Proverbs-Chapter 4
Commentary taken from Jimmy Swaggart Expositors Study Bi
A FATHERS WISDOM AND ADVICE
Proverbs 4King James Version
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
We will now learn the source of this great Wisdom,which will prove extremely interesting
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
Solomon was speaking of his father David and his mother Bathseba. He claims to have received the “doctrine” and the”law” from David;therefore in these passages we have the manner in which the Holy Spirit chose regarding Solomons great Wisdom. Along with what David taught him,which of course was generated by the Holy Spirit,likewise the LORD gave Solomon the great gift of Wisdom(1Kings 3:9-15)
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
Solomon recalls the countless hours that David painstakingly taught him the ways of theLord.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
This “Wisdom” consisted of what David taught his son,Solomon,which derived from the word of God. At this time David would have had his Bible the Pentateuch(Genesis through Deuteronomy)as well as Joshua.Judges and possible Ruth. there is every evidence that Solomon was well versed in the Great law of Moses.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Solomon would heed these words for the greater part of his life;however ,in the latter part of his reign,he would do what David had admonished him NOT to do,which was to forsake and forget the ways of the Lord(1Kings 11:4)
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
There are 6 different Hebrew words translated”Wisdom”We have likened Wisdom and the Bible as one and the same;however,in the strict and narrrow interpretation of the word,this would not be totally correct. It would more so apply to the comprehension and understanding of the Bible. Still, without the Bible,there can be no Wisdom.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Without fail, we are told that “Wisdom”(The Bible)will fulfill the cry of the human heart. It is sad when even the church little exhausts the Bible,but rather exalts the work off man.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
While it is certainly true that the things seen with the eye are important,still,the way the Gospel is imparted is by the hearing of the ear(Mat 11:15)
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
The way of “Wisdom” and the “Right Paths” are the Bible. The tragedy is that no one but Christ has faithfully walked the “Right Paths”
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
This verse should read “When you “walk” and if you”run”. To walk is obligatory’ to run is optional. Wisdom secures both. When walking,the way opens. It is not “straitened”if running,the feet are guarded from stumbling(Jude vs 24)
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
This refers to the Truth that the Bible and the Bible alone;holds the secret to eternal life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
The inference is that”the path of the wicked”constantly beckons. SO TRUE!(Rosemary speaking,Satan and his minions constantly trying to tear you away from Christ,true life and steer one into death)
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
The Holy Spirit is empathetic in giving us a fourfold warning
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
We are told here that “SPIRITUAL VIGILANCE” is ever required.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Such who follow this path of evil,always conclude in wickedness and violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
The word of God alone leads to that”perfect day”.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
The Bible is the only light(Psalm 119:105)Everything else is darkness,irrespective of its claims and induces stumbling.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
We are admonished here to continue to read the Bible and to study it daily.(Rosemary speaking, I have found that continued relationship and prayer will lead the Holy Spirit to put it in your heart to yearn to read and understand the Bible(which is Christ)to do it as a command and chore makes one just read words-The Holy SPirit gives revelation,illumination and understanding-Draw near to me and I will draw near to you)says the Lord.
As well,its teachings are to embed themselves into our hearts.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
In these passages we learn the secret of life. The Word of God is Life and Health.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
The “issues of Life”speak of the Foundation of Faith which is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified(2Corinthians 1:23)
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
The word “froward” means to be habitually disposed toward disobedience and opposition to the Word of God. The word”perverse”means basically the same.So we are told here not to question the Bible,find fault with it or oppose it.(Rosemary speaking, this will surely lead to death)
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Irrespective of the attractions that may draw us away,our “eyes” must continue to look to the word of God(Rosemary speaking,Word of God is Jesus Christ,look straight to Christ when the ways of the world are pouncing,you become weary,confused,sick,sad,angry discouraged ect… eyes focused on Jesus,ears listening to the word of GOD-There you will find healing,refreshing,peace(Our Prince of Peace) LIFE and not death at your doorstep waiting to pull you in)
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
The word”ponder”means”prayerfully weigh”that is not to enter hastily upon any course of conduct.
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