Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 14, 'Verbatim', Post 15-AM, October 19, 2020

​My friends, 

The introduction (chapters 1–9) of the Proverbs constitutes the youngest unit in the book. It consists of a series of poems or discourses in which a father exhorts his son to acquire wisdom and in which wisdom personified intervenes. These chapters have a more speculative quality than the remainder of the book. They do not treat wisdom simply as a human quality and achievement or as a cultural legacy imparted by teachers and parents; they present it as a universal and abiding reality, transcending the human scene.
audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

Wisdom is the first of God’s works and participated with him in the creation of the world. A constantly debated aspect of this section concerns the identity of “the loose [strange] woman” who is set over against Wisdom.

Take the proverbs of other nations, and we shall find great numbers founded upon selfishness, cunning, pride, injustice, national contempt, and animosities.

​The principles of the Proverbs of Solomon are piety, charity, justice, benevolence, and true prudence. Their universal purity proves that they are the word of God.

Without further, let us continue in our section of Proverbs Chapters 12-24, this week, October 19-21-23, 2020. specifically, Chapters 14-15-16, as the Lord wills.  

[Our studies began and continues since August 24-26-28, 2020; September 1-3; 7-9-11;15,17,2020; October 5-7; 13-15, 2020, with our verbatim posts of the Book of 'Wisdom', 'Proverbs']. 

We have finished the first section of Proverbs Chapters 1-11. audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html 
For your reference, the following link for Chapters 1-11 is provided.
​Studies in 'the Proverbs' Review Links - Chapters 1-11, 'Verbatim', Post Script, October 7, 2020
 Other 'cumulative links' to posts shall be added as we proceed and take breaks, including Chapters 12-13. 

Remember, the principles of the Proverbs of Solomon are piety, charity, justice, benevolence, and true prudence. Their universal purity proves that they are the word of God.

​Chapter 14 ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html ​​​​​Part 1 of 3.
w/Notes from the Commentary of Matthew Henry for further insight. [1710]

1 'Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.'

Notes: ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
'1. A woman who has no fear of God, who is wil1ful and wasteful, and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if she plucked her house down.
2. Here are grace and sin in their true colours. Those that despise God's precepts and promises, despise God and all his power and mercy.
3. Pride grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words of wise men get them out of difficulties.'

​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
5 'A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.'

​Notes:​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
'6. A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit.
7. We discover a wicked man if there is no savour of piety in his discourse.
8. We are travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get to their journey's end; to understand the rules we are to walk by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats himself, and goes on in his mistake.
9. Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that make light of sin, make light of Christ.
10. We do not know what stings of conscience, or consuming passions, torment the prosperous sinner. Nor does the world know the peace of mind a serious Christian enjoys, even in poverty and sickness.
11. Sin ruins many great families; whilst righteousness often raises and strengthens even mean families.
12. The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth.' 

Please return with me and Jesus through the Holy Spirit for a 'spot of tea' this afternoon as we continue in  Proverbs Chapter 14.  Thank you.  ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html Amen. Amen. ​​