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Post by Natalie on Jan 11, 2020 9:40:25 GMT -6
My pastor usually goes book by book verse by verse, but sometimes he will do short (4-5 weeks) on something else (like after we finished Exodus we took a look at the life of David). Last week he did the first 7 verses of Proverbs. We aren't going to go verse by verse through Proverbs but are going to look at some of the major themes.
I will be honest that I do not gravitate towards this part of God's Word...the poetry section. So, this year I am going to try and do better.
A couple of thoughts from my pastor's sermon and then I am going to post Pastor JD Faraq's sermon as he is currently going through Proverbs (they started back in Aug. I think Wed nights). First, Proverbs can answer the question "What does the life of a believer look like?" I had not considered this about Proverbs. Secondly, and probably obvious to most of us, is that Scripture is used to shape our lives. Proverbs 1-7 is not only the purpose of the book of Proverbs, but a purpose for all of Scripture (the ultimate purpose is of course to point us to our Savior) "to know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity: to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth - Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:1-7)
(You could start about 6 min in or even about 9 min if you are shorter on time. He kind of gives background to how they are working book by book, trying to decide how to teach Proverbs, and how they used Proverbs reading one chapter a day each month)
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Post by Gary on Jan 11, 2020 15:00:47 GMT -6
Thank you for sharing. I'm the same way - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs are the driest books for me.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 11, 2020 20:20:34 GMT -6
I think, at least for me, if I'm following a Bible reading plan then I just read through them and move on. I don't take the time to really go through them and meditate on the truth in there. For Proverbs it's a lot of wisdom dumped into my head over a few days or week and it all just blurs together. So, as I slow down, here are some of my thoughts - 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1:23 (Wisdom says) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. That's just what God promises in the NT, too. When we turn to Christ, we get His Spirit, and we understand His word. Of the foolish, because they have rejected Wisdom (1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD) disaster will come. But 1:33 Whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster (also translated evil).
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Post by venge on Jan 12, 2020 12:49:55 GMT -6
I think, at least for me, if I'm following a Bible reading plan then I just read through them and move on. I don't take the time to really go through them and meditate on the truth in there. For Proverbs it's a lot of wisdom dumped into my head over a few days or week and it all just blurs together. So, as I slow down, here are some of my thoughts - 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1:23 (Wisdom says) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. That's just what God promises in the NT, too. When we turn to Christ, we get His Spirit, and we understand His word. Of the foolish, because they have rejected Wisdom (1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD) disaster will come. But 1:33 Whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster (also translated evil). I prefer the one before it: 1:6 To understand a proverb and the interpretation; the words of the wise and their dark sayings
6:23 The commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life You said the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, I'd like to add to that what that knowledge is part of to learn to fear the Lord. 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate
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Post by Natalie on Jan 12, 2020 12:57:38 GMT -6
I am sure that a whole study could be done on "the fear of the Lord".
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Post by Natalie on Jan 13, 2020 14:51:37 GMT -6
Here's Pastor JD's teaching on Proverbs 2 and 3.
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call our for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (2:1-6)
Wisdom is life; folly is destruction.
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Post by mike on Jan 13, 2020 17:47:12 GMT -6
Notice the choice presented. It is up to the reader to apply the wisdom provided. Ignoring it makes one a fool
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Post by Natalie on Jan 13, 2020 17:52:10 GMT -6
Right! And I think it's also up to the reader to ask for wisdom. And that is surely a prayer God wants to answer. For us to know His truth and apply it!
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Post by stormyknight on Jan 14, 2020 11:40:00 GMT -6
Don't forget the still small voice!
If I may take it to a personal, 'in your head' level: I'm sure you all have had that moment when there is something you know you shouldn't do and just before you do it you get that thought that you shouldn't. For example, trying to lose weight, but when you walk up to the counter at the convenience store to pay for gas, they have a display of candy bars. "oooh one of those would taste good about now." then "no, dude, you don't need that" That second one is Wisdom telling you: "Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings." Prov. 1:23
I know this sounds too simple, but it is true even on this level. It was just a generic example but, there are much deeper sins that we commit that we know we shouldn't, yet we tend to give in to occasionally. I want to tell you from my own experience that even the little errors that we refrain from because we repented, changed our mind, are gloriously productive. Not only is there no regret and shame later, God rewards our positive action by lifting our spirit. Whether it be in new understanding or hope or what have you. Unfortunately, we have a weakness that is played upon by the fallen spiritual powers that roam among us and so we stumble.
Prov. 1:7 is probably the most memorable of the first verses I read on my own when I was first being called(I didn't know I was being called until much much later.) That and all the "all is vanity and striving after wind" from Ecclesiates. And it has stuck with me all these years. But it wasn't until recently that I actually found that if one refrains from giving in to sin, or missing the 'mark', then one will be rewarded or 'lifted up'. There was too much of 'well, I'm not good enough anyway, it's not going to hurt if I do it one more time' type of thinking. Now it's more of 'you #^%$&@, why did you do that? Won't you ever learn?' But now, if I remember and don't just act automatically, I will ask, 'should I not do this?' and if that still small voice says 'negatory, dude!' loud enough for me pay attention, then as hard as it can be to refrain sometimes, I will refrain. But just so you all know, I don't remember to ask near as often as I should.
I hope this doesn't sound condescending. I trip and fall as much or more than anyone. I just wanted to share that, since Proverbs was brought up, there is much to be gleaned in that book. We're all trying to figure out what God wants or what's going to happen next. Well, there's the answer in how to get the answers, "Repent at my rebuke." Refrain from knee-jerk reactions to evil, keep a bridle on our tongues, learn to change the subject of our thoughts when bad ones surface. The reward is WISDOM!!
Keep awake, brothers and sisters! Jesus Christ is on His way!
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Beloved
New Member
Waiting for our Blessed Hope
Posts: 43
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Post by Beloved on Jan 14, 2020 13:05:01 GMT -6
I always compare the fear of the LORD to how I felt when I first started to drive: I wasn't afraid per se, but I understood I was driving a machine that could be deadly if handled improperly. This was not to be trifled with, but was to be given the respect it deserved. That's how I feel about the fear of the LORD. We aren't afraid of our Father in the sense of terror, for as it is written, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." Rather, we have reverent awe; this Being is not to be trifled with, so let us give Him the respect He deserves.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 15, 2020 12:41:34 GMT -6
Some of the most often memorized verses are in Proverbs 3
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him (reminds me of "pray without ceasing") and He will make straight your paths.
and then it goes on to say:
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment (or medicine) to your bones.
It made me consider that those who were once slaves to sin will find rest, peace, and spiritual healing when they become His.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 16, 2020 19:39:14 GMT -6
Here is Proverbs 4-5
"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." 4:18
I had that one underlined. I just loved how it sounded.
But then I got to thinking more on it especially when the next verse says, "The way of the wicked is like deep darkness", and it reminded me of 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
And then 4:20-27 reminds me of Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things , and the God of peace will be with you.
The passage in Proverbs isn't exactly like it, but we are to be attentive to Scripture, keep them in our sight, in our heart, put away crooked speech, gaze straight and not watch our paths. Don't let your heart and mind wander where they shouldn't...like Philippians think on "good" things and practice what we have learned from God's word.
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Post by Natalie on Jan 16, 2020 19:44:22 GMT -6
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Post by Natalie on Jan 20, 2020 13:26:57 GMT -6
Here is six and seven...they go together in that six ends with a warning to avoid the immoral woman and then seven is a little more detail on what she is like.
I am going to try and put up one of his videos every 4 days or so until caught up with where they are. (We may catch up to him and may not.)
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Post by Natalie on Jan 20, 2020 13:37:47 GMT -6
My pastor was sick two Sunday's ago so we didn't do Proverbs, and this Sunday he discussed the fear of the Lord. It's not really anything we haven't already covered here. But, just a reinforcement that we don't have to be afraid of God or His wrath because we are saved from that. It's more the fear of disappointing a good Father but knowing He is Holy God. Also the idea that Proverbs is how the Christian life should look, but not as a legalistic, "check all the boxes" type life. We have the foundation of the Gospel to work out the principals in Proverbs.
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