Daily Devotional

Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV)

18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;

But happy is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 28:2,4 (NKJV)

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;

But by a man of understanding and knowledge

Right will be prolonged.

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4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

But such as keep the law contend with them.

Deep dive: Because of transgression…

Because of transgression (h6588. פֶּשַׁע p̱eša‘; from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or religious): — rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.), there’s are many who rule.

This in my opinion is a combination of one rules, then they are removed by another, and another, and another. Or, multiple princes / leaders rule smaller groups at the same time, so unification and order is difficult to maintain long term.  Because of this, 

Isaiah 59:9-15 (NKJV)

9 Therefore justice is far from us,

Nor does righteousness overtake us;

We look for light, but there is darkness!

For brightness, but we walk in blackness!

10 We grope for the wall like the blind,

And we grope as if we had no eyes;

We stumble at noonday as at twilight;

We are as dead men in desolate places.

11 We all growl like bears,

And moan sadly like doves;

We look for justice, but there is none;

For salvation, but it is far from us.

12 For our transgressions are multiplied before You,

And our sins testify against us;

For our transgressions are with us,

And as for our iniquities, we know them:

13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD,

And departing from our God,

Speaking oppression and revolt,

Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

14 Justice is turned back,

And righteousness stands afar off;

For truth is fallen in the street,

And equity cannot enter.

15 So truth fails,

And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him

That there was no justice.

If you keep the law, you will be able to contend [wage war]( h1624. גָּרָה g̱ârâ; a primitive root; properly, to grate, i.e. (figuratively) to anger: — contend, meddle, stir up, strive.

AV (14) - stir up 6, meddle 4, contend 3, strive 1;

to cause strife, stir up, contend, meddle, strive, be stirred up(Piel) to stir up strife, excite strife(Hithpael)to excite oneself against, engage in strifeto excite oneself (against foe), wage war) against those who transgress.

By keeping the law with understanding and knowledge, Righteousness will last

Proverbs 27:2, 21 (NKJV)

2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;

A stranger, and not your own lips.

21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,

And a man is valued by what others say of him.

Proverbs 26:4-5, 12 (NKJV)

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest you also be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Deep Dive: How to address a fool

h3684. כְּסִיל ḵesîyl; from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly: — fool(-ish).

AV (70) - fool 61, foolish 9;

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

This word ḵesîyl apears 70 times in old testaments, mainly Proverbs, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes. In chapter 26 of Proverbs it appears 11 times!

Even though it speaks heavily about a fool, verse 12 is very interesting as it says a man wise in his own eyes has less hope than that of a fool.

When I read verse 4, when answering a fool, do not answer becoming like him, but answer him that he not be made wise in his own eyes. So we don’t give honor to a fool 26:8, instead we answer him according to his folly so he can see what he has is not wisdom, but foolishness. 

When speaking to a fool, it’s important to layer your approach based on Proverbs 3:33(NKJV)

33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,

But He blesses the home of the just.

34 Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Then let them (those bent on foolishness) know Proverbs 1:20-23 (NKJV)

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside;

She raises her voice in the open squares.

21 She cries out in the chief concourses,

At the openings of the gates in the city

She speaks her words:

22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?

For scorners delight in their scorning,

And fools hate knowledge.

23 Turn at my rebuke;

Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;

I will make my words known to you.

Let them know their life choices will either lead to glory or shame. Their choice. Now, their growth falls to the Lord, not you. But to remain in your company, wisdom is your desire for them, as it leads to glory.

Proverbs 25:6-7, 27 (NKJV)

6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the place of the great;

7 For it is better that he say to you,

"Come up here,"

Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,

Whom your eyes have seen.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;

So to seek one's own glory is not glory.

Deep Dive: Honoring yourself

h1921. הָדַר hâḏar; a primitive root; to swell up (literally or figuratively, active or passive); by implication, to favor or honour, be high or proud: — countenance, crooked place, glorious, honour, put forth.

AV (7) - honour 3, countenance 1, crooked places 1, glorious 1, put forth 1;

to honour, adorn, glorify, be high(Qal)to swell swelling (pass participle)

to honour, pay honour to, show partiality to adorn adorned (pass participle)

(Niphal) to be honoured(Hithpael) to honour oneself, claim honour

Here we see God speaking to Cyrus:

Isaiah 45:1-3 (NKJV)

Cyrus, God's Instrument

1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed,

To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—

To subdue nations before him

And loose the armor of kings,

To open before him the double doors,

So that the gates will not be shut:

2 'I will go before you

And make the crooked places straight;

I will break in pieces the gates of bronze

And cut the bars of iron.

3 I will give you the treasures of darkness

And hidden riches of secret places,

That you may know that I, the LORD,

Who call you by your name,

Am the God of Israel.

In this passage the word speaks of honoring yourself as a crooked place, that will be made straight by the Lord.

If you’re going to exalt, it’s recognizing what to exalt.

Proverbs 4:7-9 (NKJV)

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 Exalt (h5549. סָלַל sâlal ) her, and she will promote (h7311. רוּם rûm )you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

h5549. סָלַל sâlal; a primitive root; to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam): — cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain, raise up.

h7311. רוּם rûm; a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively): — bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, (x a-)loud, mount up, offer (up), + presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.

AV (194) - (lift, hold, etc...) up 63, exalt 47, high 25, offer 13, give 5, heave 3, extol 3, lofty 3, take 3, tall 3, higher...

So back to Proverbs 25:7, it’s better you stand in a low place and the king, seeing the wisdom on you as a crown of glory, ornament of grace, bringing you up to the highest place in front of others.

Jesus says it like this:

Luke 14:7-11 (NKJV)

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Proverbs 24:5-6, 10 (NKJV)

5 A wise man is strong,

Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,

And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,

Your strength is small.

Deep dive: Adversity (this is a good one)

h6869. צָרָה ṣârâ; feminine of 6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival: — adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.

AV (73) - trouble 44, distress 8, affliction 7, adversity 5, anguish 5, tribulation 3, adversary 1;

straits, distress, troublevexer, rival wife

This word ṣârâ appears 73 times. As you can see, it means trouble, distress, affliction, adversity, etc.

As you read the different verses I shared reflecting different biblical adversities, you’ll see some are from having an adversary. You’re good, they pursue evil. In some you’ll see, you’re the adversary against God. Yet in others you see, you were an adversary, but then saved, only to return to what was evil, to be delivered. So as Proverbs 24:5 says, knowledge allows you to increase strength, however wise counsel is still needed. In Genesis 35:3, there was wise counsel, but those who heard it rejected it, and distress came on them. 

So when adversity does come, where is your strength?

Genesis 35:3 (Jacob speaking following God’s instruction after getting free from Labon)

3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone."

Genesis 42:21 (NKJV) (Jacob’s sons after trying to kill Joseph due to jealousy)

21 Then they said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us."

Deuteronomy 31:17 (NKJV) (God speaking against the Israelites coming out of Egypt)

17 Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?'

Judges 10:11-14 (NKJV) (God speaking to the children of Israelites coming out after saving them many times before only to be forsaken)

11 So the LORD said to the children of Israel, "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites and from the people of Ammon and from the Philistines? 12 Also the Sidonians and Amalekites and Maonites oppressed you; and you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hand. 13 Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. 14 "Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress."

1 Samuel 1:6 (NKJV) (Samuel’s Mom)

6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb.

1 Samuel 10:19 (NKJV)

19 But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, 'No, set a king over us!' Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans."

Nehemiah 9:27-28 (NKJV)

27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies,

Who oppressed them;

And in the time of their trouble,

When they cried to You,

You heard from heaven;

And according to Your abundant mercies

You gave them deliverers who saved them

From the hand of their enemies.

28 "But after they had rest,

They again did evil before You.

Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,

So that they had dominion over them;

Yet when they returned and cried out to You,

You heard from heaven;

And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,

Nehemiah 9:29 (NKJV) [What was the evil they turned too And God’s response]

29 And testified against them,

That You might bring them back to Your law.

Yet they acted proudly,

And did not heed Your commandments,

But sinned against Your judgments,

Which if a man does, he shall live by them.'

And they shrugged their shoulders,

Stiffened their necks,

And would not hear.

Proverbs 23:22 (NKJV)

22 Listen to your father who begot you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 22:1-4 (NKJV)

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have this in common,

The LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,

But the simple pass on and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of the LORD

Are riches and honor and life.

Deep dive:

The question is, how to create a good name?

Proverbs 3:1-14 (NKJV)

1 My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;

2 For length of days and long life

And peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,

And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding;

14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

What is the law 3:1 speaks of?

Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV)

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

And what is Love?

1 Corinthians 13 (NKJV)

The Greatest Gift

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

So what is perfection (1 Corinthians 13:10)?

Matthew 19:16-26 (NKJV)

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

(Mark 10:17–22; Luke 18:18–23)

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

God is the maker of all. It’s better to chose a good name, than riches. So a good man with a good name sees evil, does not go near it. Then by that humility and fear of God, there are riches, honor, and life (eternal).

Of course we want things, but  Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Happy Friday!

Proverbs 21:16 (NKJV)

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding

Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Moses Heeded

Exodus 18:14-24 (NKJV)

[Read verses 14-23 for context]

24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

Proverbs 20:13 (NKJV)

13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;

Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV)

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,

And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;

He will not be visited with evil.

Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV)

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,

And obtains favor from the LORD.

Deep Dive:

h0802. אִשָּׁה ’išâ; feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, נָשִׁים ’ashiym; a woman (used in the same wide sense as 582): — (adulter)ess, each, every, female, x many, + none, one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.

AV (780) - wife 425, woman 324, one 10, married 5, female 2, misc 14;

woman, wife, female woman (opposite of man) wife (woman married to a man) female (of animals) each, every (pronoun)

This word “wife” or “išâ” appears 780 times in old testaments. In Judges it says Judges 4:4 (NKJV) 4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.

Both Prophetess and Wife are išâ. 

The original use is Genesis 2:22-23 (NKJV):

22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23 And Adam said:

"This is now bone of my bones

And flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called Woman,

Because she was taken out of Man."

Genesis 2:18 (NKJV)

18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

God created a helper, Adam called the helper a woman. Solomon says who ever finds what God Created, what Adam named, Finds not only a good thing, but also favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 17:27-28 (NKJV)

27 He who has knowledge spares his words,

And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;

When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Proverbs 16:7, 32 (NKJV)

7 When a man's ways please the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Deep Dive: Patience in YOUR CALLED environment…cont

h0639. אַף ’ap̱; from 599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: — anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril, snout, x worthy, wrath.

AV (276) - anger 172, wrath 42, face 22, nostrils 13, nose 12, angry 4, long suffering + h0750 4, before 2, countenance 1, forbearing 1, forehead 1, snout 1, worthy 1;

nostril, nose, face anger

h0599. אָנַף ’ânap̱; a primitive root; to breathe hard, i.e. be enraged: — be angry (displeased).

AV (14) - angry 13, displeased 1;

to be angry, to be displeased, to breathe hard(Qal) to be angry (of God)(Hithpael) to be angry (always of God)

I find this interesting. Anger in Hebrew is in reference to your nostril. This comes from the word ânap̱ meaning to breath hard because you are enraged. The first reference of man breathing is Genesis 2:7 (NKJV) 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

So consider what the Lord ‘breathed’ in: life.

Psalms 16:8-11 (NKJV)

8 I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

So the question becomes why would I breath out, what the Lord did not breath in?

So again, 7 When a man's ways please the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 15:18 (NKJV)

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,

But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

Deep dive: patience in your called environment 

Allays in Hebrew h8252. שָׁקַט šâqaṭ; a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative): — appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet(-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.

AV (41) - rest 16, quiet 16, quietness 4, still 2, appeaseth 1, idleness 1, settled 1;

to be quiet, be tranquil, be at peace, be quiet, rest, lie still, be undisturbed

In NIV it says: (NIV) 18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

Consider what Jesus says about people in general based on their heart condition, as in how they think and deal with life in most situations 

Luke 6:43-45 (NKJV)

43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

What’s in your heart? Strife or Peace.

To keep peace, Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Remember, Joshua was told this as he was about to go to war. The environment he was being called to was not peaceful. So only by Joshua 1:8 are you really able to have the patience necessary to let peace reign where ever you are, based on where you’re called. Key word, “called” by the Holy Spirit. So be careful where you find yourself as not all areas are yours to bring Heaven’s version or your version of “peace”.

Proverbs 14:29 (NKJV)

29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

Proverbs 13:3 (NKJV)

3  He who guards his mouth preserves his life,

But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV)

1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,

But he who hates correction is stupid.

I have a situation to share that was work related. After giving clear instructions about drinking alcohol and driving a company vehicle, it became clear to me termination was the next step. This employee drove from Kalamazoo to Bay City for training (a 2.5-hour drive). He told me he wanted to drive to Frankenmuth (30 minutes away) to visit and possibly try some alcohol. I told him not to.

For those who know me, I’m very clear on what I’m clear on.

On Day 2 of training, it was reported that the employee did exactly what I told him not to do. How did the staff know? He told them at breakfast. The employees called me shortly after to report it because they already knew how I operate.

Me being me, I was already heading there to visit training, as I did on occasion.

You’d think the regional team was in agreement. No go. I had to work to convince the executive team to move forward with termination. I had to prove instruction was given on the exact offense and this employee despised correction, which led him to stupidity, making him very dangerous to the business and those around him.

I drove the 2.5 hours and sat face to face with HR and the employee. Once I was done talking, it was unanimous. Once everything was shared, termination was finalized, and 

I took the employee home one week after his start date. Grace was given until he lied and refused responsibility and correction.

When we look at Adam and Eve, God gave instructions to Adam, then created Eve. The serpent came to Eve. Eve responded to the serpent with what Adam told her, but she decided to trust the serpent, and Adam agreed. Grace was given. Instead of immediate punishment, God asked questions. When the correction came, how did Adam respond? When you receive correction following knowledge and execution, how do you respond?

The employee I terminated responded falsely to the Senior HR leader for the region until true correction and knowledge arrived (me). Then the truth was fully established. So when Adam responded to correction in response to the knowledge he had, he was removed based on his actions and choices.

So it’s important to understand how the instruction and correction pattern really works. Sometimes it’s literally 24 hours between instruction and correction. Then, depending on the response, grace or punishment follows. Sometimes it’s 50 years or more between instruction and correction.

Now biblically speaking, instruction and correction only appear together in the Bible 5 times (Proverbs 5:12-14, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 15:5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The word instruction appears only about 40 times in the NKJV Bible, and correction appears around 20 times.

Usually, the instruction came early in the Old Testament through Moses, Joshua, the Judges, and King David. Then wisdom came strongly through Solomon and the pattern of instruction and correction. After that, we see poor responses to correction through the major prophets. The book of Job is also a great in-depth illustration of this within one household and how God and Satan go back and forth.

You have to understand that the instruction from God is so good, it does not need to be repeated over and over. Instead, grace is given until correction comes and you repent and change your ways. Or your lack of responsibility and growth leaves you stupid, unable to receive correction, which makes you dangerous.

This means you received instruction (“THE WORD”), then executed, then the Master returned to see what you had done. Then correction came, then you responded either righteous or wicked. Then the Master issued grace or punishment (read Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 16:19-31).

So now put yourself in the Master’s shoes. What does instruction sound like and look like when it comes from you? How do you know when grace or punishment is needed?

Now put yourself in Adam’s shoes. How do you respond to correction?

I have sooooo much more to say, but in due time! Lol. Be blessed today.

Proverbs 11:4 (NKJV)

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

But righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 10:1 (NKJV)

1 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes a glad father,

But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

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5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son;

He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

Proverbs 9:10-12 (NKJV)

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,

And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."

Note: Before earth, there was wisdom.

Proverbs 8:22-23 (NKJV)

22 "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old.

23 I have been established from everlasting,

From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

Proverbs 8:4 (NKJV)

4 “To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

Quick take:

If you’ve read chapter 8 today, wisdom is calling out to (verse 5) “O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.”

It’s important to know, without the correct system, plug and play doesn’t work with wisdom. 

Example:  Matthew 13, that seed has to hit fertile ground, then the wisdom works, the fertile is referring to heart condition and right place and time.

Romans 11:24 (NKJV)

24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Verse 4 in proverbs 8:4 is talking to the wild olive tree in my opinion. So the wisdom spoken doesn’t work for the wild olive tree. If you are a branch in a wild olive tree, you have to be removed from that tree (source/community) and added to a cultivated olive tree (Gods community). However, wisdom still calls out, glory be to God, no matter who you are, where you are, etc.

Proverbs 7:5 (KJV)

5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman,

from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

Proverbs 7:5 (NIV)

5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,

from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

Proverbs 7:5 (AMP)

5 That they may keep you from the loose woman, from the adventuress who flatters with and makes smooth her words.

Proverbs 7:5 (NKJV)

5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the seductress who flatters with her words.

Look at the different translations. Let's look to the root.

Deep Dive:

Hebrew word for Seductress here is h5237. נָכְרִי noḵrîy; from 5235 (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful): — alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r, woman).

AV (45) - stranger 18, strange 17, alien 4, strange woman 3, foreigner 2, outlandish 1, stranger + h0376 1;

It’s interesting because this word (noḵrîy)is translated as foreigner in other sections of scripture. Also Pagan is used. One reference we’ll use is Ezra 10:11 (NKJV) 11 Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan (noḵrîy) wives."

These are women who serve other gods. Scripture talks about women in the context of wisdom and  folly. Wisdom leads to life, folly leads to death. All thru a woman. But keep in mind, the woman is attached to something, a belief, a thought, a lifestyle. One leads to happiness, one leads to great sorrow. To prevent yourself from falling for pagans / idols, Proverbs 7:1. Lamentations 5:2 (NKJV) says: Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, And our houses to foreigners (noḵrîy).

Again, to prevent yourself from falling for perverseness, strange ways not of God, Proverbs 7:1. It’s not enough to just read, just to know, it has to be treasured, something you cherish, something you look at more than the next. Meditate even. For those that don’t, are like the (Proverbs 7:7) young man devoid of understanding, falling for the seductress, the foreign god that leads to (Proverbs 7:26-27) death. All were strong, cast down wounded, descending to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NKJV)

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep—

11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man.

Deep dive: Heart condition

We read on the 4th - Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

23 Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Why is it important to guard your heart?

Matthew 13:1-9 (NKJV)

The Parable of the Sower

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Jesus breaks it down. Why? Cause they (disciples) asked: 

Matthew 13:18-23 (NKJV)

18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Fertile is the key. In this, we can equate fertile to soft. As the word comes, a soft heart that understands, produces an abundance of __________. (Fill in the blank from Proverbs 6:23) If you walk with perversity, impossible to produce the answer above.

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;

Lend your ear to my understanding,

2 That you may preserve discretion,

And your lips may keep knowledge.

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21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD,

And He ponders all his paths.

22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man,

And he is caught in the cords of his sin.

23 He shall die for lack of instruction,

And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Deep Dive:

Keep in mind it’s important for us to pay attention to God’s wisdom as our ways are always before God and as we ponder our paths,  our iniquities trap us if we are wicked or h7563. רָשָׁע râšâ‘; from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person: — + condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.

Part of the reason for reading Proverbs daily is to stay in alignment with the Lord's instruction, that applies in ALL situations we could encounter in life. Keeping these written on the tablet of your heart is critical to live according to what's written.

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV)

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

The Lord’s instruction is sufficient to prevent us from falling into temptations and becoming wicked. The cost of being wicked is death. 

23 Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Keep you heart, Guard it, keep it safe at all times...

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Deep Dive:

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NKJV)

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

h4148. מוּסָר mûsâr; from 3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint: — bond, chastening ((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

AV (50) - instruction 30, correction 8, chasten 4, chastisement 3, check 1, bond 1, discipline 1, doctrine 1, rebuker 1; discipline, chastening, correction discipline, correction chastening

The word מוּסָר mûsâr appears 51 times in the Old Testament. In the book of Proverbs it appears 25 times.  This is part of reason we read Proverb every month as baseline, daily.

Zephaniah 3:1-2 speaks of the the Wickedness of Jerusalem (1) Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city! (2) She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the LORD, She has not drawn near to her God.

Now look at God’s response that matches Proverbs 3:12 in a different context: Job 5:7-8, 17:  (7) Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward. (8) "But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause— (17) Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

In order to be corrected, put on the right path, seek him.

Have a blessed Sunday!

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

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10 When wisdom enters your heart,

And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,

11 Discretion will preserve you;

Understanding will keep you,

Deep dive:

To cry out! Not just ask, but call out with everything you have. That’s when you really begin to show fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:5)

This Hebrew word appears 683 times!, in the Old Testament. To be qârâ, to qârâ, to call out for an encounter, is to cry out! From Genesis 1:5 (5) God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night… to Adam said Genesis 2:23 …She shall be called Woman.. to Judges 6:24

So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace…

So, what are you crying out for? For an encounter…

h7121. קָרָא qârâ’; a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications): — bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

AV (735) - call 528, cried 98, read 38, proclaim 36, named 7, guests 4, invited 3, gave 3, renowned 3, bidden 2, preach 2, misc 11; to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim(Qal)to call, cry, utter a loud sound to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)to proclaim to read aloud, read (to oneself), read to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow to call, name, give name to, call by (Niphal) to call oneself to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

(rather identical with 7122 through the idea of accosting a person met)

h7122. קָרָא qârâ’; a primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner: — befall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon), fall out, happen, meet.

AV (16) - befall 5, come 4, chance 2, happened 2, met 2, fall out 1;

to encounter, befall, meet(Qal)to meet, encounterto befall (fig)

(Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly(Hiphil) to cause to meet

(1) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

Deep dive:

I wanted to take an opportunity to highlight the book of Proverbs itself, along with its author, Solomon.

I use the Olive Tree Bible Study App. Within the app, you can purchase different Bible translations and other resources. I have access to Easton’s Bible Dictionary (Easton, 1897), referenced via the Olive Tree Bible App.

In this dictionary, it provides some background on the book of Proverbs and Solomon’s contributions.

As for the book, it is believed:

“This book is usually divided into three parts:

(1.) Consisting of ch. 1–9, which contain an exhibition of wisdom as the highest good.
(2.) Consisting of ch. 10–24.
(3.) Containing proverbs of Solomon ‘which the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, collected’ (ch. 25–29).

These are followed by two supplements: (1) ‘The words of Agur’ (ch. 30), and (2) ‘The words of King Lemuel’ (ch. 31).

Solomon is said to have written three thousand proverbs, and those contained in this book may be a selection from these (1 Kings 4:32). In the New Testament, there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it.” (Easton, 1897)

As for Solomon:

“David’s second son by Bathsheba, that is, the first after their legal marriage (2 Sam. 12). He was probably born about B.C. 1035 (1 Chr. 22:5; 29:1). He succeeded his father on the throne in early manhood, likely around sixteen to eighteen years of age. Nathan, to whom his education was entrusted, called him Jedidiah, meaning ‘beloved of the Lord’ (2 Sam. 12:24–25).” (Easton, 1897)

“During his forty-year reign, the Hebrew monarchy reached its highest level of splendor. This period has been called the ‘Augustan age’ of the Jewish annals. The first half of his reign was brighter and more prosperous; the latter half was clouded by the idolatries into which he fell, mainly due to his intermarriages with foreign women (1 Kings 11:1–8; 14:21, 31).” (Easton, 1897)

It is important to keep in mind Solomon was a human being just like you, filled with emotions, desires, and thoughts. In his youth, he turned his heart toward God per his father's instruction:

1 Kings 2:1-4 (NKJV)

David’s Instructions to Solomon

1 Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

So it's important to turn your heart toward's God and he will bless you! Enjoy reading Proverbs this month. Looking forward to learn what you share!