THE FLAWLESS WORD OF GOD- -PROVERBS 30:1-6

THE FLAWLESS WORD OF GOD

PROVERBS 30:1-6

Key verse: v. 5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Introduction:

Agur was probably a public teacher, and Ithiel and Ucal, his pupils; and this was the oracle (“prophesy”), which he delivered, not by his own wisdom, but by the Holy Spirit, for the benefit of man.” ---New Bible Dictionary.

The Apostle Peter tells us about prophesy in 2 Peter 1:19-21, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

I. THIS PROPHESY STARTS WITH THE HUMILITY OF THE SERVANT

A. He had been unreceptive, dull-hearted (brutish) to the Lord, vv. 2-3; Matthew 13:15, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

B. He had been an ignorant and rebellious man, vv. 2-3; Ezekiel 12:2, “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.”

II. THE PROPHESY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S WORD

A. He sees the necessity of instruction from God’s word, vv. 3-4; Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning [the principal part] of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

1. All of these questions are answered in the Word of God:

a. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? v. 4; John 3:13, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

b. Who did all these things? Isaiah 40:12-31.

c. What is His name? Exodus 6:3, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

1) Moses was told to say, “I AM” sent him, Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

2) Jesus was called “the Lamb of God,” John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

B. He understands the necessity of illumination from the Holy Spirit, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

1. He understands that God’s Word is pure, Psalm 12:6, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”

2. He understands that God’s Word is a tested protection, Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

3. He understands that the Word of God is as a shield surrounding the person, Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

III. THE PROPHESY OF GOD’S WORD CAN BE TRUSTED

A. To make one wise, Proverbs 8:33, Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.”

1. Hear instruction, Proverbs 1:2-3, 8, “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3- To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity, 8- My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”

2. Be wise and refuse it not, Hebrews 12:25, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:”

B. To enlighten the eyes, Psalm 19:8, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

1. His Word rejoices the heart, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

2. His Word opens the eye to the truth, Psalm 119:98-100, 105, “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99- I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100- I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 105- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

C. To convert the soul, Psalm 19:7,“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

1. His Word is perfect, Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

2. His Word is sure, 2 Timothy 2:19,“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

CONCLUSION

Agur learned that he could trust the Word of God and you can too. He is waiting now for you to trust Him.

THE BEST ANTIDOTE FOR FEAR--PROVERBS 29:25

THE BEST ANTIDOTE FOR FEAR

PROVERBS 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

Introduction:

Fear is a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger, imagined or real; or may be a state or condition marked by this feeling: living in fear.

Fear of God is extreme reverence or awe. We will look at these types of fear and what they cause in the life of a believer and unbeliever.

I. THE FEAR OF MAN

A. The fear of man brings a snare, a trapping device, something those serves to entangle the unwary.

1. Fear of man is a lack of trust in the Lord, Ps. 29:25b, “but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

2. Fear of man shows lack of knowledge of the Word of God, Prov. 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:”

3. The heathen do not choose knowledge, Prov. 1:29, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:”

B. The fear of man often causes man to follow after other gods, Exodus 34:12, “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:”

1. Man will make an agreement with the lost if he fears him. But God can show them who they really are, Ps. 9:20, “Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men.”

2. The fears of the believer will move him farther away from the things of God until he lives a an unsaved person.

II. THE FEAR OF GOD

A. The Fear of God is reverence or awe, Ps. 2:11, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

B. The Fear of the Lord is based on knowledge and wisdom, Prov. 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding”

C. The Fear of the Lord brings courage, Heb. 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

D. The Fear of the Lord brings trust and happiness, Psalms 37:3-4, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4-Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

III. THE FAILURE OF MAN TO FEAR

A. This brings judgment and death, Matt. 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

B. Man already stands condemned, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

C. Trust Jesus Christ as Savior, Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

CONCLUSION

Fear of man brings a snare. It will foul you up! Trust the Lord Jesus Christ and that will bring you LIFE! Don’t hide in the corner of life afraid to state your position. Believe today before it is too late.

MY FRIEND--PROVERBS 18:24

MY FRIEND

Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Introduction:

Good friends are hard to come by and should be valued. I have not had many close friends in my life, but there is One Friend that I value above all others.

Oh, ray of light, my friend!

When sorrow’s gloom made life so drear,

Then comfort sweet thy words did lend,

As if Christ spake, “Be of good cheer!”

Oh, rock of strength, my friend!

When shifting sands beneath my feet

And changing scenes my steps attend,

Thy truth and constancy are sweet.

I clasp thy hand, my friend!

Thank God that thou art here;

I am not worthy He should send

To me a gift so dear.

--Author Unknown

I. MY FRIEND IS A RAY OF LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

A. The LORD is my light, Psalm 27:1, The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

B. He is a “Sun,” Psalm 84:11, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

1. An everlasting light, Isaiah 60:19, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”

2. Thy sun shall no more go down, Isaiah 60:20, “Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”

C. He has called us our to darkness, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

1. His light opens our eyes to see the truth, Psalm 36:9, “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”

2. That light belongs to the upright who have trusted Him as Savior, Psalm 112:3, “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”

II. MY FRIEND IS A ROCK OF STRENGTH IN DIFFICULT TIMES

A. His light is my strength Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

1. There is no strength like that of our God, Psalm 18:31, “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?”

2. He established my goings, Psalm 40:2, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

3. “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I,” Psalm 61:2, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

B. He is my defense.

1. I shall not be greatly moved, Psalm 62:2, 6-7, “He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.”

2. I shall not be moved, Psalm 62:6-7 “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7-In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”

III. MY FRIEND STAYS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.

A. He is a always there for me, Psalm 71:3, Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

B. A friend loveth at all times, Proverbs 17:17, A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

C. He is a friend with hearty counsel, Proverbs 27:9, “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”

1. He gives “a word spoken in due season,” Proverbs 15:23, “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season how good is it!”

2. He gives “pleasant words” to encourage, Proverbs 16:23-24, “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24-Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

a. Rest, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

b. Life, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 3:15, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus states the conditions to be His friend: John 15:14-15, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15-Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Jesus has told us what to expect in the future. I trust that He is your Friend and Saviour by faith in His Word.

GODLY WISDOM SAYS “I WAS THERE”--PROVERBS 8:12-36

GODLY WISDOM SAYS “I WAS THERE”
PROVERBS 8:12-36

Proverbs 8:27, “When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:”

Introduction:

“I was There” Medal - After a certain famous battle, Napoleon once gave all his soldiers a simple medal. It was inscribed with the name of the battlefield and the words, “I was there.” Everyone, regardless of rank, got the same recognition. Money could not buy from these veterans the memorial that honored them for their participation in that great battle.

Faithful Believers have that same medal – “I was there.” They were there to see God’s blessings on that one that trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. They were there to see His blessings on that family who served the Lord faithful in His Church. They were there in good times and bad, in the times of trial and in those of victory.

I. THE MEDAL OF FAITHFULNESS

A. The Lord’s faithfulness, Psalm 89:5-6, “And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. 6- For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?”

1. It is good to give thanks for God’s faithfulness, Psalm 92:1-2, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2- To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,”

2. His faithfulness is to all generations, Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

3. The Lord’s faithfulness to His Word, Isaiah 25:1, “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

B. The Servant’s faithfulness, Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

1. Small things make a great difference, Matthew 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

2. Faithfulness in the apparently insignificant things, Mark 12:41-44, “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42- And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43- And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44- For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

3. The faithfulness of doing what you can, Mark 14:8-9,“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

II. THE MEDAL OF OBEDIENCE

A. It is better to obey than to sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

1. Be ready to hear the Lord, Ecclesiastes 5:1, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.”

2. Be ready to obey His voice, Jeremiah 7:23, “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

B. To obey the Lord is to be happy, Psalm 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

III. THE MEDAL OF SERVICE

A. Examples of faithful servants:

2. Moses was a faithful servant, Hebrews 3:5, And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;”

3. David was a faithful servant, Acts 13:22, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

4. The Apostle Paul was a faithful servant, Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

B. Our service to the Lord:

1. As stewards, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

2. Faithful followers, John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

3. Faithful servants for Jesus’ sake, 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

CONCLUSION

The Medal of Honor is given to those who serve their country well in the Armed Services. Many have won that honor over the years. There are rewards for faithful and honorable service to the Lord as well.

Our desire should be as Paul admonishes us in Colossians 3:1, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” There is our Medal of Honor.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Introduction:

“A new author, or penman rather, or pen (if you will) made use of by the Holy Ghost for making known the mind of God to us, writing as moved by the finger of God (so the Spirit of God is called), and that is Solomon; through his hand came this book of Scripture and the two that follow it, Ecclesiastes and Canticles (Song of Solomon), a sermon and a song. Some think he wrote Canticles when he was very young, Proverbs in the midst of his days, and Ecclesiastes when he was old. In the title of his song he only writes himself Solomon, perhaps because he wrote it before his accession to the throne, being filled with the Holy Ghost when he was young. In the title of his Proverbs he writes himself the son of David, king of Israel, for then he ruled over all Israel. In the title of his Ecclesiastes he writes himself the son of David, king of Jerusalem, because then perhaps his influence had grown less upon the distant tribes, and he confined himself very much in Jerusalem.” --- Matthew Henry.

Author: The author of this book was King Solomon, as the "first" verse, which contains the inscription of it, shows; for he was not a collector of these proverbs, as Grotius is of opinion, but the author of them, at least of the far greater part; and not only the author, but the writer of them: the Jews say that Hezekiah and this men wrote them; it is true indeed the men of Hezekiah copied some, Proverbs 25:1, “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out,” but even those were written by Solomon. ---John Gill’s Expositor

Chief Purpose: To give Moral Instruction, especially to young People.

Key Verse: Proverbs 1:4, “To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.”

Key Thought: "The fear of the Lord," which occurs fourteen (14) times.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

1) Fatherly counsels and warnings, with exhortations concerning the attainment of wisdom, Pr 1:1--7:27.

2) Wisdom’s call, Pr 8:1--9:18.

3) Proverbs that contrasts between Good and Evil, Wisdom and Folly, Pr 10:1--20:30.

4) Proverbial maxims and counsels, Pr 21:1--24:34.

5) Proverbs of Solomon copied by men of King Hezekiah, Pr 25:1--29:27.

6) The words of Agur, the oracle, Pr 30.

NOTE: “Who this Agur was is a matter of doubt; some of the Jewish writers, as Jarchi and Gersom, and likewise some Christian writers take him to be Solomon himself, who calls himself Agur, which is said to signify "a gatherer"; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the words of the gatherer, the son of the vomiter"; just as he calls himself Koheleth, or "the caller," or "preacher," Ecclesiastes 1:1, 12.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

7) The words of King Lemuel; the Jewish rabbis identified him with Solomon, Pr 31:1:

a. A mother’s advice, Pr 31:2-9.

b. The description of an Ideal wife, Pr 31:10-31.

NOTE: John Gill thinks this is “the instruction of Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba.” ---John Gill’s Expositor.

Choice Selections: Wisdom:

1) The Call of, Pr 1:20-23.

2) The Source of, Pr 2:6 8:1-36.

3) The Preciousness of, Pr 3:13-26.

4) The Principal thing, Pr 4:5-13.

5) The Richest Treasure, Pr 8:11-36.

6) The Feast of, Pr 9:1-6.

Subjects Especially Discussed:

1) Anger, Pr 14:17, 29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11.

2) Benevolence, Pr 3:9, 10; 11:24-26; 14:21; 19:17; 22:9.

3) Correction of Children, Pr 13:24; 19:18; 22:6, 15; 23:13,14.

4) Enticers, Pr 4:14; 9:13; 16:29.

5) Fear of God , Pr 1:7; 3:7; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 23:17; 24:21.

6) Fools:

a. Slanderous, Pr 10:18.

b. Short-lived, Pr 10:21.

c. Mischief-makers, Pr 10:23.

d. Self-righteous, Pr 12:15.

e. Irritable, Pr 12:16.

f. Mock at sin, Pr 14:9.

g. Talk nonsense, Pr 15:2.

h. Insensible, Pr 17:10.

i. Dangerous, Pr 17:12.

j. Visionary, Pr 17:24.

k. Meddlesome, Pr 20:3.

l. Despise Wisdom, Pr 23:9.

m. Stupid, Pr 27:22.

n. Self-confident, Pr 14:16; 28:26.

o. Babbler, Pr 29:11.

7) Friendship, Pr 17:17; 18:24; 19:4; 27:10,17.

8) Indolence, Pr 6:6-11; 10:4-5; 12:27; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4,13; 22:13; Pr 24:30-34; 26:13-16.

9) Knowledge Divine, Pr 15:11; 21:2; 24:12.

10) Oppression, Pr 14:31; 22:22; 28:16.

11) Pride, Proverbs 6:17; 11:2; 13:10; 15:25; 16:18-19; 18:12; 21:4, 24; 29:23; 30:13.

12) Prudence, Pr 12:23; 13:16; 14:8,15,18; 15:5; 16:21; 18:15; 27:12.

13) Scorners, Pr 3:34; 9:7; 14:6; 19:25; 24:9.

14) Strife, Pr 3:30; 10:12; 15:18; 16:28; 17:1,14,19; 18:6,19; 20:3; 22:10; 25:8; 30:33.

15) Temperance, Proverbs 20:1; 21:17; 23:1-3, 20; 23:29-35; 25:16; 31:4-7.

16) The Tongue, Proverbs 4:24; 10:11-32; 12:6,18, 22; 13:3; 14:3; 15:1-7, 23; 16:13, 23, 27; 17:4; Pr 18:7, 21; 19:1; 20:19; 21:23; 26:28; 30:32.

17) Unjust Gain, Proverbs 10:2; 13:11; 21:6; 28:8.

18) Wealth, Proverbs 10:2, 15; 11:4, 28; 13:7, 11; 15:6; 16:8; 18:11; 19:4; 27:24; 28:6, 22.

19) Women, evil, Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:3-14, 20, 23; 6:24-35; 7:5-27; 9:13-18.

20) Women, good, Proverbs 5:18-19; 31:10-31.

Conclusion:

Solomon was a Guide Post rather than an example. He pointed the way to Wisdom, but in the latter part of his life he did not walk in it; hence his son, Rehoboam, followed his Example, rather than his Counsels, and became a foolish and evil ruler.