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 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 2:1- 5

Today we will start on the second chapter of Proverbs. The first chapter told where the book came from and gave a very brief verses of the reasons why searching for wisdom was good. Most of the chapter really stressed the problems that turning away from Godly wisdom would cause.

Chapter 2, is just the opposite, and stresses the VALUE of Wisdom and the blessings that seeking it will offer. First, lets go over the text:

Proverbs 2:1- 5 (NKJV): The Value of Wisdom

1 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,

And find the knowledge of God.

“My son” shows that the allegory (allegory: a story, poem, or picture with an underlying meaning) of a parent speaking to their child continues through this chapter. These words apply both to a male or female child. Verses 1-4 continue to instruct the "child" (read "child of God") that listening “with your heart and not just your ears” and then APPLYING the words of wisdom, will help you to understand the “fear of the LORD.”

James 1:23-25 (NIV)

23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

As we have studied before, this is speaking of the AWE or REVERENCE that a person gains of God when they truly SEEK His face… His character… His love, mercy, AND justice. A God that is fair, may be long-suffering (VERY patient) BUT there will come a time of justice. He paid the price of our sins, but if WE refuse to accept that gift, and turn from His ways of love, then justice is necessary. For some, that place of real fear, if they see the evil that comes from turning from Him, IS a place of mercy for they will turn to Him… Sort of the principle of “No atheists in a foxhole.”

God uses so many ways to turn people to Him, for He loves them all, and each is so different from the next. Some are saved through the whisper of love, others through the guidance of parents or mentors, others through “hitting the bottom” (drug, alcohol, sex, etc.). Some are saved through seeing the mighty, miracle power of God in their OR other’s lives. Some are saved through watching the faith of a saint who refuses to turn away from God though they are going through horrible suffering.

Those of you who have several children or have worked around many children know this very well. Each of those children are so different... a wise parent, teacher, or mentor will realize this and use the guidance, discipline and rewards that apply differently to each child/student. You may be the only "Jesus" they see...

This is what these verses are talking about in this section. Coming to the point of realization that there TRULY IS a Mighty, Awesome, ALL POWERFUL, LOVING God that created us and IS in ultimate charge of this world and of where we will spend eternity, IS the BEGINNING of wisdom. THIS is what will cause us to thirst, hunger, and seek after Him and His will. Godly wisdom to a person that understands this, IS like “silver” or “hidden treasure” for our lives.

Proverbs: Chapter 1: 3 (NKJV)

Last time, we looked at these verses, and went over verse 2, discussing that it is important to study God’s words of wisdom and to find Godly people to associate with and to learn from. Let’s look at these verses again, to refresh my memory, and then go on to verse 3.

2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, 3 to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion---“

Proverbs 1:3 Tells me that once I FIND people like that, then I need to be able to receive instruction from them… instructions about wisdom, what justice is, and how to judge (not always people, but often, actions and situations) with justice and equity (fairness, impartiality).

Many situations in life come up when we have to make judgments between people, and we need to use wisdom when they do. This also becomes important if we are parents. We need to use this kind of wisdom when we have to judge situations between children. This is often very hard to do, especially when we’ve had a hard day for whatever reason… and I speak from experience, having raised 6 children and several foster children. This is where cultivation, in our own lives, of the fruits of the Spirit becomes very important.

I was very blessed to have been given a mom that was one of those special people who had the qualities spoken of in these verses. Not only that, but many of her friends, people from our church, also had these qualities, and she firmly believed in “not forsaking the company of the ‘brethren’ so we had several Godly people that we were around regularly.

Today, the world has changed so much that many people don’t have the rock of a Christian family to build a foundation on. They have heard of problems in churches, and about hypocritical people… all the bad things, and may have even been hurt by “church people.” Unfortunately, people are people and not a one of us is perfect, so there ARE no perfect churches. Instead of judging OTHERS, we need to spend our time comparing ourselves to what Jesus wants US to become.

I think that is why Jesus stresses that we need to love and forgive others, AND, in fact, if we DON’T forgive others, we can’t expect forgiveness from Him. That’s why He says to ask God to “forgive us our trespasses/debts AS WE HAVE FORGIVEN those who have trespassed against us…” My main point is, that we need to actively seek out a Christian source of wisdom/modeling to associate with, as well as reading and studying God’s word… if not at a “church,” then at a House Bible Study, or something. This, and reading/listening to, our Bible, is how we “receive instruction…”