Tag: Gospel

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).

Blessed – Part 1

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Proverbs 10:7-8 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. 

‘Blessed’ – Twenty-three blessed classes: Those who live godly (Ps. 1:1; 106:3; Isa. 56:2). Put their trust in God (Ps. 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12). Have their sins forgiven (Ps. 32:1). Are free from imputed sin (Ps. 32:2). Respect not the proud (Ps. 40:4). Do not listen to lies (Ps. 40:4). Help the poor (Ps. 41:1). God fellowships with (Ps. 65:4). Live in God’s house (Ps. 84:4). Draw strength from God (Ps. 84:5). Know how to worship God (Ps. 89:15). Are chastened by God (Ps. 94:12). Fear God (Ps. 112:1; 128:1). Live undefiled lives (Ps. 119:1). Obey God’s Word (Ps. 119:2). Walk in wisdom (Pro. 8:32, 34). Hear wisdom (Pro. 8:34). The children of the just man who walks in his integrity (Pro. 20:7). The land under a godly king (Eccl. 10:17). The nation whose God is the Lord (Ps. 33:12). Those who wait upon God (Isa. 30:18). Those who work the land in the Millennium (Isa. 32:20). Those who live through the tribulation (Dan. 12:12).

Also translated “happy” in Deuteronomy 33:29; 1Kings 10:8; 2Chronicles 9:7; Job 5:17; Psalms 127:5; 128:2; 137:8-9; 144:15; 146:5 and Proverbs 3:13; 14:21; 16:20; 28:14; 29:18.

‘The name of the wicked shall rot.’ The name of the wicked is putrid. Four examples of bitter remembrance: Balaam (2Pet. 2:15; Jude 1:11; Rev. 2:14). Ahaz (2Chr. 28:22). Athaliah (2Chr. 24:7). Herod (Acts 12:22-23; cp. Ps. 9:16).

To be continued…

The Just vs The Wicked – Part 2

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Proverbs 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 

The mouth of a righteous man produces blessing and life, but the mouth of sinners produces cursing and destruction (13:2-3; 1Pet. 3:10-11; Jas. 3:1-18). The control of the tongue is commanded by God (Jas. 1:26; 3:1-18). We have two eyes and two ears, suggesting we should see and hear more than we speak with the one tongue fenced with teeth.

Eighteenfold prosperity of the wicked: No bands (pangs) in death (Ps. 73:4). Their strength is firm. Not in trouble as other men (Ps. 73:5). Not plagued as other men. Pride compasses them about as a chain (or necklace, Ps. 73:6). Violence covers them as a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness (Ps. 73:7). They have more than their heart could wish. They are corrupt (Ps. 73:8). They speak wickedly about oppression. They speak loftily. Set their mouth against heaven – blaspheme God (Ps. 73:9). Their tongue walks through the earth – they find fault with everything. They cause men who have been converted from a life of covetousness to return to it, as in Psalms 73:2-3 (Ps. 73:10). Cause God’s people to covet the waters of a full cup (prosperity) to be wrung out to them. They say, How does God know (Ps. 73:11)? They say, Is there knowledge in the Most High to see these things? They increase in riches (Ps. 73:12).

‘Violence covers the mouth of the wicked.’ 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).

The Just vs The Wicked – Part 1

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Proverbs 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 

‘Blessing are upon the head of the just.’ What is remembered about a righteous man is a blessing. Six examples of good remembrance: Elisha (2Kin. 13:21); Jehoiada (2Chr. 24:15-16); the woman who anointed Jesus (Mark 14:9); Mary, mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28, 48); Dorcas (Acts 9:36-39; cp. Pro. 22:1) and Antipas (Rev. 2:13).

Two blessings for godliness (Ps. 18:24): God has rewarded me for my righteousness. He has recompensed me for my clean living in His sight.

Two blessings for all believers (Matt. 13:15): Conversion, a change of direction, a new walk with God (Ps. 19:7; 51:13; Matt. 18:3; Luke 22:32; Acts 3:19; Jas. 5:19-20). Physical healing, a change of health, a new health in God (Ps. 91:1-16; 103:3; Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:1-12; Rom. 8:11; 1Pet. 2:24; 3Jn. 1:2; Jas. 5:14-16; Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16).

Seven equal blessings for Christians: All are children of God (Gal. 3:26). All are baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27). All have put on Christ. All are equal and one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). All belong to Christ (Gal. 3:29; 5:24). All are Abraham’s spiritual seed (Gal. 3:29). All are heirs by promise.

Three blessings for the righteous 1Pet. 3:12): God’s eyes are over them. God hears their prayers. God defeats their enemies.

To be continued…

A Slack Hand

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Proverbs 10:4-5 He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He that gathers in summer is a wise son: but he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame. 

‘Poor’ [Hebrew: ruwsh] – 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).

‘Slack hand’ – Deceitful hand, as in Proverbs 12:24; Psalms 52:2; 120:2; Hosea 7:16 and Micah 6:12. All dishonesty, deceitfulness, and unrighteousness are abominable to God; all unrighteousness is sin (1Jn. 5:17; Jas. 4:17). The arms of the wicked refer to the instruments of his wickedness and the means of his power (Ps. 10:15; 37:17; 1Sam. 2:31).

‘Gathers in summer.’ Two examples of gathering in summer are Isaac (Gen. 26:12) and Joseph (Gen. 41:1-57).

‘But he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame.’ God has ordered in the course of providence that he who will not work shall not eat (2Thess. 3:10) and He always blesses the man who is not lazy. See Proverbs 6:6-11; 24:30-34; 30:25.

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).