Proverbs Chapter 03

Proverbs 3 The Blessing of Wisdom, and Jesus’ letter to the church of the Laodiceans The Book of Proverbs Chapter 03 Devotional Reading: Psalm 115:3-11 Background Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-35; Revelation 3:14-22

Key Verse Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Outline Honoring a Fathers Teachings (Proverbs 3:1-4) A. Keeping His Commands vs 1-2 B. Practicing Mercy and Truth vs 3-4

Following the Lord’s Direction (Proverbs 3:5-10) A. Trusting Him vs 5-6 B. Fearing Him vs 7-8 C. Worshiping Him vs 9-10

Profiting from the Lord’s Discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12) A. The chastening of the LORD vs 11-12

B. The value of Wisdom vs 13-24 C. God has not given us the spirit of fear vs 25-26

Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself (Proverbs 3:2730) A. Helping those in need vs. 27-28 B. Avoid malice, strife, and envy vs 29-32 C. Home blessings verses home curses vs 33-35 Keep in mind three things when we read the book of Proverbs: 1. This is parental training. We are looking at parental training that King David passed down to his children, and King Solomon passed down to his children, and we be getting some incite of parental training that dates back as far as Adam. 2. The book of Proverbs is devoted to moral instruction. 3. These dark sayings collected by King Solomon are the inspired word of God.

Honoring A Fathers Teaching A. Keeping his commands (Proverbs 3:1-4) Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: law: 8451 ‫ תֹוָררה‬Towrah (to-raw'); Noun Feminine, Strong #: 8451 1. law, direction, instruction a. instruction, direction (human or divine) 1. body of prophetic teaching 2. instruction in Messianic age 3. body of priestly direction or instruction 4. body of legal directives b. law 1. law of the burnt offering 2. of special law, codes of law c. custom, manner d. the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law The word “law” (torah) often refers to the law of God. Here it refers to the fathers teachings, but the sanction to remember the father’s law stems from the premise that the father’s law is based on the law of God. Deuteronomy 6:3-9

And the promise is: Proverbs 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Proverbs chapter 3 starts out with the first commandment with a promise: Exodus Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land 20:12 which the LORD thy God giveth thee. First promise - For length of days, and long life, Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; Ephesians 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. We know that good people die young at times, when the Heavenly Father decides to bring them home early. But as a general principal those who follow godly wisdom of their parents do not subject themselves to the influences that shorten and destroy their lives like drugs and promiscuous sex. Second promise - and peace, shall they add to thee. peace: 7965 ‫ רשלֹו ם‬Shalowm (shaw-lome'); Noun Masculine, Strong #: 7965 1. completeness, soundness, welfare, peace a. completeness (in number) b. safety, soundness (in body) c. welfare, health, prosperity d. peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment e. peace, friendship 1. of human relationships 2. with God especially in covenant relationship f. peace (from war) g. peace (as adjective) B. Practicing mercy and truth (Proverbs 3:3-4) Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Now Grace is when God gives us good blessings that we don’t deserve, and mercy is when God doesn’t give us the wrath and punishment that we do deserve. We are to remember that vengeance belongs to the Lord. We are not to abandon mercy. Luke For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those 6:32 that love them. Luke And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners 6:33 also do even the same. Luke And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for 6:34 sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Luke But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and 6:35 your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 6:36 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy: Matthew Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:3 Matthew Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5:4 Matthew Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 5:5 Matthew Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall 5:6 be filled. Matthew Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 5:7 Matthew Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 5:8 Matthew Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 5:9 Matthew Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the 5:10 kingdom of heaven. Matthew Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all 5:11 manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so 5:12 persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Not letting truth forsake us: (We are not to abandon truth) John Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, 8:31 then are ye my disciples indeed; John And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 8:32 bind them about thy neck; When we wear jewelry, we are showing the world what we represent. So when we bind mercy and truth about our necks we are letting our light shine before men.

write them upon the table of thine heart:

And when we write them on the table of our hearts, we’re applying our hearts to understanding, and not just doing them for show like hypocrites. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. favour: 2580

‫ חח ן‬Chen (khane);

Noun Masculine, Strong #: 2580

1. favour, grace, charm a. favour, grace, elegance b. favour, acceptance Favour means grace, elegance, charm, and acceptance. That doesn’t mean that you won’t have enemies, but they wont have legitimate causes to accuse you. Biblical examples: Abimelech, the son of Gideon, was so evil that God took him out of the graces of the men he ruled and they turned against him. Judges 9:22 Judges 9:23

When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

On the other hand God put His words in Moses’ mouth so that he can lead the people, He made king Ahasuerus sympathetic to the cause of Ruth even though she went outside of the kings law when it came to approaching him (Esther 7-8), After contending for the faith, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found favour with king Nebuchadnezzar after he saw that God was with them (Daniel 3). God was their shield and buckler just like with Daniel in the lions den after Daniel’s enemies falsely accused him.

Following the Lord’s Direction A. Trusting Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. The more we trust in Him, the more He reveals Himself to us. Isaiah 55:7 Isaiah 55:8

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We should walk by faith, not by sight. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; When we are pressured beyond our ability to cope, we have to remember that it is never beyond God’s ability: II Corinthians For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came 1:8 to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: II Corinthians But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust 1:9 in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: II Corinthians Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we 1:10 trust that he will yet deliver us; II Corinthians Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon 1:11 us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Let’s look at both statements in this Synthetic Parallelism in verse six: In all thy ways acknowledge him: I Corinthians If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the 14:37 things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

I John Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that 2:23 acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Jesus says: John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

And he shall direct thy paths: Isaiah 46:9 Isaiah 46:10 Isaiah 46:11

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

II Thessalonians And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the 3:5 patient waiting for Christ. As we’ll see as we go through the rest of this chapter, the LORD’s chastening will direct our paths: Hebrews 12:11 Hebrews

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

12:12 Hebrews 12:13

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

B. Fearing Him (Proverbs 3:7-8) Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Let’s look at both of these statements in this Synthetic Parallelism in verse seven: Be not wise in your own eyes: Proverbs Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than 26:12 of him. An example of one who is wise in their own eyes: Luke And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were 18:9 righteous, and despised others: Luke Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a 18:10 publican. Luke The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not 18:11 as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luke I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 18:12 Luke And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto 18:13 heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for 18:14 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. I Peter 5:5 I Peter 5:6 I Peter 5:7

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Fear the LORD, and depart from evil: Revelation And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith 3:14 the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Revelation I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or 3:15 hot. Revelation So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee 3:16 out of my mouth. When you stand in awe and have reverence for the most high God, that inspires a sense of accountability; by contrast, a small view of God

engenders license to turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness which is unbridled lust, outrageousness, shamelessness, and sin. The lukewarm church of the Laodiceans was wise in their own eyes, as they obviously credited themselves for their riches, and they did not have the fear of the LORD. Romans 3:10 Romans 3:11 Romans 3:12 Romans 3:13 Romans 3:14 Romans 3:15 Romans 3:16 Romans 3:17 Romans 3:18

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. It shall be health to thy navel; The navel represents independence. When a newborn baby has his umbilical cord cut, he is on his own. He is in a new phase of his life where he has to learn to eat on his own and live independent of the womb. Abraham left his fathers house by faith, Ruth left the land of her nativity to serve the God of Israel. So when we forsake all to follow the LORD, He will heal us spiritually. Ezekiel 16:4

And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

With his (Jesus) stripes we are healed. I Peter 2:21 I Peter 2:22 I Peter 2:23 I Peter 2:24

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

and marrow to thy bones.

Ephesians 5:29 Ephesians 5:30

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Note: the word “health” is used five times in the book of Proverbs. Note: the word “marrow” is used five times in scripture. Note: the word “bone” is used seven times in the book of Proverbs. C. Worshiping Him (Proverbs 3:9-10) Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Honour the LORD with thy substance Everything we have belongs to God. We are to honor Him with the first of everything. Paul offers the Corinthians open rebuke so that they learn the spiritual benefits of honoring God, and not the carnal benefits for honoring man. God gives the increase: I Corinthians I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 3:6 I Corinthians So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that 3:7 giveth the increase.

and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: Q. When does the Shepherd feed his sheep? A. In the morning. This verse is not just talking about money; it is talking about quality time and your thoughts also. Do we put the Lord first in everything we do? We should make it a point to pray and thank God every morning when we wake up. Proverbs 3:10 and Malachi 3:10 tell us the same thing. Malachi Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, 3:10 and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Jesus rebukes the church of the Laodiceans for their prosperity gospel and their leadership which is greedy of filthy lucre: Revelation Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of 3:17 nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Revelation I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and

3:18

white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

History is repeating it’s self in Laodicea. Not only are they not honoring the LORD with their substance, and with the firstfruits of all their increase, they are giving the credit for their increase to their own wisdom and insight, and not God. Jeremiah 5:11 Jeremiah 5:12

For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD. They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: belied: 3584 ‫ רכחחש‬Kachash (kaw-khash'); Verb, Strong #: 3584 1. to deceive, lie, fail, grow lean, be disappointing, be untrue, be insufficient, be found liars, belie, deny, dissemble, deal falsely a. (Qal) to become lean b. (Niphal) to cringe, feign obedience c. (Piel) 1. to deceive, deny falsely 2. to act deceptively 3. to cringe 4. to disappoint, fail d. (Hithpael) to cringe, feign obedience

Jeremiah 5:13 Jeremiah 5:14

And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Profiting from the Lord’s Discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12) A. Profiting from the Lord’s Discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12) Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord: Hebrews And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto 12:5 children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Hebrews For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he 12:6 receiveth.

Hebrews 12:7 Hebrews 12:8 Hebrews 12:9 Hebrews 12:10 Hebrews 12:11

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Hebrews 12:12 Hebrews And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of 12:13 the way; but let it rather be healed. We are to discipline our children if we love them. One thing that we have backwards in this country is that we punish our children and discipline our criminals. It should be the other way around. Discipline our children: Proverbs Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not 22:6 depart from it. Punish our criminals: Proverbs Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath 19:25 understanding, and he will understand knowledge. Jesus told the Laodiceans: Revelation As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 3:19 B. The value of Wisdom vs 13-24 Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. It’s not happiness that we seek after like the false gospel of today is taught, but it is the wisdom of God that we seek after first, then happiness will come even during times of tribulation. Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6:34

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Note: the word “happy” is used six times in the book of Proverbs. Six is an imperfect number. The number of man. James Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of 3:13 a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. James But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not

3:14 James 3:15 James 3:16

against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom: James But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy 3:17 to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. When Jesus knocks at the door of our heart, the only knob to the door is on the inside. The Holy Spirit is a perfect gentleman. When Jesus stands at the door and knocks, it’s up to you to open up to him: Revelation Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open 3:20 the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Note: the word “silver” is used twelve times in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little 10:20 worth. Note: the word “gold” is used thirteen times in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a 20:15 precious jewel. Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Note: the word “precious” is used seven times in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Note: the word “peace” is used seven times in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. Proverbs 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman in Proverbs, but Jesus is the source of wisdom. So in chapter eight, wisdom testifies of Jesus. Jesus is the

creator of everything including wisdom. So when wisdom, who is personified as a woman, testifies of Jesus, she is testifying of her creator. Proverbs The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 8:22 Proverbs I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 8:23 Proverbs When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains 8:24 abounding with water. Proverbs Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 8:25 Proverbs While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the 8:26 dust of the world. Proverbs When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the 8:27 face of the depth: Proverbs When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of 8:28 the deep: Proverbs When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his 8:29 commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. Hebrews 1:10 Hebrews 1:11 Hebrews 1:12

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Proverbs 3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: Proverbs 3:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Proverbs 3:23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Q. What is the definition of the overcomer? A. he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God. I John For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that 5:4 overcometh the world, even our faith. I John Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of 5:5 God?

C. God has not given us the spirit of fear vs 25-26 Proverbs 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. Let’s take a look at each one of these statements in this Synthetic Parallelism: Be not afraid of sudden fear: Matthew And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but 10:28 rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh II Timothy For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a 1:7 sound mind. Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. The LORD is our confidence: I Samuel He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; 2:9 for by strength shall no man prevail.

Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself (Proverbs 3:2730) A. Helping those in need vs. 27-28 Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Proverbs 3:28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. James 2:15 James 2:16

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:17 James Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without 2:18 thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. This is not a call to follow the law; it’s a call to a true faith that bears fruit. Q. What is the purpose of the law?

A. The Law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless: Galatians Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till 3:19 the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Galatians Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 3:20 Galatians Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a 3:21 law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Galatians But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of 3:22 Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. A. Avoid malice, strife, and envy vs 29-32 Proverbs 3:29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Proverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Devise not evil against thy neighbour: II Timothy But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender 2:23 strifes. II Timothy And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to 2:24 teach, patient, II Timothy In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure 2:25 will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; II Timothy And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are 2:26 taken captive by him at his will. Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Envy thou not the oppressor: and choose none of our oppressor’s ways: Judges And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against 10:10 thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. Judges And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the 10:11 Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? Judges The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and 10:12 ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Judges Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no 10:13 more. Judges Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time 10:14 of your tribulation. Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

Let’s take a look at both of these statements in this Antithetic Parallelism: For the froward is abomination to the LORD: Luke And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God 16:15 knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. But his secret is with the righteous: Matthew Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye 6:1 have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Matthew Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as 6:2 the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 6:3 Matthew That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself 6:4 shall reward thee openly. C. Home blessings verses home curses vs 33-35 Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Let’s take a look at both of these statements in this Antithetic Parallelism: The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: Zechariah Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 5:1 Zechariah And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the 5:2 length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Zechariah Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the 5:3 whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. Zechariah I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of 5:4 the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. But he blesseth the habitation of the just: Each one of the seven letters to the seven letters has a promise to the overcomer (he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God). Revelation To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I 3:21 also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 3:22

Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Let’s take a look at both of these statements in this Antithetic Parallelism: Surely he scorneth the scorners: James From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of 4:1 your lusts that war in your members? James Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and 4:2 war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. James Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your 4:3 lusts. James Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is 4:4 enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to 4:5 envy? But he giveth grace unto the lowly: James But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth 4:6 grace unto the humble. Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Let’s take a look at both of these statements in this Antithetic Parallelism: The wise shall inherit glory: Matthew And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed 19:28 me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or 19:29 mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. 19:30 But shame shall be the promotion of fools: Romans 1:18 Romans 1:19 Romans 1:20 Romans 1:21 Romans 1:22

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 1:23 Romans 1:24 Romans 1:25 Romans 1:26 Romans 1:27 Romans 1:28 Romans 1:29 Romans 1:30 Romans 1:31 Romans 1:32

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.