32-Proverbs 23 – Isaiah 4
Aug. 1, 2009
We will begin our study this week in Proverbs 23. Last week we spoke about how the Book of Proverbs gives us insight on how God wants us to live and conduct our lives. It also gives us God’s principles for success. What I mean by success is not necessarily success in the eyes of man, but success in the eyes of the Lord. Chapter 23 continues the theme of Chapter 22 of proverbs on how we are to live and conduct our lives. The beginning verses cover an area that has been difficult for me in my life. The topic is the abuse of food. This can be as addictive and harmful as alcohol and drugs, and must be handled wisely to ensure good health. The text says to beware the enticement of food and also not to wear yourself out seeking wealth. This is recorded in verses 3-5 “Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food. Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Here are some other examples from this chapter and some warnings from Chapter 24.
Chapter 23:24 is about pleasing parents “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him.”
Chapter 23:33 is about the perils of intoxication “Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will utter perverse things.”
Chapter 24:5 is about wisdom “A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.”
Chapter 24:21 is about who you associate with “My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change”
Chapter 24:28 is about false accusations “Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.”
Chapter 25 begins the fourth section of the Book of Proverbs. These were proverbs of Solomon that were collected and organized by King Hezekiah of Judah. These four chapters continue Solomon’s wisdom and instructions on how to live. Here are examples of the proverbs contained in these chapters.
Chapter 25:14 is about pride “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.”
Chapter 25:21-22 is about dealing with enemies “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Chapter 25:28 is about self-control “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
Chapter 26:4 is about being separate from the world “Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will also be like him.”
Chapter 26:27 is about starting trouble “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.”
Chapter 27:1 is about boasting in the future “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”
Chapter 27:2 is about self-pride “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Chapter 28:5 is about following the Lord “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things.”
Chapter 28:13 is about confession “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”
Chapter 28:27 is about benevolence “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.”
Chapter 29:15 is about discipline “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.”
Chapter 29:23 is about humility “A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.”
Chapter 30 begins the fifth and final section of the Book of Proverbs. The chapter was written by Agur and is called an oracle in verse 1. The word oracle, or burden, was usually used by a prophet when he speaks the words of God. This chapter is also sometimes referred to as the numbered proverbs, because in it the author uses the number of things often to tell us what he had to say. One of the most interesting passages in the chapter is verse 4 “Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!” This is an Old Testament view of two thirds of the Trinity! Also important are verses 5-6 “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” These verses establish the inviolability of the Word of God. Chapter 31 is also referred to as an oracle, or burden, in verse 1. This proverb may have been also written by Solomon about his mother Bathsheba. The first part of the chapter gives instructions to the king. The rest of the chapter is a tribute to a woman. We use this proverb today as the model of a godly woman. The woman described is the perfect helpmate for her husband. She runs the household with diligence and honor. She also helps her husband to be known by his peers in the gates of the city where business is done. Verse 30 sums up the important characteristic of a godly woman “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” This ends the Book of Proverbs. We will now look at the next wisdom book written by King Solomon, the Book of Ecclesiastes. The name of the Book of Ecclesiastes comes from the Greek word that is translated as “the Preacher”. This in turn comes from ekklesia which is the Greek word for “assembly or congregation”. The Hebrew name for the book is Qoheleth which means “one who calls or gathers”. The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by David’s son Solomon during the latter years of his life. The book gives us Solomon’s view of what is really important in life and the futility of chasing after material things. In the first eleven verses of Chapter 1 Solomon tells us what he has learned about life during his days. He says that all man’s work, that he thinks so much of, is futile. Man comes and goes on the Earth and its workings remain the same. He says in verse 9 “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.” Solomon reveals the conclusion he has come to from his life with wisdom in verse 14-15 “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold; all is vanity and striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.” In Chapter 2 Solomon turns his attention to the things he had possessed during his life and the activities that gave him pleasure. Solomon said that during his life he had acquired everything a man could want when it came to material things. He had also experienced the sensory pleasure of all sorts of women and concubines. He finally revealed to us what his wisdom revealed to him about this in Chapter 2:11 “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.” Solomon had come to the conclusion that his wisdom died with him and that the wise and the fool die the same way. He went on to say that even his works were for nothing because he had no guarantee that he would leave his wisdom to wise men. Solomon believed there was no profit in his legacy. Solomon records in Chapter 3 that God has appointed a time for all events on the Earth. None of these pursuits of man are of any value whatsoever if they are the chief goal of their labor. Chapter 3:11 reveals that only when man is in heaven in the presence of God will he gain satisfaction. “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Solomon is disillusioned in the end of the chapter and compares man to beasts and asks who can tell the difference? Both men and beasts die and return to the dust of the Earth. Solomon here is not talking about heaven or hell or whether man or animals possess a spirit, but how all life on Earth appears the same in our eyes. Solomon looked at oppression in Chapter 4 and said that the one who never lived was better off because he had not seen the evil of man. He then spoke of the folly of rivalry in verse 4-5 and futile labor in verse 7-8. The tone of Solomon’s depressing words change with verse 9-12 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” These verses tell us of the benefits of working together. He said in verse 13 that a young man who was poor but wise is much better off than an old fool who was rich. In Chapter 5 Solomon gives us important truths that are as relevant today as they were in his day. Solomon is talking about our conduct in church. We are told to enter God’s house with a spirit of reverence and to keep a watch on our tongue and attitude. When we make a promise to God we must fulfill it and not just let the vow be idle words. We must be careful to not allow our words to make us sin and anger the Lord. Solomon gives us some concluding advice in verse 7 “For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.” In verse 10 Solomon began to write about the love of money. This concept was also brought up by Paul in his first letter to Timothy in the New Testament. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 reads “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Solomon said that the pursuit of money is also “chasing after wind” and that only harm can come from it. He told us to be satisfied with the fruit of our labor because it is a gift from God and also our reward. Solomon wrote about the futility of life in Chapter 6. Solomon, I believe, was worried about his legacy in his later years. He realized that he had done many things that had no lasting value and were unimportant. It was this that gave him the opinion that it would have been better if he had not been born. His conclusion to this was recorded in verses 10-12 “Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man?For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?” The first fourteen verses of Chapter 7 read like the Book of Proverbs. These are proverbs that address the contrast between wisdom and folly. Solomon does warn us in verses 15-18 to not be overly religious and pharisaical in nature. He says that wisdom is good, but the fear of the Lord is even better. In Chapter 8 we are told to obey those who are over us. This means we are to submit to parents, bosses, and our government leaders. This does not mean we are to go against the Word of God to submit, but we are to obey their direction. Solomon concludes at the end of the chapter that even the wisest will never know everything. Some things are only knowable by God. Chapter 9 reveals that we should be content with the simple things of life. Our lives are in the hand of God and our works have already been approved. Solomon tells us in Chapter 9:9 “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.” He said in verse 10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.” Our time on Earth is short and we should not waste it. Solomon wrote of foolishness in Chapter 10 Man does so many foolish things in his life. Solomon lists examples of this foolishness in the chapter. In Chapter 11 the mood changes and Solomon instructs us to take chances in our lives and to give in verse 1-2 “Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” He tells us to keep busy and rejoice in all your days. He also tells us to remember that when we do the desires of our heart that the Lord will judge us for our actions. We will now look at the final chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12. Solomon tells us to remember the Lord when we are young and not to wait until we have grown old and disillusioned by life. He then gives us an illustration of the process of ageing in the next verses. Solomon finally reveals to us at the end of the book that he believed his purpose in life was to give people knowledge and to write as he puts in verse 10 “The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.” In conclusion to the entire book on the futility of man Solomon wrote in the end what is really important in verse 13-14 “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” This ends the Book of Ecclesiastes. We will now turn our attention to the Song of Solomon. The Song of Solomon is a short book of eight chapters that compose what Solomon referred to in the first verse of the book as his greatest song. The pages depict the true beauty of a godly marriage. It is believed that this was written about Solomon’s first wife before he sinfully acquired six hundred and ninety nine additional wives and three hundred concubines. The book should be taken at face value, but it does show God’s love for Israel and the Church in its pages. Chapter 1 describes the courtship of the two lovers. Solomon’s bride to be is concerned about her appearance and station in life to be accepted by the king. She has been tanned dark by the sun from working in the vineyard. She is not from the upper class. Solomon has looked past her outward appearance and her social status and has seen her inner beauty. She is the most beautiful woman Solomon has ever met. Chapter 2 begins with a verse that through the ages has been attributed to some of the names of Jesus Christ “I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.” The bride is describing herself also with these words. We also attribute verse 4 to show God’s love for us. “He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” The banner is military in nature and is God’s symbol of protection to those He loves. Solomon had gone away and his bride to be lets the women around her know that she will remain forever devoted to Solomon and not waver in her love for him. Solomon comes for her after the seasons have passed and tells her they need to remove from their relationship anything that will hinder them in the future with the poetic language of verse 15 “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.” As the wedding day approached Solomon’s bride to be was troubled by dreams because of her increasing desire for the two of them to be together. The watchman of verse 3 was a premonition of what would really happen in an event recorded in Chapter 5. The wedding day came and the ceremony went with much splendor and celebration. Solomon was glad in his heart on that day. Chapter 4 is the personal graphic description of the wedding night of Solomon and the consummation of his marriage. The words here reveal to us the wonderful personal relationship between a man and his wife before the Lord. This should not be viewed as pornographic literature, but God’s perspective on the two becoming one flesh in marriage. In the beginning of the next chapter the words indicate God’s approval of the union. “Eat, friends; Drink and imbibe deeply, O lovers.” Chapter 5 goes on and shows the new couples first argument. This is an example to us that at times even the closest of friends can disagree. The event with the watchman from the bride’s dream came to pass at this time and the couple reconciled. This is also a wonderful picture of our relationship with Jesus. We are His bride and even though we sin and stray sometimes, He comes to find us and wants to be reconciled to his bride through our repentance. The remainder of the song is about Solomon and his wife’s life together and how they grew to love each other as time went on. It also can portray our relationship with the Lord that deepens and strengthens the longer we know Him. This ends the Song of Solomon. We will now begin the first book of the prophets, the Book of Isaiah. The Book of Isaiah belongs to the group of books of the Bible known as the Major Prophets. This designation is given not because of the prophet’s importance, but because of the length of his book. Even with this in mind Isaiah was one of the most influential prophets during the Old Testament times. His use of language and his literary style was unparalleled in the Bible. Isaiah spoke God’s Words to the people of Judah during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. God’s chosen people continued to rebel against Him so He sent Isaiah to tell them He had had enough. In Chapter 1 Isaiah said that even the beasts of burden know their master, but God’s people who He supported did not. He said the land would become desolate and the people will be beat down for their rebellion. Unless they change they would become as Sodom and Gomorrah. God has had enough. He reveals to His people his thoughts in verse 11, and the beginning of verse 13. “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.” “Bring your worthless offerings no longer” He does though give them a chance to repent in verse 16-20 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.“If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah then turns In Chapter 2 to even our own future and the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on the Earth after the Day of the Lord. The prophecy concerning Jerusalem is in verses 1-3 and the peace Jesus will bring is revealed in verse 4 “And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.” The Lord says in verse 12 that in that day will be a day of reckoning against man and his pride. In Chapter 3 God said that He would remove the leadership in Judah and those that are left to lead will not be able. God will plunge their ordered society into chaos for their disobedience. After a time God will step in and judge His people. This is revealed in verse 13-15 “The Lord arises to contend, and stands to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment with the elders and princes of His people, “It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. “What do you mean by crushing My people and grinding the face of the poor?” Declares the Lord God of hosts.” God then turns His wrath on the women of Jerusalem and their pride. He says He will take from them their symbols of wealth and boasting and cause them to become like beggars in the street. He tells them He will also remove their men, the source of their wealth. In Chapter 4 the Lord gives them the hope of a remnant of believers that will remain until the Day of the Lord. He makes a promise about a Branch in verse 2-6 “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel.It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem.When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning,then the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” This Branch is Jesus and what God’s people Israel have been waiting for. This ends our study for this week. Next week we will continue in the Book of Isaiah.