Saturday, November 23, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 13:13-17


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

Wise Attitudes: The Word Of God: Proverbs 13:13-17
13) Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14) The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15) Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.
16) Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
17) A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.


EXPOSITION:

The wise attitude concerning the Scriptures are described in this text…

13) Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
1.  Those who disrespect and despise God’s Word will face distress, turmoil and annihilation.
2.  Those who respect and submit to the commands of God will receive safety, security and blessings.

Attitudes concerning the acceptance and application of His Word will be recognized and dealt with justly by God.

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.   (Ezekiel 20:13)

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  (Malachi 3:16)


14) The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
1.  Enhanced physical life and eternal spiritual life will flow forth from the guidelines given by God and followed by the wise.  
2.  It will be these same guidelines that will lead us away from the traps of unbelief that lead to spiritual death.  

Acceptance of His Word leads to life, rejection leads to death.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.  The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me”   (Psalms 18:4-5)


15) Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.
1.  When we apply principles of discernment based upon His Word we are pleasing to God and blessed by Him
2.  The God’s principles for living are departed from life is difficult to bear.

The level of application of God’s Word will affect our quality of life on earth. 


Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, [and] as [in] the day of temptation in the wilderness:  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.  Forty years long was I grieved with [this] generation, and said, It [is] a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.   (Psalms 95:8-11)


16) Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
1.  Every man who understands the true nature of things is well acquainted with Scriptural knowledge.
2.  Every one who is naieve concerning the true nature of things is seen as senseless by the public.

The Word’s role in life dictates how the things of this world are perceived and the public testimony that is put forth.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.   (Psalms 112:5)

For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.   (Romans 16:19)

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool.    (Ecclesiastes 10:3)


17) A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.
1.  A unfaithful, evil, messenger fall into many afflictions, adversities and punishments from the one who has sent them.
2.  A loyal representative will produce wellness and peace in himself and the one that sends him.

Our proclamation of the Word will affect well-being of the messenger and the one he represents.

Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:  To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.   (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.   (2 Timothy 2:2)

SUMMARY:

Our relationship with the Word of God affects:
1.  Our spiritual condition
2.  Our quality of life on earth and throughout eternity
3.  Our perception and decision making ability
4.  Our public testimony
5.  Our relationship with the One that has given us the Word

God’s Word affects the most important aspects of our life on earth.  Let us all seek to cultivate a God-glorifying and Word honoring attitude that will result in blessings for us and delight to our Lord.

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”.




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