In today's reading Ecclesiastes 1 - 3 I chose the following verses. Up front, I would say this book is one that troubles me more than the others. It troubles me trying to figure out the mind of the writer - Solomon - yet I do see things too. Maybe it is because of my …
Category: Bible Study
The Student
"The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who …
Identifying the Hater
Most of us can identify hate and hatred. There are people however who try to convince us that they are really loving, yet they have no fruits of love. These are the ones the wise man has written a few words of in Proverbs... "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit …
Envy, and Sinners
Have you ever had envy for the wealthy, or envy for their wealth? Maybe just a small portion of it? I have. The Lord of all grace and mercy has kept me and is getting me, and has gotten me to a place where rather than envy I can appreciate the wealthy, and even pity …
Measurements and Man’s Understanding
"Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:23-24 (KJB) In those days of King Solomon, and before and after, for many years trade was conducted with produce through the use of scales …
Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom; the Fool and Silence
"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27-28 (KJB) I will let the commentary of Matthew Henry speak today as well; it …
Continue reading Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom; the Fool and Silence
Confidence and a Place of Refuge
"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Proverbs 14:26-27 (KJB) I will let a sage of the past comment on these verses. Matthew Henry has written, "In these …
Surviving the Tongue
Nobody wants to be a victim of anything. The word for the day is "Survivor". But there is one thing that is difficult to survive. We all have a little device that can be used for good or for evil, and all of us fall prey to it often. Hear what the writer of Proverbs …
The Marriage of Wisdom and Prudence
"I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength." Proverbs 8:12-14 (KJB) In reading Proverbs 7 - 9 this …
The Lesson of the Ant
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the …
Doing to Your Neighbor
"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee." Proverbs 3:27-29 …
To Whom the LORD is Near
"The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. …
Confidence
The meaning of the word "Confidence" is dependent upon how you use it. Dictionary.com gives three definitions: noun full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing:We have every confidence in their ability to succeed. belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance:His lack of confidence defeated …
Identifying the Good Man
A young ruler had come to Jesus asking Him how one might inherit eternal life. He had started the question with the politeness a young person ought to have, "Good Master". Jesus's response was, "Why callest thou Me good? None is good, save One, that is, God." Luke 18:19 Jesus, however, was not denying anything …
How Far?
How far is a question we often ask ourselves before we take one of those notable trips we all sometimes take. We are often asked "How far is it to your place of employment?" or maybe one of our kids or grandkids will ask, "How far is it to MacDonalds?" Maybe. Have you ever been …
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