Archive for the ‘Discretion’ Category
Divorce, Evil, Femininity, Feminism, Feminist, Honor, Husbands, Love, Marriage, Proverbs, Proverbs 12:4, Righteousness, Security, Wickedness, Wisdom, Wise, Wives, Women
In Agape Love, Behavior, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Couples, Discernment, Discretion, Disunity, Divorce, Femininity, Feminism, Godliness, Honor, Husbands, Lifestyle, Love, Marriage, Proverbs, Renewal, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Truth, Wisdom, Wives, Women on September 14, 2023 at 1:32 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Crown His Head or Rot His Bones
Okay ladies buckle up, as this is probably one of the toughest verses in Scripture for a woman, aside from ‘submit to your own husband as unto the Lord’ Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18.
Author Note:
You really have to connect the meaning of each of the words in the writing below to truly understand the impact of what this verse means. My recommendation would be to skip ahead and read the Hebrew meanings listed below then come back and read the piece in its entirety, including the word meanings a second time.
“virtuous” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
2428. חַיִל chayil, khah’-yil; from 2342; prob. a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:— able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).
“virtue” the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary first definition is as follows:
1 a : conformity to a standard of right : MORALITY b : a particular moral excellence
To be virtuous as a woman is to be a godly woman, and a godly woman follows the Standard set by God, seeking and following the Will, Ways, and Purposes of God. There is no way around the Truth of what it means to be a virtuous woman. She is “a force, a means or resource of strength” both for her husband and herself. She conducts her actions with “valor” for “good” using her “might, power, riches, strength, and substance” in the pursuit of what is “worthy” in God’s eyes. She has a “standard of right” and “morality” and she lives with “excellence” by that standard, God’s Standard. In so doing this she becomes a great asset in life to her husband.
“crown” is defined as the following in the Hebrew language: .
5850. עֲטָרָה ˓ăṭârâh, at-aw-raw’; from 5849; a crown:— crown.
5849. עָטַר ˓âṭar, aw-tar’; a prim. root; to encircle (for attack or protection); espec. to crown (lit. or fig.):— compass, crown
That asset that she becomes to her husband is a “crown” that they both wear. It is what brings the respect of his peers and business associates to him. A woman’s virtue is an actual “figurative crown” that “encircles” her husband, which gives him the strength when needed “for attack” from their enemies, and at other times provides “protection” from attack, disgrace, shame, embarrassment, trouble, etc.
An unvirtuous woman is the exact opposite, She brings trouble, stress, embarrassment, disgrace, attack, shame, hardship, etc. on her husband.
“ashamed” in the Hebrew is defined as:
954. בּוּשׁ bûwsh, boosh; a prim. root; prop. to pale, i.e. by impl. to be ashamed; also (by impl.) to be disappointed, or delayed:— (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed (-d), be (put to) confounded (-fusion), become dry, delay, be long.
Her unvirtuous conduct causes him “to pale”(lose respect) in the sight of his peers. She will cause her husband “to be ashamed” of her, himself, and even the fact that he married her. She will cause him “to be disappointed” in her and having married her. She may well be the cause of why his career or advancement in life has been “delayed” or halted altogether. A woman’s sinful behavior causes her husband to become “confounded” and brings “confusion” on so many levels for her husband. A woman’s conduct greatly effects and affects the life, health, and wellbeing of her husband.
Thus, she becomes a “rottenness” to his life (bones).
“rottenness” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
7538. רָקָב râqâb, raw-kawb’; from 7537; decay (by caries):— rottenness (thing).
7537. רָקַב râqab, raw-kab’; a prim. root; to decay (as by worm-eating):— rot.
“caries” means cavities of decay.
This “rottenness” will eat away at every aspect of a man’s life like “worm-eating” until its “decay” has ruined him in almost every conceivable way; mentally, vocationally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Men put up a very strong front but a wife has such a substantial impact on her husband whether he allows it to show or not.
“bones” is defined in the Hebrew as:
6106. עֶצֶם ˓etsem, eh’tsem; from 6105; a bone (as strong); by extens. the body; fig. the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame:— body, bone, × life, (self-) same, strength, × very.
6105. עָצַם ˓âtsam, aw-tsam’; a prim. root; to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intr. to be (caus. make) powerful or numerous; denom. (from 6106) to crunch the bones:— break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty (-ier), be more, shut, be (-come, make) strong (-er).
Her unvirtuous conduct eats away at the very ‘strength of his bones’ while at the same time eating away at “the substance of his self (selfsame)” and his “strength” in every area. Left unchecked it destroys his “life” and sense of “self” it is an incredibly “powerful” force.
Women, you have incredible power. Will you use it for good or evil where your husband is concerned? Will you be virtuous and bring life to both of you or will you be unvirtuous and bring death to both of you?
++end++
All content generated by a human being, 100%, no AI.
You can sign up to have each blog posting sent directly to your email. Just find the “follow” button on the bottom of the main page, then enter your email address. All email information remains confidential and is never shared in any manner.
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Actions, Choices, Christian Woman, Class, Discernment, Femininity, Godliness, Godly Woman, Life, low self-esteem, Proverbs, Proverbs 11:22, Prudence, Self-care, self-esteem, Self-love, Self-respect, Wisdom
In Advice, Attitude, Behavior, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Decisions, Discernment, Discretion, Femininity, Feminism, Gender, Godliness, Grace, Instruction, Lifestyle, low self-esteem, New Year’s Resolutions, Proverbs, Prudence, Righteous Living, Righteousness, self-esteem, Uncategorized, Wisdom on January 12, 2023 at 5:46 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew definition(s).
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Swine or Swan
If you are a woman let me ask you, would you rather be an ugly dirty swine or a beautiful white swan? If you answered the swine, you might as well stop reading now, but if you answered a swan, however, and are just not sure you are there yet, read on and let God work in your life.
Have you ever met a woman who walking by looks absolutely beautiful, and then you meet her, she opens her mouth, you spend a few minutes with her and see her inner ugliness, lack of intelligence, low character, ugly mouth, pettiness when it comes to life and other people, her shallowness, vanity, gossipy tongue, etc. and you just can’t believe that such a pretty package is filled with such an ugly gift inside.
An inner swine: you can dress her up, you can ply her with pretty jewels, but ugly is ugly and when you are ugly on the inside that is something that you cannot hide for long and something that will strip the bloom off the rose so to speak with people pretty quickly no matter how beautiful your face, hair, or figure.
I absolutely believe a woman should take care of her outer self. Her looks, her health, her figure, all of it, but more than that she should care for her inner self, her swan, that thing that makes women beautiful and appealing no matter what the outer package looks like.
Also when you look at what it means to be “fair” as described in this verse you see that it can be two fold, inner and outer. Note the physical, but then note the inner “to be bright” which is always a sign of inner beauty.
“fair” is defined in the Hebrew language is as follows:
3303. יָפֶה yâpheh, yaw-feh’; from 3302; beautiful (lit. or fig.):— + beautiful, beauty, comely, fair (-est, one), + goodly, pleasant, well.
3302. יָפָה yâphâh, yaw-faw’; a prim. root; prop. to be bright, i.e. (by impl.) beautiful:— be beautiful, be (make self) fair (-r), deck.
Discretion is the number one key to a swan, the key to inner beauty that cannot be match or outdone by outer beauty. Now a look at what discretion actually is and how it manifest itself.
“discretion” in the Hebrew is defined in the following manner:
2940. טַעַם ṭa˓am, tah’-am; from 2938; prop. a taste, i.e. (fig.) perception; by impl. intelligence; tran. a mandate:— advice, behaviour, decree, discretion, judgment, reason, taste, understanding.
As we look at what this means in the Hebrew language, we see that for a Christian godly woman discretion is “a mandate” – a mandate to use sound “judgement and reason” in one’s behavior and when providing “advice” to others. A woman of discretion is a woman who lives by a “decree” in daily life, God’s Decrees, about what she will and will not do, and is a woman who has “understanding” which in biblical terms is synonymous with wisdom.
“discretion” in the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary is defined as:
1 : the quality of being discreet : CIRCUMSPECTION; especially : cautious reserve in speech
2 : ability to make responsible decisions
“discreet” is defined as:
1 : having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : PRUDENT; especially : capable of preserving prudent silence
2 : UNPRETENTIOUS, MODEST
A gossip or as some in church circles call it, the woman running around always talking about who we need to pray for and why, is not a woman of discretion by any stretch of the imagination. She is a gossip, plain and simple, doing much harm to the Body of Christ.
Women of discretion must take the time to use “good judgment” in what they will do and in how they go about life in order to “make responsible decisions” that will not negatively impact their life or the lives of others.
Lastly, a woman of discretion is a “modest” woman in her manner of dress. A woman who has half her cleavage hanging out, then gets angry or feels disrespected when men look, is not only foolish she is a swine and lacks the swan trait of discretion. If her dress is so tight or the hemline is so high that nothing is left to the imagination this is a swine woman not a swan woman, this is a woman without respect for herself or discretion.
A little tip ladies about swine women (women with no discretion, grace or class) verses swan women (women of discretion, grace and class). A good man, a Christian man, a man of quality will look at those swine type women, might even play with them here and there, but when it comes to the woman he wants to marry, the woman he wants as the mother of his children, these swine woman are not the type of women they want long-term. Almost all men want a swan.
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Actions, Choices, Divine Protection, Evil, Life, Proverbs, Proverbs 11:21, Safety, Spiritual Fruit, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Actions, Advice, Behavior, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Decision Making, Decisions, Discernment, Discretion, Divine Protection, Godliness, Lifestyle, Proverbs, Responsibility, Righteous Living, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on November 19, 2022 at 6:39 pm
We will now resume with our study and reflections on the Book of Proverbs.
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Safety in Numbers, Really?
People tend to believe if they band together, they will somehow be safe. When it comes to God this is not true. There is nowhere to hide from God. There is no place that God cannot reach and no protection great enough to overcome Him or keep Him at bay if He desires to reach you.
“hand” in the Hebrew means:
3027. יָד yâd, yawd; a prim. word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.]
The wicked can attempt to secure their power by joining with other wicked people but none of them shall escape the wrath of God in this life and the life to come (v.21).
The “seed” as defined in the Hebrew language is:
2233. זֶֶרַע zera˓, zeh’-rah; from 2232; seed; fig. fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:— × carnally, child, fruitful, seed (-time), sowing-time.
2232. זָרַע zâra˓, zaw-rah’; a prim. root; to sow; fig. to disseminate, plant, fructify:— bear, conceive seed, set with, sow (-er), yield.
However, the opposite is true for the righteous. Their seed, in works, off spring, or people will be taken care of and delivered to its fruition.
Each day we make a choice of what type of fruit we will produce. We choose what type of life we will live, wicked or righteous. We decide if we are going to allow God to rule in our life by doing His Will. You will eat the fruit of those choices without escape, so choose very carefully.
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
You can sign up to have each blog posting sent directly to your email. Just find the small “follow” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the main page, then enter your email address. All email information remains confidential and is never shared in any manner.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Beauty, Godly Strength, Grace, Gracious, Honor, Keeping Money, Life, Money, Proverbs, Proverbs 11:16, Strength, Wisdom
In Advice, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godliness, Grace, Lifestyle, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Wisdom on July 6, 2022 at 3:25 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
Woman’s Honor Men’s Strength
I am going to primarily focus on the part of the passage that addresses women so I will address the portion of verse sixteen that speaks to men first.
It takes a man of certain character and strength to hold on to the monetary blessing God has provided Him (v.16). If a man has a weakness for drink, for women, for gambling and the like, in the end he shall surely end up losing most, if not all, that God has blessed him with. It takes strength to manage one’s money well. Sadly, not all men have that type of godly strength.
Now a look at the graciousness of women of honor (v.16).
“gracious” in the Hebrew Language is defined in two parts as follows:
2580. חֵן chên, khane; from 2603; graciousness, i.e. subj. (kindness, favor) or obj. (beauty):— favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
2603. חָנַן chânan, khaw-nan’; a prim. root [comp. 2583]; prop. to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; caus. to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):— beseech, × fair, (be, find, shew) favour (-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious (-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, × very.
I just delight in the fact that the gracious women is defined as “precious” in God’s sight. It also moves my heart that she will “implore” or moves people to her way of thinking not through demand but through heartfelt appeal. She is the kind that would beg before she would demand something from someone. She has “mercy” for people, compassion, “pity” not animosity. She has the strength of character to humble herself in kindness to someone who is clearly her inferior in some manner, intelligence, grace, style, education, godliness, culture, talent, godly insight, wisdom, maturity, manners, refinement, etc. She would rather “pray” for you than tell you off. What a heart in such a woman – God’s heart.
Why is she this way. We will look at another definition to find out why.
In the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary the first definition for gracious is quite telling. The same holds true for the word fair, which you will find below. But first a note about the Webster’s Dictionary.
The original Webster’s Dictionary always had, and has, the biblical meaning of a word as the first definition. The original is still in print, I have one, and I recommend owning one because as you will find in the definition below took from the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary our “educated” and “enlightened” society (sarcasm intended) believes that biblical meanings no longer have a place in our society, they are in their definition “obsolete” but in God’s definition they are not and never will be obsolete.
“gracious” per Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary is defined as:
1 a obsolete : GODLY b archaic : PLEASING, ACCEPTABLE
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy £ a gracious host b : GRACEFUL c : marked by tact and delicacy : URBANE d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding £ gracious living
3 : MERCIFUL, COMPASSIONATE — used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
To be a gracious women is to be a woman “of royalty and high nobility” – God’s royalty and nobility. Yet, to modern society to be a “godly” woman has nothing to do with graciousness and it is “archaic” to be a “pleasing” and “acceptable” as a woman. How ridiculous! It just shows how far from the Standards of God we have fallen as a society.
By the way the first definition for the word “nobility” in the same dictionary means:
1 : the quality or state of being noble in character, quality, or rank
Well a godly gracious woman of honor is definitely all of that “noble in character” a woman of “quality” and much more.
To be “fair” in the Hebrew language means to be as follows:
3303. יָפֶה yâpheh, yaw-feh’; from 3302; beautiful (lit. or fig.):— + beautiful, beauty, comely, fair (-est, one), + goodly, pleasant, well.
3302. יָפָה yâphâh, yaw-faw’; a prim. root; prop. to be bright, i.e. (by impl.) beautiful:— be beautiful, be (make self) fair (-r), deck.
“fair” per Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary
1 : pleasing to the eye or mind especially because of fresh, charming, or flawless quality
You might have heard the saying beauty is only skin deep but ugly is to the bone; well, real beauty is much deeper than the surface and ugly shows regardless of how beautiful the surface of the package might be. In the definition for “fair” it states that to be “fair” is “to be bright in example by implication thus beautiful” – what is on the inside is what makes a woman bright; personality, character, and temperament are beautiful to those who are looking with open eyes.
Grace, exhibiting graciousness, does not allow a woman to sacrifice her honor for anything. Gracious women retain their honor at all times (v.16).
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Advice, Counsel, Godly Counsel, Gossip, Life, Proverbs, Proverbs 11, Proverbs 11:13-14, Righteousness, Wisdom
In Advice, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godly Counsel, Gossip, Guidance, Proverbs, Prudence, Uncategorized, Wisdom on May 2, 2022 at 5:32 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Safe Counsel
Those people who tell the business of other people, we all know them, are disgusting people. A person’s privacy is sacred in my view. People who violate that sacredness are people unworthy of any form of trust.
We all know what it means “to reveal” the details of another person’s life. To reveal is part of the Hebrew definition of the word “revealeth” which I have listed below. Yet, take a moment to review the definition and you will find another, what I find to be very an interesting aspect of the definition (v.13).
“revealeth” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
1540. גָּלָה gâlâh, gaw-law’; a prim. root; to denude (espec. in a disgraceful sense); by impl. to exile (captives being usually stripped); fig. to reveal:— + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, × plainly, publish, remove, reveal, × shamelessly, shew, × surely, tell, uncover.
Part of the definition regarding revealing a person’s personal information includes the implication that you will be placing that person under a form of ‘exile, as captives being stripped’ of something. Stripped of what? Exiled in what manner? Let us consider that for a moment.
When we reveal a person’s personal business, we are exiling them to an island unto themselves. Why? Because we break their trust and in their brokenness from the betrayal they retreat to a place of isolation. Thus, our betrayal of the trust they placed in us leads to brokenness and isolation, leaving them without the help they were most likely seeking when they confided in us originally.
Now we will examine the proper and godly way we should handle the private details of a person’s life when they entrust us with what is on their heart. A “faithful” friend, brother or sister in Christ, a faithful Christian in general will be very careful to keep the confidence of other people regardless of the circumstances (v.13).
“concealeth” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
3680. כָּסָה kâçâh, kaw-saw’; a prim. root; prop. to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by impl. to cover (for clothing or secrecy):— clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. comp. 3780. כֶּסֶה keçeh. See 3677. כִּסֵּה kiççêh. See 3678.
People love to tell and hear gossip, Christians can be some of the worst about this because of the sinister way in which they go about it, ‘We need to pray for so and so, did you hear…?’ How horrid, and God will judge them for using His precious gift of prayer for their indulgence in sin. YES, gossip is sin!
I once was at a bible study where the leader, yes, the leader, stated we needed to pray for XXXX and then proceeded tell the entire room about the woman’s adultery, her husband response, the condition of the current marital situation, with whom the woman had cheated, etc. I was in shock at first, I could not believe what she was doing and how many people in the room were asking her questions, soliciting very intimate details, like to do so was perfectly normal. I got up, pointed out my disbelief that she as a leader would do such a thing, and left, never to return.
When someone entrust you with a detail about their life be trustworthy and keep it to yourself. Always assume anything someone says to you is only meant for you to hear, keep your mouth close, and you will save many people and yourself a great deal of hurt.
Verse fourteen shows us the value of counsel and the outcome of lack of counsel. We will begin by looking at the definitions of two words in this verse “fall” and “safety” as defined in the Hebrew language.
“fall” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
5307. נָפַל nâphal, naw-fal’; a prim. root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intr. or caus., lit. or fig.):— be accepted, cast (down, self, [lots], out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell (-ing), fugitive, have [inheritance], inferior, be judged [by mistake for 6419], lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (× hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present (-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, × surely, throw down.
“safety” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
8668. תְּשׁוּעָה teshûw˓âh, tesh-oo-aw’; or תְּשֻׁעָה teshû˓âh, tesh-oo-aw’; from 7768 in the sense of 3467; rescue (lit. or fig., pers., national or spir.):— deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory.
All manner of destruction comes to those people who have no counsel to guide them in life (v.14). Godly counsel is a must in order to live a life of godliness and wisdom. Seek out trustworthy counsel from several mature godly Christians, counsel that is wise and godly, measure their words against God’s Word, and then follow their counsel.
Please note that the safety found in a multitude of godly counselors is also “national” safety, safety for a country. How many countries have we seen fall that were ran by a dictator? Dictators do not seek counsel beyond themselves, and their lack of counsel has brought destruction to their people and to themselves.
Be faithful, be trustworthy, be honorable, be safe counsel for each and every person who comes to you and is willing to share the details of their life with you; and find likewise counsel for yourself as well.
You can sign up to have each blog posting sent directly to your email. Just find the small “follow” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the main page, then enter your email address. All email information remains confidential and is never shared in any manner.
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Please keep me in your prayers and know that if God should speak anything into your heart as you pray for me regarding my life, please feel free to share that with me. God speaks through His people.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Greed, Money, Poverty, Proverbs, riches, Security, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Evil, Godliness, Greed, Money, Proverbs, Prudence, Repentance, Uncategorized, Wisdom on May 2, 2021 at 4:55 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
Step on People Step on Self
Wealth itself is not evil or a bad thing. However, dependence upon wealth instead of God is shaky ground and evil in the sight of God, for we are only to be dependent upon the one thing that cannot be taken away or that we cannot lose, that is God.
An individual can be materially rich and morally poor, the latter definitely being a choice a person, whether rich or poor, makes.
Let us look at the meaning from the Hebrew language of a few words found in verse fifteen, reflecting on how those meanings would relate, in context, to this verse of Scripture and the attitudes of some, not all, but some, rich people. Please not the underlined portions.
“strong” 5797.=
עֹז ˓ôz, oze; or (fully)
עוֹז ˓ôwz, oze; from 5810; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise):— boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.
5810. עָזַז ˓âzaz, aw-zaz’; a prim. root; to be stout (lit. or fig.):— harden, impudent, prevail, strengthen (self), be strong.
‘impudent” is defined by the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as:
1 obsolete : lacking modesty
2 : marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : INSOLENT
“city” 7151.=
קִרְיָה qiryâh, kir-yaw’; from 7136 in the sense of flooring, i.e. building; a city:— city.
There are those individuals who are more dependent on their money than they are God. There are those who love their money more than God. Love of that money is the cause of, and an open door for, many evils in their life.
1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV-AV)
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
People who “love” their money often depend on their money as their “strong city” manifested as a “force” to get what they want in life, as “security” in life, a cloak of “majesty” for which they should be admired, and when things do not go their way, they are often found to possess great “boldness” be “loud” exerting their “might, power, and strength” that they buy with their money. In their impudent behavior they are often found to be “lacking modesty, and marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others.”
Their sense of self-importance is misplaced however because it is not their character, morality, rightness, or goodness that gets them their way or draws people to them but instead it is their money that gets them their way, gets them people’s attention, attention which they often mistake for respect, and their relationships too often become about what they can do for the other person instead of being a relationship built on sincere interest in the person, care for, respect of, and love for the person who has the riches. Relationships built on money end when the money disappears.
They that mistakenly make their money the foundation of their life, their “flooring” and their protection, their “building” in a storm often come to find out that money cannot save you from “life” happening to you. They might fall ill and cease to be able to enjoy their money, only for everything they worked for to be left behind to be enjoyed by other people or they might, as is so often seen to happen, lose everything they have overnight, all the money gone – all the power and protection gone. Then what? If you have depended on your money for power, protection, strength, and comfort it is going to be a very lonely scary place to be in life.
How do you discern godly wealth or riches from evil wealth or riches? In many ways, one of which is by the manner of care and treatment those with the money treat those individuals under them who are making the money possible for them, their worker.
“destruction” 4288.=
מְחִתָּה mechittâh, mekh-it-taw’; from 2846; prop. a dissolution; concr. a ruin, or (abstr.) consternation:— destruction, dismaying, ruin, terror.
“consternation” is defined by the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as:
amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion
When an individual of wealth and riches mistreats or oppresses those who work for or service them in the advancement of their own gain their riches are of an evil source, not a godly source. Those people who tear down individual so they can line their pockets with a few more dollars suffer from a ‘love of money that is the root of all evil’ for both them and their family. The day will come when the price for such ruthlessness will have to be paid!
Now turning our attention to verse sixteen. A person’s “labour” and the resulting wealth that comes from that labor, produced in a godly or ungodly manner, will bear fruit in how it is multiplied, what it spent on, how it used, etc. To “tendeth” toward life according to the definition in the Hebrew use is to ‘“err” on the side of using one’s wealth in a godly manner,’ with godly “wisdom” resulting in the “prolonging” of the wealth and the “prolonging” of the life of the holder of said wealth. Whereas you can see the fruit of sin found in the manner in which the wicked obtain their wealth, use their wealth, the sinful ways they spend their wealth, and the decay of life and morality that comes with the wicked obtainment of wealth.
If a person could choose how to obtain and how to use their wealth, both of which a person can do, why not choose a manner that breeds life, godliness, and goodness instead of one that breeds sin, wickedness, ultimately loss and death. Again, remember you can be materially rich but morally poor, it is your choice – morality or immorality.
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Legacy, Proverbs, Truth, Wisdom
In Advice, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godly Counsel, Knowledge, Proverbs, Prudence, Repentance, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Uncategorized, Wicca on April 13, 2021 at 4:48 pm
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
How Will You Be Remembered
For the most part the majority of people would like to be remembered by other people when they pass from this life to the next. However, if they are remembered and for what they are remembered is based primarily on who they were, their life choices, their character, their actions, and most importantly how they treated other people when they were alive.
Additionally, most people agree we reap what we sow in life, we get what we give, karma as some would call it, we either receive the blessing of heaven or we do not. This too is based upon, in part, on our life choices, our character, our actions, and most importantly how we treat other people.
Knowing that most people want both of these things, to be remembered well and to receive blessings in life, we then must ask the question. How do we get both or how do we forfeit both?
If blessings are upon the just, then we need to know what blessings actually consist of and whom the just are actually (v.6).
“blessings” In the Hebrew language is defined as:
1293. בְּרָכָה berâkâh, ber-aw-kaw’; from 1288; benediction; by impl. prosperity:— blessing, liberal, pool, present.
1288. בָּרַךְ bârak, baw-rak’; a prim. root; to kneel; by impl. to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit)
At its core to bless means to honor God and reverence God and in return He honors us with His blessings. Blessings which include His approval, and the ability to succeed in various things, to prosper, which does not always mean money. One might prosper in ministry, in marriage, in business, in mentoring people, in raising children, in good deeds and works for their community, etc. To prosper is to thrive in almost any area of life. God often blesses us with those small things we have wanted that are suddenly given to us. God’s blessings are not limited He is liberal with the pool of presents He sends into our lives.
There is the need to be a just person to receive these blessings (v.6). Let us look at what being a just person means in God’s definition.
“just” ” In the Hebrew language is defined as:
6662. צַדִּיק tsaddı̂yq, tsad-deek’; from 6663; just:— just, lawful, righteous (man).
צִדֹנִי° Tsı̂dônı̂y. See 6722.
6663. צָדַק tsâdaq, tsaw-dak’; a prim. root; to be (caus. make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):— cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be, turn to) righteous (-ness).
A just person is a lawful person, but this is not a reference to man’s law, though we must follow those laws unless they conflict with God’s Will; a lawful person is the one who follows the law or commands of God. A person righteous both through their relationship with Jesus and their lifestyle choices. A moral person who has chosen to accept that God’s Ways of doing things are better than any other ways, one what has been both cleansed by Jesus’ blood and cleared themselves and their life of those things that displease Jesus and are not in line with His teaching and/or commands. To be a “just” person takes much diligent attention to our spiritual life.
When you look into the Hebrew language of what “violence” means you find that those who are given to wickedness partake in almost all of these types of behavior (v.6).
“violence” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
2555. חָמָס châmâç, khaw-mawce’; from 2554; violence; by impl. wrong; by meton. unjust gain:— cruel (-ty), damage, false, injustice, × oppressor, unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing), wrong.
2554. חָמַס châmaç, khaw-mas’; a prim. root; to be violent; by impl. to maltreat:— make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.
Not only are these types of people physically violent toward people, but their thought life is also wrong and ugly, they embrace sensuality and nudity, they mistreat people in a variety of ways, do various things wrong, they do not care about what is just or right, they lie and deceive, they damage people and things, they steal, and they are in general just plain cruel in numerous ways. Their life is all about these types of things.
These are according to the Hebrew definition of “wicked” simply “morally wrong, guilty, ungodly, bad people.”
Whether your name is “blessed” after you leave this life or whether it turns to “rot” (v.7) has so much to do with the choices you make today and each day while you are here on this earth, so choose well.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Adulthood, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Childhood, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Ignorance, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Long Life, Longevity, Materialism, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parenting, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Security, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Advice, Attitude, Blessings, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, God's Voice, Godly Counsel, Laziness, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on April 5, 2020 at 1:59 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew definition(s).
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. 3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
Temporary Treasure
Christians no doubt see those who appear wicked, who seem to care nothing for the things of God, become wealthy and roll in the lap of luxury. They must ask themselves why? Why not the godly?
Some godly people are wealthy and enjoy the luxuries of life. However, more than not, do not find themselves in this group. I do not think it is important to know why, but instead to focus on what God says about ill gotten gains.
The “treasures of wickedness” have no true value in life (v.2). As verse two states they “profit nothing” which when you examine those words in the Hebrew language means that they hold no, “rightness, rectitude, objectively justice, moral virtue or figuratively aka spiritually prosperity.” (Interesting side note the reference number used for the word “nothing” is “6666” – as in 666.) These types of treasures have no real value in life, only earthly worldly value.
In contrast “righteousness delivereth from death” (v.2). When the meaning of “death” in this verse is examined in the Hebrew language we come to realize that it is addressing ‘certain types of death (both natural or violent); or being among the dead, their place or state in hades aka hell and figuratively pestilence or ruin.’ How many wicked people do you often see come to utter ruin within a few days (v.3-4). It happens often actually if you pay attention. They ride high and crash hard.
I am going to jump to verse five now for a moment. Wise people are people who gather their resources, work hard, and do not squander what they have been given by God (v.5). Whereas, lazy people are a cause of “disappointment” to God and those who know them (v.5).
God satisfies the soul of the righteous, He meets their need (v.3). That does not mean that God is going to give a Christian everything they want. I am confident you have heard the say, ‘Thank God for unanswered prayers.’ God knows what is best for us and often denies us out of love.
Those who are righteously “diligent” I add “righteously because any interpretation of Scripture must be taken in context; the Christians who are righteously diligent God will “maketh rich” (v.4). Again, what do the words mean in the Hebrew language? Looking into “maketh rich” in the Hebrew we can gather no general meaning since the word “rich” is not defined. I think this is intentional on God’s part. The riches that God gives His righteous people are beyond worldly, they are indescribable.
Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Adulthood, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Childhood, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Ignorance, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Long Life, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parenting, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Security, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Advice, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Depression, Discernment, Discretion, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on March 25, 2020 at 9:36 am
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew definition(s).
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
Child that Blesses or Burdens
Whether a child is growing into adulthood or has already obtained adulthood that child can be a blessing to their parents or a burden to their parent. At either stage of life the desire of children should be to be a blessing to their parents. However, do we live up to that inner desire that beckons to us?
We can make our parents glad or we can fill them with a heaviness of soul and spirit. What does it mean biblically in this context to make them glad or fill them with heaviness? Let us explore that.
In the Hebrew language the words “glad” and “heaviness” mean the following.
Can you tell which definition is which, or do you need me to enlighten you?
8055. שָׂמַח sâmach, saw-makh’; a prim. root; prob. to brighten up, i.e. (fig.) be (caus. make) blithe or gleesome:— cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, × very.
8424. תּוּגָה tûwgâh, too-gaw’; from 3013; depression (of spirits); concr. a grief:— heaviness, sorrow.
We have previously thoroughly studied what it means to be both wise and foolish. Keep in mind that you are a parent or might be a parent one day. I will make this simple and close by asking a few questions you can reflect on.
Do your actions brighten up your parent’s world? Do they cause them happiness and joy? Do you make them glad you are their child? Can they rest knowing they do not have to worry about you? Or do your actions make their spirits heavy with sorrow and grief? Does depression haunt them because you cannot get your act together?
As you reflect on these questions remember that our life affects the life of all those around us, including our parents, whether we are grown or not, so let us make choices that bless people instead of burdening people.
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Ignorance, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Long Life, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Security, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Biblical Principles, Christian Living, Confusion, Contentment, Decision Making, Devotional, Discretion, Godly Counsel, Knowledge, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on February 27, 2020 at 2:15 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Foolish Man Foolish Woman Equals Hell
Ever wondered why men are so easily taken with silly, dumb, or dumb acting, women who hang on their very word? Because when it comes to women men are often led by their lust not by their intelligence, wisdom, or the Spirit of God. They are drawn to the seduction these women offer, “stolen waters” that they should be tampering with (v.14-17). However, man’s foolish response to a foolish woman leads them both to the “depths of hell” and rightfully so; why should foolishness be rewarded (v.18).
Now fair warning here, the descriptions from the Hebrew language of the “foolish woman” who is “clamorous” and “simple” is pretty harsh (v.13). There is no doubt many women or men for that matter will identify with what it is to be “foolish, clamorous, and simple” on some level and to some degree. However, if we recognize these things in ourselves, we need to pray for God to remove them, repent, and turn away from such behaviors.
To be “foolish” equals “silly, be foolish, probably fat, figuratively stupid” in the Hebrew. When I saw the definition it all made sense expect for one part, “probably to be fat” then the revelation; if one is fat there are acts of foolishness on that person’s part hat led to that condition and being fat show a lack of discipline and self-control over the body (with rare legitimate medical exceptions). Hard to write, hard to admit, but true in most cases.
To be “clamorous” in the Hebrew is defined as:
1993. הָמָה hâmâh, haw-maw’; a prim. root [comp. 1949]; to make a loud sound (like the English “hum”); by impl. to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor:— clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar.
1949. הוּם hûwm, hoom; a prim. root [comp. 2000]; to make an uproar, or agitate greatly:— destroy, move, make a noise, put, ring again.
The English “hum” would be something like a sigh that we do in America, a sound meant to express some form of displeasure.
Tumultuous means to lack restraint.
My only response to this definition, ouch!
The meaning of “simple” in the Hebrew as it relates to the woman is “silliness in a seductive way” which leads us back to my opening the “dumb blonde” act (v.13-15 )– absolutely no offense meant at all toward blonde women, but it is term people know and understand the cultural meaning of in America. As far as the word relates to men who respond to this type of women; to be “simple” on their part mean to be “silly, foolish, and deluded” (v.16).
Women would be far better off to not conduct themselves in clamorous ways and men would be far better off not to be taken in by seductive daisy who will only lead them to hell.
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Ignorance, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Long Life, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Security, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Advice, Authority, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian Living, Contentment, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godly Counsel, Knowledge, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on February 22, 2020 at 1:07 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew definition(s).
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
Security and Long Life
The starting point for wisdom is to have a proper fear of God. Without a proper fear of God you will most likely not be someone given to the use of godly wisdom. People who mock and scorn the things of God are people who usually act in very foolish prideful manners thinking they have life all figured out.
Fearing the LORD, Jehovah, has different aspects to its dynamics (v.10). Before I go into to those aspects let me provide you with the definition of this word “fear” found in verse ten from the Hebrew language.
“fear” in the Hebrew language means:
3374. יִרְאָה yir˒âh, yir-aw’; fem. of 3373; fear (also used as infin.); mor. reverence:— × dreadful, × exceedingly, fear (-fulness).
3373. יָרֵא yârê˒, yaw-ray’; from 3372; fearing; mor. reverent:— afraid, fear (-ful).
3372. יָרֵא yârê˒, yaw-ray’; a prim. root; to fear; mor. to revere; caus. to frighten:— affright, be (make) afraid, dread (-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence (-end), × see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).
When we fear the LORD, we have a moral reverence for Him, His Ways, His Purposes, His Will, and His Wisdom. We have a keen sense of the Almighty’s power and position in the universe and rightfully fear what that power is capable of if need be in the face of evil. God loves, but God is not a marshmallow man or a teddy bear He is the HOLY ALMIGHTY GOD and we should be afraid both for other people and ourselves should they or we fail to follow God’s wisdom. We can learn to fear God by learning about and understanding His character or we can learn to fear God through painful trial and error, it is our choice.
To have “knowledge” of the holy is, according to the Hebrew language, to have awareness of the holiness of God and the sacredness of the things of God (v.10). This is where getting to know God, His Ways, His Character, His Purposes, and His Word is important. There is truly no other way to come to a proper understanding of God. Having this type of “knowledge” about God’s and God’s holiness is “understanding” and according to the Hebrew language understanding is a form of “wisdom” (v.10).
The use of wisdom comes with a spiritual law and effect or what some might call a promise. It is more of a spiritual law than a promise. The use of wisdom will lead to a much greater chance of a longer life (v.11). If we do what God directs that is best for us, wise, live according to His Will not our own will or desires, we are likely to live much longer, and I dare say have a much better quality of life along the way.
There is security in the use of wisdom. If you use godly wisdom under God’s guidance following His directives and things “appear” to go wrong, I use the word appear because if you are following God’s Wisdom any difficulties you face have a godly purpose, thus God will be with you in the mist of the difficulty to guide you through and show you His Purpose for allowing the difficulty (v.12).
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Ignorance, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Wisdom on February 5, 2020 at 3:28 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Brains or Ignorance
Wisdom upholds our life, our house, on this earth (v.1). It will slay our dragons in life, it gives life the proper flavoring, and it provides for our needs (v.2). Wisdom cries out to be heard in our life, in our hearts, in our minds, and in our spirits (v.3).
Only the silly, foolish, stupid man or woman refuses to listen to wisdom (v.4). However, those who truly want “understanding” in life turn to wisdom and seek it out (v.4). Wisdom welcomes us, and wisdom will never be withheld from anyone who truly desire the wisdom found in God (v.5 and James 1:5).
“understanding” as found in verse four is defined in the Hebrew as:
3820. לֵב lêb, labe; a form of 3824; the heart; also used (fig.) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything:— + care for, comfortably, consent
God is willing to meet all of our needs in life through the use of godly wisdom if we will only allow Him to do so. It is the only true way to live a life that one would consider actually living (v.6). The definition of the word “understanding” in verse six is proof of that.
“understanding” as found in verse six is defined in the Hebrew as:
998. בִּינָה bı̂ynâh, bee-naw’; from 995; understanding:— knowledge, meaning, × perfectly, understanding, wisdom.
If we wish our life to have perfect meaning, we will use godly wisdom.
Foolish people, ignorant people, cannot stand to be corrected or told their actions are wrong (v.7). They react with hatred at the idea that they have done someone wrong, or sinned, or acted inappropriately, etc. (v.7) whereas, a wise person embraces the possibility to learn how to be a better person; the foolish think they have or had it all figured out at twenty-four and need no improvement, how dare lesser minds correct them (v.8).
Godly wisdom and the person with true brains who uses that godly wisdom always grows mentally, spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. They always want to grow; they always want to be better in character and do better in their life choices.
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Biblical Principles, Christ, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on January 20, 2020 at 3:09 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Source and Fruit of Wisdom
Keep in mind that this is Wisdom talking to you from the pages of Proverbs. Therefore, when He/it states, “The LORD possessed me” (v.22) it is stating that Jehovah, which is who the LORD in the Old Testament is when you find it written in all capital letters, possessed wisdom in the greatest possible measure since the beginning of time, and before (v.23-30).
Whom else was with God from the beginning of time and before as wisdom was? Yes, Jesus, the Christ, our Savior, and in New Testament times, our Lord.
Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1), Jesus is Wisdom, God’s incarnated wisdom (1 Corn. 1:24).
Like Wisdom (v.22-30) Jesus was with God, LORD, Jehovah since the beginning.
Just as we need to listen to, follow, and obey Wisdom (v.32-36), we need to listen to, follow, and obeying Jesus in how we live, as Jesus is Truth, Jesus is the Word, Jesus is Wisdom.
If you lack godly wisdom all you must do is, ask God for it and He will give it to you (James 1:5).
What is the value of wisdom?
It…
† Gives happiness – Prov. 3:13
† Benefits are and of many – Prov. 4:5–10
† Keeps from evil – Prov. 5:1–6
† Better than rubies – Prov. 8:11
† Above gold in value – Prov. 16:16
† Should be acquired – Prov. 23:23
† Gives life – Eccl. 7:12
† Makes strong – Eccl. 7:19
† Better than weapons – Eccl. 9:18
† Insures stability – Is. 33:6
† Produces good fruit – James 3:17
The very last verse of this passage is so strong in its examination of the human condition that I am going to quote it again here.
“36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”
The person who chooses to reject Wisdom, to sin against the Almighty/Wisdom by rejecting godly wisdom is a person who sins against their own soul. To “wrongeth” our soul according to the Hebrew language means to ‘violently mistreat ourselves’, which is often done physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually when we use poor discernment and wisdom. It also means that we “make bare” aspect of our life that would flourish if we used godly wisdom. When we refuse God’s godly wisdom we “shake off” and “violate” His Will and thus damage our soul, as we enter into vain imaginations, ‘imagining wrongly’ what our life should be through our own limited lenses instead of through the Mind of Christ and the Wisdom of Jehovah God.
“wrongeth” Hebrew definition is as follows:
2554. חָמַס châmaç, khaw-mas’; a prim. root; to be violent; by impl. to maltreat:— make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.
Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom we must use wisdom, our life, the quality of our life, depends upon doing so!
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian Living, Confusion, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, God's Voice, Godly Counsel, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on January 13, 2020 at 5:42 pm
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Wisdom, Substance, and Treasures
Wisdom, much like our relationship with Christ, is something that is more easily assimilated into our life when it is taken on and developed in our youth. When developed in youth both seem to be sustainable for a lifetime. Thus, God’s encouragement in verse seventeen to “seek me early” a reference to wisdom, and God is Wisdom.
Note that verse eighteen points out that honor and riches follow the use of godly wisdom. The verse even makes the point that such riches and righteousness are “durable” which according to the Hebrew means that they will last a very long time, but it also means that they will highly “valued” as well.
Now for a moment of transparency. Though I came to know Christ at an early age I did not by any means learn to use godly wisdom at an early age. Today, well into middle age, I find myself at times still struggling to use wisdom, as it is still not second nature to me to do so. People tell me that God has blessed me with a great deal of godly wisdom to share with others, but I personally do struggle at times in the application of godly wisdom for myself. Had I learned to use and trust in God’s Wisdom at a young age my struggle may not exist today.
The great value of using godly wisdom can never be explained, it can only experienced by the one who uses the godly wisdom. If you avail yourself to godly wisdom and you apply godly wisdom, it brings so much fruit, joy, and peace to your life just as verse nineteen points out. However, you have to trust God enough to seek His Wisdom, and trust Him enough to apply His Wisdom.
God will never fail you; He will always lead you in the path of righteousness through His Wisdom, just as verse twenty states. No matter what man thinks of your actions, if you follow God’s Wisdom, He will lead you into righteousness.
Verse twenty-one lets us know what God desires to do for those who follow His godly wisdom. God wishes to lavish upon their life “substance” and “treasures” beyond anything they might imagine.
In the Hebrew language “substance” and “treasures” are defined as follows:
“substance” in the Hebrew language means the following:
3426. יֵשׁ yêsh, yaysh; perh. from an unused root mean. to stand out, or exist; entity; substance
“treasures” in the Hebrew language means the following:
214. אוֹצָר ˒ôwtsâr, o-tsawr’; from 686; a depository:— armory, cellar, garner, store (-house), treasure (-house) (-y).
686. אָצַר ˒âtsar, aw-tsar’; a prim. root; to store up:— (lay up in) store, (make) treasure (-r).
This substance, and these treasures, which stand out in our life may be literal or figurative, spiritual or physical, tangible or intangible or all of the aforementioned.
There is nothing but good, righteousness, and blessing to be found by following godly wisdom. Let us each seek to do so with consistency and dedication. I know that is my personal prayer.
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Abominations, Abuse, Adultery, Advice, Bible, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Blessing, Chastisement, Choices, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Compassion, Confusion, Contentment, Correction, Crime, Curses, Death, Decision Making, Desire, Devotional, Discipline, Discretion, Encouragement, Equality, Evil, Exhortation, Fairness, Favor, Fear, Flattery, Generosity, Godly Fear, Good, Grace, Growing, Guidance, Happiness, Hate, Hatred, Health, Heart, Illness, Information, Insomnia, Jealousy, Justice, King Solomon, Knowledge, Laziness, Learning, Life, Loans, Longevity, Mercy, Money, Neighbors, Oppression, Parents, Peace, Poverty, Protection, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteousness, Safety, Seven Deadly Sins, Sexual Abuse, Shame, Sickness, Sin, Sovereignty, Spirituality, Stealing, Strength, Teachable, Trust, Truth, Wickedness, Wisdom
In Advice, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godly Counsel, Knowledge, Proverbs, Prudence, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on November 18, 2019 at 10:09 am
The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
God’s Sovereignty and Wisdom
Note: The verses fall under the “Law of Double Reference” which means that a portion of Scripture applies in more than one way to more than one group of people. Here we see both God’s Sovereignty addressed, and God’s Wisdom bestowed upon leaders.
“Counsel is mine” the “mine” in this verse is Wisdom, with a capital “W” because it is a reference to God, the source of all Divine Wisdom, and Wisdom itself or Himself.
“Counsel” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
6098. עֵצָה ˓êtsâh, ay-tsaw’; from 3289; advice; by impl. plan; also prudence:— advice, advisement, counsel ([-lor]), purpose.
3289. יָעַץ yâ˓ats, yaw-ats’; a prim. root; to advise; refl. to deliberate or resolve:— advertise, take advice, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel (-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.
In one aspect God is saying to us that Divine Counsel can only come from Him. To act with a godly “plan,” godly “prudence,” godly “purpose,” or to make a godly “determination” about something, “to deliberate and resolve” a matter in a godly way can only come from the Divine Counsel of God by way of The Holy Spirit. If it comes from worldly wisdom and worldly intellect then it is not of God, it is not godly counsel.
In another aspect, God is saying that He “guides” the king, princes, and nobles that He puts in place on the earth. That He through His Divine Counsel “guides and directs” them. As can be seen by looking into the definition of “sound wisdom” as found in verse fourteen.
“sound wisdom” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
8454. תּוּשִׁיָּה tûwshı̂yâh, too-shee-yaw’; or
תֻּשִׁיָּה tûshı̂yâh, too-shee-yaw’; from an unused root prob. mean. to substantiate; support or (by impl.) ability, i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding:— enterprise, that which (thing as it) is, substance, (sound) wisdom, working.
God puts His rulers and holds them in place. It is through His “support” and the “ability” that God provides them that these rulers are able to rule. He provides them “direct help” in their “undertaking” and “purpose” that His Sovereign Will might be brought to pass. God provides the “intellectual understanding” that these men and women need to rule. It is God and God alone that makes it all “work” in accordance with His Will, Wisdom, and an understanding that no human can even fathom.
For only God holds “perfect knowledge” and impeccable “discernment” of all things. Only God has the correct “feelings” on all matters. Only God can flawlessly “inform” or “teach” or “instruct” people. For God is, as verse fourteen states Understanding and by extension Wisdom is understanding.
“understanding” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
998. בִּינָה bı̂ynâh, bee-naw’; from 995; understanding:— knowledge, meaning, × perfectly, understanding, wisdom.
995. בִּין bı̂yn, bene; a prim. root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(gen.) understand:— attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal) wise (-ly, man).
God is, and therefore by extension, godly wisdom is strength, and this is not just some earthly form of strength. As you will see by the definition below God and godly wisdom is a “literal and figurative force” like no other. A force that brings “valor” and “victory” to circumstances. A “power” to end all powers. A force that creates the “valiant man” or woman; the noble, honorable, godly human being that only God can create.
“strength” in the Hebrew language is defined as:
1369. גְּבוּרָה gebûwrâh, gheb-oo-raw’; fem. pass. part. from the same as 1368; force (lit. or fig.); by impl. valor, victory:— force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.
1368. גִּבּוֹר gibbôwr, ghib-bore’; or (short.)
גִּבֹּר gibbôr, ghib-bore’; intens. from the same as 1397; powerful; by impl. warrior, tyrant:— champion, chief, × excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man.
We should not only pray for godly wisdom but for the ability to act in accordance with godly wisdom in every single action we take and decision we make.
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
God's Truth in Love 