Tag: Proverbs

Happy is the Man

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Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left-hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retained her. 

‘Happy is the man’ – There are eight beatitudes in Proverbs (3:13; 8:32, 34; 14:21; 16:20; 20:7; 28:14; 29:18).

‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: Chokmah] wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, skill. Translated as “wisdom” 145 times (1:2, 7; 2:2, 6, 10; 3:13, 19; 4:5, 7, 11; 5:1; 7:4; 8:1, 11-12; 9:10; 10:13, 23, 31; 11:2; 13:10; 14:6, 8, 33; 15:33; 16:16; 17:16; 24; 18:4; 21:30; 23:23; 24:3, 24:14; 28:26; 29:3, 15; 30:3; 31:26; Ex. 28:3; 31:3, 6; 35:26; 31, 35; 36:1-2; Ps. 37:30; 51:6; 90:12; 104:24; 111:10; Eccl. 1:13-18; 2:3-26; 7:11-25; 8:1, 16;). It is the predominant word for wisdom in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

‘Understanding’ [Hebrew: biynah] discernment and discrimination. Translated as understanding (1:2; 3:5; 4:1-7; 7:4; 8:14; 9:6, 10; 16:16; 23:23; 30:2); wisdom (23:4); and knowledge (2:3).

‘Better than …’ Wisdom and understanding better than Silver (3:14); fine gold; rubies (3:15) and other things.

‘Rubies’ – Pearls, or precious stones in general.

‘Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.’ Six blessings of wisdom/knowledge: Length of days (3:16). Riches and honour. Pleasantness (3:17). Peace. Tree of Life (3:18). Happiness.

‘Tree of life to them that lay hold upon her.’ Compare Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24 and Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14. By obeying wisdom and knowledge one can live long and even enter into eternal life.

The Chastening of the LORD

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Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. 

‘Despise not’ – Don’t shrink away from it. Quoted from Job 5:17 and in Hebrews 12:5-6 (cp. Job 34:31-32; Ps. 94:12; Rev. 3:19). Some Christians do not think of chastening any other way except by sickness and disease. They believe they are being chastened when sick and yet they know nothing in particular that they have done. The facts below prove that when God allows plagues there is a reason which will be known to the individual or nation. God never allows drastic means except as a last resort, when all other methods of getting men to obey have been exhausted. Leviticus 26:1-46 and Deuteronomium 28:1-68 are clear chapters on this point. In Job 33:14-29 we have the cause of sickness in many cases.

If a child of God wants to claim he is being chastened by God, then let him acknowledge also that he has repeatedly refused to listen to God or obey Him (Job 33:1-33). Let him acknowledge his sins, for God does not allow plagues upon obedient children. They are given promises of healing and protection from plagues if they will but appropriate them (Ex. 15:26; Ps. 91:1-16; 103:3; Matt. 7:9-11; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 1Pet. 2:24; 2Jn. 1:2; Jas. 5:14-16). Only those who sow will reap and only those who rebel will be cursed (Gal. 6:7-8; Job 33:14-29; Lev. 26:1-46; Deut. 28:1-68).

One thing is certain, God is not to blame for sicknesses upon His obedient children and to claim such is to cooperate with satan and not God (John 10:10; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). If people use Job as an excuse for unbelief, let them realize that Job did not know the gospel. He had no written revelation, covenant, or promise, and yet he was healed by God. Let people likewise fight as Job did until they get an answer and healing (Job 42:10; Jas. 5:10-11).

‘Chastening of the LORD.’ Three illustrations of chastening: David (2 Samuel 15-16; 23:5); Hezekiah (Isa. 39:5-8); Israel (Deut. 11:2; 2Chr. 6:24).

Honour the LORD with Thy Substance Part 2

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Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Blessings of Tithing: Blessings for obedience. God’s house will not lack (Mal. 3:10). God’s ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10). Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; 2Chr. 31:1-21; Neh. 13:1-31).

1Timothy 5:18 states that we must not muzzle an ox that treads out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. This clarifies that no one should work for free (Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7).

Examples of paying tithes: Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11); Jacob (Gen. 28:22); Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9); Hezekiah and Israel (2Chr. 31:1-21); Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13:1-31); Hypocrites (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12); Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7:1-28).

No scripture even mentions a substitute program for tithing in the New Testament.

‘So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.’ This expresses material prosperity.

Honour the LORD with Thy Substance Part 1

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Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 

‘Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.’ Tithing is a Biblical doctrine that must still be adhered to. [1] Before the Law of Moses: It was practised 430 years before the law (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11). [2] Tithing under the Law of Moses: He commanded it (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10). It had five purposes: (1) For Levites (Num. 18:21-24); (2) Tithes of tithes for priests (Num. 18:26; Neh. 10:37; 12:44); (3) Tithes of tithes every three years for the poor and the ministers (Deut. 14:27-29; 26:12-14); (4) To supply God’s house (Mal. 3:10); (5) To honour God (Pro. 3:9-10). It was brought: yearly, along with all other offerings for the feast (Deut. 12:6-7; 14:22-26). It belonged to God, not the people who paid them (Lev. 27:30-34; Mal. 3:8). [3] Tithing in the New Testament: Christ taught it (Matt. 23:23; Luk. 11:42; cp. Matt. 5:20 with Luke 18:11-12; see Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7-8). This was teaching for the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 11:11-14; Luke 16:16). Paul Taught It: (1) Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27:1-34). (2) Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6). (3) God ordained the support of ministers (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18). (4) Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2). (5) Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11, 17, 21). (6) Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:1-28). (7) Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Deut. 8:10-20).

To be continued…

Trust In The LORD

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Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 

‘Trust’ [Hebrew: batach] to confide in, to be secure and without fear. Translated as “trust” 103 times.

‘With all thine heart.’ Seven examples of heart trust: Abraham (Gen. 24:1-8); Eleazar (Gen. 24:12-27); Jephthah (Jdg. 11:11); David (1Sam. 30:6-8); Asa (2Chr. 14:9-15); Hezekiah (2Kin. 18:4-7; 19:14-37); Nehemiah (Neh. 1:4-11; 2:4-8).

‘Understanding’ [Hebrew: biynah] discernment and discrimination. Translated as understanding (1:2; 3:5; 4:1-7; 7:4; 8:14; 9:6, 10; 16:16; 23:23; 30:2); wisdom (23:4); and knowledge (2:3).

‘In all thy ways acknowledge him.’ Begin, continue, and end every work, purpose, and plan with God. Self-sufficiency and self-confidence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall. Man’s sin has been to live independently of God. True religion consists of full acknowledgement of God in all human affairs and all our day-to-day plans and activities (3:5).

‘Direct’ [Hebrew: Yashar] rightly divides. It is the same idea as rightly dividing the word of truth (2Tim. 2:15).

‘Be not wise in thine own eyes.’ Quoted in Romans 11:25 and 12:16. To reject God’s Wisdom and understanding and listen to your own ideas and opinions lead to your own destruction and downfall. Four men who were wise in their own eyes: Ahab (1Kin. 22:30-35); Jeroboam (1Kin. 12:26-33; 13:33); Asa (1Kin. 15:19); Benhadad (1Kin. 20:10-11).

‘Fear’ [Hebrew: yare’] to revere (24:21; Eccl. 3:14; 5:7; 12:13).

‘Depart from evil.’ Shun, avoid, abstain from.  1Thessalonians 5:22 warns us to abstain from all appearance of evil, not only from all evil. 

‘Health to thy navel’ – Just like the umbilical cord (referred to here as the “navel”) is how the child receives life and nourishment from the mother while it is in the womb, so fearing God and departing from evil gives life to a child of God (3:7-8).

‘Marrow to thy bones’ – Bone marrow produces vital red blood cells which help sustain life. Fearing God and departing from evil is just as vital to one’s spiritual life as bone marrow is to the physical life.

Keep My Commandments

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Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shall thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 

‘Keep’ [Hebrew: natsar] to watch or guard. Proverbs 4:23 warns us to guard our hearts above all, from going astray, for out of it are the issues of life. The reference is not only to the arteries which carry the blood to all parts of the body but also to the evil and good deeds that come from the heart (centre) of man (Mark 7:19-21).

‘For length of days, and long life, and peace.’ Threefold blessing to those who remember and keep the commandments (3:1-2): Length of days (3:2, 16; 4:10; 9:11). Long life (1Pet. 3:10-11). Peace (Isa. 26:3).

‘They add to thee.’ The law and commandments add these.

‘Mercy’ – lovingkindness or grace.

‘Bind them about thy neck.’ Like the phylacteries (6:21; 7:3).

‘Write them upon the table of thine heart.’ This is done by the Spirit of the living God (2Cor. 3:3).

‘So shall thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.’ The three acts of Proverbs 3:3 are the secrets of favour with God and man.

The Wicked Shall Be Cut Off

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Proverbs 2:18-22 For her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. 

‘Dead’ [Hebrew: rapha’] Rephaim, translated as dead (Isa. 14:9; 26:19; Job 26:5; Ps. 88:10-11; Pro. 2:18; 9:18; 21:16); deceased (Isa. 26:14); giants (Deut. 2:11, 20; 3:11, 13; Jos. 12:4; 13:12; 15:8; 17:15; 18:16; 2Sam. 21:16-22; 1Chr. 20:4-8); and Rephaim (Isa. 17:5; Gen. 14:5; 15:20; 2Sam. 5:18, 22; 23:13; 1Chr. 11:15; 14:9). In the eight places where it is translated dead and deceased it should have been retained as a proper name – Rephaim, as follows: Rephaim under the waters (Job 26:5). Shall the Rephaim arise and praise You (Ps. 88:10-11)? Her paths unto the Rephaim (2:18). The Rephaim are there (9:18). Congregation to the Rephaim (21:16). It stirred up the Rephaim for you (Isa. 14:9). They are Rephaim (Isa. 26:14). The earth shall cast out the Rephaim (Isa. 26:19).

The Rephaim were the other lords of Isaiah 26:13; they shall not rise because God visited and destroyed them (Isa. 26:14). This teaches that the giants or Rephaim have no resurrection like the dead of Israel referred to in Isaiah 26:19. They were the offspring of fallen angels, not ordinary men who do have a resurrection.

‘None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.’ Despite how strong this verse is, anyone can easily be saved by God who follows the gospel program which gives hope for all (Matt. 12:31-32; Heb. 7:25; 1Jn. 1:9).

‘For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.’ The 2nd prophecy in Proverbs (2:21-22) is unfulfilled These blessings (2:20-22) are for heeding the Eight Ifs of Blessing.

To Deliver Thee

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Proverbs 2:11-17 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaks froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flatters with her words; Which forsook the guide of her youth, and forgotten the covenant of her God. 

‘Deliver thee from the way of the evil man.’ To pluck or rescue from the evil man. Seven sins of the evil man: He speaks perverse things, civil or religious (2:12). He leaves the path of righteousness (2:13). He walks in the ways of darkness. He rejoices to do evil (2:14). He delights in the sins of others. He walks in crooked ways (2:15). He walks in perverse paths.

‘Froward’ [Hebrew: tahpukah] perverse. Translated as “froward” (2:12; 8:13; 10:31; 16:28, 30; Deut. 32:20); “frowardness” (2:14; 6:14; 10:32); and “perverse” (23:33).

‘Deliver’ [Hebrew: natsal] (to snatch or rescue.

‘Strange’ [Hebrew: zuwr] 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). Seven sins of the prostitute: She flatters with her lips (2:16). She forsakes parental guidance (2:17). She forgets God’s covenant – renounces true religion or marriage vows. She shortens her life (2:18). She leads others to hell. She destroys men utterly (2:19). She leads to permanent ruin.

‘Stranger’ [Hebrew: nokriy] foreign woman; not of Abraham’s line (Gen. 17:12).

The LORD Gives Wisdom

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Proverbs 2:5-10 Then shall thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He laid up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keeps the paths of judgment, and preserves the way of his saints. Then shall thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entered into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul

‘Then shall thou understand the fear of the LORD.’ “Then” indicates a first conclusion (second in Pro. 2:9).

‘Gives wisdom’ – Five examples of getting wisdom: Joseph (Gen. 41:38-39); Moses (Ex. 4:12); Solomon (1Kin. 3:12; 4:29); Daniel (Dan. 1:17; 2:23); and Stephen (Acts 6:5, 10).

‘Preserves the way of his saints.’ Five examples of preserving saints: Noah (Genesis 6-8); Lot (Gen. 19:1-38); Joseph (Genesis 37-41); David (1 Samuel 18:8-26:25); and Peter (Acts 12:1-25).

‘Then shall thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.’ “Then” indicates a second conclusion (first in Pro. 2:5).

‘Righteousness’ [Hebrew: tsedeq] righteousness, justice (1:3; 2:9; 8:15; Job 8:3; Ps. 89:14; etc.).

‘Judgment’ [Hebrew: mishpat] verdict; sentence; decree. Translated as “judgment” 296 times (Ex. 21:31; 23:2, 6; etc.).

‘Equity’ [Hebrew: meyshar] evenness. Translated as “equity” (1:3; 2:9; Ps. 98:9; 99:4) and “equal” (17:2).

‘Wisdom entered into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul.’ These verses contain the secret for deliverance from the way of the evil man (2:12-15); the strange woman (2:16-19) and every evil way (2:20-22).

If Thou Will Receive My Words

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Proverbs 2:1-4 My son, if thou will receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou cried after knowledge, and lifted up thy voice for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures

‘If thou will receive my words.’ Eight Ifs of Blessing: If you receive My words (2:1). If you hide (as a treasure) My commandments. If you incline your ear to wisdom (2:2). If you apply your heart to understanding. If you cry after knowledge (2:3). If you lift your voice for understanding. If you seek for knowledge as for silver (2:4). If you search for knowledge as for hidden treasure.

Eight blessings of obedience – first conclusion: Then you will understand the fear of the Lord (2:5). Then you will find the knowledge of God. Then you will receive wisdom from God (2:6). Then you will receive knowledge from God. Then you will receive understanding from God. Then you will receive protection from God (2:7). Then you will have security in God (2:8). Then you will have preservation in life.

Eight blessings of obedience – second conclusion: Then you will understand righteousness (2:9). Then you will understand judgment. Then you will understand equity. Then you will understand every good path. Then wisdom will enter your heart (2:10). Then knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Then discretion will preserve you (2:11). Then understanding will keep you.