Friday, August 2, 2013

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 22:16-19”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Increasing Life’s Joy: Keeping God’s Word Within Us 22:16-19
16) He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.
17) Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18) For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19) That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.



Solomon looks at another factor, that when understood, will increase our joy, the Word will ultimate prevail…

EXPOSITION:
16) He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.
1.  Those who defraud the needy to multiply his earthly wealth and
2.  Those that offer payments to the wealthy shall surely become needy.

One of the greatest hindrances to seeking for and keeping God’s Word in our hearts and mind comes from failing to recognize the true value of His Word in comparison to the fleeting value of worldly wealth.  When a person lives a lifestyle dedicated to accumulating worldly wealth, it leaves no space for the love, accumulation and application of God’s Word to his heart and mind. 

“The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether.  More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward.”    (Psalms 19:7-11)


17) Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
1.  Listen with a submissive spirit and give your attention to the teachings of God that are followed by the wise
2.  then allow the truths of God to affect your desires.

The first step to keeping God’s Word within us is to receive His Word. Three keys to accomplish this are:
a.  Listen humbly, in other words, with an intent to obey them
b.  Listen intelligently, in other words, with an intent to meditate upon them and understand them
c.  Listen desirously,  in other words, with an active pursuit of greater knowledge and application of them to our lives.   

“I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason [of things], and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness:”   (Ecclesiastes 7:25)


18) For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
1.  It is pleasing to God and beneficial to us if we place and carefully guard the truths of God within us.
2.  They will “taste good” and satisfy us when we partake of them.

Great benefits can be had when we carefully maintain God’s Word in our life.  We will please the Lord and we will find pleasure and satisfaction in them.


19) That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
By increasing the application of the Word to our lives, it allows us to …
1.  find refuge and security in the Lord
2.  This is the end Solomon desired when he personally, instructed us through sharing these great principles.

Here we find the great purpose behind the Proverbs of Solomon.  His desire was for us to find safety in the Lord through application of His Word to our thoughts, motives, plans, desires and lifestyles.

“Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”   (Isaiah 12:2-3)



SUMMARY:

By prioritizing the riches of God’s Word over the temporal riches of this world, we will be pleasing God, live a joyful satisfying life and, especially, we will find peace and security in Him.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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