Tag: Truth

Wisdom Cried

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Proverbs 1:20-22 Wisdom cried without; she uttered her voice in the streets: She cried in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttered her words, saying, How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 

‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: chokmowth] (the plural of Chokmah) is 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.

‘Cried without’ – Five places wisdom preaches: in open places, streets, mobs, gates, and cities (1:20-21).

‘Concourse’ [Hebrew: hamah] to be in great commotion or tumult; mob; uproar.

‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? …’ This is the 1st prophecy in Proverbs (1:22-33) unfulfilled except in part. Wisdom’s sixfold message: How long will you simple ones love deception and flattery? How long will you scorners continue to scorn wisdom? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Turn at my reproof [Hebrew: shuwb] be converted (Ps. 6:10; 19:7; 51:13; Isa. 1:27). I will pour out my spirit unto you (1:23). I will make known my words to you.

‘You simple ones’ – Three classes Wisdom preaches to the simple ones (1:4); scorners (Ps. 1:1); fools.

‘Simple ones’ – Simple ones love simplicity [Hebrew: pethiy] silly, deceptive, flattering, and enticing talk and conduct; scorners delight in scorning wisdom and fools despise knowledge (1:22; 9:7-9).

If Sinners Entice Thee

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Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. 

‘Sinners’ [Hebrew: chata’] criminal; to miss the mark; pass the limits of the law. Translated as sinners (Ps. 1:1, 5; 25:8 etc.).

‘Consent thou not’ – Five examples of consenting not to sin: Joseph (Gen. 39:9-10). The unknown prophet (1Kin. 13:8-9). Jehoshaphat (1Kin. 22:49). Joash (2Chr. 24:2). Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:14-16).

‘If they say, Come with us …’ Note the sevenfold enticement of sinners to young men, showing how gangs and sinful relations are formed to this day (1:10-14).

‘Grave’ [Hebrew: She’owl] is incorrectly translated for the Hebrew word for grave is qeber which is the grave, the place of the body; this should have been translated as hell [she’owl] the place of departed souls. The body goes to the grave at death, where it turns to dust. The soul, however, goes to Sheol, a place of consciousness after death.

‘Pit’ [Hebrew: bowr] is a hole bored or dug, referring to a grave. This verse contrasts She’owl, hell – the place of the soul (where it is swallowed up alive) – and bowr, the place of the body.

‘Walk not thou in the way with them.’ Contrast the seven recruiting arguments of Proverbs 1:10-14, with the seven reasons why a young man should not join gangs or ungodly relations (1:15-19).

‘Their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.’ Quoted in Romans 3:15 and states that they intend to bring harm to others.

‘Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.’ Just as the enemy set traps to ensnare us, so do his followers. One cannot ensnare those whose eyes are open.

‘Own blood … own lives.’ The consequence of those who plan evil against others – it shall happen to you. Matthew 7:12 states the golden rule of “do unto others as you want others to do unto you” and Galatians 6:7-8 gives the law of sowing and reaping.

An Ornament of Grace

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Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 

‘Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.’ Scripture warns that children should obey their parents IN the Lord (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20), thus not against what God commands and never in any sinful way. Unsaved parents may still give good advice or instructions on basic matters of life that one can follow always bearing in mind the consequences of those decisions.

‘Hear the instruction.’ Five examples of hearing instruction: The Rechabites (Jer. 35:18-19). Samuel (1Sam. 1:28; 2:18; 3:19-21). Jesus Christ (Luke 2:51). Paul (Acts 9:1-43; 26:19). Timothy (2Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Acts 16:1).

‘An ornament of grace’ – When you ornament something, you’re beautifying, embellishing, or adorning it. So must whatever we learn from our parents be those things that give us a godly character with integrity and that equip us for life to be a blessing to others.

‘Chains about thy neck.’ Gold necklaces indicated political dignity (Gen. 41:42; Dan. 5:7, 16, 29), so this verse says that obedience to parents is the best way to become prominent among men (1:8-9) in the right way, not for one’s own status in life, but always for God’s glory (1Cor. 10:31).

Romans 12:3 warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, thus, not to be conceited and self-important, but to be humble.

To Know… To Perceive…

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Proverbs 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 

‘To know …’ The fifteenfold purpose of Proverbs: To know wisdom (1:2). To know instruction. To perceive understanding. To receive instruction in wisdom (1:3). To receive instruction in justice. To receive instruction in judgment. To receive instruction in equity. To give subtlety to the simple (1:4). To give young men knowledge. To give young men discretion. To attract the wise man (1:5). To increase learning. To help attain wise counsel. To make known the words of the wise in proverbial form (1:6). To express dark sayings.

‘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.

‘Instruction’ [Hebrew: muwcar] to understand; comprehend; chasten; discipline.

‘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).

‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: sakal] prudence, good sense. Translated as “wisdom” (1:3); “wise” (10:5, 19; 14:35; 15:24; 17:2); “wisely” (16:20; 21:12); “teach” (16:23); “instruct” (21:11); “prosper” (17:18); “prudent” (19:14); and “understanding” (21:16).

‘Justice’ [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).

‘Subtilty’ [Hebrew: ‛ormah] shrewdness. Translated as “subtilty” (1:4; cp. Gen. 3:1; Matt. 10:16); “guile” (Ex. 21:14); “wilily” (Jos. 9:4); “wisdom” (8:5); and “prudence” (8:12).

‘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.

Proverbs

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Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel

‘Proverbs’ [Hebrew: mashal] from a related word meaning “to rule,” in the sense of mental superiority. It is not a collection of human wisdom, but of divine rules to govern all of man’s conduct – his civil, religious, and business life. It is used for an allegory (Ezek. 17:2); a discourse (Num. 23:7-8); a taunt or triumph song (Isa. 14:4); an argument (Job 29:1); a byword (Ps. 44:14); a lament (Mic. 2:4); a proverb (Pro. 1:1; 1Kin. 4:32; 2Chr. 7:20; Ps. 69:11; Jer. 24:9); and a parable (Ezek. 20:49; cp. [Greek: parabole] as a type or figure in Heb. 9:9; 11:19). Proverbs is quoted nine times in the N.T. (1:16; 3:7, 11, 34; 11:31; 25:21; 26:11).

Date and place written: Except for Proverbs 30-31, the proverbs were spoken by Solomon about 1,000 B.C. Proverbs 1-24 were perhaps written by him in a book. Proverbs 25-29 were Solomon’s proverbs added to the first part of the book by Hezekiah about 730 B.C. The last 2 chapters were added at an unknown time.

Author: Solomon is the first sacred writer whose name is at the head of his work. “The Proverbs of Solomon” is the entire title (1:1; 10:1; 25:1; cp. 30:1; 31:1). He wrote the first 29 chapters. They are the only proverbs in existence of 3,000 uttered by him (1Kin. 4:32). He could not have borrowed much, if any, from men before him, as all uninspired ethical writers lived after his day. He could have quoted what he heard from his father David, for many of the same wisdom is mentioned in his writings in Psalms . The last 2 chapters were spoken by an unknown man and woman, and who added them to the proverbs of Solomon is not known unless it was Hezekiah (Pro. 25:1).

‘Solomon the son of David.’ He was the fourth son of David and Bathsheba (2Sam. 5:14).

Theme: Practical moral and spiritual truth in proverbial form for people of God (2Tim. 3:15-17).

Statistics: 20th book of the Bible; 31 chapters; 915 verses; 15,043 words; 49 questions; 27 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 67 sins; 66 things about fools; 28 things about sluggards; 22 things about kings; 25 abominations; 215 commands; 120 promises; 27 blessings; 24 secrets of life; 17 “better” things; 560 proverbs.

The God of Peace

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Hebrews 13:20-25 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know you that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy. 

‘God of peace’ – God is called: The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (2Cor. 1:3; 11:31; Eph. 1:3; 3:14; Col. 1:3). The Father of Mercies (2Cor. 1:3). The God of all Comfort (2Cor. 1:3). The Father of Glory (Eph. 1:17). The Father of All (Eph. 4:6). The Father of Spirits (Heb. 12:9). The Father of Lights [sun, moon and stars] (Jas. 1:17). The God of Peace (Php. 4:9).

‘Great shepherd’ – Ten titles of Christ: The shepherd (Gen. 49:24; Zech. 13:7; Matt. 26:31; Mark 14:27). My shepherd (man’s, Ps. 23:1). O shepherd of Israel (Ps. 80:1; Isa. 40:11; 63:11). One shepherd (Ezek. 34:23; 37:24). My shepherd (God’s, Zech. 13:7). The shepherd of the sheep (John 10:2). The good shepherd (John 10:11, 14). Great shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20). The Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (1Pet. 2:25). The Chief Shepherd (1Pet. 5:4).

‘The everlasting covenant.’The new covenant is thus called to contrast it with the temporary covenant of Moses.

‘Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.’ Two blessings for Christians.

‘Set at liberty’ – Not released from prison but sent on a special mission (cp. 1Cor. 4:17).

‘By Timothy’ The last part of the salutation was written by Timothy, not the epistle of Hebrews – that was written by Paul (2Pet. 3:15-16).

Sanctify the People

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Hebrews 13:10-15 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

‘Altar’ – An altar stood for the benefit of the sacrifices. In Christianity, it stands for the benefits of the death of Christ as well as symbolically being a place to meet God.

‘For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.’ Here a comparison is made of the sacrifice of beasts and that of Christ: the animals being burned outside the camp and Christ being crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem.

‘Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.’ As Christ bore reproach by being led as a criminal outside of Jerusalem to die, let us be willing to bear persecution for Him (2Tim. 3:12).

‘For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.’ The 3rd and last New Testament prophecy in Hebrews (13:14; 11:10, 16; Rev. 21:1-27).

‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.’ By Christ let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name, and not daily sacrifices of animals which could never take away sins (10:1-18).

Your Conversation

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Hebrews 13:5-9 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he had said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 

‘Conversation’ [Greek: tropos] manner of life (Jude 1:7; Acts 1:11).

‘Covetousness’ Covetousness is forbidden (Ex. 20:17; Matt. 6:19-21; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 5:3; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17). It must be removed from our lives entirely (Col. 3:2-6).

‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ This promise was first made to Jacob (Gen. 28:15; Deut. 34:6) and then repeated as a promise to Joshua (Jos. 1:5) and David blessed Solomon with these same words (1Chr. 28:20). When Solomon sinned, he forsaken God and the promise didn’t apply to him anymore as it is for anyone else.

‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’ Quoted from Psalms 118:6. In Matthew 10:28 we are commanded not to fear men who cannot hurt the soul when they kill the body (Luke 12:4-12).

‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.’ He is immutable – unchanging – He cannot break His laws (Ps. 119:89). He cannot lie (Heb. 6:17-19). He cannot deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). He cannot have respect of persons (Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:9-10). He cannot save one soul apart from grace and faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26; John 3:16). He cannot be unrighteous (Rom. 9:14). He cannot bless men apart from faith (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot curse men when they meet His terms (1Jn. 1:9). He cannot do away with or change His eternal plan (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:11). This is to name but a few of the things in which God (thus Christ) is unchangeable. He does not adapt to suit us or change His ways to fit our way of thinking (Isa. 55:8-9). He is trustworthy in everything and worth following and serving! ‘Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.’ We are warned not to heed to doctrines of devils (1Tim. 4:1). To urge departure from the faith is the first work of demons. This results in departure from holy living, and acceptance of doctrines that will damn the soul. Men who pretend inspiration and revelation and false teachers of all kinds are the agents of demons (2Cor. 11:14-15). Every religion that denies the reality of God; Christ; the Holy Spirit; the atonement; the death and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; sin; the rapture; judgments of God; sickness; satan; demons; hell; heaven; and the other fundamental doctrines of Scripture are as much of satan and demons as the Bible and Christianity are of God.

In the Body

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Hebrews 13:3-4 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

‘Body’ – The body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13-30). 1Corinthians 12:13 states: “…by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” This shows how the body of Christ is constituted. The Spirit is the agent that brings one into the body of Christ by the new birth. This is not a baptism into the Spirit, but into the body of Christ. The body here is the element one is baptized into. The Spirit is the agent that does the baptizing into the body. The believer is the candidate. If it were the Spirit baptism, Christ would be the agent and the Holy Spirit would be the element baptized into.

‘In all’ – Including priests and all people.

‘But whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.’ Five classes not to inherit God’s Kingdom: [1] Whoremongers [Greek: pornos] a male prostitute; a sexually immoral man. Translated as “fornicator” (1Cor. 5:9-11; 6:9; Heb. 12:16) and “whoremonger” (Eph. 5:5; 1Tim. 1:10; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8; 22:15). [2] Unclean persons [Greek: akathartos] impure, lewd, or foul, whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion (Gal. 5:19; Matt. 23:27; Rom. 1:21-32; 6:19; 2Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1Thess. 2:3; 4:7; 2Pet. 2:1-22). [3] Covetous men – covetousness is forbidden (Ex. 20:17; Matt. 6:19-21; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 5:3; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17). Hatred of it is one qualification of leaders, civil and religious (Ex. 18:21; 1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7; 1Pet. 5:2). It will damn the soul (1Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:3-5; 1Tim. 6:9-11; 2Pet. 2:3, 2:14). It must be removed out entirely (Col. 3:2-6). [4] Deceivers (Eph. 5:6; 2Tim. 3:13; Tit. 1:10; 3:3; Rev. 12:9; 20:3, 8). [5] Children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6).

Sacrifices Pleasing to God

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Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

‘Let brotherly love continue.’ Thirteen commands for Christians: Let brotherly love continue (13:1). Remember those in bonds (13:3). Remember the suffering. Be without covetousness. Be content in life. Remember your leaders (13:7). Be not changeable from sound doctrine (13:9). Follow Christ’s example (13:13). Offer a sacrifice of praise (13:15). Forget not to do good (13:16). Forget not to communicate. Yield to your leaders (13:17). Greet [be friendly] your leaders (13:24).

‘Some have entertained angels unawares.’ Appearances of angels to men: Scripture records at least 104 appearances of angels to human beings. They have appeared to: Hagar (2 times, Gen. 16:7-11; 21:17) and Abraham (3 times, Gen. 18:2; 22:11, 15). Lot and Sodomites (Gen. 19:1-22). Jacob (3 times, Gen. 28:12; 31:11; 32:1). Moses (Ex. 3:2). Balaam (Num. 22:22-35). Joshua (Heb. 5:1-14; Ex. 23:20-23; 32:34). Israel (Jdg. 2:1-5). Gideon (Jdg. 6:11-22). Manoah’s wife (Jdg. 13:3-5). Manoah and his wife (Jdg. 13:9-21). David (2Sam. 24:1-25; 1Chron. 21:1-30). Elijah (4 times, 1Kin. 19:5-7; 2Kin. 1:3, 15). Elisha and servant (2Kin. 6:16-17). Assyrians (2Kin. 19:35; Isa. 37:36). Hebrew children (Dan. 3:25-28). Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:24-25). Daniel (5 times, Heb. 6:1-20; Dan. 8:16; 9:21; 10:5-21; 12:5-7). Zechariah (7 times, Heb. 1:8-19; Zech. 2:3; 3:1-6; 4:1-5; 5:5-10; 6:4-5; 12:8). Joseph (3 times, Matt. 1:20; 2:13, 19). Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Zacharias (Luke 1:20-38). Shepherds (Luke 2:9-14). Jesus (2 times, Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43). Some women (Matt. 28:1-5). The disciples (Acts 1:11). Peter and John (Acts 5:19). Philip (Acts 8:26). Cornelius (Acts 10:3, 30-32). Peter (Acts 12:7-11). Paul (Acts 27:23). John (52 angels in Revelation).