Practical Insights for Living: 40 Bible Studies from Proverbs
()
About this ebook
While reading Proverbs, one sees instantly that the topics from verse to verse and chapter to chapter vary significantly. From friendship to boldness to laziness to what God hates to adultery to evangelism to sin; as an example, all can be discussed within a few verses.
Many believers like to read a chapter of Proverbs a day. Therefore, in one month, they can cover the entire book. As you can see with a casual eye within one chapter of Proverbs there may be over fifty topics can be discussed. That's simply a lot to "take in" for our brains to comprehend at one sitting. That is the first reason why I wrote this book; to add structure to studying it. The second reason is this: Bible Study books are difficult to find on Proverbs for personal or group reference and discussion.
Why not have a more practical approach to this incredible "wisdom-filled" book of Proverbs in the middle of the Bible?
This book helps to solve the problem of organization of the teaching principles in Proverbs. With over 900 topics, alphabetized from A to Z, "Practical Bible Studies from the Book of Proverbs" is a hands-on book for those that want to study Proverbs. It will help you navigate Proverbs in a way that you have never been able before. The topical Bible Studies is a special aspect of this book that helps you in preparation for many meaningful Bible Studies. There are 40 Devotional Studies in this book for you to discover. Don't forget to teach Proverbs to your children or grandchildren! You will enjoy examining the book of Proverbs in a new and refreshing way.
The majority of the biblical Proverbs were written by Solomon. Solomon, one of King David's sons, was one of the wisest, if not the wisest man who ever lived. Look what it says in 1 Kings 4:29-31. "Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations."
If you accept the Bible as the inerrant word of God representing absolute truth and your final authority in all matters, then you will believe that Solomon was a really bright guy. You should listen to him and study Proverbs!
In spite of his wisdom, Solomon made mistakes in his life and gave into the temptations of this sinful world on many occasions. This should be an encouragement to us that though we can attain wisdom, nobody is perfect.
Solomon also penned the Book of Ecclesiastes. There, Solomon gives a summation of his life. In looking back over his life, having had all that anyone who lives in this world could ever want, the word that Solomon used over and over was "meaningless." It is actually a pretty sobering book until you get to the next to last verse. As only the wisest man who ever lived could, in six words Solomon summed up what this life is all about, "FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS."
That should always be our attitude towards God; one of awe and reverence.
Keeping his commandments refers to obeying the Word of God. My friend, if we can focus on this throughout our life, to fear God and keep His commandments, we have found the key to what this life is really all about since this is the whole duty of mankind. May the Holy Spirit help you "stay the course."
You see, this world honors those who lead great armies into war, rule empires and nations, those who have amassed tremendous wealth, people who are responsible for accomplishing incredible feats during their life. But a
Read more from Robert M. Gullberg
Internal Medicine: Over 200 Case Studies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Principles for the Christian Life: Bible Study Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdult Infectious Disease Bulletpoints Handbook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Reality Stories of Medicine: Things About Patient Care You Don't Learn at School Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lake Effect: The Joy of Lake Living Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWisdom from the Word: A Reference With 700 Unique Topics to Enhance Bible Study for Students and Teachers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Principles for the Christian Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Know What the Future Holds: A Study of Revelation and End Times Events Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEncountering Grace in Genesis: A 50 Chapter Bible Study On Genesis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHope for the Bogey Golfer: A S.Y.S.T.E.M. to Improve Your Game Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Practical Insights for Living
Related ebooks
The Old Covenant: A Foundation for the New Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGenealogy: A Bible Reading Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdd to Your Faith: Going Beyond Your Given Measure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChrist's Sanctuary: study guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Antidote: How the Blood of the Lamb of God Goes to Work for the Sins of Humanity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Father's Plan: A Bible Study for Dads Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFaithful Study Guide: Because GOD is Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWomen of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPaul Planted, Apollos Watered, but God: Vulnerable Weakness in Ministry and Mission Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Life of Trust Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBible Insight Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTo My Younger Brethren: Chapters on Pastoral Life and Work Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIgnite: Carrying the Flame from the Upper Room to the Nations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Burning Bush Still Speaks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFor the Sake of the Children (Conduct, Order and Doctrine for Young People) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSermons on Genesis (III) - No More Chaos, Void or Darkness Now (I) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5500 Prayers for Young People: Prayers for a new generation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Should We Pay Tithes To God? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConverge Bible Studies: Sharing the Gospel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKids Bible Buzz Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy School Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBiblical Lessons: Fifty-Two Topics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Love Thy Law: An Expository Study of the Book of Malachi Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCharacter Building Through Christian Education for Youth: Lessons on Righteous Living Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBehind the Cross - The Depths of the Work of the Cross Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIt Will Stand: Leader's Guide: In Home Bible Study for Teens Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRefutation of Tithing as a Biblical Commandment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEquipped to Tell the Next Generation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bible in Five Years Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Practical Insights for Living
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Practical Insights for Living - Robert M. Gullberg
~Forward~
For many years, I had felt somewhat overwhelmed in reading and studying the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter by chapter. Why? Because there was so many topics. I wanted to learn all of the pearls of wisdom, but it was so dense with practical knowledge, and seemed to jump around quite a lot and not follow any pattern of teaching.
While reading Proverbs, one sees instantly that the topics from verse to verse and chapter to chapter vary significantly. From friendship to boldness to laziness to what God hates to adultery to evangelism to sin; as an example, all can be discussed within a few verses.
Many Christian believers like to read a chapter of Proverbs a day. Therefore, in one month, they can cover the entire book. As you can see with a casual eye within one chapter of Proverbs there may be over fifty topics can be discussed. That’s simply a lot to take in
for our brains to comprehend at one sitting. That is the first reason why I wrote this book; to add structure to studying it. The second reason is this: Bible Study books are difficult to find on Proverbs for personal or group reference and discussion.
Why not have a more practical approach to this incredible wisdom-filled
book in the middle of the Bible?
This book helps to solve the problem of organization of the teaching principles in Proverbs. With over 900 topics, alphabetized from A to Z, "Practical Bible Studies from the Book of Proverbs" is a hands-on book for those that want to study Proverbs. It will help you navigate Proverbs in a way that you have never been able before. The topical Bible Studies is a special aspect of this book that helps you in preparation for many meaningful Bible Studies. There are 40 Devotional Studies in this book for you to discover. Don’t forget to teach Proverbs to your children or grandchildren! You will enjoy examining the book of Proverbs in a new and refreshing way.
The majority of the biblical Proverbs were written by Solomon. Solomon, one of King David’s sons, was one of the wisest, if not the wisest man who ever lived. Look what it says in 1 Kings 4:29-31. Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.
If you accept the Bible as the inerrant word of God representing absolute truth and your final authority in all matters, then you will believe that Solomon was a really bright guy. You should listen to him and study Proverbs!
In spite of his wisdom, Solomon made mistakes in his life and gave into the temptations of this sinful world on many occasions. This should be an encouragement to us that though we can attain wisdom, nobody is perfect.
Solomon also penned the Book of Ecclesiastes. There, Solomon gives a summation of his life. In looking back over his life, having had all that anyone who lives in this world could ever want, the word that Solomon used over and over was meaningless.
It is actually a pretty sobering book until you get to the next to last verse. As only the wisest man who ever lived could, in six words Solomon summed up what this life is all about, FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
That should always be our attitude towards God; one of awe and reverence.
Keeping his commandments refers to obeying the Word of God. My friend, if we can focus on this throughout our life, to fear God and keep His commandments, we have found the key to what this life is really all about since this is the whole duty of mankind. May the Holy Spirit help you stay the course.
You see, this world honors those who lead great armies into war, rule empires and nations, those who have amassed tremendous wealth, people who are responsible for accomplishing incredible feats during their life. But all of these great accomplishments are only temporary. The truly great accomplishments in this life are the things we do that will stand for eternity.
Sharing with people the truth of God’s Word, leading the lost to an everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ, helping those who know Christ become all God wants them to be are the keys to success for the believer.
Solomon, at the end of his long, successful, and distinguished life on this earth summed it all up by saying that the whole duty of man was to keep their head on straight and be obedient to Yahweh God.
Wisdom is the theme
of the book of Proverbs. Wisdom is a skill that we learn in order to honor God by how we act and speak. God wants instill in us principles to change us and make our character and heart more like him. We can’t be complacent about it. We must be intentional.
In the New Testament, Jesus commands us to possess wisdom. For example, in Matthew 10:16, He says, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." James 3:13, 17 says, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such
wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Proclaim the values and principles taught in the book of Proverbs, and bask in the insights taught there.
Robert M. Gullberg M.D.
Racine, Wisconsin
Robert is also author of Principles for the Christian Life, Principles for the Christian Life: Bible Study Edition, Encountering Grace in Genesis: A 50-Chapter Bible Study of Genesis, and Wisdom from the Word.
Introduction to Proverbs
In the Old Testament, the book of Proverbs is considered Hebrew poetry, along with Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. It is not just another book filled with ancient sayings that don’t apply to today. King Solomon, the son of King David, is thought to have written the majority of the book of Proverbs. He reigned from 970-930 BC. Why Solomon? Look at the Scriptures. Both 1 Kings 3:11-12 and 1 Kings 4:29-34 give us some insight into the answer.
While at Gibeon where the Tabernacle stood, Solomon had just sacrificed one thousand burnt offerings. God then appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him to make a request. Rather than asking for wealth and power, King Solomon asked from the Lord for a discerning heart
. Wow! How unusual for a king. God was impressed! Because of Solomon’s attitude, God promised him that there will never have been anyone like him (Solomon), nor will there ever be.
He gave to Solomon wisdom, insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He spoke three-thousand proverbs and his songs numbered one thousand and five. We only have 1000 proverbs in the Book of Proverbs that he wrote. People of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. He so impressed the Queen of Sheba with his wisdom that she exclaimed, the half was not told me
in 1 Kings 10:7. However, Jesus rebuked the pious learned of his day by telling them, something greater than Solomon is here
. (Matthew 12:42) It was hard for them to believe this statement.
What is a proverb? A proverb is a saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed way. It is a short sentence drawn from long experience. Historically, the Orient and the Far East are the homes of proverbs (i.e. Confucius says
). Literature on wisdom had been written previously in Egypt, Babylonia, and other countries. Solomon was thought to have gathered proverbs from many sources and edited them. For example, many were obtained from the Egyptian literature from 1000-700 BC. Egypt had a School for the Wise
which matriculated its students into successful careers in state service. The biggest difference between Proverbs and the other literature written on wisdom is the Hebrew concept of wisdom was rooted in the fear of the Lord
which was the beginning of knowledge
--see Proverbs 1:7. According to Solomon, without this incredible awe for God, one can’t be called wise.
There are four key characteristics of the Proverbs. The first is that Proverbs bears no unscientific statements or inaccurate observations. Second, Proverbs don’t contradict themselves. This contrasts to man’s wisdom. Look before you leap,
He who hesitates is lost,
A person gets no more than he pays for,
and The best things in life are free
are all examples. Third, the proverbs are written on a high moral plane. And finally, fourth, they are practical for anyone, especially young people, as their principles transcend time.
What is the literary structure of Proverbs? Mostly, they are written in the form of couplets
. These couplets
are generally two clauses that usually relate to one another. In Hebrew poetry, this is termed parallelism.
There are three kinds of parallelism: 1) Synonymous; the 2nd clause restates the 1st or expresses the same thought in a different way, or it clarifies the 1st clause. Proverbs 10:26 is an example: As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.
2) Antithetic (contrast); the truism stated in the 1st clause is mad stronger in the 2nd clause by contrast with an opposite truth. Proverbs 13:9 says, The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
3) Synthetic; the 2nd clause develops the thought of the first. Proverbs 20:2 is an example of the synthetic proverb. A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.
A general outline of the Book of Proverbs is as follows: Chapters 1-9- Wisdom and folly are contrasted; the way of Wisdom is superior. Chapters 10-24- Proverbs of Solomon written by himself for advice on living. The scribes of King Hezekiah (who reigned in 715-686 BC), who lived about 250 years after Solomon, compiled additional proverbs and listed them in chapters 25-29. Chapter 30 of Proverbs is written by an oracle of Agur, an unknown sage. Chapter 31 are cherished proverbs of a mother to Lemuel.
The Hebrew word for wisdom is chokmah. Chokmah pointed to experience and efficiency in using ones’ skills
whether it be in craftsmanship (Exodus 35:35), sailing (Ezekiel 27:8), or administrative capabilities. In the spiritual life, having chokmah showed both knowledge and experience in following God’s way. For the Jews and teachers, attaining chokmah was a high priority. Wise living required the ability to reach sound decisions and make the right choices, and thus the ability to discriminate between right and wrong, important and unimportant, wise and foolish.
With it came insight and prudence.
The frequent use of my son
in Proverbs raises the question about Solomon’s audience. There are two schools of thought: 1.) The verses were originally spoken orally to the students of Solomon’s royal court or 2.) The verses were spoken by Solomon and others (such as mothers) to their sons and other children) in the home environment. Whatever the case, the proverbs hold wonderful, practical wisdom for people of all ages, but especially the young. The Jews believed that the home was the center of education for their children, whom they highly esteemed. The noted historian Josephus wrote, Our ground is good, and we work it to the utmost, but our chief ambition is for the education of our children.
Even though there were good schools, the responsibility of educating the child was placed heavily on the parents (see Proverbs 1:8, 6:20).
The following Bible studies were hand-picked by the author to allow you to navigate through the book of Proverbs easily and to cover an array of topics that have practical insights for your daily living.
Psalm 139:17 says The Bible is filled with the precious thoughts of God.
These 40 Bible studies (with over 900 topics) from Proverbs will give you more understanding of God’s Word as they teach you insights into daily living. Know God’s thoughts!
Forty Bible Studies: Table of Contents
1) Proverbs found in the New Testament
2) What God teaches us about fruit of the Spirit
3) How God uses parts of the body to teach wisdom
4) What God teaches us about the family
5) What God teaches us about friendship and being a neighbor
6) How God uses things around the house to teach wisdom
7) What God’s teaches us on sex education
8) What God teaches us about humility versus pride
9) What God teaches us about the Ten commandments
10) What God teaches us about our speech: Good and Bad
11) What God teaches us about happiness versus heartache
12) What God teaches us on contentment versus envy/jealousy
13) What God teaches us about poverty
14) What God teaches us about foolishness
15) What God teaches us about wisdom
16) What God teaches us about temptation, sin and evil doing
17) How God uses food and eating to teach wisdom
18) How God uses mother nature to teach wisdom
19) How God uses animals and creatures to teach wisdom
20) What God teaches us about the danger of alcohol
21) What God teaches us about business, wealth and money
22) What God teaches us about his will versus man’s will
23) What God teaches us about himself and his character
24) What God teaches us about are our responses to him
25) What God teaches us about adversity and conflicts
26) What God teaches us about good virtues
27) What God teaches us about vices
28) What God teaches us about the heart of a person
29) What God teaches us about discipline
30) How God uses countries and cities to teach wisdom
31) What God teaches us about legal issues
32) What God teaches us about wisdom while on the job
33) What God teaches us about time
34) How God uses metals and jewels to teach wisdom
35) What God teaches us about ‘life and death’
36) What God teaches us about laughter
37) What God teaches us about luck
38) How God uses medical issues/illness to teach wisdom
39) What God teaches us about wives and women
40) What God teaches us about the Scriptures
1) Proverbs found in the New Testament:
Luke 14:10 / Proverbs 25:6-7
Romans 12:16 / Proverbs 3:7
Romans 12:20 / Proverbs 25:21-22
2 Corinthians 9:7 / Proverbs 22:9
Hebrews 12:5-6 / Proverbs 3:11-12
Hebrews 12:13 / Proverbs 4:26
James 4:5 / Proverbs 3:34
1 Peter 2:17 / Proverbs 24:21
1 Peter 3:13 / Proverbs 16:7
1 Peter 4:8 / Proverbs 10:12
1 Peter 4:18 / Proverbs 11:31
2 Peter 2:22 / Proverbs 26:11
Enjoy these biblical comparison verses and discuss their significance.
2) What God teaches us about fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit are works of the Holy Spirit in us. We can find descriptions of this fruit in Proverbs!
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Faithfulness
Gentle
Good
Self-control
3) How God uses parts of the body to teach us wisdom
Arms
Body
Bones
Deaf
Ear(rings)
Eyes
Face
Feet
Fingers
Flesh
Gray hair
Hands
Head
Hearing
Inmost parts
Jaws
Legs
Lips
Mouth
Neck
Nose
Stomach
Teeth
Vision
Voice
Womb
4) What God teaches us about family
Children
Father
Mother
Grandchildren
Grandparents
Parents
Son
Brother
Sister
Husband
Wives
Marriage
Widows
5) What God teaches us about friendship and being a neighbor
Accountability
Associate
Boundary stone
Companion
Friendship
Neighbor
Peer Pressure
6) How God uses things around the house to teach wisdom
Barn
Bed
Cloak
Clothing
Coals
Crops
Door
Earthenware
Fire
Fountain
Furnace
Garment
Gate
Grain
Grass
Gravel
Grow
Harvest
Hay
House
Household
Kindling
Knives
Lamp
Linen
Maid
Manger
Mortar
Net
Oil
Ornament
Path
Perfume
Pit
Plow
Reaping/Sowing
Ring
Roof
Smoke
Stone
Street
Table
Tent
Threshing wheel
Vat
Vineyard
Wall
Well
Wine
Winnow
Wood
Wool
7) What God’s teaches us on sex education
Kiss(es)
Lust
Mistress
Prostitution
Seductive
8) What God teaches us about humility versus pride
Arrogance
Bragging
Glory of man
Haughty
Humility
Opinionated
Pride
Selfish
Wise in his own eyes
9) What God teaches us about the Ten Commandments
Idols
Vanity
Kill
Murder/Anger
Adultery
Stealing
Lies
Lying
Coveting
10) What God teaches us about our speech: Good and Bad
Answer
Blurt out
Boisterous
Chattering
Curses
Gossip
Mocking
Slander
Speech-Good qualities
Speech-Bad qualities
Talk
Truth
Verbose
11) What God teaches us about happiness versus heartache
Anxiety
Blessings
Blessings (lack of)
Depression
Elation
Glad
Happy
Heartache
Joy
Pleasant
Pleasure
12) What God teaches us on contentment versus envy/jealousy
Content
Envy
Jealousy
Satisfaction
Security
13) What God teaches us about poverty
Needy
Oppression
Orphan
Poor
Poverty
14) What God teaches us about foolishness
Folly
Fool/Foolish
Godless
Ignorant
Joke
Naïve
Stupid
15) What God teaches us about wisdom
Counsel
Discernment
Elders
Guidance
Insight
Instruction
Knowledge
Learn
Lesson
Listen
Proverb
Prudent
Skills
Teach
Understanding
Wisdom
16) What God teaches us about temptation, sin and evil doing
Atonement (of sins)
Dishonoring God
Disobedience
Disowning the Lord
Enemies of God
Evil
Evil behavior
Revenge
Sin
Temptation
Undisciplined
Unfaithful
Unfriendly
Ungodly
Waywardness
Wicked
17) How God uses food and eating to teach wisdom
Appetite
Apple
Banquet
Bread
Dish
Drink
Eat
Feasting
Fruit
Honey
Hunger
Meal
Meat
Milk/Butter
Nourishment
Satiated
Starving
Taste
Thirsty
Vegetables
Vinegar
Wine
18) How God uses mother nature to teach wisdom
Clouds
Darkness
Dawn
Day
Desert Place
Dew
Earth
Fig Tree
Hill(s)
Land
Leaf
Light
Morning
Mountains
Oceans
Plants
Rain
Sand
Sea
Season
Sky
Snow
Springtime
Storm
Summer
Thorn(s)
Tree
Vapor
Water(s)
Whirlwind
Wind
19) How God uses animals and creatures to teach wisdom
Animals
Ants
Bear
Bird(s)
Calf
Coney
Deer
Dog
Donkey
Eagle
Flock
Goat
Horse
Lamb(s)
Leech
Lion
Lizard
Locusts
Oxen
Pig
Raven
Rooster
Snake
Sparrow
Swallow
Viper
Vultures
20) What God teaches us about the danger of alcohol
Beer
Wine
21) What God teaches us about business, wealth and money
Abundance
Borrower
Buy
Debt
Earn
Earnings
Finances
Gains
Income
Inheritance
Lend
Loan
Luxury
Merchants
Palace
Pay
Payback
Profit
Profits from gambling
Sell
Squander
Stingy
Trading
Treasury
Wages
Wealth
22) What God teaches about his will versus man’s will
Against the Lord
Direction of people
Faith (lack of)
Mankind
Men
Motives
Path
Person’s spirit
Plans of a person
23) What God teaches us about himself and his character
Abomination of the Lord
Acceptable to the Lord
God avenges
God blesses
God condemns
God defends
God delights
God delivers
God desires
God disapproves
God disciplines
God frustrates
God gives
God’s glory
God’s grace
God guards life
God hates
God judges
God’s knowledge
God listens
God loves
God is mysterious
God’s omniscience
God protects
God punishes
God rewards
God’s sovereignty
God’s trustworthiness
God’s truth
God understands
God’s wisdom
God’s wrath
Names of God
Pleasing to God
Understanding God
Way of the Lord
24) What God teaches about are our responses to him
Dishonoring God
Fearing the Lord
Forgetting God
Honoring God
25) What God teaches us about adversity and conflicts
Blows
Brawler
Calamity
Disputes
Dissension
Fights
Flog
Meddle
Quarrels
Rod
Strife
Sword
Trouble
Turmoil
Violence
War
26) What God teaches us about good virtues
Blameless
Bold
Commitment
Cool tempered
Diligence
Even tempered
Faultless
Forgiveness
Generous
Giving
Goodwill
Grace
Gracious
Honesty
Hope
Integrity
Kindness
Labor
Leadership
Mercy
Noble
Obedience
Patience
Reliable
Righteousness
Serve
Sharing
Silence
Trustworthy
Work
27) What God teaches us about vices
Bitterness
Bragging
Bribe
Cheating
Corrupt
Cruelty
Deceitful
Detest
Devious
Dishonesty
Envy
False witness
Flattery
Gossip
Greed
Hatred
Hot-headed (Hot tempered)
Immoral
Immorality
Impatience
Insincerity
Insult
Laziness
Lies
Loathe
Lying
Mad
Malicious
Merciless
Mocking
Murder
Quick-temper
Rage
Rebellious
Reckless
Ruthless
Selfish
Stealing
Stiff-necked
28) What God teaches us about the heart of a person
Character
Heart of a person
Soul
Spirit
Thoughts
29) What God teaches us about discipline
Discipline
Lashes
30) How God uses countries and cities to teach wisdom
City
Country
Nations
World
31) What God teaches us about legal issues
Court
Guilty
Injustice
Innocent
Judgment
Just
Justice
King
Kings and rulers
Law
Officials
Partiality
Punishment
Rights
Testify
Testimony
Witness
32) What God teaches us about wisdom while ‘on the job’
Employee
Employer
Master
Servant
33) What God teaches us about time
Eternity
Forever
Future
Generations
Heaven
Tomorrow
34) How God uses metals and jewels to teach wisdom
Gold
Iron
Jewels
Rubies
Silver
35) What God teaches us about ‘life and death’
Death
Guarding life
Life
Live
36) What God teaches us about laughter
Laughter
37) What God teaches about luck
Lots
38) How God uses medical issues/illness to teach wisdom
Medicine
Memory
Remedy
Sick
Suffer
Vomit
39) What God teaches about wives and women
Wives
Women
40) What God teaches us about the Scriptures
Adding to Scriptures
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A
ABUNDANCE
Proverbs 11:28 Whoever trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Proverbs 14:4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
Proverbs 20:13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Proverbs 20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
Proverbs 28:19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
Abundance is an ample or overflowing quantity.
Abundance in our lives is certainly a double-edged
sword. For example, in the worldly sense, with their abundance of goods, the wealthy can bless the poor. Bill and Melinda Gates have been wonderful philanthropists in our generation, from helping in malaria research to the global AIDS impact. America has helped out poorer countries ever since I can remember. However, on the other hand, abundance can also lead to inward looking, self-seeking
behavior and conceit. Satan can and does use it to tempt us to be more greedy. Living in America is living in a land of abundance. We are the land of the free.
There is not only an abundance of food, but also technology, money, education, power, and most importantly, freedom! Somehow, Americans still find ways to misuse this abundance. Tainted with pride, abundance can become a problem. When we build a house out of the abundance that God has given us, we have to have it bigger, wider, newer, and the updated
version. We take the abundance of food, and we spoil it. Think about how much food is consumed by Americans in our restaurants every year. Then think about how much food is spoiled and thrown in the garbage from those same restaurants every year. It’s mind -boggling. That wasted food could be used to feed millions of starving children all over the world. Technology is a wonderful thing flowing with abundance. We have new kinds of digital cameras, cars, computers, televisions, ipods, electronics and even golf clubs. And what do we do? We go out and buy more. Somehow, we have been fooled that we have to have the latest.
Think about how many basements and attics are filled with cast-away
goods that have been barely used.
We have an over-abundance of entertainment, recreation, sports, and music activities for the children. American parents spend countless hours taking their children to activities such as soccer games (started at age 4, correct?), football, baseball, music recitals.
How can too much
freedom be a problem? Simple! Men and women abuse the privileges that freedom affords them. America, which was founded on Christian principles, over the decades has wonderfully become a melting pot
of a multitude of ethnic, backgrounds. Unfortunately, in the process, our Christian roots have weakened, compromised with other world religions. By the way, this religious tolerance could only happen in a Christian society. There would eventually be a civil war if our country was based on Islam. Iraq is an example. The Sunnis and Shiites fight each other as to whom have the "upper hand’ in governing the country.
God teaches us in the Scripture five important principles regarding abundance. First, He wants us to realize that He is charge of distributing all the abundance. He is abounding in love (Nehemiah 9:17), peace (Psalm 37:11), security (Jeremiah 33:6), faithfulness (Exodus 34:6), and grace (Romans 5:17) and many other attributes. He wants us to enjoy these abundant gifts from Him. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that He came to give us not just life, but abundant life! He wants our lives filled with abundance, especially, an abundance of the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) God loves abundance, if we keep it in the right perspective. Gold and rubies and the natural riches of earth are nothing compared to having and sharing the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which is described like a rare jewel. (Proverbs 20:15) The pagan world is more interested in natural wealth and power than in knowing God.
Second, He gives to us all that we have, and all of our gifts come from Him (children, in Genesis 9:17, food in Nehemiah 9:25, gifts in James 1:17). We are able to do immeasurably more
because of Holy Spirit power (Ephesians 3:20) We have direct access to this power. He gives us abundant joy, in spite of suffering that we might and will experience for His sake. (Philippians 1:26)
Third, God wants us to keep our abundance in perspective. We should be willing and want to give out of our abundance. In the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44 (also Luke 21:1-4), Jesus teaches us the importance of giving until it hurts. The wealthy put in large amounts of money into the offering plate, but they didn’t feel
it, as they had large amounts left over. The poor widow gave a much smaller amount, but a higher percentage of her net worth, in fact, all she had to live on.
That’s the model for us. Humbling, isn’t it? In the Old Testament, the building of the Lord’s temple is richly described. Prior to David’s death, he provided abundantly for the building of the temple (1 Chronicles 22:3) He didn’t skimp
at all; rather, he went all out
, just as we should as we do things for the Lord. The first church sold their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
(Acts 2:45) Is your church like that?
Fourth, our lives are not judged by God on the abundance of possessions that He gives us. Rather, our possessions are a test for us as to what we are going to do with them. (Proverbs 11:28) Just like green leaves on a growing tree, God wants us to trust in Him, rather than riches. The deciduous trees of the Midwest are green in the summer. Their leaves are drenched with chlorophyll. The leaves soak in sun and rain in the warm months. It is then that they grow. As autumn comes, their leaves turn yellow and red, only to be lost for the hibernation of winter. Jesus teaches an important concept on abundance in the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-21. The rich fool busied himself with storing up riches for himself, forgetting about those in need around him. In Luke 12:33, Jesus tells us to sell our possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Ignoring the plight of the poor in our communities, nation, and world may be a major sin of omission. (Proverbs 28:27) God does not take our attitude towards the poor lightly. God shouts to us, Share the abundance that I have given to you!
Fifth, the Scripture teaches us to work (labor) abundantly for the Lord. (Proverbs 20:13, 28:19) Paul had this perspective on his work in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 says that Paul and his co-workers worked hard; they worked night and day in order to not be a burden to anyone while they preached the Gospel of God to the Thessalonians. Paul, of course, worked as a tentmaker (see Acts 18:3). In 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10, Paul and the other missionaries did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it. They wanted to be role models. Their rule was, If a person will not work, they shall not eat.
In 1 Timothy 4:15, Paul encourages Timothy to be diligent in: 1) Being an example for other believers in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. 2) preaching and teaching 3) not neglecting his spiritual gifts and 4) working for the Lord wholeheartedly. Why? So that everyone may see him progress. We are not talking about being a work-a-holic
here. Just like Timothy, it’s more about going the extra mile
at your work place, and doing it for the example you set, so that you might be a shining witness for the Lord. We are implored to do our work whole-heartedly, as for the Lord, not for man. It is the Lord that you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24) We do our work with the right attitude (without complaining also) because God honors our attitude about our work more than the work itself. You aren’t going to impress your boss about the Lord at work by doing a lousy
job while taking time away from work to hold a Bible study for fellow employees.
Proverbs 14:4 is not simply a lesson in agriculture. In Solomon’s day, many oxen were necessary for an abundant harvest. Not having oxen kept one’s manger (feeding trough
) empty and clean, but it deprived you of a plentiful harvest because oxen did the work of the tilling and plowing. There are two principles taught. The first is that the cost of the right tool is well worth it and the second is to have the right tool for the job you need to do. There may be a sizeable investment of time, money and energy, but in order to have an abundant harvest, one cannot cut corners.
For example, in order to be a physician, it can take years (seven years after college) of preparatory work and learning in order to treat patients. The same is true for numerous other professions. If you are going to be the best that you can be for the Lord, it is going to take some sacrifice. Christians can reap an abundant spiritual harvest by preparing in the same manner. Spending valuable time getting to know God in the Scripture, studying other good Christian books, going to seminars and small group Bible Study are invaluable to our lives and winning lives to Jesus Christ and growing in Him. Good tools
pay off handsomely.
Study questions-
1) Are you blessed in any way with an abundance? Talents? Spiritual gifts? Finances? Name some ways.
2) In what ways are you using your gifts for the Lord?
3) How are you sharing your provisions with the poor?
4) Even though you may have a secular job, do you have the attitude that you work for the Lord?
How do you do this?
5) Are you reaping the joy of the abundant life
that Jesus came to give to you?
Bible teaching- Matthew 6:1-4, Acts 11:29, Romans 15:27, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Timothy 1:13
ABUSE
Proverbs 9:7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
Many mockers enjoy their sins, and don‘t want to believe that they aren‘t good enough,
according to biblical standards. They are enamored with the world’s view of success. Their world revolves around the credo, Me first.
They don’t want to be told what is right
and wrong.
They don’t want the Scriptures to point them to submission to the cross and to the rebuke of their folly. They are happy living day to day, duped into thinking that their swearing, body worship, loose sex mores, greed, love of money and power, prejudice, and outright rebellion are the only things that are important. Sadly, the world is filled with these unbelievers. They are more concerned about the rights of whales and possible extinction of eagles than the rights of the unborn child! When these people are rebuked, or corrected, watch out! You are going to see some major verbal diatribes, like, Get out of my face, you holy-roller!
Or, I’m perfectly happy where I am in my life, and I don’t need your religion.
Our nation’s newspapers are filled with these attitudes in the Letters to the Editor!
They may not know it, but they need God! In places such as the USA and Europe, Christians are protected from martyrdom. But in China, Muslim countries like Turkey or Iran, their governments are the mockers.
Get out of line in those places from the party standard, and you may die for it! (For example, read the book Safely Home
by Randy Alcorn) Thank goodness for missionaries who get into these countries and show the love of God. These missionaries are modern day Jeremiahs, Isaiah’s, and Paul’s.
Ray Comfort, a modern day street evangelist from Australia, is frequently reviled for standing up for the Lord. As he explains that the wages of sin is death
to the public using Scriptural references, he is cursed at, shouted at, and verbally abused, often by young people who hate the values of Christianity and/or his approach to evangelism. Church-going Christians tell him to preach the love of God
and not the wrath of God
according to Romans. You are turning too many people off,
they say. Is his approach helpful? It certainly brings out the mockery in sinners. And he is right on
regarding the truth of God‘s Word and the importance of repentance. Is his approach a waste of time?
Many would find his approach caustic, but I don’t. The fact that Christ said that He was the ONLY way to salvation really gets mockers angry, as this is clearly displayed on some of the Ray Comfort videos when he or his staff are evangelizing in area shopping malls. You know what? We can be persecuted for being missionaries right here in our country. Be prepared for possible persecution.
In 1 Corinthians 4:6-13, Paul describes ways that he and his fellow preachers of the Gospel have been abused: 1) vs. 9- we are like men condemned to die in the arena. 2) vs. 11- we go hungry, thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 3) vs. 12- We are cursed. We are persecuted. We are slandered. 4) vs. 12- We have become the scum of the earth, and the refuse of the world. He goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 7:5 that he and his co-workers were harassed at every turn--having conflicts on the outside, and fears within. But God comforted them.
The simple
pagan tends to be open to listening to the Word, whereas the willful scorner rebels against it. Scorners
generally aren’t going to be showing up at your local church on Sundays, whereas seekers
will. Seekers are at least open to God’s word. The world is filled with seekers and scorners. God wants us to still sow the seed for both types, but He seems to draw the line in the sand regarding the element of abuse from the mocker. It is one thing for a missionary to be abused, but when the plan of salvation is abused, that is blasphemy! Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:6 that it just may be a waste of time to teach holy, Christian principles to dogs.
Dogs
are people who don’t want to listen to what we have to say and will tear apart
the Gospel. If more harm than good comes from an interaction, what good is it?
When Jesus sent out the disciples, He gave them important advice in Matthew 10:14 (also Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5, Luke 10:15, Acts 13:51) If anyone in a town or village will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet and leave! I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Mockers can be like wolves! They can be vicious attackers of the Word of God. Beware! Jesus wants us to be bold proclaimers of the Word, but also to be shrewd in our approach to unbelievers.
Bible study questions-
1) How are you at handling abuse directed at you by a mocking unbeliever?
2) One of our callings as Christians is to boldly rebuke sin. Do you ever compromise yourself for fear of insults or abuse? How can you uphold Christian standards in a loving way?
3) In 2 Corinthians 6:4-10, Paul lists many abuses
that he and his fellow missionaries endured. Name some of these, and imagine yourself as one of Paul’s co-workers.
Bible teaching- Matthew 14:3-4, 2 Corinthians 7:4, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:3-7, Jude 10
ACCEPT
Proverbs 1:25-27 Since you ignored all my advice (Wisdom) and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock you when calamity overtakes you--when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
Proverbs 1:29-31 To those who rejected wisdom, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words (Wisdom) and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:9 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path.
Proverbs 4:10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
Proverbs 6:32-35 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away; for jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
To accept means to receive favorably.
Do you accept Jesus Christ and His wisdom? In His absolute sovereignty, Jehovah God does not show favoritism towards us, but accepts people from every nation who fear him and who do what is right (Acts 10:34). Look at the motley group of people that Jesus called to be his disciples. Jesus loves us first! He wants all people to get into His heaven, but He knows that the road to heaven is narrow. Through His Spirit, He wants to draw all people to Himself, so that they might be blessed with a life of abundant gifts, live a life that is pleasing to Him, and in the end, have no fear of death. And yet men and women still reject Him.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He went about preaching, teaching, and healing with great authority. (Mark 1:21-28) One day, when He was in the thick of his ministry, He went back to his home town of Nazareth in the Galilee region. Luke 2:51-52 says that Jesus grew up into adulthood for 18 years (from age 12) in Nazareth…growing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. By going back home, it is likely that He was hoping to be able to encourage His hometown friends and family to accept the true Gospel News. But what did He find? Doubters! When Jesus told them that He was God, they said, Isn’t this Joseph the carpenter’s son?
(Luke 4:22) Isn’t this just a local carpenter in the area gone mad?
They took offense at Jesus and could not accept Him as the Messiah; and Jesus’ response to them was, Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.
He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:57-58)
In Matthew 13:55-56, Jesus’ brothers were noted to be James, Joseph, Jude, and Simon and He also had several sisters. Jesus’ own brothers did not believe him to be the Messiah initially! They ridiculed his approach to a public ministry. (Mark 3:20-21) Fortunately, later, after his resurrection, many of them came around.
(John 7:5) It was hard to accept this Jesus. Others thought that He was a drunkard and glutton (Matthew 11:16-19). Some thought that He was a deceiver (John 7:12), some thought that He actually was the devil (Matthew 12:24), and some thought that He was demon-possessed (John 7:20).
Today, people are skeptical about accepting Jesus. Moreover, they are also skeptical about accepting the Bible as the infallible Word of God. It was no different in Jesus’ day. And they actually had Him in their midst! Even the disciples at times found it hard to accept that Jesus was the miracle worker that He proclaimed to be. In Matthew 14:15-21, the disciples doubted that Jesus could feed the thousands of people, saying, We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.
After the miracle, they were all able to eat, and there were even left-overs.
There were 5000 men, as well as women and children (probably over 8000 total). In Matthew 28:17, when the disciples first saw Jesus after He was resurrected, they worshipped Him, but some doubted.
Wow, even after all the time they spent with Him! Thomas (also called Didymus) was told that Jesus had risen from the dead, but he had to see the holes in Jesus’ hands to believe. Jesus told him to stop doubting and believe! (John 20:24-28)
In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says, I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.
That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on a level with the man who says he is poached egg or else he would be the Devil
of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great moral teacher. He has no left that open to us. He did not intend to."
From the worldly view, it is difficult for people to be told that there is only ONE way to heaven, and that is solely through Jesus Christ. People want to have their cake and eat it too. They want the wide gate. It’s hard for people to grasp HELL. After all, they say, only people like Adolph Hitler should go to hell. Or they don’t want to believe that there is such a place. In a recent Gallop poll (2003), 47% of Americans don’t believe in hell. This percent goes down dramatically when the people are highly educated or wealthy. In Sweden, only 17% believe in hell; France-22%, Netherlands- 28%, Great Britain-23%. How can a loving God send men and women to hell? Talk to Jesus Christ about it, not me. Jesus talked about the real place of hell, and that people would be there, at least eighteen times in the New Testament. (see Matthew 8:12, Matthew 18:7-9 for example) People want to be able to sin and go to heaven without Jesus. It’s hard for people to understand that they NEED Jesus Christ. It’s hard for them to accept the fact that they are unworthy. Many people actually think that they are morally and ethically good. They say, I’m not a bad as that rapist, murderer, or child molester.
The Bible teaches that any good that we have comes from God. The sooner that we realizes that our hearts are deceptively wicked
, the better! (Jeremiah 17:9) It is only God who can change our hearts.
These proverbs on accept
also focus on the importance of our being teachable. Being teachable means that we first accept what is being taught. The teachable carefully listen to their teacher and apply to their lives what they learn. They do not ignore the advice of their teacher (Proverbs 19:20) There may be a rebuke in store for the student, (Proverbs 1:25-27) and humble believers do not reject and rebel against that rebuke. (Proverbs 1:29-31) Rebellion is an outward sign of pride. It’s saying, I don’t like your way, I’m going to do it my way.
There is danger in that attitude.
I enjoy teaching medical students and physician assistant students the pearls
of medicine that have taken me twenty years to learn. Some of my students are brilliantly intellectual, and are fast learners, others are more average. I really don’t care about their intellectual prowess. What is important to me is their attitudes about learning. Are they yearning to learn? Are they putting in the needed time? Are they capable of being taught? Are they searching for understanding and knowledge like it was silver or a hidden treasure? (Proverbs 2:1-5) How do they accept constructive criticism? I can imagine God’s view towards us as we learn and accept His precepts as being similar to mine regarding my students. A worthwhile goal for us in our lives should be to be teachable and accepting
of not only Jesus, but also His wisdom.
What are five benefits of accepting the words of Proverbs (wisdom) into your heart? 1) They will bolster you in times of overwhelming trouble and calamity (Proverbs 1:25-27); 2)- You can partake of the fruit of the Lord rather than your own fruit, which leads to selfishness. (Proverbs 1:29-31) You have Holy Spirit access, 3)- You will understand what the fear of the Lord
is and find out what knowing God
is all about (Proverbs 2:1-5, 19:20); 4)- You will understand righteousness and justice (Proverbs 2:9); 5)- The years of your life will be many. (Proverbs 4:10) Indeed, the years of your life will be eternal! Death will be but a comma, not a period. This proverb does not promise a long earthly life, but a very full life. Reggie White, a former Christian preacher and professional football player, recently died while only in his early forties. In an interview with his wife about the fact that his life was cut short, she said, He may have been young, but he lived such a full life, it was as if he was 100 (when he died).
We know from Proverbs 1:7 that the fear of the Lord
is the beginning of all wisdom and it should be the theme of your life. Before we have a fear of the Lord, however, we must first accept in our minds and hearts the validity of the Scripture, that the Bible is absolutely true! That is the springboard to faith and trust. We can not just pick and choose what we want to believe, and say that some of the Old Testament stories are just stories! Every bit of Scripture is there for the picking; it is ripe for applying to our lives. To believe in Jesus Christ and have faith in His Gospel, we must first mentally accept as facts the truths of creation and the Bible. Otherwise, our spiritual growth will be non-existent.
Bible study questions-
1) How are you at accepting the truth of Scriptures, and it’s promises?
2) What are four common reasons that people in the world think they can’t accept Jesus Christ?
3) Of the five benefits of accepting the truth of wisdom of the Scripture, which is most important to you?
4) Explain the difference between accepting Jesus and trusting in Him with faith.
Bible teaching- Ezekiel 36:22-32, John 4:39-42, John 20:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18
ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD
Proverbs 21:3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
This proverb hits hypocrisy right between the eyes.
The Lord sees through our sacrifices to Him. If they are not accompanied by a life of pursuing righteousness and justice, they are not as acceptable to Him. God wants us to sacrifice for Him, but with the right attitude. Solomon loved to sacrifice for the Lord. Look at his building of the temple for God. In 1 Kings 5-6, we learn how he built the Temple of the Lord, using 30,000 laborers, 70,000 carriers, 80,000 stonecutters, and 3,300 foremen. It took seven years to complete it. Huram-Abi, who came from Tyre, was the skilled designer in charge. 1 Kings 7:1 says that it took thirteen years to build his own palace. When Solomon did something, he did it with gusto! He went the extra mile.
1 Kings 8:63 says that Solomon dedicated the new Temple by sacrificing 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep/goats over a 2 week period. Incredible. People must have been impressed. But this was more of a devotion to the Lord rather than a show of sacrifice for sins. Later, in 1 Kings 11:3, unfortunately, we see Solomon’s commitment to the Lord wane. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and they led him astray into worshipping other gods as he got older - (Ashtoreth, goddess of the Sidonians; Molech, god of the Ammonites who practiced child sacrifice; and Chemosh, the god of the Moabites).
When sacrificing an animal according to God’s law, a priest would kill the animal and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was without question a prominent part of life, but in the Old Testament, God made it loud and clear that He wanted total submission to Him. (1 Samuel 15:22) Never was the sacrificing of animals that external show, meant to replace moral obedience. God wanted it to reflect the humble, repentant heart. The nation of Israel from early on began to struggle with outward appearances, while indulging in the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19) External show that stands in the place of the heart is a delusion of Satan that you are impressing God. It hits home with us also.
God, through his prophets, continually tried to hold His chosen people accountable to righteous living; for example, in Isaiah 1:11 and Jeremiah 7:22. In Jesus’ day, the religious teachers of the Law got so wound up
in the external observances of the minutia, that they lost their proper focus. Jesus has stern warnings for them in Matthew 23:1-36 and in the gospels of Mark and Luke also. They didn’t practice what they preached, and they neglected the most important things--judgment, mercy, and faith. However, not all of the religious leaders were numb to Jesus’ teaching, In Mark 12:32-34, one of the Jewish theological leaders nails it on the head
when he says, "You are right (Jesus) in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offering and sacrifices." Jesus’ greatest desire is for us to live lives full of mercy and love. He wants us to love God first before all the observances. This is what He tells the Pharisees in Matthew 12:1-8 when they accused the disciples of working on the Sabbath. (They had picked some heads of grain and eaten them).
Paul brings the point home in Romans 12:1-2, when he says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of