#236 Knowledge Brings Blessings

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C!!qr §qrpqrrb's Q1qnprl P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736 501-787-6026 Dr. Arnold Murray, DRE

Our Father wants your love not your burnt offerings. In this lecture, we will learn that God also wants you to have knowledge of Him. All true knowledge and wisdom is found in God's Word. Without this knowledge you will never be successful and have peace of mind. Obtain this knowledge and wisdom, and God will bless you far beyond that which you think you deserve. God loves to bless an obedient child. Let's begin our study in Hosea.

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HOSEA 6:1 "Come and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.

God only chastises those that He loves. The farther one pulls away from Him, the more severe the chastise­ ment. Turn your ways unto the Lord. HOSEA 6:2 After two days will He revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.

This refers to the revival of the two witnesses three days after they are slain. Remember, this event happens just prior to the seventh trump and return of Jesus Christ when all will take on their spiritual bodies. HOSEA 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

The former and latter rain bring forth fruit. The Lord will give you what you need to serve Him. If you are producing fruit for Him, He will richly bless you and your family.

Newsletter #236 <&) 1998 SCN

June 1998

God wants your love and for you to have knowledge of Him more than burnt offer­ ings.

HOSEA 6:7-8 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treach­ erously against Me. ~ Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.

Gilead was a city of refuge and of the priests. The priests didn't do so well. They didn't stick to God's Word, and they became idolatrous. HOSEA 6:9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.

The priests robbed the people by teaching traditions of men and leading the people astray. They took part in the murder of refugees that were supposed to find safe haven in Gilead. HOSEA 6:10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.

The idolatry of Israel began with Jeroboam's golden calves and continues to this day. Anything that prevents you from placing God first in your life is an idol. Let's go back to the first principle of knowledge. PROVERBS 1:1-2 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; g To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding;

The Proverbs are the rules for a successful life.

PROVERBS 1:3-4 To receive the instruction of.wisdom, HOSEA 6:4 0 Ephraim, what shall I dO'unto tfU§e7V" Jristir:e, aM Ju11gfffEmt,andeqility: ~. To' g1Vfj-·...::di.:iiHfy,-io~-,...".··~='·­ Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion. as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

Ephraim and Judah represent all twelve tribes of Israel. Their goodness is their love. Their love towards God is like a morning cloud. Morning clouds look promising; however, when the sun hits them, they disappear without a drop of rain. He wants your love. HOSEA 6:5 Therefore have I hewed them by the proph­ ets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.

The words of God's mouth through the prophets chastise and correct. God's judgment is as certain as the sun comes up in the morning and goes down in the evening. HOSEA 6:6 For I have desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

The word mercy in this verse may be translated love.

Those that will receive instruction from God know right from wrong and how to deal with those that are wise in the ways of the world.

PROVERBS 1:5-6 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: !1 To understand a proverb, and the in­ terpretation: The words of the wise, and their dark say­ ings.

Those that listen to wise counsel learn more than those that speak. Wise counsel will help you interpret and understand the meaning of Proverbs in order to be successful in life. PROVERBS 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Reverence, or love, of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This is the first principle of wisdom. Those

that love God and seek knowledge of Him will receive His blessings. We are going to build on this basic foun­ dation in Chapter 8 with wisdom speaking to you.

PROVERBS 8:21-22 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; And I will fill their treasures. gg The LORD possessed me in the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

PROVERBS 8:1-2 Doth not wisdom cry? And under­ standing put forth her voice? g She standeth in the top of high places, By the way in the places of the paths.

Wisdom was with the Lord before the creation of the first world age. It has no beginning and no end.

Wisdom doesn't hide. She cries out to you and may be found all along the paths that follow God's way.

PROVERBS 8:23-24 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Or ever the earth was. 2.4. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; When there were no fountains abounding with water.

PROVERBS 8: 3-4' She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors. ~ Unto you, 0, men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of man.

Do you hear her, when she calls?

Wisdom was with God before the firmament and the oceans. Friends, the beautiful thing is that she also wants to be with you.

PROVERBS 8:5-6 0 ye simple, understand wisdom: And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Ii Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

PROVERBS 8:25·26 Before the mountains were settled. Before the hills was I brought forth: 2n While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the highest pt:trt of the dust of the world.

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Before the first atoms or particles of earth were formed, wisdom was there with God.

PROVERBS 8:7-8 For my mouth shall speak truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. fi All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing froward or perverse in them.

When He prepared the heavens, He set a compass upon the face of the depth: 2n When He established the clouds above: When He strengthened the fountains of the deep:

The words of wisdom will not deceive and lead you astray from God's way.

Wisdom was there, when the laws of nature were established.

PROVERBS 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge.

PROVERBS 8:29-30 When He gave to the sea His decree, That the waters should not pass His command­ ment: When He appointed the foundations of the earth: ~ Then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him;

Wisdom speaks right, or just.

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Those of you that have knowledge of God's plan should thank Him for opening your eyes and ears. Unfortunately, you are in a minority. Let's skip to verse 14. PROVERBS 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

Receive instruction from wisdom, and all of these things are also yours.

How can you be a delight to God? Receive instruc­ tion from wisdom. P~OVERBS 8:31-32 ~ejoicing in ~he habitable part of HIS earth; And my deltghts were With the sons of men. Ji Now there.fore hearken unto me, 0 ye children: For blessed are they that keep my ways.

PROVERBS 8:15-16 By me kings reign, And princes decree justice. 1Q By me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

The choice is yours. Keep the ways of wisdom and be blessed, or disregard wisdom and not be blessed. How are you doing?

Those kings, princes and judges that don't have wisdom arif"pretenderiCThey will be judged harshly. Remember, wisdom is speaking.

PROVERBS 8:33-34 Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. ;M Blessed is the man that heareth me Watching daily at my gates, Watching at the posts of my doors.

PROVERBS 8: 17-18 I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me. 1Jl Riches and honour are with me; Yea, durable riches and righteousness.

Those that would ehoose silver and gold over wisdom are missing out on the riches that last. PROV~RBS 8:19-20 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fmd gold; And my revenue than choice silver. 211 I lead in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of judgment:

Many times in life we come to a fork in the road and do~'t know ~hich way to go. With wisdom in your possessIOn you WIll choose the right way more often than not. Even if you choose the wrong path, wisdom won't let you go too far down the wrong path.

Seek wisdom, and you will find her. PROVERBS 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Don't overlook the significance of this verse. Those that find wisdom find eternal life and obtain favour of the Lord. Knowledge of God and wisdom bring blessings and eternal life to you and I.

In His Service,

Arnold Murray