Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 9, 'Verbatim', Post 10, September 17, 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 from August 24-26-28, 2020; September 1-3; 7-9-11, 2020; this week, September 15-17, 2020, our verbatim posts of the Book of 'Wisdom', 'Proverbs', specifically, Chapters 8 and 9.
Then, we will take a review pause, that you may take some time to further study, even memorize some of these morsels for future reference. 

We shall begin to post the next sections, beginning with Proverbs Chapter 10 around the week of October 5-7-9, 2020, as the Lord wills.  
Continuing from the posts with the following links for your ease in reference:
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​Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 1, 'Verbatim', Post 2-AM, August 26, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 1, 'Verbatim', Post 2-PM, August 26, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 2, 'Verbatim', Post 3, August 28, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 3, 'Verbatim', Post 4-AM, September 1, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 3, 'Verbatim', Post 4-PM, September 1, 2020
​Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 4, 'Verbatim', Post 5-AM, September 3, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 4, 'Verbatim', Post 5-PM, September 3, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 5, 'Verbatim', Post 6, September 7, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 6, 'Verbatim', Post 7-AM, September 9, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 6, 'Verbatim', Post 7-PM, September 9, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 7, 'Verbatim', Post 8, September 11, 2020
Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 8, 'Verbatim', Post 9-AM, September 15, 2020
​Studies in 'the Proverbs' Chapter 8, 'Verbatim', Post 9-PM, September 15, 2020

Chapter 9 ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html/with 'Commentary of Matthew Henry, 1710. ​​

Chapter 9 The invitations of 'Wisdom'. (1-12) The invitations of 'folly'. (13-18) CHOICES
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1 'Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'

​The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
Notes: 1-12 'Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; [Luke 5:31], not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.'

[On 'the tempter', see Genesis Chapter 3; Matthew Chapter 4; Acts 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 2:16] ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

The invitations of folly. (13-18) ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
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​13 'A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.'

The invitations of folly. (13-18) ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html

Notes: 13-18 'How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.'  Amen. Amen. Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

Again, enjoy quietly and prayerfully reviewing all posted. Then, as the Lord wills, thank you for returning around MWF, and Tu/Thurs, October 5-7-9; 13-15, 2020 when we shall continue with the verbatim posts of Proverbs, Chapters 10-11-12-13-14, in our next section. ​audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html Amen. Amen.