"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" The Prologue To Proverbs (1:1-6) INTRODUCTION 1. There is a great need for wisdom in our society today... a. Lack of wisdom is destroying the lives of many young people, and making fools out of some who are older b. Marriages are destroyed, friendships lost, souls doomed for lack of wisdom 2. The walk of the Christian is to be with wisdom as we go through life... - Ep 5:15-17 a. Because time is fleeting, and the days are evil, we must make the best use of our time b. Too many today are wasting both their time and their lives by failing to exercise wisdom in their daily lives 3. The Word of God equips man unto every good work... - 2Ti 3:16-17 a. It is only natural to assume that it provides us with sound advice concerning daily living b. Indeed it does, especially in The Book of Proverbs found in the Old Testament 4. The book begins by identifying Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, as the author... a. Who was granted wisdom by God - 2Ch 1:7-12 b. Who became famous for his wisdom, and wrote over 3000 proverbs - 1Ki 4:29-34 5. The book also contains proverbs and wisdom from other sources... a. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh to Ithiel and Ucal - Pr 30: 1-33 b. The words of King Lemuel, taught him by his mother - Pr 31:1-31 [In this lesson, let's introduce ourselves to the book by first considering the prologue, in which we find...] I. THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK A. STATED IN THE FIRST SIX VERSES... 1. "To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding" 2. "To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity" 3. To give to the... a. Simple (naive) - "prudence" b. Young man - "knowledge and discretion" c. Wise man - "increased learning" d. Man of understanding - "wise counsel" B. THE BOOK IS DESIGNED... 1. To make a person wise! 2. To learn how to: a. Act wisely and righteously b. Treat others with fairness 3. To give... a. The ignorant, common sense b. The young, sound advice c. The wise, even more wisdom [At this point, it might be appropriate to ask: "What exactly is wisdom, and why is it so valuable...?"] II. THE DEFINITION AND VALUE OF WISDOM A. DEFINING WISDOM... 1. "Wisdom...may be defined as a realistic approach to the problems of life..." - 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge 2. Homer Hailey offered this definition of wisdom: "Wisdom is insight into the underlying causes and significance or consequence of things, which insight enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has." 3. To illustrate: a. You are yelled at by your boss, wife, or brother in Christ... 1) You could react in different ways a) Strike back physically, or verbally b) Do nothing c) React with a soft, kind reply - cf. Pr 15:1 2) Wisdom is that insight which helps you to decide what is the best thing to do b. Someone makes sexual advances towards you... 1) Again, you could react in several different ways 2) But wisdom will enable you to react in the proper way B. VALUATING WISDOM... 1. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are discourses extolling the value of wisdom 2. The virtue of wisdom is seen in the prosperous life it can produce - Pr 3:13-18 3. Its value is also found in guarding us against many pitfalls - Pr 3:21-26 4. Some "pitfalls" frequently warned against in The Book Of Proverbs: a. Evil companionship - Pr 1:10-19 b. The immoral woman - Pr 5:1-14 c. Laziness - Pr 6:6-11 [Certainly we should be able to see that wisdom is of great value. But let's go one step further and notice in particular the value of the book of Proverbs in regards to having wisdom...] III. THE VALUE OF THE BOOK A. WISDOM COMES FROM TWO SOURCES... 1. Trial and error (personal experience) a. One's own experiences can certainly be a source of wisdom b. But there are disadvantages to gaining wisdom this way: 1) Much of one's lifetime can be wasted learning through trial and error 2) One must live with the consequences of their errors c. Sadly, this is the only way some gain wisdom, and that only if they survive their errors! 2. Counsel from others (proven experience) a. This is possible if one is willing to heed the advice of others b. There are clear advantages to gaining wisdom this way: 1) You avoid wasting years through trial and error, thus living life to its fullest measure! 2) You experience life unburdened with the consequences of earlier mistakes c. Certainly this method of gaining wisdom is far superior! B. THIS MAKES THE BOOK OF PROVERBS VALUABLE... 1. Instead of wasting our short time here on earth trying to discover wisdom through the process of trial and error, we can go straight to The Book Of Proverbs 2. There we can find wisdom that is: a. Divinely inspired by God! b. Proven true by generations of righteous people who lived out their lives by it c. Expressed concisely in ways easy to remember (Proverb: "a short sentence based on long experience" - Cervantes in Don Quixote) 3. Yes, the value of The Book Of Proverbs is that it provides the wisdom of God Himself! a. This is not to say that it takes little effort to glean from this wisdom - cf. Pr 2:1-6 b. But for those who will look to God through His Word and prayer, the promise of God is that wisdom will be granted them - cf. Jm 1:5-8 c. And this is a far better way to find wisdom than the way most people do it! CONCLUSION 1. I hope this introductory lesson has made you want to study The Book Of Proverbs in order to glean its treasury of wisdom 2. In succeeding lessons, we will examine The Book Of Proverbs more closely by... a. Making our way through the discourses on wisdom in the first nine chapters b. Considering the wisdom it offers pertaining to various themes (family, work, God, etc.) Our next study will focus on the theme of the book of Proverbs... "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." - Pr 1:7 Of course, no discussion concerning wisdom can be complete without mentioning Jesus Christ... "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Col 2:3 Without Jesus Christ in our lives, there is no way to be truly wise. Have you come to Christ through obedience to His gospel...?
12/1/12
Prologue to Proverbs, Mark Copeland
A beautiful thing to see...
Let the decorations begin....
(click on the link above)
While looking at facebook this morning, I noticed this;it is fascinating!!! Thank you, Jay, for posting this!!!
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
(click on the link above)
While looking at facebook this morning, I noticed this;it is fascinating!!! Thank you, Jay, for posting this!!!
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
11/30/12
Reality is...
Just looking at this, its hard to believe that it is just a drawing! It looks so real!!! Human perception is faulty, however, as the varying testimony of any group of witnesses to a crime reveals. There are religious groups out there that even say that our entire existence is a mere illusion; something manufactured by our over-developed brains. Others say that pain is also an illusion and all emotion, such as love or hate is of no concern, whatsoever!!! Today, we find it almost common to hear people say that spiritual things are but a product of our over-active imagination and that God definitely does NOT EXIST. To all these groups I say- nuts!!! How can a person ignore love, hate, pain or the spiritual things in life? Are we simply a composite of what we can see or feel or mentally comprehend??? If so, then people today are better human beings than a hundred or a thousand years ago because even a mere high school graduate knows so much more that an equivalent aged person of long ago. There is more to life than what can be seen or understood. Paul puts it this way...
Ephesians, Chapter 6
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: 19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,...
Reality is comprised of both that which we can know and that which we cannot. I wonder, how many of us can explain how to build an atomic bomb or how we even produce electricity for that matter. Even understanding exactly how our automobiles work today is beyond most of us, due to the electronics they contain. What is real is life and that is given by God. Live it to the fullest and bless HIM who gave it to us. If that isn't plain enough, perhaps I could try to draw a picture to make it seem real to you? Well, I could try, anyway!!! How do you feel about stick figures????
Bible Reading, Nov. 30
Nov.
30
Ezekiel
13-16
Eze
13:1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Eze
13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who
prophesy, and say you to those who prophesy out of their own heart,
Hear you the word of Yahweh:
Eze
13:3 Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Woe to the foolish prophets, who
follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
Eze
13:4 Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.
Eze
13:5 You have not gone up into the gaps, neither built up the wall
for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of Yahweh.
Eze
13:6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, Yahweh
says; but Yahweh has not sent them: and they have made men to hope
that the word would be confirmed.
Eze
13:7 Haven't you seen a false vision, and haven't you spoken a lying
divination, in that you say, Yahweh says; but I have not spoken?
Eze
13:8 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have spoken
falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says
the Lord Yahweh.
Eze
13:9 My hand shall be against the prophets who see false visions,
and who divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people,
neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel,
neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know
that I am the Lord Yahweh.
Eze
13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying,
Peace; and there is no peace; and when one builds up a wall, behold,
they daub it with whitewash:
Eze
13:11 tell those who daub it with whitewash, that it shall fall:
there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones,
shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it.
Eze
13:12 Behold, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said to you,
Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?
Eze
13:13 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will even tear it with
a stormy wind in my wrath; and there shall be an overflowing shower
in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.
Eze
13:14 So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with
whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation
shall be uncovered; and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in
its midst: and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
Eze
13:15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who
have daubed it with whitewash; and I will tell you, The wall is no
more, neither those who daubed it;
Eze
13:16 to wit,
the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see
visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord
Yahweh.
Eze
13:17 You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your
people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy you against
them,
Eze
13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew
pillows on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons
of every stature to hunt souls! Will you
hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?
Eze
13:19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley
and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die, and to
save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people
who listen to lies.
Eze
13:20 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against your
pillows, with which you there hunt the souls to make them
fly, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let the souls
go, even the souls who you hunt to make them
fly.
Eze
13:21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of
your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and
you shall know that I am Yahweh.
Eze
13:22 Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous,
whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked,
that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive:
Eze
13:23 Therefore you shall no more see false visions, nor practice
divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand; and you shall
know that I am Yahweh.
Eze
14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel to me, and sat before
me.
Eze
14:2 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Eze
14:3 Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart,
and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face:
should I be inquired of at all by them?
Eze
14:4 Therefore speak to them, and tell them, Thus says the Lord
Yahweh: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his
heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face,
and comes to the prophet; I Yahweh will answer him therein according
to the multitude of his idols;
Eze
14:5 that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because
they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Eze
14:6 Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh:
Return you, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your
faces from all your abominations.
Eze
14:7 For everyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who
sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, and takes his idols
into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before
his face, and comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I
Yahweh will answer him by myself:
Eze
14:8 and I will set my face against that man, and will make him an
astonishment, for a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from
the midst of my people; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
Eze
14:9 If the prophet be deceived and speak a word, I, Yahweh, have
deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand on him, and
will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Eze
14:10 They shall bear their iniquity: the iniquity of the prophet
shall be even as the iniquity of him who seeks to
him;
Eze
14:11 that the house of Israel may go no more astray from me,
neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; but
that they may be my people, and I may be their God, says the Lord
Yahweh.
Eze
14:12 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Eze
14:13 Son of man, when a land sins against me by committing a
trespass, and I stretch out my hand on it, and break the staff of its
bread, and send famine on it, and cut off from it man and animal;
Eze
14:14 though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it,
they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, says
the Lord Yahweh.
Eze
14:15 If I cause evil animals to pass through the land, and they
ravage it, and it be made desolate, so that no man may pass through
because of the animals;
Eze
14:16 though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord
Yahweh, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only
should be delivered, but the land should be desolate.
Eze
14:17 Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, Sword, go through
the land; so that I cut off from it man and animal;
Eze
14:18 though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord
Yahweh, they should deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only
should be delivered themselves.
Eze
14:19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my
wrath on it in blood, to cut off from it man and animal;
Eze
14:20 though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, says the
Lord Yahweh, they should deliver neither son nor daughter; they
should but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
Eze
14:21 For thus says the Lord Yahweh: How much more when I send my
four sore judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the
evil animals, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and animal!
Eze
14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be
carried forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth
to you, and you shall see their way and their doings; and you shall
be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem,
even concerning all that I have brought on it.
Eze
14:23 They shall comfort you, when you see their way and their
doings; and you shall know that I have not done without cause all
that I have done in it, says the Lord Yahweh.
Eze
15:1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Eze
15:2 Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the
vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest?
Eze
15:3 Shall wood be taken of it to make any work? or will men take a
pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?
Eze
15:4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has
devoured both its ends, and its midst is burned: is it profitable for
any work?
Eze
15:5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much
less, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet
be meet for any work!
Eze
15:6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: As the vine tree among the
trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will
I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Eze
15:7 I will set my face against them; they shall go forth from the
fire, but the fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I am
Yahweh, when I set my face against them.
Eze
15:8 I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a
trespass, says the Lord Yahweh.
Eze
16:1 Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Eze
16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;
Eze
16:3 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh to Jerusalem: Your birth and
your birth is of the land of the Canaanite; the Amorite was your
father, and your mother was a Hittite.
Eze
16:4 As for your birth, in the day you were born your navel was not
cut, neither were you washed in water to cleanse you; you weren't
salted at all, nor swaddled at all.
Eze
16:5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you, to have
compassion on you; but you were cast out in the open field, for that
your person was abhorred, in the day that you were born.
Eze
16:6 When I passed by you, and saw you weltering in your blood, I
said to you, Though you are
in your blood, live; yes, I said to you, Though
you are in your blood, live.
Eze
16:7 I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and
you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent ornament;
your breasts were fashioned, and your hair was grown; yet you were
naked and bare.
Eze
16:8 Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time
was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered
your nakedness: yes, I swore to you, and entered into a covenant with
you, says the Lord Yahweh, and you became mine.
Eze
16:9 Then washed I you with water; yes, I thoroughly washed away
your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil.
Eze
16:10 I clothed you also with embroidered work, and shod you with
sealskin, and I girded you about with fine linen, and covered you
with silk.
Eze
16:11 I decked you with ornaments, and I put bracelets on your
hands, and a chain on your neck.
Eze
16:12 I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a
beautiful crown on your head.
Eze
16:13 Thus you were decked with gold and silver; and your clothing
was of fine linen, and silk, and embroidered work; you ate fine
flour, and honey, and oil; and you were exceeding beautiful, and you
prospered to royal estate.
Eze
16:14 Your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty; for
it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you, says the
Lord Yahweh.
Eze
16:15 But you did trust in your beauty, and played the prostitute
because of your renown, and poured out your prostitution on everyone
who passed by; his it was.
Eze
16:16 You took of your garments, and made for yourselves high places
decked with various colors, and played the prostitute on them: the
like things shall not come, neither
shall it be so.
Eze
16:17 You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my
silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men,
and played the prostitute with them;
Eze
16:18 and you took your embroidered garments, and covered them, and
did set my oil and my incense before them.
Eze
16:19 My bread also which I gave you, fine flour, and oil, and
honey, with which I fed you, you did even set it before them for a
pleasant aroma; and thus
it was, says the Lord Yahweh.
Eze
16:20 Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you
have borne to me, and these have you sacrificed to them to be
devoured. Were your prostitution a small matter,
Eze
16:21 that you have slain my children, and delivered them up, in
causing them to pass through the fire
to them?
Eze
16:22 In all your abominations and your prostitution you have not
remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, and
was weltering in your blood.
Eze
16:23 It is happen after all your wickedness, (woe, woe to you!
says the Lord Yahweh),
Eze
16:24 that you have built to you a vaulted place, and have made you
a lofty place in every street.
Eze
16:25 You have built your lofty place at the head of every way, and
have made your beauty an abomination, and have opened your feet to
everyone who passed by, and multiplied your prostitution.
Eze
16:26 You have also committed sexual immorality with the Egyptians,
your neighbors, great of flesh; and have multiplied your
prostitution, to provoke me to anger.
Eze
16:27 See therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you, and have
diminished your ordinary food,
and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of
the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way.
Eze
16:28 You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians,
because you were insatiable; yes, you have played the prostitute with
them, and yet you weren't satisfied.
Eze
16:29 You have moreover multiplied your prostitution to the land of
merchants, to Chaldea; and yet you weren't satisfied with this.
Eze
16:30 How weak is your heart, says the Lord Yahweh, seeing you do
all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;
Eze
16:31 in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way,
and make your lofty place in every street, and have not been as a
prostitute, in that you scorn pay.
Eze
16:32 A wife who commits adultery! who takes strangers instead of
her husband!
Eze
16:33 They give gifts to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to
all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every
side for your prostitution.
Eze
16:34 You are different from other
women in your prostitution, in that none follows you to play the
prostitute; and whereas you give hire, and no hire is given to you,
therefore you are different.
Eze
16:35 Therefore, prostitute, hear the word of Yahweh:
Eze
16:36 Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Because your filthiness was poured
out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your
lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for
the blood of your children, that you gave to them;
Eze
16:37 therefore see, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you
have taken pleasure, and all those who you have loved, with all those
who you have hated; I will even gather them against you on every
side, and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all
your nakedness.
Eze
16:38 I will judge you, as women who break wedlock and shed blood
are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.
Eze
16:39 I will also give you into their hand, and they shall throw
down your vaulted place, and break down your lofty places; and they
shall strip you of your clothes, and take your beautiful jewels; and
they shall leave you naked and bare.
Eze
16:40 They shall also bring up a company against you, and they shall
stone you with stones, and thrust you through with their swords.
Eze
16:41 They shall burn your houses with fire, and execute judgments
on you in the sight of many women; and I will cause you to cease from
playing the prostitute, and you shall also give no hire any more.
Eze
16:42 So will I cause my wrath toward you to rest, and my jealousy
shall depart from you, and I will be quiet, and will be no more
angry.
Eze
16:43 Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but
have raged against me in all these things; therefore, behold, I also
will bring your way on your head, says the Lord Yahweh: and you shall
not commit this lewdness with all your abominations.
Eze
16:44 Behold, everyone who uses proverbs shall use this
proverb against you, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.
Eze
16:45 You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband
and her children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed
their husbands and their children: your mother was a Hittite, and
your father an Amorite.
Eze
16:46 Your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand,
she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who dwells at your
right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.
Eze
16:47 Yet have you not walked in their ways, nor done after their
abominations; but, as if that were
a very little thing,
you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.
Eze
16:48 As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, Sodom your sister has not
done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your
daughters.
Eze
16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride,
fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her
daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Eze
16:50 They were haughty, and committed abomination before me:
therefore I took them away as I saw good.
Eze
16:51 Neither has Samaria committed half of your sins; but you have
multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your
sisters by all your abominations which you have done.
Eze
16:52 You also, bear you your own shame, in that you have given
judgment for your sisters; through your sins that you have committed
more abominable than they, they are more righteous that you: yes, be
also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your
sisters.
Eze
16:53 I will turn again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and
her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, and
the captivity of your captives in the midst of them;
Eze
16:54 that you may bear your own shame, and may be ashamed because
of all that you have done, in that you are a comfort to them.
Eze
16:55 Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their
former estate; and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their
former estate; and you and your daughters shall return to your former
estate.
Eze
16:56 For your sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the
day of your pride,
Eze
16:57 before your wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the
reproach of the daughters of Syria, and of all who are around her,
the daughters of the Philistines, who do despite to you all around.
Eze
16:58 You have borne your lewdness and your abominations, says
Yahweh.
Eze
16:59 For thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will also deal with you as
you have done, who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.
Eze
16:60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days
of your youth, and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant.
Eze
16:61 Then you shall remember your ways, and be ashamed, when you
shall receive your sisters, your elder sisters
and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not
by your covenant.
Eze
16:62 I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall know that
I am Yahweh;
Eze
16:63 that you may remember, and be confounded, and never open your
mouth any more, because of your shame, when I have forgiven you all
that you have done, says the Lord Yahweh.
Nov. 30
James 3
Jas 3:1 Let not many of
you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier
judgment.
Jas 3:2 For in many
things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is
a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
Jas 3:3 Indeed, we put
bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide
their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold, the
ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds,
are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
Jas 3:5 So the tongue
is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small
fire can spread to a large forest!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue
is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue,
which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature,
and is set on fire by Gehenna.
Jas 3:7 For every kind
of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and
has been tamed by mankind.
Jas 3:8 But nobody can
tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 With it we
bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in
the image of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the
same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these
things ought not to be so.
Jas 3:11 Does a spring
send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Jas 3:12 Can a fig
tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring
yields both salt water and fresh water.
Jas 3:13 Who is wise
and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that
his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14 But if you
have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast
and don't lie against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom is
not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and
demonic.
Jas 3:16 For where
jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil
deed.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom
that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 Now the fruit
of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Ruth: She bore a son, 4:1-22, Mark Copeland
"THE BOOK OF RUTH" Ruth's Marital Joy: "She Bore A Son" (4:1-22) INTRODUCTION 1. Our brief survey of the book of Ruth has thus far revealed... a. Ruth's noble choice: "I will go..." - Ru 1:1-22 1) Expressing great love for her mother-in-law, Naomi 2) Willing to forego home and religion, and adopt Israel and the true God b. Ruth's lowly service: "Let me glean..." - Ru 2:1-23 1) Exercising her right as a widow to glean after the reapers during the harvest 2) Providing sustenance for herself and her mother-in-law c. Ruth's tender plea: "Take your maidservant..." - Ru 3:1-18 1) Made to Boaz, a near kinsman 2) As part of a careful plan proposed by her mother-in-law, Naomi 2. Noteworthy throughout this story has been the character of Boaz... a. A kind man, with a strong sense of propriety b. A hospitable man, with a concern for duty and reputation c. A man Naomi knew "will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day" - Ru 3:18 3 As we come to the fourth and final chapter... a. We see how Boaz fulfills "Ruth's marital joy" b. Resulting in the birth of a son who became David's grandfather [As the chapter opens, Boaz begins the process promised to Ruth earlier (cf. Ru 3:12-13)...] I. BOAZ CONFRONTS A CLOSE RELATIVE A. AT THE TOWN GATE... 1. Boaz meets the close relative at the gate - Ru 4:1 a. Where people would travel in and out of the town b. Where business transactions were often made c. Where judges and officers were to be found - cf. Deut 16:18 2. Boaz calls together ten elders of the city - Ru 4:2 a. Who were frequently gathered at the gate - cf. Pr 31:23 b. Such elders would serve as witnesses - cf. Ru 4:9 B. REGARDING NAOMI'S LAND... 1. Naomi had sold the land which belonged to her husband, Elimelech - Ru 4:3 a. Some translations (NIV, NASB, etc.) indicate she was about to sell it - cf. Ru 4:9 b. Within her right as one who was poor - cf. Lev 25:25 2. Boaz encourages the close relative to redeem it, or Boaz will - Ru 4:4 a. It was important that land stay within the family - cf. Lev 25:23-28; Num 27:1-11 b. At first, the close relative is willing to redeem it C. WHO REFUSES TO REDEEM THE LAND... 1. Boaz points out the obligation involving Ruth the Moabitess - Ru 4:5 a. To buy (or acquire) Ruth (cf. NRSV, NASB) - cf. also Ru 4:10 b. To marry her and perpetuate the name of her dead husband by giving him a son - cf. Deut 25:5-6 2. Prompting the close relative to refuse to redeem it - Ru 4:6 a. Concerned about ruining his own inheritance 1) Perhaps because he knew the land would belong to Elimelech's family 2) Thus spending money for land that would not long be his b. Who then gave the right (and responsibility) of redemption to Boaz [With the refusal of redemption by the close relative...] II. BOAZ REDEEMS NAOMI AND RUTH A. THE TRANSACTION FOR NAOMI'S LAND... 1. Confirmed by the removal of a sandal - Ru 4:7-8 a. A custom "in former times" 1) Evidently not when the book of Ruth was written 2) Possibly traced to the practice of taking possession of land by walking on the soil of the land being claimed (F. B. Huey, Jr., Expositor's Bible Commentary) b. Similar to another custom involving the removal of a sandal - cf. Deut 25:7-10 1) Regarding the refusal to marry the widow of one's brother 2) An expression of shame for such refusal to accept responsibility c. Yet such shame does not appear to be the purpose in this case 2. Witnessed by the ten elders and all the people - Ru 4:9 a. They witnessed that Boaz purchased all the land of Elimelech and his sons b. That he bought it from the hand of Naomi B. THE ARRANGEMENT FOR RUTH'S HAND... 1. Boaz has acquired Ruth as wife - Ru 4:10 a. To perpetuate the name of the dead (Mahlon, Ruth's dead husband) b. To maintain Mahlon's (family?) position at the gate 2. Witnessed and blessed by townspeople and the elders - Ru 4:11-12 a. The people proclaim themselves witnesses b. They bless Ruth and Boaz 1) That the Lord make her like Rachel and Leah 2) That Boaz prosper and be famous in Bethlehem Ephrathah 3) That their house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah - cf. Gen 46:12; Num 26:20-22 [With the transaction for the land witnessed, and their union as husband and wife blessed by the people at the gate...] III. BOAZ MARRIES RUTH A. THEY HAVE A SON NAMED OBED... 1. With conception given by the Lord - Ru 4:13 a. Fertility and barrenness were sometimes attributed to the Lord - cf. Gen 29:31; 30:2 b. Perhaps in this way the writer was implying God's acceptance of the union of Boaz and Ruth 2. With praise and prayer offered by the women - Ru 4:14-15 a. Praise to the Lord for His kindness to Naomi through her daughter-in-law b. Prayer that the child be a restorer and nourisher to Naomi in her old age 3. With nursing by Naomi - Ru 4:16 4. With his name "Obed" (servant) given by the neighbor women - Ru 4:17 B. WHO WILL BE GRANDFATHER TO DAVID... 1. As mentioned at the close of Ru 4:17 2. As illustrated in the genealogy of Perez - Ru 4:18-22 a. Perez (son of Judah) b. Hezron c. Ram d. Amminadab e. Nahshon f. Salmon g. Boaz h. Obed i. Jesse j. David CONCLUSION 1. At the beginning of our study, we noted that the book of Ruth serves two purposes... a. To illustrate how God rewards those who make wise spiritual choices and show steadfast filial loyalty b. To explain how Ruth, a Moabitess, came to be an ancestor of David, and ultimately, of the Messiah - cf. Ru 4:21-22; Mt 1:5-6 2. The book also reveals examples of commendable character... a. Nobility of character in Ruth, who proved to be better to Naomi than seven sons! b. Nobility of character in Boaz, as an employer, and believer in God's promises and commands Remember that such character was manifested during a dark period in Israel's history... "In those days [there was] no king in Israel; everyone did [what was] right in his own eyes." (Judg 21:25) May their example of character encourage us to do what is right when we live among people who seem to be little different than those in the days of the Judges...!
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