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PROVERBS 8 WISDOM’S HISTORY

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September 30

PROVERBS 8

22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;

    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,

   so that the waters might not transgress his command,
   when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,

   and I was daily hisdelight, rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

                                                                – Proverbs 8:22-31

PROVERBS 8 WISDOM’S HISTORY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Wisdom began even before God made the earth and the heaven

She was with God when he designed every detail of his creation

She was responsible for the shaping of the earth, its mountains and hills

Even when He established the heavens, wisdom was with him.

In these following verses, Solomon continues to describe wisdom but in relation to her history. He describes wisdom’s existence that goes far back before creation. She was with God when he created the heavens and the earth and everything else in creation. She was a master workman in all that he did. All the nature we see around us, wisdom had some contribution in the making of everything that God did.

What an important aspect of life wisdom is! God even shared with us such wisdom through his word. Why wouldn’t we want to pursue it if it has so many benefits to it?

REFLECTION

  • How important is wisdom in the life of a believer?

PROVERBS 8 WISDOM DESCRIBES HERSELF

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September 29

PROVERBS 8

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

                                                                – Proverbs 8:12-21

PROVERBS 8 WISDOM DESCRIBES HERSELF

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

I am wisdom and I possess foresight and understanding

You will know me because I hate the proud and the arrogant

I fear the Lord and hate all things evil and wicked

If you seek me persistently, you will find me

Because of me, rulers and kings lead reasonably

If you love me, you will have riches and righteousness

If you seek me, you will overflow with wealth and inheritance

The fruits of being with me are better than gold or silver.

Solomon describes wisdom in a very unusual way by letting her describe herself in the first person. If you look closely, wisdom is almost synonymous with God himself. In the book of James, he describes in 3:17 that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Isn’t this exactly what Solomon described in these following verses?

Seeking wisdom that comes only from above brings many benefits in our lives. It gives us fear of the Lord, impartiality, good fruits better than treasures, discernment and justice.

REFLECTION

  • Share an experience you had when you pursued wisdom.

PROVERBS 8 WISDOM CALLS

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September 28

PROVERBS 8

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,
7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels, all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

                                                                – Proverbs 8:1-11

PROVERBS 8 WISDOM CALLS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Wisdom calls everyone especially the simple one the fools

Wisdom pleads you to follow him in order to tread the right path

From His wisdom, we only hear the utter truth

There are no lies or wickedness coming from his mouth

His words bring edification and blessing to those who accept his call

Follow his instruction and treasure it for it is better than gold.

It is interesting how Solomon personified wisdom in this book. He treats her like a person who lovingly calls everyone to make use of her so that their lives will be beneficial. She cries out loud so that she can be heard. It almost gives us a picture of people not listening to her enough so she had to speak louder. Wisdom sees the folly of those who do not want to heed her call. It reminds me of parents who constantly warn and give guidance to their children so that they do not endanger themselves or fall into the deadly traps of the enemy. Wisdom gives counsel especially to those who are ignorant and uninformed of the truth and those who are foolish. She tells them how important it is to know her so that they won’t fall prey to those who would want to devour them.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Solomon used the female gender for wisdom in this book?

PROVERBS 7 LISTEN AND BE FOCUSED ON GOD’S WORD

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September 27

PROVERBS 7

24 And now, O sons, listen to me,
    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
    do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
    and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
    going down to the chambers of death.

                                                              – Proverbs 7:24=27

PROVERBS 7 LISTEN AND BE FOCUSED ON GOD’S WORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, you’ll follow the truth

You will listen to his word and all the laws he commanded you

Constantly guard your heart so that you won’t fall into sin

Put a rend on your mouth so that you will not hurt anyone

Do not be yoked to anyone who does not believe in God

If you do, you can be seduced to do what is wrong

Feed on the word of the Lord and you will be strong

It is your shield against all wickedness and it is your sword.

In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are asked to wear the whole armor of God. It gives us the formula to be strong. The strength comes from God, not from us. Unlike the world system, strength comes from human understanding, power and knowledge. It doesn’t stand long. Unlike the strength that comes from God, it will quickly fade away.

Solomon ends this book with advice to listen and be focused on God’s truth. It shields us from the path towards darkness and death. Just as Paul reminds the Ephesians to wear the whole armor of God, Solomon also warns his sons that they need to be mindful to wear all that will protect them from the evil around them. Paul speaks about fastening the belt of truth which is synonymous to Solomon’s advice to be attentive to the word of God.

REFLECTION

  • Share your thoughts on the result of listening and being focused on God’s word.

PROVERBS 7 CAUTION ON SEDUCTIONS

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September 26

PROVERBS 7

16 I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.”

21 With much seductive speech she persuades him; 

   with her smooth talk she compels him.22 All at once he follows her,

   as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a stag is caught fast
23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare;
    he does not know that it will cost him his life.

                                                                  – Proverbs 7:16-23

PROVERBS 7 CAUTION ON SEDUCTIONS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we serve the Lord Jesus Christ, let us be mindful of seductions

In this corrupt world we live in there is an abundance of temptation

Those who do not know the Lord will be driven by their pleasures

It is with caution that God wants us to be constantly aware

The Lord wants us to be soaked in his truth so we are not trapped

When we walk in His Spirit, we won’t be enticed and lured.

In this book, Solomon describes in detail the enticements that the adulteress prepared to lure. Notice that colored linens were used to cover her couch and perfume on her bed. Linens were used in the tabernacle to symbolize purity. It held crucial religious significance and was used by priests during ceremonies. The devil defiled this use of linen by using it on this occasion to entice the young man to sin. Perfumes were usually used to anoint as Mary did with Jesus’ feet.  Myrrh and Cassia, were ingredients in the holy anointing oil used to anoint priests and kings. And in this seduction scenario, myrrh was used to lure the man to sin.

These things used for purification were now used for temptation to sin. That’s how the devil seduces. He mocks what is holy. He subtly changes God’s purposes to make us sin.

REFLECTION

  • What are some forms of seductions that are so prevalent in our world today?

PROVERBS 7 KEEP GOD’S TEACHING AS THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

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September 24

PROVERBS 7

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from the forbiddenwoman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

                                                                – Proverbs 7:1-5

PROVERBS 7 KEEP GOD’S TEACHING AS THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God’s people listen and heed to his truth

God’s words will fill up their hearts and will take root

Treasure what the word of God says and pursue wisdom

When you seek wisdom, insight will not be far from you

Follow the commandments so you may have a blessed life

Remember it and consume it so it will be stored inside your heart

Then you will be delivered from all those who plot evil

You will have insight and discern how to deal with them.

Solomon counsels us to treasure the commandments of the Lord and keep God’s teaching as the apple of our eyes According to Merriam Webster The idiom “apple of one’s eye” actually refers to the pupil of the eye. In ancient times, the pupil was believed to be a round, solid object comparable to an apple. Since the pupil is essential to vision, it was held to be something very precious. Thus, when you call someone the “apple of your eye,” you are telling them that they are cherished.

Deuteronomy 32:10, reads “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.” Deseret.com says that a more literal translation of the Hebrew is actually “little man of his eye,” which probably refers to the reflection of oneself that one sees in the eye of another person. Thus, the phrase developed into “apple of one’s eye” and retained the meaning of something treasured.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you have to keep God’s teaching as the apple of your eye?

PROVERBS 6 AFTERMATH OF ADULTERY    

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September 23

PROVERBS 6

27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay seven fold; he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

                                                                – Proverbs 6:27-35

PROVERBS 6 AFTERMATH OF ADULTERY      

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord loathes the unfaithful; they will not go unpunished

Do you really think a moment of pleasure doesn’t result in a consequence?

When you take another man’s wife or another woman’s husband

You are an abomination to the Lord for he wants total loyalty

When you stir jealousy from another man’s spouse, you will suffer

To get a lover out of marriage is like plunging into the pit of darkness.

In this book, Solomon stresses the aftermath of adultery. He challenges those who are contemplating dabbling into someone else’s spouse to think again if they ever fall into the prey of the devil to take someone that does not belong to them. They may have the thrill of the secrecy and the lies and hiding at the moment they are enjoying the affair, but in the end, it brings so much destruction and conflicts.

He mentions the effect of this sin in verse 32 where the adulterer is actually really hurting himself more than anyone else. Lust is a sin against our own bodies. Since we are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we ought to treat our bodies holy and sanctified only for what it was created for. If you have no spouse yet, you are supposed to stay pure and not defile your own body for the sake of staying pure for Christ.

REFLECTION

  • What are the results of adultery in the adulterers and those around them?
  • Why do we need to take this commandment very seriously?

PROVERBS 6 REMEMBER YOUR FATHER & MOTHER’S TEACHING

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September 22

PROVERBS 6

20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you;
    and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman,

   from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,

    and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
    but a married woman hunts down a precious life.

                                                                – Proverbs 6:20-26

PROVERBS 6 REMEMBER YOUR FATHER & MOTHER’S TEACHING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord wants you to never forget his commandments and teachings

Honor your father and mother’s guidance and their discipline

Parents are to pass on the commandments of the Lord

So that the children will learn to navigate the world

When you heed your parent’s teachings and correction

You will be protected from sin and overcome temptations.

Solomon reiterates Leviticus 19:3 where it says that every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep the Sabbath. In Deuteronomy 27:16 we also hear of the result of going against your parents. It says “Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ Also in Proverbs 1:8, the exhortation was to hear the instructions of your father and not to forsake the law of your mother. It was the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children were taught the covenant law. Being a parent is a big responsibility and they are all responsible to teach God’s laws to them.

REFLECTION

  • Cite an instance when children did not heed their parents’ instructions?

PROVERBS 6 THE THINGS THE LORD HATES

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September 21

PROVERBS 6

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.

                                                                – Proverbs 6:16-19

PROVERBS 6 THE THINGS THE LORD HATES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Because God is love, there are things he hates

He will not put up with liars and those who are haughty

He hates those who are violent and kills a human soul

He loathes anyone who plots evil against their neighbors

The Lord detests those who takes any chance to hurt someone

He abhors someone who speak lies and generates conflicts.

Why do you think Solomon enumerates in detail the things that the Lord hates? The Lord has granted him so much wisdom so that he could lead God’s people in the right way. If you look closely at these things that God hates, it has something to do with sin. They are things that go against his commands and laws.

If you follow the law of love that God has stipulated for his people, these things that Solomon enumerated here are opposite of loving God above all things and loving your neighbor as yourself. If you love God, you won’t speak lies or put down someone else. You won’t think of hurting someone else because you would treat them like your own. You won’t sow discord or conflicts because that would create destruction and ruin to others. Remember that our sinful nature would automatically make us do these things God hates. But if we walk in love and follow God’s laws, we will avoid doing these things.

REFLECTION

  • Would a true Christian do these things that the Lord hates? Why or why not?

PROVERBS 6 THE CHARACTER OF WICKED MEN

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September 20

PROVERBS 6


12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
    goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
    points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
    continually sowing discord;
15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

                                                                – Proverbs 6:12-15

PROVERBS 6 THE CHARACTER OF WICKED MEN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Be wary of those who appear charming and witty

They may look like they mean well, but they are wily

They use everything they know to manipulate you

They will cunningly design to bring you down

But don’t lose hope, the Lord will deal with them

Calamity will one day come and make them broken.

In these following verses, we hear Solomon depicts the character of wicked men.  One of the characteristics he pointed out is their crooked speech. He has a perverse mouth. He can never be clear with what he says, always vague and flipflopping. In other words, he can’t give a straight or honest answer because he is always looking for opportunities to manipulate or deceive someone.

Another feature of a wicked man is that they always deceive you. He may charm you first to get what he wants from you and then he sows discord and evil. He does it so cunningly that at first, you would be convinced that he is really a good person, but he waits for the right time to design a plot to snatch something from you. Solomon gives us a clear picture of these kinds of people because he wants us to discern them quickly so that they can be stopped from sowing evil plots against God’s people.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to know the characteristics of wicked men?