Proverbs 12: 2 (NKJV) God’s Favor or condemnation?

Today’s verse speaks of obtaining God’s favor or His condemnation. This is OUR choice. We can choose which way we will be… either good, or wicked.

Proverbs 12: 2
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

Here are the definitions of the main words from this verse:

good: 1. Worthy of respect; honorable. 2. Reliable; sure 3. Valid or true 4. Genuine; real 5. Of moral excellence; upright 6. Benevolent; kind 7. Loyal; staunch 8. Well-behaved; obedient
obtains: To succeed in gaining possession of as the result of planning or endeavor
favor: Friendly or favorable regard; approval or support, Something given as a token of love, affection
wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious
intentions: A course of action that one intends to follow
condemn: 1. To express strong disapproval of 2. To pronounce judgment against; sentence

Using these definitions, we see that a person that lives a lifestyle that is worthy of the respect of others because they are reliable, truthful, upright, kind, loyal, obedient, and real or honest in their dealings is someone that gains the approval or support of a God that loves them.

God loves us anyway, but, as a good parent does with their children, they discipline them if they aren’t living in a good way, so that they will change FOR THEIR OWN GOOD!

Once a person does live in a "good" way, then God is faithful and will help, or bless, them in the things that they do. God also tells us that WE can never be truly "good" enough, by ourselves, to be able to go to heaven because our sin has tainted us, but through repentance of our sins and acceptance of Jesus free gift of life, then God can see us as "good" and will help us to change into that image...


In contrast, those that intend to live in a way that shows they are evil by nature and show this by doing offensive and obnoxious things to others, will find that God will strongly disapprove of them, and will end up, since He is a “Just” God, pronouncing judgment against them. According to His Word, He could, eventually, even have to sentence them to hell.

Psalm 37:20

But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the LORD, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

God does not WANT to have to pronounce this sentence on anyone as we see from the following passages in His word:

Ezekiel 33:11

Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die…

Ezekiel 33:18-20 (NKJV)

18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. 19 But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways.”

As is indicated in today’s verse, God’s favor or His condemnation is MY CHOICE! I need to remember this each day and stay on God's Path to goodness.

Proverbs 11: 4 Riches vs Righteousness

The verse we are studying today, warns us not to put our trust in riches, but in being right with God. We will use verses from the Bible with God’s definitions of the major ideas from today’s verse.

Proverbs 11: 4 (NKJV)

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.


God is a God of Love, and as such, He must judge evil. There is coming, a “Day of Wrath,” when God WILL pour out His judgment on those that refuse to accept Him as their Lord and Jesus as their savior! He gave up His son to save us and there is nothing further He can do. We don’t have to face this… It is our choice. Here is what God has to say about the “Day of Wrath” in Isaiah 13:9-13 (NKJV)


9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes,
Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger,
To lay the land desolate;
And He will destroy its sinners from it.

10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations

Will not give their light;

The sun will be darkened in its going forth,

And the moon will not cause its light to shine.

11 “ I will punish the world for its evil,

And the wicked for their iniquity;

I will halt the arrogance of the proud,

And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

12 I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold,

A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens,

And the earth will move out of her place,
In the wrath of the LORD of hosts

And in the day of His fierce anger.

Psalms 49: 16-20 (NIV) warns us not to be overawed with “riches,” because riches, in themselves, will not bring life.

16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,

when the splendor of his house increases;
17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies,

his splendor will not descend with him.
18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—

and men praise you when you prosper-

19 he will join the generation of his fathers,
who will never see the light of life .
20 A man who has riches without understanding

is like the beasts that perish.

NOTE: It is the man that has "riches WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING" that will perish. It isn't the riches that bring about condemnation, it is putting them before God that does.

Psalms 15: 1 – 5 gives us a definition from the Bible, of the person that God feels is “righteous,” and who will end up in Heaven…

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless

and who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,

who does his neighbor no wrong

and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man

but honors those who fear the LORD,

who keeps his oath

even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury

and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things

will never be shaken.

Now, let's read, again our verse from today: Proverbs 11: 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. After reading God’s definitions, I found this verse to be much more meaningful and significant in it’s meaning for me… I hope that you did too!

Proverbs 8: 14 - 17

In today’s verses, “Wisdom” continues her “instructions.” The last verse in today’s study promises that those that are seeking wisdom will find it.

Proverbs 8: 14 - 17(NKJV)

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;

I am understanding,

I have strength.

15 By me kings reign,

And rulers decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles,

All the judges of the earth.[a]

17 I love those who love me,

And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Verse 14 tells us that “sound” wisdom and strong, understanding counsel is given by those that have obtained Godly wisdom. The next two verses go on to say that kings and princes “reign… and decree justice,” through wisdom. I believe this is talking about “wise” kings, because there are many examples given in the Old Testament that speak of kings that were overthrown fairly quickly because they were evil and unjust.

Verse 17 tells us that “wisdom” will love those that seek her “diligently,” and that they will find her. The word “diligently” means, “persevering, painstaking effort.”

Wisdom doesn’t come to us “out of the blue.” It takes, time, study, and experience … in other words, WORK, to grow into being a wise person, yet this is what God wants from us. The more we study God’s Word and learn of His ways, and then PUT THEM INTO OUR LIVES, the wiser we will grow.

Footnotes:
[a.] Proverbs 8:16 Masoretic Text, Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate read righteousness; Septuagint, Bomberg, and some manuscripts and editions read earth.

Proverbs 5:1-6

Today we will start studying chapter 5 of Proverbs. This chapter is primarily about avoiding adultery and staying with “the wife of your youth…” It warns that getting involved in adultery will cause you to have many regrets later on in your life. Today’s study will be on verses 1 through 6.

Proverbs 5:1-6 (NKJV)
The Peril of Adultery

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.

3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey,

And her mouth is smoother than oil;

4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,

Sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death,

Her steps lay hold of hell.

6 Lest you ponder her path of life—

Her ways are unstable;

You do not know them.

In these verses, Solomon is speaking to one of his sons, while in later verses, he speaks to more than one of them. He starts out as he has in the last few chapters by trying to get his son’s attention and asking him to “listen” to him… how many of us have started out our conversations to others, particularly young people, or our children, with these two admonishments. “PAY ATTENTION!... LISTEN to me!...”

We studied, in Proverbs 2: 11, that discretion is - the trait of judging wisely and objectively; AND the ability or power to decide responsibly. This ability will “preserve” us, or keep us out of trouble. In this case, it goes on to suggest that the “discretion” in this case, would be in regard to speech.

Verse 3 tells us that “an immoral woman” uses her mouth and lips to draw a man… through her words and also, through sexy looks. We’ve all seen movies and pictures where women use their mouths in ways that many consider tempting or “sexy.” It uses a word picture of “dripping honey” and “being smoother than oil.” Both of these things are symbols that are often used in the Bible as being things to desire or entice.

Verses 4 & 5 goes on to warn that though these type of women look like something that is to be desired, if a young person uses “discretion,” they will see that only bad things will result if they follow those desires. It describes the consequences as being “bitter as wormwood,” and “sharp as a two-edged sword.” It goes on to say that “her feet go down to death… her steps lay hold of hell (sheol).”

“Wormwood” is “something harsh or embittering,” and anything that is as “sharp as a two-edged sword,” can be dangerous and even deadly, as verse 5 makes clear. There were STD’s even in Bible times, and some of the kings even died from them. Today, we are still seeing deaths being caused by the old sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis, as well as many new strains.

Another thing that often happens is that a person’s conscience will eat at them and this can also cause stress and problems in life

Verse 6 warns us that pondering the way of life of an immoral woman will show that her “ways” are unstable and that a young person has no idea of what they are getting into by following this slippery path. There are several Bible verses that tell us that those that continue in an adulterous lifestyle will not make it into heaven. ( see I Cor. 6:9 and Rev. 22:15 to name a few)

James 4:4 (NKJV) says: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God,” and Malachi 3:5 says, “And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien— Because they do not fear Me,” Says the LORD of hosts.

Adultery is so important that it is even one of the ten commandments. Our verses today are talking about an “immoral” or adulterous woman, that a father is warning his son against, but it also applies to men that commit adultery, as we will see farther on in this chapter.

One last note: Even adultery can be and IS forgiven when we repent of it, turn away from it, and accept Christ's free gift that paid for this sin the same as for any other.

Proverbs 3: 9 & 10

In today’s world, with the economic crisis throughout our land, these are very important verses to learn and take to heart because these are not just proverbs, but are also promises that are found over and over, throughout the whole Bible.

Proverbs 3: 9 & 10

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.

These scriptures aren’t just talking about tithing, though that is a very important teaching that is one of the foundations of being blessed by God in our lives. Tithing, or giving to God the first tenth of everything you receive, is one of those “principles” that we talked about in Verses 5 thru 7 in the last study, in that most people would ask “How, if you are giving away money that you need because you are barely making it now, can that be a wise move?”

God’s answer:

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…

There are several reasons that God wants us to tithe, and I don’t believe this is JUST money He is talking about. Look at verse 9 in today’s study: Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase… Here, it says to honor Him with your possessions, not just your money, but ALL that you have... give Him your whole heart... If people need help and you have something that can help, let them use it or help them with it, and do it as a blessing to God, because of all that He does for you, not because you want something from Him, and He will bless you for that! The principles of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” come to mind here, also.

“Tithing” has become almost a dirty word to a lot of people because it has been so abused by SOME big churches or TV “evangelists,” but in God’s economy, it was meant to be a blessing, just as sex, food, and so many other things He has given us are supposed to be, but have been twisted into something ugly. It was meant to help us keeps our mind and heart centered on God, and to KNOW that He is the one that provides for us in ALL things. It was to keep us from getting into the mindset that WE are providing for ourselves.

It was such an important principle, that I am going to put most of chapter 3 of the book of Malachi here so you can read it for yourselves and not have anything taken out of context. Also, this is just another way of saying the same thing as the verses we are studying today. Read this and meditate on it, for it is FULL of promise and wonderful blessings!!! The first part of the chapter speaks of Christ’s return …

Malachi 3 (NKJV)

1 “… Behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.
2 “ But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?

For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap.

3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.

4 “ Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD,

As in the days of old, as in former years.

5 And I will come near you for judgment;

I will be a swift witness against sorcerers,

Against adulterers, against perjurers,

Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans,

And against those who turn away an alien—

Because they do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.

6 “ For I am the LORD, I do not change; (He has always been longsuffering and merciful)

Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
7 Yet from the days of your fathers, you have gone away from My ordinances

And have not kept them.

Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.

But you said, “In what way shall we return?’

Do Not Rob God
8 “ Will a man rob God?

Yet you have robbed Me!

But you say, ‘ In what way have we robbed You?’

In tithes and offerings!

9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me... even this whole nation.

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts,

“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,

So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,

Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the LORD of hosts;

12 And all nations will call you blessed,

For you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.

The People Complain Harshly

13 “ Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the LORD,

“ Yet you say, ‘ What have we spoken against You?’

14 You have said, ‘ It is useless to serve God;

What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, (These two verses sound like so many people today...)
And that we have walked as mourners before the LORD of hosts?

15 So now we call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up;

They even tempt God and go free.’”

A Book of Remembrance

16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, (I think I want to be in this group)

And the LORD listened and heard them;

So a book of remembrance was written before Him

For those who fear the LORD

And who meditate on His name.

17 “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,

“ On the day that I make them My jewels. (Literally the Hebrew word means, special treasure)

And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”

18 Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God

And one who does not serve Him.

I KNOW that I really want to be one of God’s “special treasures”… and I KNOW that I NEED His blessings, so I plan to follow His ways and not what seems “wise in my own eyes…” How about you? We will continue these verses in the next study...

Proverbs 3: 3 & 4

A quick note: I wanted to let those of you who are following this Bible Study know that I will be trying to post at least every two or three days unless an emergency comes up. At least that is my plan at this time. We will see how the Lord leads. Trying to post everyday just didn’t seem to work out, but I don’t plan to quit at this time by any means… just cut back a bit.

Ok… Now, lets read today’s verses, and then we will take a closer look at them:

Proverbs 3: 3 & 4

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.

There are so many verses in the Bible that talk about having "mercy." The online dictionary gives these definitions: mercy – 1. leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; 2. a disposition to be kind and forgiving; 3. the feeling that motivates compassion 4. alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed.

The Bible tells us that God has mercy on us, and that we should have mercy toward those around us. If we are Christians (trying to be Christ-like) then being merciful should be becoming a way of life for us. If we are in authority over others at work or at home, we should show leniency and compassion whenever it is not detrimental to the growth of the other person.

Sometimes, we are more merciful by disciplining than by “letting it go…” and not letting the person learn from their mistake. This is where weighing the truth and using wisdom (say from looking at the surrounding circumstances very carefully) is so often needed. Snap judgments to often lead to the need for us to apologize to God and to those that were hurt by them.

Our overall mindset should be one of kindness and forgiveness, remembering how much we have been forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice for us. By always keeping this in mind, we will have “the feeling that motivates compassion” toward others that we come into contact with as we travel through this life. Being “compassionate” means that we will “show kindness toward the distressed” and try to help them out of their problems.

True mercy DOES hinge on truth. They go together. Verse 3 says that these two should be “bound around our neck.” To me, I picture them as being hung like a necklace… a piece of adornment and beauty in a person’s life that shows what is written “on the tablet of your heart.” Mercy and truth should be what MOTIVATES us to do the good “works” that are a witness to the fact that God’s love is IN and A PART of our hearts.

We should also remember that Jesus said “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” I would really want God to show those attributes of mercy to me in my life.

Verse 4 tells us that both men AND GOD will see us with “favor and high esteem,” when we live a life that demonstrates mercy that is based on truth. The dictionary gives these definitions for esteem - 1. the condition of being honored; 2. an attitude of admiration; 3. a feeling of delighted approval and liking. Wouldn’t you want other people, and MOST importantly, God, to look on you with a “feeling of delighted approval and liking…” for what you are doing? I know I would!