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Monday, February 22, 2010

Wisdom Project 2/22



Proverbs 22 - NIV
Proverbs 22 - ESV

Proverbs 22:17-21 . . .
17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,

18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.


19 So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you.

20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,

21 teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers
to him who sent you?


Commentary:
As in chapters 1—9, the writer began this section of the book with an exhortation to hear
and give heed to the words of wisdom that follow (22:17-21).

"This extended introduction reminds us that the wise sayings were not curiosity pieces; they were revelation, and revelation demands a response."

First, there is a call (v. 17) followed by three motivations: a pleasing store of wisdom (v.
18), a deeper trust in the Lord (v. 19), and a greater reliability (vv. 20-21).201

The Hebrew word translated "excellent things" (v. 20; slswm) has also been rendered
"heretofore" (RV margin), "triply" (Septuagint, Vulgate), and "30 sayings" (RSV, NIV).
Since 30 sayings follow, that seems to be the best option for translation. "Him who sent
you" (v. 21) is probably the original reader's teacher, who may have been his father.

"Notwithstanding the difficulties of the text, the general thought of the
paragraph is plain: the pupil is to devote himself to study, in order that his
religious life may be firmly established, and that he may be able to give
wise counsel to those who seek advice."


From: Dr. Constable Study Notes

Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H.
_________

WISDOM PROJECT: For this month, I will supply links to both the NIV and ESV versions of the chapter each day (Feb. 1 = Proverbs 1, etc.) in the post—both of which contain the audio.

And in the month of February a unique feature for the WP will be Commentaries on selected passages/verses from within the chapter for the day. And for the most part, these comments will be from links in the Online Bible Study Resources feature here on the 3 John 8 blog (scroll down in the column to the right to find the links).

Note to Proverbs class participants: this is the place where you should post your application comments for the Daily Proverbs Reading Assignment.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Response 2/22/2010 8:37:50 AM



18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.



I have chosen to comment on verse 18. Verse 18 brings 2 Timothy 4:2 to my mind. It is pleasing to the Lord when we are ready to share the Gospel of Christ with people. We never know where or when the Lord is going to call upon us to share his truth.

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Unknown said...

In 22:17b – “apply your heart to what I teach” amplifies and continues 22:17a -“pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise.” This is an instruction to desire and put our hearts affectionately to the Words of Wisdom. It further defines “sayings of the wise” with its “apply what I teach to your heart (paraphrase mine).” We are to seek, find, and take in the Words of Wisdom - the Word of God. When we learn and then put into use, we start to exemplify characteristics of being wise. The continual pursuit will continue this process. Mike T.

Jim Morrison said...

The treatment of the poor is described for us in this chapter.
Verse 9 states "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." We are reminded here to share our wealth with those who are less fortunate. Verse 16 goes on to tell us not to oppress the poor in order to increase our wealth. Verse two reminds us of a very important fact, for we all, rich and poor have one thing in common, The Lord is our maker.

Carrie L. said...

17-19 "Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today even you".

I am to pay attention to what the LORD has said and write his words on the tablet of my heart. When His words are in my heart and ready on my lips I will be able to share the good news of his salvation to everyone around me. The LORD teaches all these things that we will learn to put all our trust in Him.

Sarah said...

God frustrates the unfaithful?!?!? That is pretty cool, because it goes to show that without faith in God, we are not happy and satisfied. Also He is watching over us, or He is watching over knowledge. This should be an eye opener because if we are unfaithful, then we will be angry with ourselves and everyone around us.

Krista Harrison said...

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life. [1]
I picked these two verses because often as Christians we see potential danger or temptation and we 'flirt' with it in a sense. It could like like having just one or two drinks, spending a lot of time with an unsaved person of the opposite sex. Many times we decided to over look the foothold Satan can take in our lives by ignoring the danger. We need to be prudent and flee from it. Another thing that stuck out to me was the next verse. In this world we often see no value in humiity but God obviously sees things differently and we gain so much from having humility and a fear of the Lord...All we have to decide is if we will pursue prudance, humility and the fear of the Lord

Tim K. said...

26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
These verses remind me of sound finacial advice that is seldem followed today. We live in a world that is built on credit. It is nearly impossible to buy a house without going into debt, but the consumer debt that we rack up today is not good stewartship of the blessings GOD has given us. This is something I need to remind myself of when I make a purchase on credit.

Unknown said...

"make no friendship with a man given to anger... lest you learn his ways" vs 24-25 I WAS that man given to anger, and yet it was b/c of my Godly friends input into my life and through Gods help that i am able to continually live with joy. So what does that mean for us today?, do we not become friends in order to help those that are deep in sin? where the line?, without those people in my life i wouldnt be that man i am today (not that im that great :) but i could be a lot worse)

Renee said...

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

We have to be careful about the friends that we make and the people we hang out with. People influence each other even if only in a small way. Why put yourself in jeopardy of sinning? We should choose to be around those who will encourage and build us up in Christ-likeness.

Danyelle Steckiel said...

vs 24-25 "Do not make friends wuth a hottempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensared." this is reminder for me to be careful with who my close friends are and make sure that they are not influencing me in a negative way.

Lisa Griffiths said...

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
I love this. I have recently been studying about families and parenting. What a crucial verse to remember as parents discipline their children. I know my parents really took this verse to heart.

Renee K said...

Verses 17-19 stick out to me in that they are once again talking about the responsibility we have to get wisdom. We must apply our hearts to wisdom. We also must always recognize that wisdom can only come from the Lord, apart from Him wisdom doesn't exist.

Mandi said...

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,
Am i a hot-tempered person or easily angered? this proverb has made me take a look into my life to evaluate who I am.

Rachel said...

"Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord..."
My first thought upon reading this section of chapter 22 was of Titus 2; older men instruct younger men and older women instruct younger women toward holiness and wise, godly living. There will always be someone from whom we may learn and take Biblical wisdom from. However, there will also always be people looking to us and how we conduct ourselves, learning from our example of godly living (or ungodly living).

Unknown said...

“The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor” (22:12)
I know that I cannot always discern the truth of the situation, but God knows and controls all things which always gives me great comfort. He will also make sure that those who lie to or deceive their neighbor will not succeed in the end.

Jessica said...

"Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge" I need to pay attention to what the Lord has taught in His word. I need to study and listen to them and then apply them.

Nate said...

I found it interesting that this proverb points out that God watches over all knowledge. I understand that God is sovereign and completely believe that. But I have never really thought that he is the keeper and that he watches over all knowledge. This means he justly chooses who can posses what knowledge. Which is extremely humbling to think about.

Unknown said...

Proverbs 22:26
"Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts."
- It is easy to get into debt and have the "safety cushion" when we need it. But there needs to be personal boundaries for to what extent one is going to "pay back". It is wise to calculate how much you make and be able to control the credit bill so that you don't end up having to pay more when the month is coming to an end. Debt makes you a slave to money and no one likes to be in that position.

Unknown said...

Verse 13 meant a lot to me from the lecture we had last week on the sluggard. Mark said in the lecture that here shows the sluggard making excuses to do things or finish things that he has started. That thought was very challenging to me because thats something I have found myself doing, making excuses for not doing something or not having the strength to finish things. Thats something i really need to work on in my life.

Unknown said...

Verse 13 meant a lot to me from the lecture we had last week on the sluggard. Mark said in the lecture that here shows the sluggard making excuses to do things or finish things that he has started. That thought was very challenging to me because thats something I have found myself doing, making excuses for not doing something or not having the strength to finish things. Thats something i really need to work on in my life.

Ashlie said...

I like how the Proverb talked about how those who are humble and fear the LORD will be rewarded for that which is riches, honor and life. It is just amazing how GOD really does see the things that others don't and rewards them.

Gabe Vanderstel said...

17. "Incline your ear to hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge"

I takes a heart of humility to listen to one who is more wise than yourself because in doing it, you are admitting that you do not posses their wisdom. I have found a few godly and wise men who I have inclined my ear to. This has enabled me to grow much more than if I was trying to do it in my own wisdom and understanding.

TWash said...

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.This verse is very important to me because, it is showing me that I need do this despite if i had it growing up or not. It is so important to instruct with the Word because the effects of instruction remain and can make a break ones decisions and beliefs!