Saturday, April 26, 2025

Proverbs 1:6-7




 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction

Proverbs 1:6

To understand a proverb, and the interpretation
This may be connected either with the first verse, "the proverbs of Solomon", &c. are written, as for the above ends and purposes, so for these; or with ( Proverbs 1:5 ) , a wise and understanding man, by hearkening and attending to what is here delivered, will not only attain to wise counsels, but to the understanding of proverbial sayings, and to see into the "elegancy" F13, the eloquence and beauty of them, as the word signifies; and be able to interpret them to others in a clear, plain, way and manner;

the words of the wise, and their dark sayings;
the words and doctrines, not of the wise philosophers and sages of the Heathen world, but of men truly wise and good; and especially of the wise inspired writers of the Scriptures, whose words come from one Shepherd, ( Ecclesiastes 12:11 ) ; and the enigmas or riddles contained in their writings, which are so to a natural man, obscure phrases and expressions, things hard and difficult to be understood, yet to a spiritual man, that judgeth all things, plain and easy, ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 1 Corinthians 2:15 ) ( 2 Peter 3:16 ) .

 

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord [is] the beginning of knowledge
Here properly the book begins, and this is the first of the proverbs, and an excellent one; it is such an one as is not to be found in all the writings of the Heathens. By "the fear of the Lord" is not meant a servile fear, a fear of punishment, of hell, wrath, and damnation, which is the effect of the first work of the law upon the conscience; but a filial fear, and supposes knowledge of God as a father, of his love and grace in Christ, particularly of his forgiving love, from whence it arises, ( Psalms 130:4 ) ( Hosea 3:5 ) ; it is a holy, humble, fiducial fear of God; a reverential affection for him, and devotion to him; it includes the whole of religious worship, both internal and external; all that is contained in the first table of the law, and the manner of performing it, and principle of acting: this is the first of all sciences to be learned, and it is the principal one; it is the basis and foundation of all the rest, on which they depend; and it is the head, the fountain, the root an source, from whence they spring; and unless a man knows God, knows God in Christ, and worships him in his fear, in spirit and in truth, according to his revealed will, he knows nothing as he ought to know; and all his knowledge will be of no avail and profit to him; this is the first and chief thing in spiritual and evangelical knowledge, and without which all natural knowledge will signify nothing; see ( Job 28:28 ) ( Psalms 111:10 ) ;

[but] fools despise wisdom and instruction;
the same with "knowledge" before; they do not desire the knowledge of God, and of his ways and worship, but despise it, make no account of it, but treat it with contempt; especially the knowledge of God in Christ, in which lies the highest wisdom, for this is "life eternal", ( John 17:3 ) ; they despise Christ "the Wisdom of God", and the Gospel, and the truths of it, which are "the hidden wisdom" of God; and all "instruction" into it, and the means of it; they despise the Scriptures, which are able to make a man "wise unto salvation"; and the ministry of the word, and the ministers of it: such sort of "discipline" F14 was this, as the word signifies, they dislike and abhor; and especially "correction" or "chastisement" {o}, which is also the sense of it; suffering reproach and affliction for the sake of wisdom, a profession of Christ and his Gospel; and they are fools with a witness that despise all this; such fools are atheists, deists, and all profane and wicked men. The Septuagint render it, "the ungodly"; and such sort of men are all along meant by "fools" in this book.

(Bible Study Tools)


Thanks for coming by today, friends. May your day be blessed!














 

Friday, April 25, 2025

Proverbs 1:5



A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:


et the wise listen

This phrase emphasizes the importance of humility and openness in the pursuit of wisdom. In biblical context, wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). Listening is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the need for receptivity to God's word and guidance (James 1:19). The wise are those who recognize their need for continual growth and are willing to learn from others, including God’s revelation through Scripture and the counsel of godly individuals.

and gain instruction
Instruction in the biblical sense often involves correction and discipline, as seen in Proverbs 3:11-12, where the Lord's discipline is described as an expression of His love. The Hebrew word for instruction can also imply training or teaching, suggesting a process of growth and development. This aligns with the cultural context of ancient Israel, where learning was often through oral tradition and mentorship. Gaining instruction is an active process, requiring effort and a willingness to be shaped by God's truth.

and the discerning acquire wise counsel
Discernment is the ability to judge well, a quality highly valued in Scripture (1 Kings 3:9). It involves understanding and insight, enabling one to navigate complex situations with godly wisdom. Wise counsel refers to advice that aligns with God's principles and purposes. In the historical context, kings and leaders often sought counsel from prophets and wise men (2 Samuel 16:23). This phrase underscores the importance of seeking guidance from those who are spiritually mature and grounded in biblical truth, reflecting the communal aspect of wisdom in the biblical narrative.

(Bible Hub)
Thanks for coming by today, Friend! God bless you and yours!

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Proverbs 1:1-4

 



The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

What do these four verses mean? Take a look:

1: “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:”

This verse tells us who wrote the book. Solomon, known as the wisest man in history, is the primary author of Proverbs.

2: “For gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;”
The purpose of these proverbs is to teach wisdom and help us understand life better. It’s about learning how to live well and make good decisions.

3: “For receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;”
Wisdom helps us develop good character and learn how to live in a way that’s fair, just, and upright.

4: “For giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—”
This verse reminds us that wisdom is for everyone, regardless of age or experience. Even those who are inexperienced can gain practical knowledge and good judgment.


Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!












Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Proverbs 1:1-33



The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Hello Friends. Starting tomorrow,4/24 I will attempt to begin to learn and understand this chapter in Proverbs. As I did in James, we will look at 2 or 3 verses at a time. 

I hope you will join me. Thanks for coming by. May your day be blessed by our God



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