Sunday, September 29, 2013

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 9:4-6”


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

A Grand Comparison: Wisdom Is To Be Chosen; Foolishness Is To Be Forsaken: Prov 9:4-6

4) Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5) Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
6) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.


INTRODUCTION:
In these next proverbs, we will find that Solomon uses our openness to wisdom and foolishness to form his next comparison….  


EXPOSITION:
4) Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
This aspect of wisdom’s invitation is meant for:
1. the “simple” (the easily persuaded, impressionable)
2. those that “wanteth understanding”  (desire the ability to discern truth from error)

Her invitation contains 4 basic elements:
1. exit from your current path to my place of instruction

“Thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.”   (Psalms 119:129-131)


5) Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
2. once you arrive, partake of the nourishment that was prepared for your benefit.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.”   (Isaiah 55:1-3)

6) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
3.  let loose and leave behind those who are easily deceived and misled.  In doing so, embrace the message that leads to eternal spiritual life and a fulfilling physical life on earth
4. begin to walk along the path of true discernment and understanding.

“Thou [art] my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.  Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”   (Psalms 119:114-116)

SUMMARY:

What a wonderful blessing it is to be invited to partake of the instruction of Wisdom!  What great benefits await those who understand that wisdom is to be desired and sought after while foolishness is to be forsaken and left behind.
 
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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Saturday, September 28, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 9:1-3


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

A Grand Comparison: Wisdom Is Prepared To Help Others: Prov 9:1-3
1) Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2) She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3) She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,


INTRODUCTION:

Proverbs chapter 9… Wisdom vs. Foolishness: A Grand Comparison…
In Proverbs chapter 9, Solomon shares proverbs with us that draw a clear comparison between wisdom and foolishness.  This chapter will include 5 points of comparison that help us to understand the superiority of wisdom over foolishness…
1.  Wisdom Is Prepared To Help Others (1-3); The Foolish Can Only Harm Others (13-17)
2.  Wisdom Is To Be Chosen; Foolishness Is To Be Forsaken (4-6)
3.  Wisdom Will Accept Correction; Fools Will Despise It (7-9)
4.  Wisdom’s Companions (18); The Companions Of Fools (10)
5.  Wisdom Reaps Blessings; Foolishness Reaps Added Judgment (11-12)

Let’s being our comparison by looking at Wisdom’s preparation to help others….

EXPOSITION:

1) Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Wisdom provides a place where her students can reside…
1.  She has labored to create a habitation for the instruction of her people
2.  The foundation of this dwelling place is a perfect, Godly foundation (7 is number of completeness, perfection and deity) that supports all of her teachings.
Wisdom’s perfect instructions proceed from the Lord and are a firm foundation for the life of God’s people. When God’s people use wisdom as their residence, making wisdom an active part of their lifestyle, they can find peace, safety, security and a fulfilled life of service to Him.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”   (Ephesians 2:19-22)


2) She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Wisdom provides sustenance for her students….
1.  She supplies meat for those who are spiritually mature… providing to them strength and nourishment (Heb 5:12-14)
2.  She supplies wine for those who are injured, sick and weak… providing to them healing properties (1 Tim 5:23)
3.  She has purposefully arranged this feast expressly to meet the needs of those in attendance. 
Wisdom, the application of God’s Word to the life, will meet every possible need and provide the needed counsel for any situation the Christian might face in life.

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,  And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings [are] killed, and all things [are] ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:  And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them].  But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few [are] chosen.”   (Matthew 22:2-14)


3) She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Once prepared to meet the needs of others, Wisdom then actively seeks out those in need…
1.  She sends out the virgins who are pure and innocent (those who possess the righteousness of Christ, His blood covering their sins) to invite the spiritually needy to come and partake of her divine offerings.
2.  She personally calls out and invites by name those who are in desperate need of her offerings (this is the public invitation and conscience conviction issued by God through His Word).   She calls out from the highest places allowing her voice to be heard by as many as possible.
For both the lost and saved, there is great benefit to accepting the teachings of wisdom and making them a living part of their lifestyle.  Wisdom is spiritually beneficial to all man, spanning the range of spiritual maturity.  It benefits those who are in spiritually poverty stricken showing them the way of salvation; it benefits those who are immature in their Christian faith by supplying to them the medicine and principles of the Word that will lead to their healing and growth; and it benefits those who are spiritually mature by providing the “meat of the Word” for their continuing growth and strengthening.

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”   (Romans 10:15)


SUMMARY:
Wisdom is prepared to supply the spiritual needs of any that come to her.  Her sole purpose is to be of benefit to the individual and enhancement of the glory of Christ.  This can be compared to the character of foolishness that only causes confusion and leads to sinful living.  This aspect of foolishness will be looked at in detail in verses 13-17 of this series of proverbs.
 
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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Friday, September 27, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 8:32-36


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

Wisdom’s Appeal: Her Invitation To Blessings: Prov 8:32-36
32) Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.
33) Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34) Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35) For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36) But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.


INTRODUCTION:
Wisdom reveals a special blessing that is to be received by those who listen to her teachings and follow her ways…

EXPOSITION:

32) Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.
Wisdom now instructs everyone to “hearken to her” and “keep her ways”:
1. listen to her teachings
2. giving to her their attention and understanding  
3. applying her teachings to their lives
4. retaining her teachings due to their great value

By doing these we are told that those who accept her invitation will…
1. go forward in their life happily
2. know the Lord is with them
3. know that the Lord is gracing them in their daily walk

“Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”   (Psalms 1:1-3)

33) Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
She now addresses the need for a person to WILLFULLY receive her teachings…
1. a person who accepts her invitation, should listen intently to her warnings and words of correction that is meant to be of benefit.
2. then they are to apply these teachings in their day to day walk of life, resulting in living lives of wisdom and integrity
3. and finally, they are to not stubbornly, flippantly brush off her teachings as being unimportant or not beneficial.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.”   (Isaiah 55:1-3)


34) Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
To live happy lives of spiritual prosperity, those who accept her invitation are to:
1. listen intently
2. be wide awake, consistently, eagerly seeking entrance into the courtyard of her home for her instruction
3. be patient and willing to wait for wisdom’s teachings to be revealed

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”   (Acts 17:10-12)


35) For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Why should a person be so anxious to receive and apply her instruction?  When a person acquires wisdom through seeking her teachings they will also:
1. acquire spiritual life (salvation) and a fulfilling, blessed, profitable life on earth
2. through that salvation, we will be pleasing to Jehovah and will enjoy a personal relationship with Him.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.”   (John 6:63)

36) But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Wisdom concludes her invitation by reminding us of the evils that will await those who willfully reject her teachings… 
1. When a person chooses to miss the four goals she has set for them (listening, understanding, applying, and retaining her teachings) they are only mistreating themselves.  Because of this we can see that the way in which a person treats wisdom is a reflection of how they are treating themselves. 
2. If a person is the enemy of wisdom… opposing her teachings and desires … they are showing that they are actually loving death.  Why is this?  It is because the opposition of wisdom leads to the eternal spiritual death and a wasted lifetime of abuse and harm of self.

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”   (John 3:18-21)


SUMMARY:
The wonderful blessing of wisdom, which flows from the heart and mind of our gracious Lord, was meant to be a roadmap to a life of spiritual prosperity, purpose, and an eternity of blessings.  How can we not accept her gracious invitation to receive her teachings and live according to them.
 
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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Thursday, September 26, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 8:27-31


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

Wisdom’s Appeal: Her Existence During Creation: Prov 8:27-31
27) When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28) When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29) When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30) Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him;
31) Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.


INTRODUCTION:
Wisdom now makes an appeal for our reception and application by arguing of her close association with the Lord.  She proves this close relation to the Lord based upon her existence during and after the creative work of God ….

EXPOSITION:

27) When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Wisdom now begins to describe her role in the Lord’s creation of the world. She was present when…
1.  when God erected the 1st and 2nd heavens (the atmosphere and the outer space).
2.  when God created the waters to cover the entire circle of the earth (placed a circular limit upon all the face of the deep.)

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”   (Genesis 1:1-2)


28) When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
3.  when God laid a foundation for the clouds above
4.  when God established the appearance of the water from beneath

“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.  And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”  (Genesis 1:6-8)


29) When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
5. when God gave boundaries limiting the spread of the waters upon the earth.
6. when God established the existence of land separating the differing bodies of water on the earth.

“And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.  And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.”   (Genesis 1:9-10)


30) Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him; 31) Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.

During the Lord’s creation week, wisdom was:
1.  accompanying the Lord, much like a child that is living and traveling with his parents as he grows up.
2.  with Him every day,
3.  was pleasing to God as He used wisdom every day of the creation process
4.  a willing, joyful, participant in the creation of all things.
5.  used by God for the good and benefit of all mankind.
All the above, shows us that God is intimately linked to wisdom using her in every aspect of His work.  This causes everything that God does to be perfect, beneficial and pleasing to both God and man.  Sin brought down the perfect workings of God.  Without sin, man would truly be enjoying a perfect existence within the creation of God.

“O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.  [So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.  There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.  These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.  [That] thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.  Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.  Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.”   (Psalms 104:24-30)


SUMMARY:
God’s wondrous creation is a constant revelation of His glory for all mankind to see.  It is the creative act of the Lord that constantly shows to man His existence, His power, His grace, and His wisdom.  As we look about us, observing the miraculous nature about us, let us seek to diligently obtain wisdom as a foundation and pillar of our service to Him.

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard.  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,  Which [is] as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, [and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth [is] from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.”   (Psalms 19:1-6)

  
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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