Significance of Meekness

Meekness is vital because it is the one quality that Jesus used to describe Himself: “… Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Thus, the more we understand and develop meekness, the more we take on the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is therefore understandable that Jesus would begin His discourse on discipleship by praising the quality of meekness: “Blessed are the poor in spirit… . Blessed are they that mourn… . Blessed are the meek… .” (Matthew 5:3-5).

Rewards of Meekness

1. Knowing Jesus Christ

The goal of the Apostle Paul was “to know Him [Jesus Christ], and the power of His resurrection …” (Philippians 3:10). He declared that he counted “…all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
2. Comprehending the Gospel

The good news of salvation is available to everyone. However, only the meek will understand it and respond to it. Jesus explained this when He opened the scroll of Isaiah and read, “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek” (Isaiah 61:1).

3. Transforming Our Souls

It is by the quality of meekness that one is able to make God’s Word a vital part of his mind, will, and emotions and thereby conquer the sinful and destructive habits of life. (See James 1:21.)

4. Receiving God’s Guidance

One of the most important challenges in life is making wise decisions. We often make decisions that we are sure are right, but they turn out to be wrong. When we demonstrate the quality of meekness, the Lord will direct us in our decisions. (See Psalm 25:9.)

5. Developing True Character

Scripture explains that the “hidden man of the heart” is more important to adorn than the outward appearance of a person. This inward adornment is to be meekness. (See I Peter 3:3-4.)

6. Enjoying Life to the Fullest

Many people do not actually enjoy their own possessions. They eat food, but it does not satisfy their appetites. However, God promises that “the meek shall eat and be satisfied” (Psalm 22:26).

7. Receiving a Lasting Inheritance

The meek will receive an eternal reward. Jesus promises, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

Personal Evaluation: How Meek Are You?

• Have you dedicated yourself to God and yielded all your rights to Him?
• Do you have full confidence that God controls all that happens to you?
• Is it your goal to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ?
• Have you received and responded to the good tidings of the Gospel?
• Do others praise you for a meek and quiet spirit, or do they react to an angry spirit?
• Do people resist your advice or counsel when you try to help them?
• Do you speak evil of those in positions of leadership?
• Do people ask you why you are so peaceful when serious adversities come into your life?
• Have you exchanged your burdens for the yoke of Christ?
• When you do good works and are praised for them, do you deflect the honor to others who helped you?

How Do We Learn Meekness?

We learn meekness by coming to Christ with the recognition of our own weaknesses and being united with Him by belief in His finished work on the cross. Then we must grow in the experiential knowledge of Christ, Who humbled Himself for us, that we might be conformed to His image.

Another Hebrew word for humble is -kana, which means “to bend the knee, to be brought into subjection, subdue.” God used this word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “…and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land…”

The Rewards of Humility

The greatest reward of humility is that of becoming like the Lord Jesus Christ. He identifies His character as being “meek and lowly in heart.” The word lowly means “not rising far from the ground” and expresses being brought low with grief and being lowly in spirit.

Other rewards of humilty are what every person longs for-true riches, high honor, and abundant life. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

Our Choice: Humble Ourselves or Be Humbled

God appeals to all of us to take the initiative to humble ourselves. If we fail to do this, He will humble us through circumstances, opposition, infirmities, or weaknesses. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (I Peter 5:6).

Notice that we are first and foremost to humble ourselves in the eyes of the Lord, not necessarily in the eyes of others. He can see the true condition of our hearts, whether we are flattering ourselves with compliments or sincerely abasing ourselves and exalting Him.

King Nebuchadnezzar learned what happens when a man fails to humble himself. However, after being humbled by God, he gave proper glory to the Lord: “At the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34).

Personal Evaluation: How Humble Are You?

• When people disagree with you, do you argue to defend your position?
• Are you hurt when those whom you dislike are honored?
• Do you find it difficult to admit you are wrong?
• Do you inwardly react to criticism?
• Do you give your opinions before being asked for them?
• Do you enjoy sharing about your accomplishments?
• Do you talk more than you listen?
• Are you more concerned about your reputation or God’s?
• Do you seek ways to humble yourself?
• Do you do things for praise and compliments?
• Do you accept praise rather than deflecting it?
• Are you quick to correct others when they make mistakes?
• Do you react when you do not receive credit you are due?
• Do you compare yourself with others rather than God?

This Devotional was taken from iblp.org

Our Father in heaven let the instruction of your word be implanted deep in our hearts. Let us seek your glory in the words of your servant Solomon and the wisdom handed down to him by his father, your servant King David. Thank you for the mercy which is the chance to learn from the wisdom of your Word. In your son’s name, who reigns on high. -Amen

About the fourth Proverb, Matthew Henry’s Commentary says:

“When the things of God are to be taught precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, not only because the things themselves are of great worth and weight, but because men’s minds, at the best, are unapt to admit them and commonly prejudiced against them; and therefore Solomon, in this chapter, with a great variety of expression and a pleasant powerful flood of divine eloquence, inculcates the same things that he had pressed upon us in the foregoing chapters.”

I. The fourth Proverb is first, an earnest exhortation to the study of wisdom, that is, of true religion and godliness, borrowed from the good instructions which his father gave him, and enforced with many considerable arguments (ver. 1-13).

II. A necessary caution against bad company and all fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (ver. 14-19).

III. Particular directions for the attaining and preserving of wisdom, and bringing forth the fruits of it, ver. 20-27. So plainly, so pressingly, is the case laid before us, that we shall be for ever inexcusable if we perish in our folly.”

1-2. Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

Solomon (as in the other Proverbs) commands his children to heed his instruction; And as with the other Proverbs the term instruction has a note of “command” to it that involves chastening. There is also a call to “know” understanding with “know” being a term meaning “gaining”. He goes onto assure us that His doctrine is sound. God commands His children NOT to forsake His law, another term for the law is His Word and who is called the Word, Jesus Christ.

3-6. When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

We learn something of Solomon’s childhood to his father David. It would seem that David (a man after God’s own heart) was the first source of God’s wisdom to Solomon. Even David knew wisdom to be a beautiful woman. A Godly thing to “lust” after.

7. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

David told his son that “wisdom” was the “principle” or more importantly the preeminent thing and that in that case it was the thing to “get”. He goes on to say “And in all your getting, get understanding.” What’s being said here?

1. Find wisdom through study of the scriptures and obedience to the “commands” of Christ and the will of God Almighty.
2. Meanwhile during that journey or search for wisdom a level of “understanding” for all things Godly will come.

8-9. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Wisdom (in personified form) will promote you both in good word to and before God and also will bring you honor, but ONLY when she is embraced. We must take in wisdom not just academically but also in a formal emotional way. Once we make that connection to wisdom through our spirit and more than just our mind, she rewards us with a crown of glory. The crown signifies our place as children of God, co-heirs to the throne in Christ.

10. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.

Again we come a re-iteration of the same thought. Listen, take heed, obey, the instruction, command, or reproach of your parent. In this case the Father who speaks through Solomon. The reward ofr such obediance ( of course) is long life. This idea is mirrored in Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”

11-12. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

Solomon is telling us that God has been all of these things to us: in I Samual 12:23 it says “…far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.” God has given us the instruction of His Word. So that we might both go a good and right way, but also that we might in obedience pray unceasingly for our own and instruct them in the ways of our LORD.

13. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Sound doctrine, good teaching, and wise counsel are of the Lord. John 6:63 says “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

14-17. Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary has this to say about v. 14-17;

Some make David’s instructions to Solomon, which began v. 4, to continue to the end of the chapter; nay, some continue them to the end of the ninth chapter; but it is more probable that Solomon begins here again, if not sooner. In these verses, having exhorted us to walk in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked. 1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing that looks like sin and leads to it. 2. In order to this we must keep out of the ways of sinners, and have no fellowship with them. For fear of falling into wicked courses, we must shun wicked company.

18. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Our place as children of God is in the light of Christ. Our way is the narrow path which He lights for us. When we follow that path eventually it will lead to the perfect day of Christ’s return and the new heaven and new earth.

19. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.

Counterpoint to that is the fact that the wicked walk in perpetual darkness. They try to make their way through that darkness but in fact are constantly stumbling by their own devices. So much so in fact that they do not know why it is that they’re having such a difficult time. Hence the universal question of: “Why is this happening to me?”

20. My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

The idea that our Father’s Word is life is re-stated along with the concept that the Word is lifeblood coursing through out spiritual veins giving our flesh life.

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

In the foolishness of my youth (when we all ignore the teaching of our childhood) I was always being asked by my youth pastor “Are you guarding your heart?” I never knew what that meant till now. The word “diligence” comes from the word -mishmar from the root word -shamar which means “to keep watch, preserve, or bodyguard”. This is an active term that denotes work on our part.

24. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

Our walk demands a level of self control and the ability to do what is demanded of us. We must be honest therefore we should not walk with or associate with liars, gossips, or course jokers.

25. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.

As stated before we walk in light. The only thing on either side of us is darkness and therefore we should not focus on that darkness but straight ahead on the blessed and glorious coming of our Lord Christ Jesus.

26. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

Actively each step we take should be thought out and precise. Hebrews 12:13 “…and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”

27. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

The final instruction for Prov. 4 is that we should walk free of sin and those who commit sin, as it says in Isaiah 1:16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,”

PRAYER

Our heavenly Lord we kneel before you asking for your loving kindness. We seek after your face which is why we’ve opened your word today. Let the words of your servant Solomon pour over us and wash our minds in your everlasting wisdom that is matchless and beyond all understanding. -Amen

1-2. My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.

Interestingly the author of the third chapter of Proverbs begins this chapter much the same as the last, with a specific call to His son. Interestingly enough the term in the Hebrew used for “teaching” is the word -torah which we learned in Chapter 1 means “law” but in this context its actually from the prime root word -yarah or -yara which actually means to “be cast like an arrow from an archer’s bow”.

The second half of verse 1 echoes Deuteronomy 30:16 “…in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.”

Then God makes us a promise. It’s probably one of the few places (the book of Proverbs) where God actually promises to add life to our days. So by keeping His commands we are actually extending our lives.

Jesus explains this entire concept in Matthew 19:16-17 “And behold, one came to Him and said, ‘Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?’ And He said to him, ‘Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’”

3-4. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

v.3 takes us to a very different understanding of what is being said. In the Hebrew the words “kindness” and “truth” have very different meanings. Kindness is actually the word -chasad which means “to be reproached or ashamed” essentially humbleness. Truth on the other hand is the word -emeth which means “firmness” it actually comes from the root word -aman which means “established” or “faithful”

Thus making v.3 actually begin like this: “Do not let humbleness and firm faithfulness leave you;”

The verse goes on to instructus to “bind them around our neck,” and to “write them on the tablet of our hearts” this is analogy of the heart being a tablet is used to describe the condition of our hearts:

• SINFULNESS IS WRITTEN ON THE HEART: Jeremiah 17:1 The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus; With a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart, And on the horns of their altars

Likewise…

• OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS WRITTEN ON THE HEART: Corinthians 3:3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.

Why should we keep these things: The LORD says that we will find good repute, that is a good reputation in the sight of God (first) and man (second).

5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

v.5 is a famous verse used often and seen on many t-shirts; it begins with the word “trust”. Let’s stop there for only a moment, the word trust in this verse is actually translated -batach which is the Hebrew word meaning “careless or complacent”. Be “careless” in the LORD, let your cares rest on him and be complacent to the things of the world leaving it all up to His tender mercy and grace.

We’re told not to lean on our own flawed human understanding. What have we been talking about these last three chapters so far in proverbs…God’s understanding is so much more vastly effective and than ours.

v.6 is huge because its been shortened by our limited English vocabulary to become almost watered down. “In all (the word is -kol from -kalal meaning total and perfectly whole) your ways (-derek meaning manner, journey, conduct from the root word -darak which means to tread or march with a purpose) acknowledge Him. And He will make (-yashar to make smooth) your paths (-orach course, childbearing, bring forth; from the root word -arach which means to journey on) straight.

In total there a several things this verse can be saying:

1. In your complete manner, journey, behavior acknowledge Him. And He will smooth your course/journey.
2. In your perfect and complete, purposeful march or direction acknowledge Him. And He will smooth the things you bring forth.
3. In everything you do with a purpose acknowledge Him. And He will make smooth your children’s journey.

I tend to believe that all of these are true in and of themselves. The Bible is a many faceted and splendid thing.

7-8. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones.

The sentiment in v.7 is echoed in Romans 12:16 which Paul wrote: “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.” What he is saying the Body of Christ is in unity, those who are wise in their own eyes DO NOT fear the LORD and turn toward evil.

But when you are in “awe” of our God and truly believe in that awesomeness then you will turn from evil because how can anything evil compare to that great and mighty God who is our LORD?

Then we are given assurance that when we do these things we will find healing in our bodies and refreshment in our bones. How often do the sick turn to human remedies because they have lived a sinful life without understanding in God’s power. He will heal His own as He did Job.

9-10. Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Not only must we be aware of the awesomeness of our God, but we must also “honor” Him with our “wealth”. The word “honor” is unique in this context because it does not mean what you might expect it to.

Dictionary.com defines “honor” as: …a fine sense of, and a strict conformity to, what is considered morally right or due: a high sense of honor;

However, the word “honor” in the Hebrew is actually the word -kabad or -kabed which means to become fierce, heavy, or burdensome.

God wants our first…specifically in this passage it’s referring to our monetary firsts. Give of the LORD what is His. He blesses us with good jobs and rewards us with every good thing we have the least we can do is give back to His ministry. Be it the local church, far off missions, or some other need that is required.

He goes on to tell us that we do this so that our barns will be filled with plenty. Similar sentiment is given in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”

11-12. My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights.

v.11-12 are pretty straight forward. Our God is a loving God to His children. Because he loves us he will not allow us to go unpunished. We askt he question why so many sinners thrive. It is because their gains are ill gotten while we must suffer under the heavy hand of God. But it is a heavy hand held open for us be safe inside rather than a heavy hand that covers over us and suffocates us.

John re-states this in Revelation 3:19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent.”

13-14. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold.

Again an affirmation of the benefits of finding wisdom and understanding. They are related to the profit of monetary or material gain.

15-18. She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.

We come now to v.15 where “wisdom & understanding” are referred to as being a woman.  She comes with rewards in both hands. Her “ways” are described as pleasant and her paths are peace. When we have wisdom and understanding we find ourselves taking the path in life that is peaceful and pleasant. God compares wisdom and understanding (in the physical “she” form) to a “tree of life” but we are told take hold of her because happiness comes to those who hold stead fast to her.

19-22. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, And the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not depart from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul, And adornment to your neck.

My favorite part of this entire chapter is here in v.19 the LORD’s power is put on display. We are being told that wisdom and understanding are all important. Now God displays His power to us through wisdom and understanding which are how he created the earth and the heavens.

23-24. Then you will walk in your way securely, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

With Godly wisdom and understanding, comes the knowledge(or surety) of the christian’s election.  Also with that knowledge comes the surety of peaceful rest. In all truth, I have not had a nightmare since the day I was saved. I sometimes find it curious when people tell me that they’ve had nightmares because I fell in my heart that my sleep is restful because Christ resides within me.

25-26. Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

It goes on to reassure us that we need not be afraid. But it also does not say we WILL NOT be attacked it says “when” the onslaught comes. 1 Peter 3:14 says “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,”

Why? Because the LORD is our sure footing and confidence.

27-28. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

Along with all of this “surety” come some instruction as well. Does our God withhold anything from His children? No. Then how much more should we hold things back from those we CAN help.

Also we need to stop putting off till tomorrow what we can do today. Leviticus 19:13 states ‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.

29. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives in security beside you.

v.29 finds us with a warning against jealousy.

30. Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.

v.30 seems like a simple warning to us not to fight with others who haven’t done anything to us. Is it that simple? How often have we become upset because we were told second or third hand that something had happened that actually hadn’t. I think this is a deeper call to not only not contend with those who have done nothing, but also to make sure we have all our facts straight.

And Paul says in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

31-32. Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his ways. For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright.

In today’s culture thug rappers and immoral rockers are constantly put on pedestals. We glorify (as a culture) the negative. From horror movies about villains winning or thieves succeeding and all the while glorifying those things.

33-35. The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.

And as has been the pace thus far throughout the book of Proverbs clear lines are drawn. The wicked are cursed and the home of His children is blessed. When it says “He scoffs at  the scoffers,” its saying that God delights in the justice that is met out on the ungodly. And those who are “afflicted” a term used specifically (often times) to mean the adversity that comes against the godly are given grace.

-Amen

PRAYER

Our Father God we pray to you this day that the pearls of wisdom embedded within your Word would come to the forefront and help us in our everyday lives. Help us to use these as you meant them to be used. -Amen

The second of the Proverbs has three “sections” here:

1. THE FIRST is v.1-11 a call to the believer to find and cherish wisdom and understanding. It goes onto give us surety that the Lord will protect us from all manner of evil.
2. THE SECOND is v.12-19 which outlines what exactly we are being protected from. The LORD gives us a clear description of our enemy.
3. THE THIRD is v.20-22 where we learn of the surety of God’s election in our lives and the destiny of the cursed evil ones.

1-5. My son, if you will receive my sayings, And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD, And discover the knowledge of God.

v.1 begins with a father talking to his son. He says: if you will receive my sayings, the key here is that there is a much stronger tone to the original Hebrew than comes across in the translated version. In the Hebrew the word “sayings” is the word -emer which means literally “chastisements” or “commands”.

It goes on to “command” us to treasure his commandments within you. Within where? Jesus says: “…where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

6. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

v.6 doesn’t say that the LORD “may” or “might” give wisdom, it says that the “LORD gives wisdom;” and it follows with two points:

1. From His mouth comes knowledge
2. From His mouth comes understanding

7-8. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

The Proverbs say so many things they enlighten us to the methods of God in so many ways. v.7 sets forth the first idea that God specifically holds in “escrow” sound wisdom. His savings and accounting system is far greater than anything man could ever conceive of. When jesus healed, he did it perfectly, when God blessed he did it abundantly. When he says that he has stored up sound wisdom you can guarantee that there is ample “sound wisdom” for all of the upright.

It goes onto say that He is a “shield”. Another famous shield in the Word is found in Ephesians 6:16 “…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.”

Just like the shield of faith those of us that walk in integrity must have the faith to believe that our God is awesome enough to protect us from the enemy.

We see in Genesis 12:11-20 that Abram (Abraham) began to lose his faith in God’s power. He decided to lie to Pharoah and told his wife to be dishonest. In turn they together fell into sin and were NOT walking in integrity. As a result, they lost the shield of God’s protection and Pharoah nearly sinned with Sarai (Sarah).

Integrity is every Christian’s mantle we MUST wear it boldly and unafraid because our God is powerful and righteous to protect us.

God (who is eternally faithful) had made a promise to Abram and as a result he maintained his integrity despite Abrams apparent loss. He was true to this proverb and kept Abrams feet true despite himself.

9-10. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart, And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

As a result of that integrity, you will be given a spiritual barometer with which to measure and identify the spiritual temperature or temperament of your surroundings. This knowledge will be pleasant the scripture says; because it will be a calming balm to an otherwise nerve racked group.

I had a friend who was a big fan of STAR WARS, he used to say that spiritual discernment was like a tremor in the force. The spirit of those at enmity with Christ will never be at harmony with our own.

11-15. Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; From those who leave the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil, And rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;

Too often fools rush in (like the song goes). Therefore spiritual discretion will guard you. Yet another statement of fact without room for squirming or misinterpretation. If you have discretion rather than rush in fool heartedly, [discretion] will guard (the Hebrew word is -shamar which means “to preserve”) you. Inv. 11-15 both “discretion” and “understanding” are given human traits. Because they are representing God at this moment. Understanding “will watch” it says and then likewise it “will deliver (the orig. Hebrew is -natsal which means ‘to snatch away from’)” you away from evil.

How does it do that? If you understand the nature of evil things or the ways of evil, you will understand how to avoid those traps and snares.

Then it goes onto describe what exactly you are being guarded and steered away from. Take note at the kind of people God wants to “deliver” or “snatch us away from”.

1.
Men [people] who speak perverse things

The LORD clearly considers those who speak perverse (and by extension ARE perverse) as things to be “snatched away from. We therefore should avoid or try to avoid the perverted. What is perverse?

• Lack of faith: “Then He said, ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be; For they are a perverse generation, Sons in whom is no faithfulness.” Deuteronomy 32:20
  “and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.” 2 Thessalonians 3:2
• A desire to draw away from the things and people of God: “…and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:30
• Those who would look for the easy buck of dishonest gains (money): “A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.” Proverbs 17:23-24
  “His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.” 1 Samuel 8:3
• Those who would use the last one to bring shame upon God’s justice: “You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.” Deuteronomy 16:19

2.
Those who leave the paths of righteousness for paths of darkness

Everyone who leaves God’s chosen “narrow” path finds only eternal darkness. They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken. Psalms 82:5

The reason that they leave the path of righteousness is because the path is lit by the light of Christ (our savior) who illumines all parts of our lives but the reprobate doesn’t want their sin illuminated they instead desire to live in darkness and hide their sinful nature from all save God. “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.” John 3:19

3.
Those who delight in doing evil, and rejoice in its perversity

Liars, thieves, criminals…habitually facing their sin without remorse and seeking only to do it more abundantly, and in some cases even more sinisterly.

Overall the Lord says he wants to “snatch us away from” these types of people. Because they are Vessels of Wrath who by the Devil himself seek to destroy and devour us.

16-17. To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God;

Right along with a lack of faith and a desire to do evil comes the lusts of the flesh. The Bible tells us to beware of this lust, later in Proverbs 23:27 it characterizes lust as a harlot who it says: “…is a deep pit,” and it goes on to personify lust as an “…adulterous woman”.

18-19. For her house sinks down to death, And her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life.

Brethren – DO NOT FALL into that pit because it is a long difficult climb to get out. The LORD shall snatch you away from it if you trust in Him. or if you should succumb to the flesh he will deliver you from it, but not before the fire of hell has burned you sutiably as a reminder to the elect that they are forgiven and should not test the LORD’s mercy, but rather should bow before him thankful that they are not forever swallowed up by it.

20-21. So you will walk in the way of good men, And keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, And the blameless will remain in it;

Notice the posture here…it isn’t an if/then statement. But rather the Lord has given us fair warning of what “could” have befallen us as children of God, then he goes on (much like the previous Proverb) to give us a blessed assurance. “…you will walk in the way of good men,” not “…if you choose to walk…” or “…after you accept me you’ll walk…” but God has given us the assurance that as His children we “…will walk in the way of good men,”

22. But the wicked will be cut off from the land, And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.

Finally a last word of warning. In fact – it is said with the same finality that verse 20 uses. “…the wicked will be cut off…” without room for discussion or appeals.

Beloved let us strive to be worthy of our God’s sincere and undying love that we may humbly walk in the light as He is in the light. Never turning to the ungodly for solace or solitude. But rather rejoice that we are not given up to our own fleshly desires. Forever to be in the kingdom to come forever and ever, co-heirs to the kingdom with Christ.

-Amen

PRAYER

Holy God above all things we come to you in prayer and adoration. Asking for your wisdom and hoping that your word might be a lamp unto our feet. let the proverbs of your servant Solomon be opened before that we may receive the truth as it is written. Clearly, precisely, and with an open heart. In the name of your son Jesus Christ – Amen.

From the New American Standard Version of the Bible.

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

Proverbs 1:1 sets the stage for this particular chapter of Proverbs by introducing the author. King Solomon – nobody’s fool on any day. King Solomon possessed wisdom handed down to him by God Almighty. But it goes on to also say that he was the“…son of David,”. I find it interesting (as the son of a renowned business man in my own town) that God chose to, for a moment, take the spotlight off the wisest man who ever lived and shine it on king David. On this Matthew Henry’s Commentary says:

He was the son of David; it was his honour to stand related to that good man, and he reckoned it so with good reason, for he fared the better for it, 1 Kings xi. 12. He had been blessed with a good education, and many a good prayer had been put up for him (Ps. lxxii. 1), the effect of both which appeared in his wisdom and usefulness. The generation of the upright are sometimes thus blessed, that they are made blessings, eminent blessings, in their day. Christ is often called the Son of David, and Solomon was a type of him in this, as in other things, that he opened his mouth in parables or proverbs.

We read on:

2. To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,

In v.2, the Hebrew word for “know” is the word - yada which means literally “to know” or more precisely to be acquainted with or acknowledging. There is a clear distinction there. In common parlance the term “know” signifies that we are aware of something. But this specific Hebrew tense implies that there is an inherent acknowledgment of the veracity of the “instruction” in question. In essence we are not only acknowledging that we received it, but rather are acknowledging that it is — (by implication) true instruction, rather than false instruction.

Notice the second half of v.2 – the word “discern” in the Hebrew is a word used to mean “understanding through clever consideration”. So literally the verse is translated: “To understand through clever consideration the sayings of understanding,” What is being presented in this first Proverb is the idea that these nuggets of wisdom are sayings for understanding. How interesting that some have said that the Proverbs are as disjointed and confusing as even the parables of Christ. These are usually the lay who neither has read in any depth the Word of God or those Vessels of Wrath sent by the enemy to confuse us.

3. To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;

Continuing on the same theme, the proverbs are going to be our instruction in wise behavior. You might translate that in your own mind as having regard for ones behavior. Although there is a comma between them, I feel like there should almost be a bridge that says: which are, between “behavior” and “Righteousness” because righteousness, justice, and equity (meshar in the Hebrew) which is to stand uprightly are measures of ones behavior. However, I would never presume to EVER add or take away from the Word of God.

4. To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,

The author goes on to continue their description of what the purpose of this Proverb is for. The word “prudence” in the original Hebrew is interestingly the word -ormah which translates into craftiness. Perhaps that word had too negative a connotation for the translators of the Bible but in truth it is a much more accurate term than “prudence”. When one is crafty they are calculating. So for a naive person or simple-minded as the translation more accurately goes, it would be better to be “crafty” than a “dullard”.

The second half of v.4 is the kicker though: To the youth knowledge and discretion. Solomon wants young people to gain knowledge the prime root of the word is the same as the “know” in v.1 but also discretion which means “purpose”. My God how relevant is this in today’s time. When young people are shooting their schools up and committing mass suicide on a scale that has never been seen in this Country or any before on God’s earth. These proverbs are for the young people to have PURPOSE!!!

5-6. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.

–And finally the author tells us what wise men will get from this. They will hear it and it will increase their learning. Wait – but I thought they were already “wise”. An interesting implication happens here. The implication is that wise men are continually learning and by hearing the proverbs or Godly wisdom their learning increases. Likewise men of understanding acquire wise counsel — meaning that if you only take a moment to read them, your understanding – no THE understanding you are looking for will be found.

v.6 goes on to say that the understand that is acquired can be used to understand proverbs — making the learning curve of God a blessed catch 22. The more you hear, the more understanding you will receive for the purpose of hearing and understanding more from the Word…and so on…and so on. However, it also says you will understand …”a figure” the Hebrew word for “figure” is -melitsah which means a “satire or mocking poem”. I take that mean: a) you will understand when the Bible mocks your sinful nature, and b) you will understand when sinners try to mock your faith.

Do you laugh at comedies that take the Lord’s name in vain or when they mock Christ? Are you blinded by it as simply being “humor for humor sake”. If so re-read verse 5 and 6.

7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Finally we reach the first official “proverb” in v.7 which starts by putting it out there simply. Now obviously the Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear…the word here in v.7 is better translated “understanding the awesomeness” which is to say that if we truly understood how awesome our God is…THAT would be the beginning of knowledge or more specifically “acknowledging” His deity.

It goes on to clearly cut a line in the sand and say that FOOLS despise wisdom and instruction. Every holiday I receive a gift that requires assembly I take it tout throw the instructions to the wind and try to build it from memory. Which is a tough feat considering I’ve never even seen the thing before other than the pretty assembled picture on the box. When that occurs my wife will agree that – I am a fool. How much more devastating is it then when we receive Godly life saving wisdom and instruction only to shoo it away and say “I can handle this God.” we are fools.

8-9. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, And ornaments about your neck.

v.8 opens with a veiled command: HEAR! Although there is no exclamation point, the original Hebrew word is -shama which translates into an exclamatory form of OBEY! Also the term “instruction” has lost some of its gravitas because it actually in the original Hebrew is translated -musar which means “discipline, chastening or correction”. So it would be more accurate to say: “OBEY! My son, your father’s discipline, chastening, or correction,”

Parents be aware that it is expected that you discipline your kids.

It goes on to instruct children to “not forsake” more specifically to leave or abandon your mother’s teaching…the term for teaching is -torah look familiar? It should. It means “law” so this half of v.8 should actually read: “And do not leave or abandon your mother’s direction, instruction, law;”

It goes on to soften the blow by saying that these things are a wreath and an ornament. The idea of ornamentation being to exhalt and glorify the subject wearing them. When you obey discipline and correction it is a badge of honor to be worn proudly.

10-16. My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit; We shall find all kinds of precious wealth, We shall fill our houses with spoil; Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse,” My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, For their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed blood.

v.10-16 is pretty self explanatory. It is Solomon’s clear instruction without riddle or pretense to stay away from ungodly people who commit crimes or look to destruction or things of evil for fun. Also hidden in v.13-14 there is a warning against not only ill gotten gain but I believe it is also a warning against fast, quick, or “easy” money.

“Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have on purse” could also encompass “get-rich-quick” schemes or “pyramid schemes” the idea being that no wealth that comes easily can be good or can come without a price.

Finally v.15-16 make it clear that even associations or friendships with these types of people lead to hell and death.

17. Indeed, it is useless to spread the net In the eyes of any bird;

Okay v.17 is a tricky translation so we need to go word by word:

• the word “useless” is the Hebrew word -chinnam which means “out of favor”
• the word “spread” is the Hebrew word -zarah which means “to scatter in vain,winnow with an implication to show off”
• the word “net” translates into the word -resheth which comes from the word -yarash or -yaresh which means “dispossessed, become poor, be cast out”
• the word “eyes”in the Hebrew is -ayin which is “appearance, concerning yourself”
• the word “any” is the Hebrew word -kol which means “all men”
• and lastly the word “bird” comes from the Hebrew word -baal which means “owner, lord, or allies”

Literally translated, v.17 could mean one of two things:

1. “Indeed, it is out of favor to scatter in vain the dispossessed In the appearance (or it could be, in context, translated as presence) of all men [specifically the] owner, lord, or [your] allies.”
2. “Indeed, it is out of favor to show off the [or how you've] become poor, or been cast out In the concerning yourself (or as it pertains to you) [before] all men [especially] your allies.

The first idea is one that says you shouldn’t show off how mistreated the poor in spirit are before your allies because it will make you look bad. The second is the notion that you should not flaunt your own sinfulness before your “allies” it could mean either other brothers in Christ or it could mean if you are a professing Christian don’t show off your hypocracy before the world because it makes us all look bad before our Lord.

18. But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives.

Now in v.18 we return to the original plot which is that sinful people wait to hurt one another and in fact scheme against each other. You can’t be in league (or friendship) with them because they aren’t even in league with each other.

There is a reason that every villain in every movie or television show depicted eventually must face a rival bad guy. It’s because we as humans inherently know that evil hates itself and will always turn on itself. Even the world knows this about itself.

19. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors.

We go on to another affirmation by the author that this is the inevitable outcome be it here on in hell, but everyone who gains through violence will eventually be killed or have harm come to them or those they love as a result of that gain.

We read about it all the time in Newspapers. This guy stole from that guy so that guy kills him or even worse his family for it.

20-22. Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city, she utters her sayings: “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?

In v.20 Solomon gives Wisdom human form, specifically that of a woman. This picture is not unique in that Wisdom is often referred to as a woman. Still the word shouts in the Hebrew implies a joyful noise that is cried in joyful song. She doesn’t just do it in the street however, she goes to the open place specifically the “square” which in the Hebrew is the word -rechob which is itself from the word -rachab which means a large or expanded place a big avenue or broadway.

But she doesn’t stop there…she also goes to the entrance of the city to the main gates where EVERYONE had to come through so she had to be heard. She calls out to the naive or simple-minded that love simplicity meaning “gossip”. But they arne’t the only ones she’s appealing to. She also calls out to the scoffers who “delight” in scoffing. They take great pleasure in the suffering of others by their own derision. Also to fools who hate or are at enmity with knowledge.

23. “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

How simple the call of Wisdom. She doesn’t say “climb the tallest mountain” or “bomb the infidels” instead she says simply “turn” and she will pour out her spirit. She will give her gift to give which is…(taking us back to the beginning) understanding.

24-27. “Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel, And did not want my reproof; I will even laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, When your dread comes like a storm, And your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come on you.

Wisdom says something that some may perceive as mean and callous…she says that when the fools, dullards, and enemies of knowledge do fail (and they will). She will laugh. Why? Because she was right? Is this some form of cosmic “I told you so” from God? No. Because it could have been avoided and “those kooky sinners” do what they do.

28-29. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the LORD.

v.28-29 Wisdom gets even harsher. When the enemies of knowledge finally do come around she won’t listen to them. Because God’s unmerciful? No. Because the condition of their heart will be all wrong. They will be like Esau who after he sold his birthright mourned the loss of it. Not the sinfulness of it. Those who aligned themselves with the enemy in the last days will want to repent but it will be too late. They will not mourn the loss of the Father or of Christ, but they will mourn their own piteous situation that they find themselves in.

30-32. “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, And the complacency of fools shall destroy them.

A final promise to the Vessels of Wrath that aligned themselves with the enemy. People too often cry out “why did this happen to me” when the truth is that they are exactly where they WANTED to be. Because it is only by every choice that they made that they have come to the end they are at now.

Beloved – seek first God’s kingdom and His wisdom before all other things before it is too late.

33. “But he who listens to me shall live securely, And shall be at ease from the dread of evil.”

How gracious is our God that after promising destruction to those who are His enemy He also graces us with a promise of mercy to those who love Him.

Beloved – let us always seek to be within the safe confines of our saviors grace. Let no sinfulness enter into our stead and let us be always vigilante to find the haven that comes from our Lord’s wisdom.

-Amen