I really enjoy looking at what is said about "the fear of the Lord." We'll see this phrase many times in the book of Proverbs. This kind of fear is what I always felt for my dad, magnified hundreds of times. I never wanted to hurt my dad or see him disappointed in me. Magnified over and over is what fearing the Lord is, not wanting to do or say anything that would hurt my heavenly Father. In this case not wanting to do anything to hurt my Father is the begining of knowledge.
I also think about the fool who despises wisdom and instruction. Psalm 14:1 says,"The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God.'" A fool is someone who has no need of God. I can even be a fool for a time when I'm living life on my own, not trusting in and seeking the Lord. When I'm living that way, I do despise wisdom and instruction, as I generally am not in the Word and prayer. It's a good reminder to be walking with the Lord, not on my own.
Proverbs 5
1My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding;
2That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house,
9Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one;
10And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien;
11And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
13"I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
14"I was almost in utter ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
15Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well.
16Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.
20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.
22His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Proverbs 5 (New American Standard Bible)
1My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding;
2That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house,
9Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one;
10And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien;
11And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
13"I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
14"I was almost in utter ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
15Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well.
16Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.
20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.
22His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Proverbs 5 (New American Standard Bible)
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2 comments:
I like it, Mama...I look forward to reading your comments and insights on many other passages. :)
I am so glad to meet the Mother of Rebekah. I think I understand now why she is such a great young lady. I will enjoy visiting you and reading the things you have to say. connie from Texas
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