14) therefore Scripture commands us to be renewed in the spirit of our minds by His Word (Eph. 4:23-24; Rom. 12:1-2).

A Scorner – Part 1

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Proverbs 9:7-9 He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 

‘Scorner’ [Hebrew: luwts] to make mouths at; to scoff; to mock (Ps. 1:1; Pro. 1:22; 3:34; 9:7). Anyone that rejects, jokes or makes light of the Word of God.

‘Wicked’ [Hebrew: rasha‛] lawlessness (Isa. 57:20-21). All classes of the wicked are like the troubled sea that cannot be still and constantly stirs up the mire and dirt of sin and corruption. They have no peace (Isa. 57:20-21), no calmness of soul or spirit; their passions and appetites keep them in continual turmoil seeking something satisfying; the wealth, business, pleasure, pride, pomp, flattery, and unrest of the world only keep them dissatisfied; and strong undercurrents of malice, jealousy, lust, revenge, strife, and ambitions to outdo others keep them at war with God and fellowmen. The guilt of a past life and the burning memories of wrongdoing agitate the sinner day and night to cover up his evil, but he cannot escape the fear of hell and future reaping.

‘Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.’ This scripture is a great warning to all Christians not to rebuke those who reject the Word of God, because it will end in them making a mockery of you and the Scripture and they will not heed your rebuke, because ONLY the Holy Spirit can convict others of sin (John 16:7-11). Matthew 7:6 confirms this truth and gives the result if you persist in this warning: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you.” Do not force truth upon rebels who reject it, or give holy things to faultfinders, mote hunters, or evil speakers. To rebuke a sinner (Matt. 7:1-6; Rom. 2:1-11) means you condemn and judge them for what they chose and it leads to condemnation instead of conviction (Rom. 8:1).

To be continued…

Forsake the Foolish and Live

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Proverbs 9:5-6 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 

‘Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.’ The invitation of wisdom to eat her bread and drink her wine is a symbol of life through proper wisdom and understanding.  In the New Testament bread and wine symbolize the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ, which give life to all who appropriate their benefits by faith (Matt. 26:26-30; 1Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-30).

No justification of using alcoholic beverages can be justified by using any Scripture. The word wine was the common word for the product of the grape (grape juice) and was taken from ‘fruit of the vine’ and fermentation (the process of rot that causes alcohol production) was not always clearly stated. Scripture, however, is clear on being sober (1Thess. 5:6,8; 1Tim. 3:2; Tit. 2:2,4,6; 1Pet. 1:13; 5:8) and the sin of drunkenness (Pro. 20:1; 21:17; 23:29-35; Isa. 5:11; Hab. 2:15; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7) that refers to the user and not only the state of the user as most people interprets.

‘Wine which I have mingled.’ Among Jews, Greeks, and Romans, wine was rarely used without mixing with water. Some mixed 3 parts water with 1 of wine, and others 5 to 1. The common mixture was 3 parts water and 2 parts wine.

‘Forsake the foolish, and live.’ Four examples of forsaking things to live: Moses (Heb. 11:24-27); Rahab (Jos. 2:9-13; 6:25; Heb. 11:31); Ruth (Rth. 1:16; 2:11-12); Disciples (Matt. 4:18-22; 9:9; etc.).

Wisdom

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Proverbs 9:1-4 Wisdom has builded her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars: She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table. She has sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wants understanding, she said to him…

‘Wisdom has builded her house.’ The personification of wisdom continues in this chapter. In Proverbs 8:1-36 she was manifested in all of God’s creation. Here she is the ruler of what she has built (9:1-12). In Proverbs 9:1-3 she is building a house, making a banquet, and sending out her maids to invite guests to partake of her bounties. She is pictured here as a builder, sculptress, butcher, and gracious hostess.

‘Sent forth her maidens.’ An Eastern custom. In the New Testament men are sent forth with banquet invitations (Matt. 22:3; Luke 14:17). The complete custom was that invitations were sent out to guests by a company of women, preceded by eunuchs. They went from door to door of the invited, delivering their message.

‘Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither.’ Their message to the simple and those who lack understanding is, to forsake the foolish things of life and live by going in the way of understanding (9:4-6).

‘Simple’ [Hebrew: pethiy] inconsiderate; unwary; artless, guileless, and unsuspecting; those who, through lack of knowledge and experience, act rashly and unwisely (1:22, 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4, 16; 14:15, 18; 19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12). Referring to those who are unsaved.

‘Understanding’ [Hebrew: leb] is translated as heart over 500 times in the Old Testament, 76 of which are in Proverbs (2:2, 10; 3:1, 3, 5; etc.). Also translated as understanding (9:4, 16; 6:32; 7:7; 10:13; 12:11; 15:32; 17:18; 24:30); and as wisdom (10:21; 11:12; 15:21; 19:8).

Blessed are They That Keep My Ways

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Proverbs 8:32-36 Now therefore hearken unto me, O you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso finds me finds life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death. 

‘Blessed are thy that keep my ways.’ Happy are they who keep my ways, and whoever finds wisdom obtains favour or grace from the Lord (8:32-35; Ps. 1:1-6). The one who rejects wisdom and sins against her does so to the damnation of his own soul (8:36). It is therefore not so much sin and satan, but the man himself that is responsible for his rejection or reception of wisdom which leads to eternal life. If he receives the teaching of God, sin will not have dominion over him, and if he resists satan, the devil will flee from him (Jas. 4:7; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:12-13).

Seven acts of a righteous man: Delights in the Word of God (Ps. 1:2). Meditates in it day and night (Ps. 2:1-12). Consecrates to obey it (Ps. 1:1). Makes it his rule of life and conduct (Jas. 1:22-27). Makes it his standard of faith and religion (2Tim. 3:16-17). Reads it to gain knowledge and wisdom (Matt. 24:15; Eph. 3:4; Rev. 1:3). Feeds on it to grow spiritually (1Pet. 2:1-3; Rom. 10:17).

‘All they that hate me love death.’ They that hate wisdom love sin which leads to death, so they can be justly accused of loving death, the penalty for sin. We see from John 3:19 the following: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” This refers to when Christ came to the earth for the first time to bring us the gospel and give His life so that we don’t have to keep on living under the joke of sin, but men chose darkness and sin over light and righteousness. That is the problem today still, people are not willing to die to themselves (John 12:24-26; Matt. 10:37-39) and live a life following in His footsteps and the example He came to set for us (1Pet. 2:21-23).