Tag: Gospel

It Shall Lead Thee

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Proverbs 6:20-22 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou go, it shall lead thee; when thou sleep, it shall keep thee; and when thou awake, it shall talk with thee. 

‘Keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.’ Parents must train their children in the ways of God and set a godly example by following Him in obedience.

Duties of parents: To love God wholeheartedly (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30). To have God’s words in the heart (1Jn. 2:5). To teach them diligently to children (Eph. 6:4). To remember God and serve Him in prosperity and success (Ps. 2:11; 100:2; Rom. 12:11; Col. 3:24). To fear the Lord and serve Him (Ps. 112:1; 128:1; Matt. 10:28; Acts 10:35; 1Pet. 2:17). To detest idols (Acts 15:20; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Jn. 5:21). To refrain from tempting God (Ps. 78:17-18, 56; 1Cor. 10:9). To diligently keep the commandments, testimonies, and statutes (Matt. 5:19; 19:17; John 14:15, 21; 1Cor. 7:19; 1Jn. 2:3; 3:22, 24; 5:2-3). To do that which is right and good in the sight of God and man (Matt. 23:23; Acts 8:22).

‘Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.’ Three places to bind truth: Upon the heart. Around the neck (3:3). Upon the fingers (7:3). Why is it necessary for man to have truth so close to him? The Bible is the only book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. It contains light to direct, spiritual food to sustain, and comfort to cheer. Man should read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. He should read it that it might fill his memory, rule his heart, and guide his feet in righteousness and true holiness. He should read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally; and study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously – through and through, until it becomes a part of his being, generating faith that will move mountains.

‘It shall lead thee; when thou sleep, it shall keep thee, and when thou awake, it shall talk with thee.’ Truth is personified here as a guide, guardian teacher, and companion (6:22-23).

An Abomination Unto Him

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Proverbs 6:12-19 A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a froward mouth. He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things does the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren. 

‘Naughty’ [Hebrew: beliya‛al] worthless or wicked; a man of Belial; a good-for-nothing. His seven sins (6:12-15): Froward (perverse) speech (cp. 6:17). Winks with his eyes (cp. 6:17). Speaks with his feet (cp. 6:18). Teaches with his fingers (cp. 6:17). Frowardness (deceitfulness) of heart (cp. 6:18). Continual plots, schemes, and plans of sin (cp. 6:18). Sows discord in families, communities, or nations (cp. 6:19).

Points 2 through 4 refer to sign language used to convey evil intentions and sinful practices of partners in sin.

‘Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly.’ Judgment will suddenly overtake the one who commits the seven sins of Proverbs 6:12-14 and the seven sins of verses 16-19.

‘An abomination unto him.’ Twenty things that are an abomination to God: The froward man [Hebrew: luwz] perverse; one who turns aside (3:32; 11:20). A proud look (6:16-17). A lying tongue (6:17; 12:22). Hands that shed innocent blood. A wicked scheming heart (6:18). Feet quick to sin. A false witness that speaks lies (6:19). A sower of discord. Wickedness (8:7). A false balance (scale, 11:1). Sacrifice of the wicked (15:8; 21:27). The way of the wicked (15:9). The thoughts of the wicked (15:26). The proud of the heart (16:5). Justifying the wicked (17:15). Condemning the just. Diverse weights (20:10, 23). Diverse measures. Refusing to hear the law (28:9). Prayer of the rebel.

Consider Her Ways – Part 2

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Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will thou sleep, O sluggard? when will thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelled, and thy want as an armed man.  

‘Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.’ This is the feeling and practice of a sluggard as well as his language.

‘So shall thy poverty come as one that travelled, and thy want as an armed man.’ This is the result of slothfulness.

‘Poverty’ – eight Hebrew words translated as “poor” and “poverty” in Proverbs: [1] Reysh, lack, need, want. Translated as “poverty” (6:11; 10:15; 13:18; 24:34; 28:19; 30:8; 31:7). [2] Ruwsh, in want of necessities of life. Translated as “poor” (10:4; 13:7, 8, 23; 14:20; 17:5; 18:23; 19:1, 7, 22; 22:2, 7; 28:3, 6, 27; 29:13). [3] Dal, impoverished; reduced to poverty. Translated as “poor” (10:15; 14:31; 19:4, 17; 21:13; 22:9, 16, 22; 28:3, 8, 11, 15; 29:7, 14). [4] Machcowr, to be in want (6:11; 21:5; 22:16). Translated as “poor” (21:17); and “poverty” (11:24). [5] ‛Aniy, wretched. Translated as “poor” (14:21; 30:14; 31:9, 20). [6] ’Ebyown, destitute; helpless. Translated as “poor” (14:31). [7] Yarash, dispossessed. Translated as “poor” (30:9); and “poverty” (20:13; 23:21). [8] Checer, poverty or want. Translated as “poverty” (28:22).

‘As one that travelled’ Slow as the steps of a traveller, or as sure as a traveller will soon spend his money and be in need.

‘As an armed man.’ Poverty will come with irresistible fury and you will not be prepared to cope with it. The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Arabic add the following verse, “But if thou will be diligent, thy harvest shall be as a fountain; and poverty shall flee far away from thee.”

Consider Her Ways – Part 1

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Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provides her meat in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will thou sleep, O sluggard? when will thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelled, and thy want as an armed man. 

‘Ant’ – The ant is a remarkable creature – an emblem of industry in the East (cp. Pro. 30:25). Fifteen ways of ants: The most laborious insects in existence. The most highly industrialized. They collect food in proper seasons (30:25). They are fondly attached to their young. They have keen foresight for others. They work quietly without show. They work tirelessly until the work is done. They work together in astonishing systems of organization for the best good of the whole community. They are ingenious carpenters and masons, building their own system of homes and underground tunnels. They keep their homes scrupulously clean. Each has a specific job to help meet the needs of the community. They fight to the death to protect their own homes and young from enemies. Their social life compares with that of human beings in many respects. They are intelligent and wise (6:6). They carry out life’s work without being forced to do so by a guide, overseer, or ruler (6:7).

‘Sluggard’ [Hebrew: ‛atsel] slothful; sluggard. Eighteen facts about the slothful: They are unteachable, careless, and indifferent (6:6-9). They love excessive sleep (9:9; 19:15; 24:33). They are irritating to others (10:26). They are servants to others (12:24). They are too lazy to cook food (12:27). They are wishful thinkers (13:4; 24:34). They have a life full of troubles (15:19). They are great wasters (18:9). They are lazy (19:24; 24:30-34; 26:14-15). They refuse to work (20:4; 21:25). They make the most senseless excuses for their laziness (22:13; 26:13). They are void of understanding (24:30). They permit property to ruin (24:31-34; Eccl. 10:18). They are too lazy to move themselves (26:14). They are conceited (26:16). They are unfaithful to trust (Matt. 25:26). They are unbelievers (Heb. 6:12). They lack business ability (Rom. 12:11).

To be continued…

Surety

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Proverbs 6:1-5 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou have stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou are snared with the words of thy mouth, thou are taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou are come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. 

‘Surety for thy friend.’ Pledging to stand good for anyone tends to relieve the borrower of the responsibility he should feel, and often lowers the respect of a co-signer in the sight of the one he helps. Five facts about surety: The command against surety (22:26). The command to get out of surety as quickly as possible (6:1-5). Surety is a sign of lack of understanding (17:18). Suffering and disappointment are what is promised in surety (11:15). To refrain from surety is the only safe way (11:15).

‘Stricken thy hand.’ Shaking hands was considered the ratification of a verbal contract or promise, and thus a man became ensnared with the words of his mouth (6:1-2; cp. Job 17:3).

‘Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou are come into the hand of thy friend.’ Continue to press the one you are surety for to pay his debt, or you will be left to pay it. If you are ensnared and obligated, make every effort, as the antelope taken in a net or a bird in a snare, to free yourself from captivity (6:3-5).

The Ways of Man

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Proverbs 5:20-23 And why will thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. 

‘Ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings.’ The ways of man are before God and every word and deed are recorded. How deeds are recorded is unknown, but every idle word and every cup of cold water given or refused will be brought up before man on the day of judgment (Matt. 10:42; 12:37-38). God can see through the consequences we carry what goes on in our hearts (Jer. 17:9-10).

Ten examples of man’s ways before God: Cain (Gen. 4:5-6); Babel’s builders (Gen. 11:1-11); Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:21); Uzzah (2Sam. 6:6-7; 1Chr. 13:10); David (2Sam. 12:1-31); Baasha (1Kin. 15:29); Ahab (1Kin. 21:19); Belshazzar (Dan. 5:22-28); Nathanael (John 1:48); the seven congregations (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15).

‘His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.’ The 5th prophecy in Proverbs (5:22-23) is fulfilled at the end of the wicked.

‘Iniquities’ – Sins shall trap the wicked and hold him in cords that only God can break.

‘Holden with the cords of his sins.’ Four examples of men held by sin: Saul (1Sam. 18:8-9; 28:5-20); Ahithophel (2Sam. 17:23); Judas (Matt. 26:47-49; John 12:6); Paul (Rom. 7:7-25).

Thine Own Cistern

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Proverbs 5:15-19 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 

‘Drink waters out of thine own cistern.’ One must be satisfied with his own companion and his children must not be illegitimate (5:15-18).

‘Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.’ Let your own wife be blessed, and be satisfied with her at all times (5:19).

‘Let her be as the loving hind.’ To be content with the wife you chose as a partner in life and obey the Word according to the Biblical standard of treating your wife (Eph. 5:25-33; 1Pet. 3:7, etc.) loving her will be a blessing rather than a chore.

Be just as faithful to your wives as you want them to be to you; give them no excuse for sin and give honour to the wife, using your superior strength in protecting her and as being heirs together of life. Many prayers are hindered because of the unfaithfulness of husbands and wives.

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).