The Fear Of The Lord

Proverbs

The Fear Of The Lord

INTRODUCTION

1. We now change our approach to studying the book to the book of Proverbs...

1. Using a topical rather than textual approach

2. Noting recurring themes dispersed throughout the proverbs

2. A good topic to begin with is "the fear of the Lord"...

1. Described as "the beginning of knowledge" - Pr 1:7

2. Also as "the beginning of wisdom" - Pr 9:10

[Yes, we examined "the fear of the Lord" in an earlier lesson. But it's importance to living wisely justifies another look. So let's begin with...]

Proverb 18:1 Desperado

by Chuck Ness

As I was reading Proverbs this morning, I was reminded of what I wrote in my journal many years ago.

"A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment."
Proverb 18:1

I had a dream last night about an old friend I haven't see in years. His name is Larry, and he was a preacher of his own church in Columbus Georgia. The last time I saw him was a time in my life when all I wanted was to be away from people. If anyone got too close I would disappear.

It was after my 2nd marriage fell apart. Our son had recently died, and it led to problems unforeseen. My wife was never the same, and things just deteriorated in our marriage. We separated, and I ended wondering around the country. I would stay in a place long enough to work a few Months and then leave town without notifying anyone. Sometimes I would leave without even collecting my last paycheck. I figured if I wasn't going to give a notice why collect the check.

For a few years I kept getting an urge in my heart to just go. It was about ten years or so before I truly accepted Christ in my heart. OH I knew Him, but didn't have a relationship with him. Today I know my uncomfortable feeling came from trying to run from Him. I would begin feeling uneasy and just pack up my backpack, chose a destination, and start hitchhiking from place to place. Working for awhile and then start hitchhiking again.

Wisdom vs Folly's Invitation Proverb 9

by Chuck Ness

Advice from Wisdom vs advice from Folly is continually compared throughout the proverbs. We’ve seen these analogies often, but one thing that stands out in this chapter, is not so much the difference, but the similarities.

Satan often imitates God to lure us in. After all, when you put out poison to kill a rodent, you do not use 100% poison, you only use enough to kill them. So you use 99% of a type of food they like, to lure them into eating. Once they eat, they get the 1% of poison that will kill them.

Judge Yourself Lest You Be Judged

Ever been sitting in the house, and out of the corner of your eye, you spot something moving along the floor next to the wall? Or maybe you’re lying in bed and you hear some scraping, scratching, and the pitter patter of tiny feet in the attic? When you have a mouse on the loose around the house, then you need to set a trap or two.

Everyone has their idea of what the perfect food is to trap a mouse. Cheese, peanut butter, or maybe a piece of sweet chocolate The idea is to use something that will attract the mouse over. Then when the mouse takes the bate, it meets it's maker. Well humans are no different, and neither is Satan. The only difference is the bate. If you take the bate that Satan sets out for you it could cost you your very soul.

Choose Wisely by Reading a Proverb A Day, Proverb 1

by Chuck Ness

The purpose of Writing the book of Proverbs was to reveal the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations. Through Solomon, God shared His Wisdom, and He made sure that no topic was left to question. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and Godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings. Without wisdom, knowledge is nothing more than an accumulation of raw facts, influenced by emotional feelings. Many highly educated people are in positions of power in the United States, but very few of those educated leaders have the wisdom needed to rule properly.

What Happened to The Virtuous Woman? Proverbs 31:10-31

Many women believe that their charm and beauty is what makes them the person who they are, yet as the proverb tells us,

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised

Proverb30:30

Peter tells women;

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes--
rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Proverb 26:1 Only A Fool Would Want Rain At Harvest Time

by Chuck Ness

1.) As snow in summer and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool. Proverb 26:1

Very interesting in the way Solomon explains the folly of a fool in verse 1. No one but a fool would desire a snow blizzard in the middle of the Summer. Judea was primarily an agriculture society, so they needed the weather to be as it was meant to be. Just as a rain storm at harvest time would be a disaster for the farmer. So too would the weather needed for snow in mid Summer be a disaster to crops.

Israels climate is very similar to that of California's San Joaquin valley. It never, if ever, rains at harvest time, and it never snows in July. Imagine the mess a rain storm would create for workers and machinery in the muddy field as they sludge along to pick the crop, it would be very devastating.

To Defend Evil Will bring A Curse From The People, Proverb 24:24

by Chuck Ness

Today we may witness the mass destruction of the NFL. Remember, Satan twists reality of those who do not keep their minds eyes and hearts on Christ. When it comes to winning the souls of the rich and famous, the most powerful tool in Satan's arsenal, is the fame and fortune they seek. For those who reach the pinnacle of success, their minds will lie to them about their importance to the human race.

It is already difficult to avoid sin, with fame and fortune it becomes almost impossible. Paul tells us that the desire for wealth and fame can lead to many pitfalls, because the love of money is the very root of evil. Not money in and of itself, but the love for it.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom Proverb 9:1

by Chuck Ness

In Proverb 9:1 we read that;

“Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars"

This is obviously a symbolic description, since Wisdom is personified. So what is this house and what are these “Seven Pillars” that wisdom has erected?

Many explanations exist regarding the seven pillars of wisdom in this passage. One idea is that, seven expresses completeness in Scripture, thus Solomon may be communicating that the application of wisdom results in a complete, orderly, well-furnished house, one that which lacks nothing.
Then there are commentators who see the seven pillars as describing a traditional banquet. So then, Wisdom’s call in Proverbs 9:5 would be fitting in that;

Vengeance Is Mine Says The Lord, Proverbs 6:34-35

by Chuck Ness

Mind you, Proverb 6:34-35 was written some 2900 years ago when women had no power. It was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. After all, Solomon himself had some 700 wives and 300 concubines. However, times have changed, and women can be as vengeful if not more so than men when they find out their husband has been sleeping around with another woman.

This Proverb can be used for both both men and women. Prison is filled with those who have gotten revenge to the ultimate degree. Thus the Lord warns us all to not even give the thought of adultery a chance of planting a seed in our hearts. Vengeance is mine says the Lord, but in the moment of anger and hurt, logic and reason are often times far from ones mind. It is a sin that can destroy many lives.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but
rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Romans 12:19

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.' Deuteronomy 32:35

The Penalty For Sexual Immorality Proverbs 5:11

by Chuck Ness

Today, more than at any other time in our society, our rejection of God’s moral standards has led to an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. This commentary will be a devastating one about our society. It will show you how we have become no better than past societies of the Romans, Greeks, Babylonians, and yes those of Sodom and Gomorrah. I suggest you have a shower ready to scrub yourself clean after learning how truly disgusting our society has become.

As you look at the graph below, you can see that by the mid 1990's STDs started to rocket up. This is directly related to the leadership of the country. In 1992, when Bill Clinton became President. Clinton was an immoral man who eventually admitted he was having sex wioth Mionica Lewinski. The Clinton administration's attitudes on sex effected the nations immorality.

It was Bill Clinton's surgeons general, Joycelyn Elders who, in response to a psychologist who asked her whether "a more explicit discussion and promotion of masturbation could help slow the spread of AIDS". Her response told the World which direction the sexual standards of America was headed;

Biblical Lessons, Phylacteries, & Proverbs 3:1-4

by Chuck Ness

Today's chosen commentary is on Proverbs 3:1-4 which alludes to Deuteronomy 6:6-8. In this passage, God tells the people how they can be assured they will always keep the law. Like all things, it comes with repetition so that it will be trained into our memory. Something we are to diligently teach our children, so that when they get older the law will be always in the forefront of their consciousness. For us Christians, we too should raise our children to know the Scriptures as they know how to walk. Everyday is a time to learn something new about the things of Christ. Everyday is a chance to ensure their eternal Salvation and a place in heaven.

Do Not Rejoice When Evil People Fall Proverbs 24:17-18

by Chuck Ness

As we watch the way the Democrats attack every good thing, while upholding and rewarding all evil, it is natural to desire the day they fall. Yet when that day comes, and it surely will, remember not to celebrate nor rejoice. Instead consider what Solomon wrote in Proverb 24:17-18;

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him
Proverbs 24:17-18

Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law Proverbs 29:18

by Chuck Ness

Some believe it will be so cool to see the things that the ancients have spoken of. The truth is, we know that those days are not something they should wish to see, let alone experience first hand. Those of us who are getting older, know that we may be gone when the end comes. So we will know nothing of what transpires since we will be in the very presence of our Lord. Yet, we now see where the world is going, and our hearts are saddened at the things those left behind must endure.

As I type this, we are  witnessing times changing so fast that few things make logical sense anymore. Revelations 13:17 tells us that a time will come when men will not be able to buy or sell with out the mark of the beast. Well, today we are already seeing multibillion dollar corporations limiting what some people can sell or purchase unless we follow their unconstitutional regulations in America. These are the times spoken of by the ancient prophets like Paul, who wrote in his second epistle to Timothy,

The Levirate Law of Proverbs 20:16

There are many sordid story's with many shocking facts shared in the Scriptures about God's people. One such story is the twisted account of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar? (Genesis 38:7-26) The story of Judah and Tamar is certainly not the most pleasant story in the Bible. In fact, most commentaries on the book of Genesis don’t spend much time on this chapter. After all, the story of Joseph (Genesis chapters 37-38), has a lot more preaching material and great spiritual lessons!

Christ Is The Wisdom Of God Proverb 21:30

Today I am sharing a comment on Proverb 21:30 from Ray comfort.

“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”

If I had a worldly hero, it would be Thomas Edison. Atheists claim that he was one of them, but he wasn't. He said, "I believe in the existence of a Supreme Intelligence pervading the Universe." He was ungodly, but he was no fool.

Not only was he the ultimate inventor, but he wasn't afraid of failure. He said that failure taught him what not to do.

But my greatest admiration for him, was his humility. He had the wisdom to say, "We do not know one millionth of one percent about anything.”

How different that is from the hubris know-it-all generation in which we live. We may think that we are wise, but if we do, we are fools in the eyes of God. The wise know that to be true.

Do Not Be Led Astray Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverb 20:1 (NKJV)

Allow me to begin my commentary by stating that it is my belief that God does condone drinking alcoholic beverages. However, as with everything in life, moderation is the key. Now for those who claim God is against drinking I would like to refer you to the wedding where Jesus performed His first miracle by changing the water into wine in John 2:1-12. My point of emphasis in the account is the part where the master of the feast tasted the wine Jesus had created from water;

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" John 2:9-10

Don't Be A Sluggard Proverbs 13:4

Did you know that the Bible has more to say on laziness than drunkenness? Yet, how often are we quick to judge someone when they've had a bit too much to drink, but neglect to chastise another person who sits around all day and does nothing? Laziness is a pervasive, insidious disease in our society, one that seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. No one seems to want to work hard anymore. They want the easy life, the easy job that doesn't require much of them, the cushy couch and big screen TV and fancy vacations, but work?? Don't make me work too hard!! It's not fair! 

Proverb 11:29 Inheriting the Wind

by Chuck Ness

Troubling your own family is like tossing your money in the air and letting it blow away. A home is a place where we should all feel safe and secure. A place to get way from the troubles of the world. A place where the family can confide in each other and count on each other.

So many homes have become prisons that people only wish to get out of. Everyone knows of friends or maybe even relatives who live in home environments that are not proper to raise children in. In those homes we can point to individuals who have thrown caution to the wind, by their destructive lifestyles.

Proverb 10:1 The Son Effect

Today's message on Proverb 10:1 comes
from Calvary Chapel Jonesboro in AZ
Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 5:7

Wisdom is something that should passionately be spoken to our sons. It is something they should hear from us with a sense of urgency and importance that should ring from what we say to them. If we do not speak with this kind of passion we may have our children go the way that the son in laws of Lot went.

Proverbs 9 Lady Wisdom vs Madame Folly

Two female figures, Lady Wisdom and Madame Folly. An lesson for every human to learn from. You can accept the lesson as one that compares a wise woman of virtue as mentioned in Proverb 31, versus an immoral woman of folly who tears down her home with her actions as in Proverb 14. Or as I will share with you today, it's a lesson of good versus evil. The right way to live versus the wrong way to live your life.

Either way, it's very common for God to teach us different lessons from the same passage throughout the Scriptures. The book of Proverbs is a prime example of this method of teaching. Today's commentary is of contrast between the woman of wisdom, or the good, (Proverb 9:4-6) versus the woman of folly, the evil. (Proverb 9:16-18).

Proverb 8:11 Profiting From Wisdom Instead Of Rubies

Men and women have been chasing the dream of wealth and fame from the beginning of time. The American dream was once based upon the understanding that fame and fortune comes through thrift and hard work. During the Colonial Period, Benjamin Franklin counseled people on the "The Way to Wealth." Poor Richard's Almanac advised that "Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Poor Richard insisted that the key to wealth was to be industrious, because that is what pay's the bills and thus makes one's life easier. 

Sadly, in today's modern world the understanding is that one can get rich and famous instantly by winning the lottery, hitting the jackpot at the local casino, writing and singing the song that makes the young girls cry, getting a reality TV show, going to Hollywood to get recognized, or just winning a lawsuit over a spilled cup of hot coffee. The idea isn't new, wanting to rich that is. It's the understanding of how to do it that has changed. 

Few consider what the result of measuring one's worth by how many toys they truly have will be. All they can think of is, "He who dies with the most toys wins the game of life".

Prover 6:1-5 Never Become Indebted To A Friend

One of the most idiotic things anyone can do is to co-sign for a loan. Regardless of who you are helping, the statistics prove that the co-signer ends up paying the loan off over 50% of the time. Consider the reason one would ask you to co-sign for them. They know you will pay the loan off if they cannot, and their track record proves they either don't pay off their debt, or they never had a loan before.

The Scripture I have chosen to comment on today's Proverb, are verses 1-5.

Proverb 5:21 Consider God as you Ponder Your Path

You ever been sitting in the house, and out of the corner of your eye, you spot something moving along the corner of the wall?  Or maybe you’re lying in bed and you hear some scraping and scratching, the patter of teeny tiny feet in the attic? When you have a mouse on the loose around the house, then you need to set a trap or two.

Everyone has their idea of what the perfect food is to trap the mouse. Cheese, peanut butter, or maybe a piece of sweet chocolate The idea is to use something that will attract the mouse over. Then when the mouse takes the bate, it meets it's maker. Well humans are no different, and neither is Satan. The only difference is the bate. If you take the bate that Satan sets out for you it could cost you your very soul.

Proverb 4:23 Keep Your heart With All Diligence

Though the Old Testament book of Proverbs contains God's wisdom for people of all age groups, it is uniquely a book for young people. I believe God's Spirit led King Solomon to write and record these wise bits of instruction to help youth avoid the sort of mistakes and moral failures that will rob them of joy and well-being as adults. Today's commentary on verse Proverb 4:23, comes from Bethany Bible Church

Keep your heart with all diligence,
00 For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverb 4:23

Proverb 3:5-6 Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

by Chuck Ness

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverb 3:5-6)

Ever wonder what you would do if your leader told you to drive into the Ocean after he parted the waters? Would you still have enough faith to trust in the God your leader trusts? Would you have enough faith that the waters would be held back until you got to the other side? Well at the time when Pharaoh's army had the Israelites trapped between him and the Red Sea, the faith of the Israelites was very weak. (Exodus 14) At any sign of troubles they were ready to leave Moses and his God to go back to Egypt and the bondage of slavery.

Kind of like so many of us Christians today. At the first sign of trials and tribulations we are so quick to give up on Him, just as the Israelites did time and time again. Moses told the people to have faith and trust in the Lord who brought them out of bondage. Instead they romanticized the life they had in Egypt. Forgetting all about the whips, and drudgery of slave labor they were forced into. All they could remember was the food they ate, not the suffering they endured at the hands of the task masters, while despising the food from heaven God gave them.

Proverb 2:6 For The Lord Gives Wisdom

Proverb 2 (NKJV)

by Chuck Ness

The ability to believe the Scriptures is within the hearts of each and every human being. However, because we have hardened our hearts we cannot believe. We need to humble ourselves and ask for Christ to enter our hearts. Then He will transform our heart of stone into one of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), Once that happens our faith will grow, and with faith comes the knowledge and wisdom which can only come from the One true God. 

If we truly are repentant, He will be true to His Word and unlock the door to that faith. Once it is believed and received by faith, a whole new world of our God is open to us. Jesus comes into our spirit and changes us, and that is when we begin our journey in the development of a relationship with our heavenly Father. It is then that the scriptures become a "Treasure Trove of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding".

"For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6)

When you become a born again Christian, the treasure of God is opened unto you. All the treasures of His mind are now available for you to use. Like a treasure hunter who is searching for diamonds, gold, and silver, once he finds it he ceases. Then he begins a journey as a collector of that which he  found. When you find Christ, you begin your journey of collecting His treasure of knowledge and wisdom, which is "The mind of God." 1Corinthians 1:30

Proverb 1 Wisdoms Call

Proverb 1 (NKJV) by Chuck Ness


Many actually believe chapters 1 to 9 are Proverbs, but in fact 9 chapters were originally written more as an introduction to Proverbs, whereas chapter 10 is where Solomon's Proverbs actually begin. From here on forth, most of the proverbs are short an pithy, with two sentences in one verse.

These verses correspond with each other by an opposition of terms and sentiments. The second verse is contrasted with the first by illustrating an opposite action or result from different behavior. Seldom is there any coherence between the verses, much less any discussion as most the vast majority of Scripture gives us. The purpose of these proverbs is to set before us good and evil, the blessing and the curse. Many of the proverbs in this particular chapter, (ch 10) is related to the good government of the tongue, without which men’s religion is vain.

The purpose of Writing the book of Proverbs was to reveal the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and Godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

Proverb 30 Who Ascended or Descended?

Proverb 30 (NKJV)by Chuck Ness

The proverb asks if you know the name of the One who Who ascended to and descended from heaven, the One gathered the wind in His fists, the One who bound the waters into a garment, the One who established all the ends of the earth. It asks if you know the name of Him, or His Son's name. Some 900 years before Jesus was born, Solomon knew that God's Son would appear on earth. A prophecy bound up in a proverb. Long before the Pharisees would accuse Him of equating Himself with God, Solomon knew God's Son who would descend from heaven.

We are drawing close to the End of Times, and there is absolutely nothing more important in life than being born again of the Spirit of God; to know that you are saved from eternal death and judgment and that you have an assurance that you are going to heaven because you have been born into His family, into His Kingdom; to be set free from the burden of sin, and be able to experience God's forgiveness, peace and power. 

This has all been freely provided by an unmerited grace through the atoning sacrifice on Calvary of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This is the Gospel that was proclaimed by the angels at His birth some 900 years after Agur was moved by the Spirit of God to ask us if we know what His name is. It has since been preached throughout the entire world.

Proverbs 21:4 Sometimes God Suspends Freewill

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
(Proverbs 21:4)

When you wonder why a World does things that are clearly out of the norm for that individual, sometimes it can be by Devine intervention from God. I'm not saying that the evil things some World leaders have done are by God's will, but the good things that an evil leader may have done that are moral, ethical, and logical can be attributed to God. Mind you, its not because their heart has all of a sudden become pure or they had an Epiphany, but rather it's because God turned them from that which they wanted to do, to doing His will instead. I'm sure that like us, they too wonder why they did those things that are not what they intended.

See, while we do have free will, God does reserve the right to remove our free will from time to time in order to have a good thing accomplished for other reasons. Case in point would be when Balaam was hired by Balak, the King of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Instead he blessed them, because God would not allow him to curse His people. (Numbers 22–24).

Proverb 3:5-6 Trust The Lord

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. 
Proverb 3:5-6

by Chuck Ness

So many times we all wish we had a gift to peer into the future. All men desire that gift so they can live their life accordingly. They want to be able to avoid the pitfalls, and get right to the great things that will happen. They desire the gift so they will make the right choice. Well, we have that gift, it comes from God. All we need to do is have the faith in God to do for us that which He promises. If he gave us a gift to see the future outright, then He would not expect us to live by faith. We need to have faith that God will direct our path.

Proverb 7:22 As An Ox Goes To The Slaughter

by Chuck Ness

Probably the greatest example of the consequences mentioned in Proverbs 7, is the way Delilah sold out Samson for some silver. Only the betrayal of Christ by Judas', will you find a greater example of betrayal. However, this Proverb is about a man being brought down by a harlot, so Samson's destruction at the hands of Delilah fits for today.

Many men through the ages have lost everything, because they cherished the moment over their future. I would lie if I said I never fell for such a woman, as many men have. Mine cost me my first marriage, and to this day I still regret it. I lost all I had, my wife, my children, my home, and my livelihood. Years later I still pay the price, because I lost millions of moments with my children.

Proverb 6

by Chuck Ness

The purpose of Writing the book of Proverbs was to reveal the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations. Through Solomon, God shared His Wisdom, and He made sure that no topic was left to question. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and Godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.