To understand just how serious God is about relationships we need to know some history about Abraham and the Israelites. God made a promise to Abraham that through him a great nation would be born.

Genesis 12 New King James Version (NKJV)

Promises to Abram

12 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. ² I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God has never made a promise that he has not kept. There are promises that we are still waiting to happen but there will be a time when we will see those promises bear fruit. But that story is for another time. We are here to discuss just how important God considers relationships. Although it took over four hundred years for this promise to bear fruit it did happen. It took many events for this promise to happen. God not only had to deal through and with the nation of Egypt to bring this about but he also had to deal with a group of rebellious people. There is too much information on that to deal with here so I would suggest you read the bible for yourself to get the full picture of all that God has had to deal with. Chapter five of Proverbs gives us a picture of the actions of not only a harlot but of the harlotry of an entire nation.

It is a wonder that the nation of Israel was ever established. There were many times when God was at the point where he was about to destroy those that he had brought up out of the land of Egypt. But for the intersession of Moses that is what would have happened. It is easy to say that if we had lived back then we would never have rebelled against God. But human nature is at the root of the problem here. Since the Garden of Eden mankind has walked in a different direction than God. We have a tendency to look at things through a worldly view. And the farther we go down this road that we are taking the more worldly we become. God tells us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. But we are living in a world that is becoming more and more self-centered. The word of God gives us many examples of how God views relationships. First and foremost are the Ten Commandment. The world seems to be offended by these commandments but I will ask this question. Just how offended are you going to be when you are standing before the Throne of Judgement on judgement day? Think about how serious that question is. Your Name Is In the Book of Proverbs | Darwin Is Right

Exodus 20New King James Version (NKJV)

The Ten Commandments

20 And God spoke all these words, saying:

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

³ “You shall have no other gods before Me.

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ⁶ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

⁷ “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

God gave us these commandments for two reasons. To show us how serious he is about sin. And to show us how serious he is about relationships.

Exodus 20:5New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

 

 

Below are some examples of how God feels about relationships with him and others. You will notice that second in the tree of relationships is the marriage relationship. This is because this relationships is the bond that God established. The world is busy trying to destroy that relationship. This bond is something that God holds very dear to his heart. People have treated this relationship like they by television set today. Every so many years it is time to throw the old one out and get a new one. This is not how Got looks at this relationship. And those who pervert it in any way will answer to God for it. As you read on and get to the Proverbs 5 lesson below let God minister to your heart. Because if you are not honest with yourself then you are telling God that you are refusing to listen to him. That is your choice for now. And it will be up and to the point that you take your last breath. At that point you would have made your choice and you will not like it.

You and God

Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV)

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

 

Husband and Wife Relationships

Genesis 2:18-25 (NKJV)

¹⁸ And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” ¹⁹ Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

²¹ And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. ²² Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.²³ And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” ²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ²⁵ And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Proverbs 31:10-11 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. ¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

Matthew 19:5 (NKJV)

⁵ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

 

1 Corinthians 7 (NKJV)

…Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control … Read entire text. (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:23-33New King James Version (NKJV)

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her … In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself … and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Read entire text. (ESV)

1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)

⁷ Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Family Relationships

Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Leviticus 19:3 (NKJV)

³ ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Psalm 127:3 (NKJV)

³ Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Proverbs 31:28-31 (NKJV)

²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹ “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” ³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. ³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

John 19:26-27 (NKJV)

²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NKJV)

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Friendships

Proverbs 17:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:9-10 (NKJV)

⁹ Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. ¹⁰ Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

 

General Relationships and Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV)

⁹ Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. ¹¹ Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? ¹² Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Matthew 5:38-42 (NKJV)

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’^{[a] 39} But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV)

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV)

¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” ¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

1 Corinthians 6:1-7New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? ² Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? ³ Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? ⁴ If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? ⁶ But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

⁷ Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)

¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Timothy 5:1-3 (NKJV)

5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. ³ Honor widows who are really widows.

Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Dating Relationships

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

²³ Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Song of Solomon 4:9 (NKJV)

⁹ You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; You have ravished my heart With one look of your eyes, With one link of your necklace.

 

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

³³ Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NKJV)

5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

 

Proverbs Chapter 5 Explained

Proverbs 5 NKJV – The Peril of Adultery – My son, pay – Bible Gateway

 

 Proverbs 5:1 “My son, attend unto my wisdom, [and] bow thine ear to my understanding:” Proverbs 5:2 “That thou mayest regard discretion, and [that] thy lips may keep knowledge.”

We see here, again, instructions to stay wise to the things of God. The wise father marshals all the essential terms to sum up his call to wisdom.

We will see in this chapter the path we should take. Marriage will be spoken of as honorable and adultery of all kinds will be condemned.

Proverbs 5:3 “For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil:” 

“Lips – Mouth”: Seduction begins with deceptive flattery. Lips of honey should be part of true love in marriage.

Proverbs 5:4 “But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.”  Proverbs 5:5 “Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.”

Possibly a word we might understand a little better than “strange” woman would be a loose, sinful woman. This woman is forbidden fruit making her more mysterious and inviting to the young man. Prostitutes are out to allure the young men and sometimes the older, as well. They are dressed with very few clothes so as to reveal their bodies. Their lips are painted and they are trained to allure the weak men of the world. A woman like this has no future. Bitterness, sickness, early death, and then hell is what she has to look forward to. The two edged sword is the Bible she should have heeded.

The future of tasting her lips is like “wormwood”, a symbol of suffering, and a “sword,” the symbol of death and hell. “Wormwood” means bad water.

Proverbs 5:6 “Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them].”

This woman is unstable in all her ways. Don’t get involved with her; she will not be faithful to you. In most cities, her profession is against the law.

Her steps willfully and predictably stagger here and there as she has no concern for the abyss ahead.

 

Verses 7-14 describe the high price of infidelity. The focus here is on the guilty suffering of the one who yields to lust rather than obeying God’s law. Contrast the proper response to such temptation in the case of Joseph.

Proverbs 5:7 “Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.”

Here, again, the penman is saying take special heed to this, ye young men.

Proverbs 5:8 “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:”

Stay away from evil women like this. Don’t even go near her house. She will bring nothing but disappointment. Stay honorable. If you were to get involved with her, you would lead an unhappy life.

Proverbs 5:9-10 “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;”

There is no lasting happiness to be found with this type of woman. This is speaking of spending hard earned money on a prostitute and then getting some terrible disease in the process. In our time, people are dying everywhere from diseases caused by adultery. In many cases, there is no cure.

Proverbs 5:11 “And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,”

This could be a reference to venereal disease, or to the natural end of life. At that point, filled with an irreversible regret, the ruined sinner vainly laments his neglect of warning and his sad disgrace.

Proverbs 5:12 “And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;” Proverbs 5:13 “And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!”

Now that it is too late to turn back, we see regret that he did not take heed to the warning given. We see regret by this man that he rebelled against instruction. He did not let his teacher instruct him, so he had the cruel teacher of experience. He now knows that he made a terrible mistake not listening.

Proverbs 5:14 “I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.”

A most painful loss in such a situation is public disgrace in the community. There can be public confession, discipline, and forgiveness, but not restoration to one’s former place of honor and service. (See 6:33)

Even though training and instruction in righteousness had been offered this individual, he had rejected it.  One sin leads to another, and we see this person falling into more and worse sins until their last state is one of total inability to stop sinning.  He had no conscience.

Proverbs 5:15  “Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.”

Using the imagery of water, the joy of a faithful marriage is contrasted with the disaster of infidelity. “Cistern and well” refer to the wife from whom the husband is to draw all his satisfying refreshment, sexually and affectionately.

Proverbs 5:16 “Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, [and] rivers of waters in the streets.” Proverbs 5:17 “Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.”

“Fountains … streams”: The euphemism refers to the male procreation capacity with the idea of the foolish as a fountain scattering precious water, a picture of the wastefulness of sexual promiscuity.

The result of such indiscriminate sin is called “streams of waters in the street,” a graphic description of the illegitimate street children of harlotry. Rather, says Solomon, “let them be only your own” and not the children of such immoral strangers.

In short, stay at home and enjoy the things that God has provided for you and your family.  Don’t go looking for greener grass.

Proverbs 5:18 “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”

These fountains of living waters in verses l6, 17, and 18 are speaking of families which are produced by married couples who are happy with each other, always. 

“Fountain …. Blessed”. God offers to bless male procreation when it is confined to one’s wife. It should be noted that, in spite of the sinful polygamy of David and Solomon, as well as the disastrous polygamy of Rehoboam, the instruction here identifies God’s ideal as one wife from youth on.

Verse 18 says take another look at the wife of your youth. You loved her then, love her now. The two of you are one flesh.

Proverbs 5:19 “[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.”

The hind, (doe) has graceful beauty in her face and form and is often used in the poetry of bible times for the beauty of a woman. Breasts are an imagery of affection. This can be seen in The Song of Solomon.

There has been a terrible cancer of sin in our society the last few years. That is people who are living together without the benefit of marriage. This is not only sin, but sin that involves the temple of the Holy Ghost of God. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost. Some way God will stop this. This is not His plan for man and woman. God made one man for one woman, and they two become one flesh; not for a few days but for a lifetime together on this earth.

The family on earth is a type and shadow of the eternal family in heaven. Jesus is the groom, and all believers are the bride of Christ. In heaven, there is a heavenly Father. For marriage to work here on the earth there has to be a heavenly Father who we center our marriage around.  God can give you a special love for your wife or husband, even if you have been married over 50 years.

Teach us to love our mate, Dear Lord. Show us the difference in love and lust. Love is of the spirit, but lust is of the flesh. Our prayer should be, “Lord, build our marriage on the solid Rock that cannot crumble when the storms of life come.”

Proverbs 5:20 “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?”

The answer to that is lust of the flesh. Such behavior is presented as having no benefit; thus, to justify such folly is senseless.

Proverbs 5:21 “For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.”

You cannot hide from God. He knows every move you make.  He even knows the desires of your heart. God thinks about (ponders) all the ways of man. In mercy the Lord withholds immediate judgment, allowing a sinner time to repent or to be caught in his own sin.

There is a song called “The All Seeing Eye”. God is that all Seeing Eye. You cannot keep any secrets from Him. There is a record being kept, and someday the books will be opened. If we have lived in sin, we shall be ashamed to stand before God.

Proverbs 5:22  “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.”

We see, here, that sin gets worse as time goes on. A person caught up in this type of life will tie their own selves up in this sin. Adultery seems to be especially bad to the Lord. This sin of adultery, which also includes homosexual and lesbian acts, carries its own special punishment with it. Verse 23 tells the awful end of this type of person.

Proverbs 5:23 “He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.”

Unless this type of sin is repented of and turned away from totally, the end of this person is such it would have been better had they never lived. Destruction lies ahead.

Proverbs Chapter 5 Questions

1. What is condemned in this lesson?
2. The lips of a _________ __________drop as honeycomb.
3. The bitter end of this woman is compared to what?
4. What does it mean?
5. Where is her destination?
6. What makes this woman inviting to the young men?
7. What tells us this woman is unstable?
8. Why is it so important to move thyself away from her door?
9. What will happen to your wealth if you follow this type of woman?
10. In verse 12, he is feeling what about his life?
11. In this case, what is the cruel teacher?
12. What does verse 14 mean about being in all evil?
13. What does the fact that he was in the congregation tell us?
14. Drink waters where?
15. Who is the man to rejoice with?
16. Whose love should he be ravished with?
17. What is one cancer of sin in our society today?
18. When we are involved in body sin, who do we include in our sin?
19. Love is of the _________.
20. Lust is of the _________.
21. Who knows every sin we commit, even if we feel we are hidden?
22. If we have sinned and not repented, what shall we feel when we stand before God?
23. What terrible end comes to this sinner in verse 23?

 

Proverbs 5New King James Version (NKJV)

The Peril of Adultery

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
Lend your ear to my understanding,
² That you may preserve discretion,
And your lips may keep knowledge.
³ For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey,
And her mouth is smoother than oil;
⁴ But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
⁵ Her feet go down to death,
Her steps lay hold of hell.
⁶ Lest you ponder her path of life—
Her ways are unstable;
You do not know them.

⁷ Therefore hear me now, my children,
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
⁸ Remove your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house,
⁹ Lest you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
¹⁰ Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
¹¹ And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
¹² And say:
“How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
¹³ I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
¹⁴ I was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

¹⁵ Drink water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
¹⁶ Should your fountains be dispersed abroad,
Streams of water in the streets?
¹⁷ Let them be only your own,
And not for strangers with you.
¹⁸ Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
¹⁹ As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
And always be enraptured with her love.
²⁰ For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman,
And be embraced in the arms of a seductress?

²¹ For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,
And He ponders all his paths.
²² His own iniquities entrap the wicked man,
And he is caught in the cords of his sin.
²³ He shall die for lack of instruction,
And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

In Psalms 139 we are told that there is nowhere that we can go to get away from God. And that no matter where we go to hide from him, his eyes are always on us. We were created for the purpose of having fellowship with him. But the sin of Adam and Eve created a division between us and him. It is through Christ however that this wall was brought down. However, there are so many in this world that continue to run from him.

Psalm 139:7-16New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

So! Why is it then, that if God has gone to such great lengths to bring us back into fellowship with him is it the we go to such great lengths to remain separated from him? The simple answer is that we enjoy living in sin. For such a small word, a lot is packed into the meaning of sin. The Bible defines sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God’s law.

1 John 3:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

 

 It is also described as disobedience or rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7), as well as independence from God.

Deuteronomy 9:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ “Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.

The original translation means “to miss the mark” of God’s holy standard of righteousness. But it also means to fall short. Another meaning for sin is to twist. And that is exactly what so many people do to justify their bad behavior. The book of Proverbs has been called the Book of Wisdom as well as the Book of Knowledge. But it can also be called the Book of Honesty. And sometimes it can be brutally honest.  It is a book that can and will cause extreme changes in your life. But the key to these changes must be honesty. In order for anyone to make changes in their life they must be honest with themselves. In Proverbs 4 we are commanded to heed to the instructions of a father. God used Solomon to instruct not only his own children but the rest of us. There is no one that knows us better than the one who created us. And it is through these commandment to obtain wisdom and knowledge of God that we can grow and make the changes in our lives that help us to draw close to God. But change is hard. And mankind has built up a resistance to Gods word. That is why Proverbs is so insistent on obtaining the wisdom and knowledge that directs us back to our creator. It has been a battle from the beginning. Satan has placed every obstacle he can in our path to tempt us away from God.

What is happening in America today has created so many different attractions that attempt to draw our eyes away from what God has done for us.  And we are so enamored with keeping ourselves entertained that we are more than willing participates in sin. But we are not unaware of looking good to our fellow man. We do things to make ourselves look good in the eyes of our fellow man and are not worried about what God is seeing in us. Facebook is a prime example of this. We can hide behind our laptops and put on a facade that make us look better in other peoples eyes. But we forget that all the while, God is able to see through that façade. And he knows our hearts.

1 Samuel 16:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

16:7  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Jeremiah 17:10New King James Version (NKJV)

17:10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

His word also tells us that where our treasures are that is where our heart is.

Matthew 6:20-26 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

As we get into the study of Proverbs 4 think about what your treasures are and where your treasures are stored. Your treasure chest should be filled to overflowing with Gods word. The wisdom that Proverbs talks about is not of this world. And the doctrine of Jesus Christ is something that is obtained from the knowledge and understanding that is not of this world. So take hold of that instruction for in it is eternal life. God knows you better than you know yourself.

Proverbs Chapter 4 Explained

Proverbs 4 NKJV – Security in Wisdom – Hear, my children, – Bible Gateway

Proverbs 4:1 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.” Proverbs 4:2 “For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.” Proverbs 4:3 “For I was my father’s son, tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother.”

This message that Solomon penned undoubtedly is not only written by him to all young men for instruction, but is also what David had taught Solomon, as well.

“Good doctrine”: There is no wisdom but that which is linked to good doctrine, which should be the focal point of all instruction.

Sometimes in the Proverbs, it seems as if we are covering the same ground all over again. Whether this is to drive home a lesson, or whether we are picking up extra fragments of truth and that is the reason for repetition is not clear. As we said in previous lessons, wisdom is the subject. We see here, also, that a doctrine (belief) has been established.

Instructions in God’s law came from father to son in these times. It was very important not to leave out even minor details in that law. We are told again here to remember in detail the law of God and to live by it (do not forsake it).  In fact, we should make it our doctrine or way of life as well.

Verse 3 is speaking of David and Bathsheba.

Proverbs 4:4 “He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.”

There is much written in Chronicles and Kings about Solomon. David even gives Solomon detailed information about the temple to be built in Jerusalem. You may read more about all of this in those respective books. The point I am trying to make here, about this, is that Solomon was instructed of David; and Solomon is now conveying to us how important it is to keep the commandments. The promise is life and life everlasting, at that.

Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” Proverbs 4:6 “Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.” Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Solomon, as you can see here, thought that wisdom and understanding was the most important things to have. Worldly wisdom is not what Solomon had in mind, here either.

Solomon, being taught of David and being gifted with the gift of wisdom which God had given him, realized that wisdom and knowledge of the things of God should bring a person even closer to God; and therefore, keep him from failure. He speaks of wisdom as if it is a person. Wisdom is spirit.

Proverbs 4:8 “Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.”

Wisdom does bring honor instead of shame. A foolish son or daughter brings shame to their parents, but children filled with godly wisdom bring honor to their parents.

The more highly one esteems wisdom, the more highly wisdom lifts that person.

Proverbs 4:9 “She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”

This has to do with the association of wisdom with the inner spiritual life. As we stated in the previous lesson, 3:22, the wisdom of God will adorn one’s life for all to see its beauty. And in chapter 1:9 we are told “For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.

Proverbs 4:10 “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.”

For those who hear and listen to wisdom, there days may be long upon the earth.

 

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

 

Proverbs 4:11 “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.” Proverbs 4:12 “When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.”

We see, again, that some of this has come to Solomon from David. David walked uprightly before the Lord. Even the name “David” means beloved of God. God directed David’s walk.

David taught his son; and now Solomon is saying to all who read this book of Proverbs, hear and understand. Pray for wisdom of God and walk in that wisdom, and you shall not stumble and fall. You can run the race well and not stumble along the way as long as the wisdom of God directs you.

Proverbs 4:13 “Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.”

The father commanded his son in v.5 to get wisdom, now here he commands him to hold on to it.

When we stop learning, we are dead.  There is always something else to learn.  We read in II Timothy 3:16 the type of instruction that is the most profitable to man.

II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” II Timothy 3:17 “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Proverbs 4:14  “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men].”

Sin is best dealt with at its beginning by the application of necessary wisdom to suit the initial temptation.

Proverbs 4:15 “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”

Four verbs identify aspects necessary in urgently dealing with sin at its start.

1. Avoid the sinful situation
2. Pass as far from it as possible
3. Turn away from the sin
4. Pass beyond or escape the sin

The plan here fits exactly with the pattern of sin’s enticement outlined in James 1:13-15.

James 1:13-15 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

Proverbs 4:16 “For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.” Proverbs 4:17 “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.”

We see in these 2 verses a person who has chosen a sinful way of life. They are not satisfied to ruin their own lives but are trying to drag others into their sin. Misery loves company.

They have to sin before they can sleep, and they view their sin as food for their hungry, wicked souls.

Isn’t it strange that many violent crimes seem to be committed by gangs. These people, in the verses above, do not hold down a regular job and eat from that. They commit crimes against others and live by that. They eventually wind up in jail or worse, and then do not have anything to look forward to for all of eternity.

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

This is in total contrast. Those who are justified because they have made a decision to walk in the path of righteousness are walking in the Light as He is in the Light. That perfect day is the day when all these struggles of this life are over, and we can be in the presence of the Light for that eternal day.

The path of the believer is one of increasing light, just as a sunrise begins with the first faith glow of dawn and proceeds to the splendor of noonday.

Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”

The wicked in darkness cannot and will not repent and come to the light. We see, as we read in John, the Light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.

Proverbs 4:20  “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.” Proverbs 4:21 “Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.” Proverbs 4:22 “For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

How many times have we told our children over and over, please listen and heed the message. Don’t get out in the world and forget what I have been saying. Don’t stop looking at the messages in front of your eyes. Hide the things I have said down deep in your heart, and don’t let the cares of the world make you forget. They are life and health to you. Every parent has said things similar to these to their children, and we have all heard them say: “You have told me over and over, now I won’t forget.” It isn’t necessary to say it anymore”.

Proverbs 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:24 “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”

The heart is the very center of our being. It commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason, but also includes the emotions, the will, and thus the whole inner being. The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech, sight, and conduct.

We can either have a pure heart or it can be desperately wicked. It will be one or the other. God will judge our heart. The heart controls the moral structure of our lives. A pure heart brings pure words.

Froward mouths and perverse (evil) words come from an evil heart. Out of the abundance of our heart our mouth speaketh. It speaks life or death.

Proverbs 4:25 “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.”

I have always said that our eyes reveal what is inside of us.

They are little windows that you may look into the soul. Shifty eyes that cannot look at you, ordinarily indicate the person has something they are covering up.  Eyes that look straight at you say, “I am telling the truth”.  Wandering eyes of any kind can bring heartache.

Proverbs 4:26 “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” Proverbs 4:27 “Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”

In verse 26, the word “ponder” means think about the path you are launching out on. Make sure that the path you are heading out on leads to righteousness. Don’t despair of the path you have chosen. Make your path straight. Things of the world must not attract you off of this path. Stay on the straight path that will lead you to heaven.

Proverbs Chapter 4 Questions

1. In verse 2, we read to forsake not the law for it is good ______ ______.
2. Solomon describes himself as what to his mother?
3. Besides Solomon giving us these instructions, what can we assume they are?
4. What is the subject of the Proverbs?
5. What is a doctrine?
6. How did the law of commandments not get lost?
7. Who was Solomon ‘s mother?
8. In verse 4, we read keep my commandments and __________.
9. What are 2 more Old Testament books that speak much about Solomon?
10. What did Solomon say was the principal thing?
11. Wisdom and knowledge of God can do what for a person?
12. If sin brings shame, what brings honor?
13. What do crowns of glory have to do with?
14. David means what?
15. What good could be said of David?
16. If the wisdom of God directs your path, you will not ________ and ________.
17. What kind of instruction is most important to man?
18. Where does Scripture come from?
19. What path must we avoid at all cost?
20. What is the difference in the path of the world and the path of the believer?
21. The evil eat of the bread of ________.
22. What is the path of the just compared to?
23. Out of what are the issues of life?
24. In verse 24, what is to be put away?
25. How are we to keep our eyes?
26. Shifting eyes usually indicate what?
27. What does the author think reveals what is inside of us?
28. Eyes that look straight at you, usually are saying what?
29. Ponder means what?

 

Throughout history there have been men and women that have done evil for the sake of gaining control. They have shown that no matter who it hurts or who’s life it brings to an end they will use the power they have been given to destroy those that they deem disposable to attain their goal. Their biggest asset is that they have found many who have been willing to go along with them simply with the promise of shearing in there ill-gotten gain. From the time Adam and Eve fell into sin mankind has been playing the devil made me do it card. They expect that by drawing others into their folly they can use it as an excuse to justify their actions. But Genesis 3 and Proverbs 1 have made it very clear that every one of us are responsible for our own actions. No matter who we try to place the blame on.

 

Even today this argument is applied on a daily basis and by no one more than politicians. In her argument before congress Nancy Pelosi said that the Obama care bill needed to be passed before anyone could read it. In other words she expected both Democrats and Republicans to join her in the folly that she was about to embark upon. This attempt to get others to join in the folly did not work in the garden and it will not work on judgment day when everyone must stand before God to answer in the same way that Adam and Eve did. Nothing makes that more clear than Proverbs 1.

Proverbs 1 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Beginning of Knowledge

Shun Evil Counsel

The Call of Wisdom

 

Most, if not all Americans, believe that they have the freedom to choose how they live their lives. There are many however who think that those that do not believe the same way they do should not have that same right. This is exactly how Nazism in Germany came into power.

Since before the dawn of creation there has been a battle for something that someone desired to have but did not belong to them. Lucifer, better known as Satan, desired the praise and worship that was not his. He was the first elitist and the first to try and take what was not his. His fall from heaven did not stop him from trying to take anything and everything from someone he hated. His fall started him on his quest to destroy anyone who would worship anyone but him. In the Garden of Eden the first recorded event of finger pointing began. But one thing happened that Satan did not count on. Not only was he held personally responsible for his actions but so where Adam and Eve. Thus began the fall of man. That did not stop Satan from continuing on with his quest. He rolled with the punches and decided he would take advantage of what had happened. It took a while for his elitist attitude to take hold but along the way he also used something other than a gun to cause the first recorded murder to happen. The weapon used is not the issue because it was and it still is a matter of the heart of man.

The bible tells us that man’s heart is deceptively wicked, Jeremiah 17:9. All it took was for the seed of desire to be planted. Satan planted that seed into Eve’s heart but was able to cultivate it and harvest it from the heart of Cain. Over time he nurtured that seed by offering to those who would seek to gain whatever their heart desired by any means they would. Throughout history elitism grew with the help of governments who where controlled by these elitist. This is what those who came to America where fleeing from when they left Europe. America was the hope of many who where crushed under the tyranny of elitist who sought to form kingdoms where they would tax their subjects so that they could live a life if luxury at the expense of those whom they where oppressing. In the movie Shooter  Mark Wahlberg played the role of Bob Lee Swagger in which he went after corrupt officials which included a United States senator played by Ned Beaty. Two of Beaty’s lines in the movie where ,“ There are no Republican and Democrats. There only the haves and the have not’s“. And, “You cannot do this to me, I am a US Senator.” Those two lines sum up the attitude of elitist. The movie itself is a good example of the length that elitist will go to maintain the power they think they have.

As I said in the above statement, most if not all Americans believe in freedom of choice. Those in leadership positions in this country have learned how to manipulate people into a false sense of believe that by just letting them handle their freedoms that things will be alright. They use fear as a motivation for gaining control over our lives. Much like what Hitler did to gain control. Hitler was a master manipulator and our own government has spent years learning from his tactics. Once he gained the confidence of the populace, he seized power as many just stood by and watched the atrocities that he committed. He was not the first to commit these atrocities nor was he the last. But he is the clearest example of how a populace can be convinced into giving a mad man full control without being conquered. He had control and power with the backing of a willing nation. Much like what is happening before our eye’s in America today. People in America have given power to a group of people whom they trust have their best interest at heart.

 

But it is only a perceived trust. Those that they have put this trust in have used that power to destroy the lives of millions of people. And to crush anyone who stands in the way of their quest for full control. Proverbs 1 brings to light the fact that there are only three kinds of people in the world. Those that strive to do good, those that strive to do evil, and those that stand by while evil is being done. So looking back at what Adam did that really narrows it done to only two kinds of people. By standing by and allowing evil to happen those who do nothing are placed in the same category as those who do evil.

Romans 2:1-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God. ¹² For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law ¹³ (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; ¹⁴ for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, ¹⁵ who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) ¹⁶ in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

 

However much people do not want to hear this, this is the reason that Christianity is so violently attacked. It reminds the world that it will be held accountable for its sins. The world has attempted to pass many laws to make what the bible tells us null and void. However, no matter how many laws America or any other country passes, it does not void God’s word. There is no law that can take anyone’s right to choose between right and wrong. Governments will attempt to outlaw God’s word by outlawing Christianity. But they do so at their own peril. Those that choose to follow those that choose not to follow the path that God has set forth, choose to follow Satan and he becomes their master. No government can take away the right to choose the path that God has put before each and every one of us. You can choose to follow Christ or reject him. That is something that no one can keep you from doing. They can make all the threats they want. They can pass all the laws they want. It is still an individual choice.

Matthew 25:31-46 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ ⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Mankind has had many warnings. History tells us of the tyranny that has taken place by elitist who have had corrupt governments at their disposal to do their bidding. Today we live in a world where we have turned our backs on history and have once again allowed tyranny to raise its ugly head again. The warnings have come from people who have lived through the tyranny.

In her own words Kitty Werthmann who survived Hitler.

“What I am about to tell you is something you’ve probably never heard or read in history books,” she likes to tell audiences. “I am a witness to history. “I cannot tell you that Hitler took Austria by tanks and guns; it would distort history. “We voted him in.”

She survived Hitler and wants to warn America – On the Front Lines of the Culture Wars

Other sites of interest:

THE INHERENT RACISM OF – Inherentracism.pdf

Killer Angel

You may be wondering what the title of this article has to do with our study of the Book of Proverbs. Just bear with me as you read on and hopefully the light will come on. Donald Trump was right when he said the time for political correctness has come to an end. And not just in America. We are at a point in history where it is looking more and more like what the Book of Revelations has described. But it is not just the Book of Revelations that talks about the end times.

 2 Timothy 3:2-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Throughout the entire world there are leaders that fall under the description of 2 Timothy. But in many cases these countries are ran by some sort of dictatorship. The problem in America is that we have elected the kind of people that 2 Timothy talks about. America is no longer that city on a hill or that beacon that people look for to lead. That is because we have leaders that are just as corrupt as these same dictators that have enslaved their own people because of their lust for power. But the answer to why this has happened will be denied by many. But however they spin it, I believe it to be so.

Romans 1New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

America has elected ungodly leaders who have their own agenda. It is a worldly agenda that they have taken hold of and money and power has become their god. By making promises to voters that they have no intentions of keeping they have positioned themselves to completely destroy America as we know it. They have passed laws that are completely ungodly and are attempting to remove any reference to God from the history books. While Americans set in front of their television sets and allow themselves to be entertained by all of the crap that they are watching and doing. Americans have become some of the most disrespectful people in the world. The way we treat each other is nothing short of an abomination. America has now grown up a generation of people who have lost all concept of what law and order is. America has grown up a generation of people that has lost all since of responsibility and who refuse to hold themselves accountable to a higher standard. They are quick to blame everyone else but themselves for what is happening to them.

The first part of Proverbs 3 talks about that standard and the rewards for living up to that standard.

Proverbs 3New King James Version (NKJV)

3 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
² For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴ And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

This exaltation continues down through most of chapter 3 but as with all of the chapters in Proverbs there are also the warnings.

 

Proverbs 3New King James Version (NKJV)

³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Here verse 32 says that the perverse is an abomination to God. Verse 33 says that the curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked. It is interesting to see to what lengths people will go to hide their sins. But they are only fooling themselves.

Proverbs 15:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Americans have allowed themselves to become enslaved by their own actions. It has become very clear that America is being lead away from the rule of law by those who have their own agenda. Americans are more interested in what is going on with the Jerry Springer show that they are in doing what is right in God’s eyes. America is being divided by the elitist with the help of a news media that is more interested in satire than they are in reporting the truth. And the American people have become more interested in being entertained by garbage than placing word into their hearts and living by his word. Wisdom is no longer something that they seek but rather a life style that is completely opposite from that standard with the word of God is calling them to live by. The news media in America has become a puppet to which the elitist have used to gain control. Instead of being on our knees praying for this nation Americans are tuning into whatever crap they think will give them the most pleasure in watching. They enjoy watching the misery of others because it seems to tell them that there is someone worse off than they are. Look once again at what 2 Timothy and then look at what the news media as well as Hollywood is trying to ram down the throats of the American people.

2 Timothy 3:2-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

. Then compare that to what Gods word is telling us. It is up to you what you want to put into your heart. Gods word or the crap that the elitist and their puppets are trying spoon feed you. It is up to you what you put into you heart.

Proverbs Chapter 3 Explained

Proverbs 3 NKJV – Guidance for the Young – My son, do not – Bible Gateway

In this lesson of chapter 3, the study of truth leading to wisdom is commended to all. This is enforced by a contrast to the destinies of the wise and wicked.

Verses 1-20 is where Solomon instructs that wisdom is (1) rooted in sound teaching, v. 1-4; (2) rests in trust in God, v. 5-6; (3) rewards those who obey v. 7-10.

While wisdom demands chastening, it brings profound benefits, v. 13-18 and its importance is clear since it undergirded God’s creation in verses 19 and 20.

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:”

“My law”, Hebrew “Torah” from the verb “to throw, distribute, or teach, hence “teachings”.

It is used of God’s law but here, as in 2:1, it is used of the commands and principles that God gave through Solomon.

Proverbs 3:2 “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”

“My son” tell us who this message is to. It is not to the world in general, but to the followers of God. God reminds us to not forget His teachings, but hide them away in our hearts. God also reminds us to walk in His ways.

His “commandments” here are talking about all of His ways. Just as the commandment to honor father and mother promises that our days may be long upon the earth, we see the promises of length of days here if we follow in His ways.

When you know that you have done the right things, it does bring peace. Sin brings fear of punishment, but obedience brings peace.

Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”

“Neck … heart.” The virtues of mercy (the Hebrew word for loving kindness and loyal love) and truth that come from God are to become part of us, outwardly in our behavior for all to see as an adornment of spiritual beauty, and inwardly as the subject of our meditation. Such inward and outward mercy and truth is evidence of New Covenant salvation.

The Bible says the “merciful shall obtain mercy”. Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” “Mercy” shows love to the utmost, for God and for man.

“Truth” cannot be underestimated. It is beyond compromise. A truthful person is a person whose character cannot and will not be questioned by anyone. One of the highest compliments that can be paid a man is to say that he is a man of truth.

If a person could have the two most important strengths of character, it would be mercy and truth. This “binding them about the neck”, I believe, just means to treasure them highly and don’t lose them somewhere along the way. “Write them upon the tables of thine heart” has to do with the heart dictating a person’s actions.

God will write His laws upon the heart of His people, if we will allow Him to. I believe that is the message here. God says if you have these two, mercy and truth, you have His laws on your heart. In V-4 we find if we practice these two, we will be able to get along with not only the men around us, but God as well.

Proverbs 3:5  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

This V-5 here applies to all believers, but even more to those who are in the service to God. God never chose any man or woman to work for Him because of their training and ability within themselves. God chooses people like Jeremiah who was just a lad with no formal training; and God put the words in Jeremiah’s mouth to give to the people. You may read all about it in chapter 1 of Jeremiah. When we depend upon our own ability, we fall very short. For a minister of God to be effective, it must be God speaking through him.

Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Three commands are given in verses 5 and 6: Trust, meaning “rely on, depend on”; Lean not, meaning do not depend on your own native instincts, and Acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in all of life. The result of such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.

Here, again, we get into the will of man. Man has to be willing to accept God’s help and to give God the credit for the job well done. A Christian must first of all not start anything that the Lord is not in, and then we must praise Him in everything.

Hebrews 13:15 tells us when we should praise the Lord.  Hebrews 13:15, “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.”  If He directs our path, we shall walk in the light and not stumble and fall.

Proverbs 3:7  “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”

The most dangerous thing, if you are trying to succeed in the world, is to get satisfied with yourself.  A person cannot grow when he gets this attitude. When we rely upon our self, we are always disappointed. No one likes a know-it-all or a conceited person.  We must remain humble. What little knowledge that we do have is because of God’s generosity towards us.

Fear of the Lord will take away all arrogance and pride. In the first few verses of Proverbs, we learned that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom. Fear here could be looked at again as reverence or high praise.  Give God the glory for it all.

Proverbs 3:8 “It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

The strength here is in the marrow, the inner parts. God is promising physical well being for those who live wisely according to His will. Such physical well being is what David forfeited before he confessed that he had sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah.

Many illnesses are brought on by sins as we said before, not all illness, but some. Good clean living seems to assist in good health. For sure, good clean living brings a clear conscience and no regrets. When the spirit of man is healthy, it helps with the physical health, as well.

Exodus 15:26, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statues, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”

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.

A biblical view of possessions demands using them for honoring God. This is accomplished by trusting God, by giving the first and best to God, by being fair, by giving generously and by expressing gratitude for all He gives. The result of such faithfulness to honor Him is prosperity and satisfaction.

Honoring the Lord goes much further than just attending church and stating that we are a believer. Our heart is where our pocket book and time is.

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

We can see from Jesus’ own words here, that if we plan to prosper, we must give both of ourselves and of our possessions.

Malachi 3:10 tells it all. Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].”

Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:” “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.”

“Not despise … chastening”: Since even the wisest of God’s children are subject to sin, there is necessity of God’s fatherly discipline to increase wisdom and blessing. Such correction should not be resisted.

In Romans chapter 5, we read why chastening and trials must come. Romans 5:3-5 “And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” “And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

You see, the only way a baby learns right from wrong is correction of parents.  Sometimes a little paddling makes the lesson easier to remember. This is sometimes true with baby Christians, as well.  When we do not obey God, He has to give us a spanking so that we will remember to obey next time. Just as an earthly parent corrects a child to help him grow in the knowledge of the truth, so does a heavenly Father.

If He cared not what becomes of us, He wouldn’t bother to correct us. Read chapter 3 of Ephesians beginning with the 13th verse. It will thrill you that you have been tried. I will give one more Scripture here to show that God loves us in our tribulations and then go on.

II Thessalonians 1:4-5 “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:” “[Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:”

If God loves us, He corrects us; and we take on His worthiness.

Proverbs 3:13-14  “Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.” “For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”

One of the most wonderful gifts that God can give to man is wisdom and understanding. Solomon was no fool when he asked God for wisdom. Wisdom will bring prosperity of body, soul, and spirit. A wise man chooses God’s ways and therefore cannot fail. If you have silver and gold, you can spend all of it and have nothing, but wisdom cannot be taken away; and with wisdom you can acquire silver and gold and any other thing that you might ever have need of.

Divine wisdom yields the richest treasures, described in verses 14-18 as “profits,” (merchandise) “length of days,” “riches,” “honor,” “pleasantness,” “peace,” “life”, and happiness.

Proverbs 3:15 “She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”

We will have to look back at the last lesson to see what the “she” is here. Wisdom is the she. In fact, this whole third chapter of Proverbs is all about wisdom. Material things of this world, regardless of how valuable they are, are not anything to compare with wisdom.

Proverbs 3:16 “Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.”

The right hand blessing is always the best blessing.  Length of days is spoken of here as being more wonderful to possess than riches and honour. If a man has no time left to spend his riches and fame, most would trade all of that to extend life a little longer.  Even this blessing of extended days is still far short of the blessing of wisdom.

Proverbs 3:17 “Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths [are] peace.”

Again here the “her” is wisdom.  Wisdom is pleasant and brings peace.

Proverbs 3:18 “She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.” Wisdom is an extender of life. Not only length of life, but quality of life, as well.

This expression is a metaphor referring to temporal and spiritual renewal and refreshment.

Proverbs 3:19 “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.” Proverbs 3:20 “By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.”

The wisdom of God so far surpasses anything we might know of. God actually, through His great wisdom and knowledge, placed the stars, sun, and moon in the open sky. The earth was hung in open air, as well. Not only did God hang them in the atmosphere in perfect orbit, but He also made all of this, as well. Not only did God make all of this, but it is all subject to His will. God causes the sunshine and the rain.  He controls the whole universe.

John chapter 1 describes it all.  John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “The same was in the beginning with God.” “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Solomon is indicating that wisdom is basic to all of life, for by it God created everything. Since God used it to create the universe, how eager must we be to use it to live in this universe?

Proverbs 3:21 “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:” Proverbs 3:22 “So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.”

True wisdom belongs to God. God will give us wisdom if we seek it prayerfully. The grace that Jesus has provided for us has to be held in high esteem, even to the saving of our soul. We must remain in that wisdom.

Proverbs 3:23 “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.”

If we remain in the wisdom that God hath provided for us in His Son, Jesus Christ, we shall be able to walk in His way and not stumble.

Proverbs 3:24 “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”

Here, again, if we remain in the wisdom that the Lord has given us, there is no fear of death. Death of the body would just transform us into that heavenly place with Jesus. There is no fear for the Christian with faith. So many times in these lessons we have made the statement that fear is the opposite of faith. Sleep is sweet for those wise unto salvation. No regrets haunt us. We have gotten forgiveness and are living just as if we had never sinned: justified by Jesus. Sleep is sweet when everything is alright with you and God.

Proverbs 3:25 “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.” Proverbs 3:26 “For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

We see many instances in the New Testament when the demon spirits are afraid of Jesus, because they know that He is the Judge of the world and that they have a terrible fate awaiting them.

In Matthew 8:29, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”  You see, sudden fear gripped them, because of the terrible fate they know they have awaiting them. If you know that you are saved and safe with the Lord, you have no sudden fear. The only fear permitted to those who trust in the Lord is Godly fear.  You see, trust in the Lord brings confidence, a knowing that all is well.

Proverbs 3:27 “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].”

As opportunity arises, we must help anyone and everyone that is within our power to help. It seems those full of wisdom seem to be better off financially.

We see in I Timothy 6:17-18, that having a little more than those around you carries responsibility with it.

1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;”

Proverbs 3:28 “Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.”

This is saying, do not put your neighbour off until to-morrow if you have the ability to help them today. Their need is now. We should be eager to help those less fortunate. Only God has seen fit for us to be the better off.

Proverbs 3:29 “Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.”

One of the two most important things God wants us to do is love thy neighbor as thyself. We would not figure up evil against ourselves, so we must not against the neighbor, either.

Proverbs 3:30  “Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.”

We should not live in strife and fussing, but should learn to live peaceably with all men. If we live for the Lord, we are promised that even our enemies will be at peace with us. This does not say that there is never a time for strife. If your enemy attacks you, you may defend yourself; but you must not start strife nor keep it going.

Proverbs 3:31  “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.”

We must never choose the way of the oppressor. Bullies as children are not to be looked up to. We must not even fellowship with those who choose to oppress others. The worldly wealth that some acquire with their oppression of others should never be envied or desired. Evil and good are like oil and water. They cannot mix.

Proverbs 3:32 “For the froward [is] abomination to the LORD: but his secret [is] with the righteous.”

“Froward” means perverted or wicked. The wicked will not know the  secret, because they will not see; and hearing, they will not hear.  They (the wicked) will not understand the things of God. The secret  that the righteous know is that Jesus Christ is their Savior. God  reveals Himself to those who love Him.

Proverbs 3:33  “The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.”

From Genesis throughout the Bible, God promises blessings to those who follow in God’s commandments and curses to those who do not follow in the ways of God.

Proverbs 3:34 “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”

Those who reject the teachings of the Lord are rejected themselves by Him.  The scribes and Pharisees are a typical example of this. They thought too highly of themselves and turned the Lord of glory down. The lowly of the world were willing to receive and were granted grace of the Lord.

Psalms 138:6, “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.”

Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

The wise seek God. Those who seek God inherit glory. The glory of the only begotten Son is shared with those who live for God. This is a shared inheritance. Fools live worldly lives for the here and now. Worldly, selfish liveshame.

Proverbs Chapter 3 Questions

1. Material things of this world cannot compare with what?
2. In verse 16, what is in wisdom’s right hand?
3. Which hand has always been the best blessing?
4. The Lord by _________ hath founded the earth.
5. Who does John 1:3 say created all things?
6. By His _________ the depths are broken up.
7. True wisdom belongs to whom?
8. How must we seek wisdom to receive it?
9. What description is given of the sleep of the wise?
10. If we remain in the wisdom that the Lord has given us, there is no fear of _________
11. Who shall be thy confidence?
12. Why were the demon spirits afraid of Jesus?
13. What is the only fear permitted to believers in the Lord?
14. In 1 Timothy chapter 6, we see what about those who are wealthy?
15. When someone asks your help and you have the ability to help, when should you help him?
16. In verse 29, we are warned not to do what to our neighbor?
17. Strive not with a man _________ _________ _________.
18. What are we told about the oppressor?
19. Evil and good are like _________ and _________. They cannot mix.
20. The froward is an _________ to the Lord.
21. What does froward mean?
22. What is in the house of the wicked?
23. Who does God give grace to?
24. Psalms 138:6 says God has respect for the _________.

 

Proverbs 3New King James Version (NKJV)

3 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
² For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴ And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
¹² For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
²² So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

This is a continuation of the study of the book of Proverbs. We will continue by getting into the second chapter but before we do let’s recap chapter 1. Two Books | Darwin Is Right   In chapter 1 we saw that there are those in this world who seek to justify their bad behavior by drawing others into their folly. And by doing so they think that they can use it as an excuse. But they are wrong. The bible tells us that God is holy.

1 Peter 1:16New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

God is very specific about dealing with sin. Sin in any form is an abomination to him. Satan was kicked out of heaven for his rebellion against God and knows that he will not be allowed back in. But he has convinced a multitude of people otherwise. These people believe that they can use the excuse that if someone else is doing it then there is nothing wrong with them doing it. As you read through chapters 1 and 2 of Proverbs you will see that that is simply not the case. God prevented a whole generation of Israelites from entering into the promise land for their open rebellion. See Numbers 13-25

The title of this article is, Your Name Is In The Book of Proverbs. As you read through the book you need to be honest with yourself and seriously take it to heart. The characteristic’s that each chapter talks about deals with each and every one of us. If you are honest with yourself you will understand. But if you want to continue to deny your sins and make excuses or have others make excuses for you then Proverbs is very much talking about you.

But the question that I want you to consider while going through this is this. Is your name written in the Book of Life. If so that is a very good thing. But if it is not, that is a very bad thing. Only by reading through the Book of Proverbs and being very honest with yourself will you find out. That is step 1.

Revelation 20:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Luke 10:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Hebrews 12:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Daniel 12:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

Philippians 4:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Revelation 3:5  New King James Version (NKJV)

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 21:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Exodus 32:31-33 New King James Version (NKJV)

31 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” 33 And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.

Psalm 69:27-28 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 Add iniquity to their iniquity, And let them not come into Your righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.

Revelation 13:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 17:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Psalm 56:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

Psalm 139:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

Malachi 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.

As I said, being honest with yourself is step 1. There are many who simply refuse to do so. And by doing so are condemning themselves to an eternity without God. So on with our study.

Proverbs Chapter 2 Explained

Proverbs 2 NKJV – The Value of Wisdom – Bible Gateway

Proverbs Chapter 2

Proverbs 2:1 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;”

Solomon has taken God’s law and made it his own by faith and obedience, as well as teaching. The wisdom of these words is available to those who, first of all, understand the rich value (treasure) that wisdom possesses. Appropriating wisdom begins when one values it above all else.

Proverbs 2:2 “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding;”

Once wisdom is properly valued, both the ear and mind are captivated by it.

“Apply thine heart”: The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason, but also includes the emotions, the will and thus, thee whole inner being. The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever effects speech, sight and conduct.

Proverbs 2:3 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding;”

“Criest after knowledge” shows the passionate pleading on one who is desperate to know and apply the truth of God. The least bit of indifference will leave one bereft of the fullness of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:4 “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures;”

“Seekest …  Searchest”: A desiring search, the most intensive of a lifetime.

Proverbs 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

These first 5 scriptures is like a prayer. In fact, it is what we should all pray. For a person to really be able to live a Godly life, you must first know what God expects. This first sentence says “receive my words”. The heart is the place for the commandments and the Word of God to be hidden. If we receive into our being the wisdom of God and apply it to our heart we will do the things that are right in God’s sight.

Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

 If we would spend even half the time learning the Word of God as we spend searching for worldly wealth, we would find the treasures of God.  Knowledge has to be accumulated by learning. Wisdom is a gift from God. As we uncover the secrets of the Bible, We will have reverent fear of God and be filled with His knowledge.

Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.”

“Wisdom” is a gift from God, as we said.

We read in James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Not out of our mouth cometh knowledge, but out of His. The knowledge is in His Word.

The words of His mouth are contained in Scripture. It is there that God speaks. Wisdom comes only by revelation.

 Verses 7 & 8 identifies those who are true believers who seek to know, love and obey God and to live righteously. These covenant keepers alone can know wisdom and experience God’s protection.

Proverbs 2:7 “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: [he is] a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”

God is the source of all wisdom. His kind of wisdom brings peace. You see, we are to be wise unto salvation. If we are righteous it is because we have taken on the righteousness of Christ and that is the greatest wisdom we can acquire. The Christian actually takes on the mind of Christ.

I Corinthians 2:16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

The Lord is our Protector (buckler) if we walk uprightly in our salvation day by day.

Proverbs 2:8 “He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.”

This, to me, is speaking of those who walk in the way of the Lord.

The saints are those who are justified by the Lord and walk justly. For the justified who follow in his “judgments” (law), He “preserves” (saves) their way.  The “saints” (we Christians) are eager to follow in the teachings of the Lord.  Jesus is the way.

Proverbs 2:9 “Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; [yea], every good path.”

This, in V-9, is connected with V-8. This is speaking of the saints. The saints shall “understand righteousness, and judgments, and equity (straightness) and every good path”, Narrow is the path to righteousness. Jesus is that path. In fact, He is our righteousness. He is the righteous Judge.

“Righteousness, Judgment, Equity are the same as the ethical triad we studied in 1:3.

Proverbs engages in a process of schooling a son in the disciplines of (1) Wisdom (a different Hebrew word from that in v.2) which means discreet counsel or the ability to govern oneself by choice; (2) Justice, the ability to conform to the will and standard of God; a practical righteousness that matches one’s positional righteousness; (3) Judgment, the application of true righteousness in dealing with others; and (4) Equity, the living of life in a fair, pleasing way.

Proverbs 2:10-11 “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;” “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”

Wisdom is an advantage to the one who possesses it. Wisdom with Knowledge gives a person tremendous advantage. This understanding and discretion is not of the worldly, but of the Lord and His Word. A really good working knowledge of God’s Word can keep you from making mistakes. The answers to all of life’s problems can be found in the Word of God. The heart controls the conscious and subconscious actions of man. If the heart of man is stayed on the Lord, there is no way that man can be defeated.

Thus truth is the protector from all evil

Proverbs 2:12 “To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man], from the man that speaketh froward things;” Proverbs 2:13 “Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;”

Knowledge of the Word of God will keep you away from the ways of the evil man. Twisted speech is typical of those who reject wisdom. You see, the righteous (believers in Christ) walk in the light and have no fellowship with darkness.

In First John chapter 1 we read who walk in darkness and who walk in light.

I John 1:5-7 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Proverbs 2:14-15 “Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in the frowardness of the wicked;” “Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they] froward in their paths:”.

Fools love most the things which are the worst.

It seems in our society today television, movies, and radio try to make it appear that to live in sin is fun. Truly this is a terrible lie. It brings heartache and troubles in this life and an eternity in hell. The ways of the world will lead to destruction, not life. Drunkenness, drugs, immorality, lying, cheating, and stealing are part of the “froward wicked life”. Not one of these things makes for a happy ending.

Proverbs 2:16 “To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;”

“Strange woman”: She is the harlot repeatedly condemned in Proverbs (compare 5:1-23; 6:20-29; 7:1-27; 22:14; 23:27), as in the rest of Scripture (Exodus 20:14; Lev. 20:10). She is “foreign” or “strange” because such women were at first from outside Israel, but came to include any prostitute or adulteress. Her words are the flattering or smooth words of (Prov. 7:14-20).

The strange or immoral woman is the harlot repeatedly condemned in Proverbs, as in the rest of Scripture.

Today those who are involved with strange women (women of the world) can look forward to diseases that cannot be cured by medicine now available. In V-17 and V-18 you see the fate of those who live unholy lives. The terrible disease AIDS is just one of the many modern incurable diseases that are associated with sex outside of marriage.

Literally she is foreign or strange because such women were at first from outside Israel, but came to include any prostitute or adulteress. Her words are the flattering or smooth words of Proverbs 17: 14-20.

Proverbs 2:17 “Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.”

“Forsaketh the Guide (or companion)” of her youth. She leaves the guidance and friendship of her husband (see 16:28 and 17:9).

“Forgetteth the covenant”: In a wide sense this could be the covenant of Sinai, but specifically looks to the marriage covenant of Gen. 2:24 with its commitment to fidelity.

Proverbs 2:18 “For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.”

“Inclineth unto death”: The destructive nature of this blinding sin leads one to walk alongside death (see verses 8-9, 12, 15). Death in Proverbs is presented as both a gradual descent (5:23) and a sudden end (29:1).

God’s covenant with mankind (men and women) is two fold. We must keep His laws to receive His blessing. God punishes sin. When we deliberately break God’s laws, we can expect death, not life. God says in His law that men and women are to save themselves for the marriage bed. Notice in V-19, that those who follow this sinful way of life find death.

Death in Proverbs is presented as both a gradual descent and a sudden end.

Proverbs 2:19 “None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.”

There are only two paths to take. The path of sin leads to death and destruction. The path of righteousness leads to life everlasting.

The irreversible nature of continuing in this sin points to its devastating consequences. It leads to physical death, as expressed in the Hebrew euphemisms of v.22 (“cut off”) and (“uprooted”). After that comes the reality of eternal death.

Proverbs 2:20 “That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men], and keep the paths of the righteous.”

The word “mayest” in this verse lets us know that it is our choice. It is our decision to live the way of the world or to live for the Lord Jesus. Our free will determines which. This is a decision no one else can make for you. You must decide: life or death.

Proverbs 2:21 “For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.”

“Dwell in the land … remain”: Exactly opposite to those who live in sexual sin and are headed for death, those who belong to the Lord will live.

Proverbs 2:22 “But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.”

In Psalms 37:29 we read, “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” We have seen over and over how the wicked will be driven off the land. Canaan became the land of Israel because the wicked were driven out.

The Christians shall reign 1000 years with Jesus.

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Proverbs Chapter 2 Questions

1. V-1 through V-5 is like a_________.
2. What is necessary for us to live a godly life?
3. Where is the place to hide God’s Word?
4. What does Romans 10:10 tell us about the heart?
5. What should we be seeking more than worldly wealth?
6. How do we get Knowledge?
7. Wisdom is a _______ of  ________.
8. As we uncover the secret of God we will have ______  _______of God?
9. Who gives us wisdom?
10. Out of whose mouth comes knowledge and understanding?
11. How can we find Scriptures that tell us how to find wisdom?
12. Where can we find the Scriptures to tell where to get wisdom?
13. Who does God lay up sound wisdom for?
14. What does “buckler” mean?
15. God’s kind of wisdom brings what?
16. We are to be wise unto _________.
17. How can we be righteous?
18. In Cor. 2:16, what do we learn about the mind of Christ?
19. Who preserves the way of the saints?
20. _____________ is the way.
21. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, what shall keep thee?
22. What can keep you from making mistakes?
23. Who are the children of light?
24. If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we ___________.
25. What do television and movies appear to tell us about sin?
26. What can those who get involved with strange women have to look forward to?
27. God’s covenant with man is__________ ___________.
28. God will bless us if we do what?
29. When we deliberately breaks God’s law we can expect what?
30. The path of righteousness leads where?
31. What has God given us that determine our destiny?
32. In Psalms 37:27, we read that the righteous will inherit what?
33. In Revelation 20:6 how long does it say the Christians will reign with Jesus?

 

Proverbs 2 (NKJV)

2 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
² So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
³ Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
⁴ If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
⁵ Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
⁸ He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
⁹ Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.

¹⁰ When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
¹¹ Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
¹² To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
¹³ From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
¹⁴ Who rejoice in doing evil,
And delight in the perversity of the wicked;
¹⁵ Whose ways are crooked,
And who are devious in their paths;
¹⁶ To deliver you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words,
¹⁷ Who forsakes the companion of her youth,
And forgets the covenant of her God.
¹⁸ For her house leads down to death,
And her paths to the dead;
¹⁹ None who go to her return,
Nor do they regain the paths of life—
²⁰ So you may walk in the way of goodness,
And keep to the paths of righteousness.