INTRODUCTION
(A) RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there
is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of
refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn
one away from the snares of death [13:14; 10:11; Ps 18:4-6].
[Additional Scriptures: 'the fear of
the LORD': Prov 2:5; 8:13; 16:6; 22:4; 23:17; Ps 19:9; 22:23; 34:11; 110:10;
112:1; 128:1; Isa 11:2-3; 33:6; Jer 32:40; Hab 3:2; Acts
9:31].
1:28 They will call on Me, but I will not
answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me, 29 because
they hated knowledge and didn't choose the fear of the LORD [31 they'll
eat the fruit of their own way].
2:5 [If you receive wisdom's words,
if you incline your ear and your understanding for discernment, and
if you search for her as for hidden treasure] then you will understand
the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 The LORD gives
wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not to your own understanding. 6 Acknowledge Him in everything,
and He will direct your paths.
3:9 Honour the LORD with your possessions
and with the firstfruits of all your increase.
3:11 My son, do not despise the chastening
of the LORD, nor detest His correction; 12 for whom the LORD loves He
corrects, just as a father does the son in whom he delights.
3:32 For the perverse [Heb. luz;
deviant, crooked] person is an abomination to the LORD,
but His secret counsel [Heb. sod; Ps 25:14; Amos 3:7] is
with the upright. 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house
of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. 34 Surely He scorns
the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.
5:21 For the ways of man are before
the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders [weighs] all his paths [cp.
Rev 20:12].
12:22 Lying lips are an abomination
to the LORD, but those who act truthfully are His delight.
15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is
an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His
delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but He loves him who follows righteousness. [Is this unconditional love?]
15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are
an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant
[Mt 5:8].
15:28 The heart of the righteous studies
how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
15:33 The fear of the LORD gives instruction
in wisdom, and before honour is humility.
16:1 The preparations [plans]of
the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from
the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but
the LORD weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your
thoughts will be established [2Cor 10:5].
16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD,
He intervenes to make even his enemies to be at peace with him.
16:9 A man's heart plans his way, but the
LORD directs his steps.
20:24 A man's steps are of the LORD;
how then can a man understand his own way [Jer 17:9-10]?
19:3 The foolishness of a man twists his
way, and his heart frets [Heb. za'ap; rages; storms] against
the LORD.
17:3 The refining pot is for silver
and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts [Ps 51:6-7,10;
19:12; Jer 17:10].
20:27 The spirit of a man is the
lamp of the LORD searching all the inner depths of his heart
[Heb., cheder, beten; lit. rooms of the womb; 18:8; 20:30; 26:22;1Cor
2:11-15].
21:2 Every way of a man is right
in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts [Ps 7:9; 1Sam 16:7]
.
28:25 The proud of heart stirs up strife,
but he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. 26 He who trusts in his
own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered [from
what?].
29:18 Where there is no revelation,
the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
29:25 The fear of man ensnares, but whoever
trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
(B) HUSBAND AND WIFE
RELATIONSHIPS
12:4 An excellent wife is the crown
of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his
bones.
It may prove very helpful to reverse
the genders in the following verses; e.g., see 18:22! He
[She] who finds a wife [godly husband] finds goodness,and
obtains favour from the LORD.
19:14 Houses and riches are an
inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife [husband] is from
the LORD.
31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For
her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely
trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. 5:19 As a loving deer and a graceful
doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured
with her love.
Song of Songs (also see 7:1-9
TEV/GNB trans):
What are the conditions for such expressions
of marital love?
6:29 He who goes in to his neighbour's
wife and who [sexually] touches her shall not be innocent [unpunished]. 19:13 A foolish son brings ruin to his
father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. [Contentious, from Heb ma'din,
ma'don; from the root din, judgment, plea; i.e., the usurping of
right judgment and against any plea for self-disciplined righteousness;
see also 6:14,19; 10:12; 22:10; 27:15; 28:25; 29:24].
(C) PARENTS' AND CHILDREN'S
RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
4:1 Hear, My children [See 1Jn
2:12-14; 3Jn 4], the instruction of a father, and give attention
to know understanding;
4:3 When I was my father's son,
tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 he also taught
me, and said to me: Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands,
and live.
6:20 My son, keep your father's command,
and do not forsake the law of your mother.
10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise son
makes a glad father, but a foolish son is grief to his mother.
13:1 A wise son heeds his father's
instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke [Heb ge'ara;
see 17:10; 8:7-8; Isa 50:2].
15:5 A fool despises his father's instruction,
but he who receives correction is prudent. [How does one teach a child to receive
correction so that the child's wisdom and prudence grows?]
17:6 Children's children are the
crown of old men, and the glory of children is their [godly]
father.
17:21 He who begets a scoffer does so
to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy [See
Ps 14:1; Dt 32:6; Jer 17:11; Ezk 13:3; Heb. nabal: ignoble, disgraceful,
morally insensible, mind closed to reason, lacking spirituality. What does
a parent do in child-rearing to minimise the tendency in a child to neglect
the Law of God?].
17:25 A foolish son is grief to
his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
19:13 A foolish son is the ruin
of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
[Why are these different thoughts put together?]
19:26 He who mistreats his father
and chases [or, pushes] away his mother is a son
who causes shame and brings reproach.
20:20 Whoever curses his father or his
mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness [Ex 21:17; Prov 24:20].
23:10 Do not remove the ancient landmark,
nor enter the fields of the fatherless. [A principle against vandalism
(22:28; Dt 19:14; 27:17; Hos 5:10)]?
23:22 Listen to your father who begot you,
and do not despise your mother when she is old. 28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a
discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father [Dt 21:18-21;
Ex 20:12; Eph 6:1-4].
28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
and says, This is not wrong, is a companion to a destroyer
[Mk 7:11-13; Mt 15:4-9].
30:17 The eye that mocks his
father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of
the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.
29:3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father
rejoice, but a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
30:11 There is a generation that
curses its father, and does not bless its mother [Is this a prophecy
akin to Is 3:4-5; 2Tim 3:2?].
31:1 An oracle by King Lemuel which his
mother taught him.
(D) CHILD REARING
29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but
a child left to himself brings shame to his mother [Heb. shebet:
rod, staff, sceptre (Is 10:5; 28:27; 2Sam 23:21; Ezk 20:37; Mic 5:1; Ps
23:4; Mic 7:14)].
13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
but he who loves him disciplines him promptly [early].
19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope,
and do not set your heart on his destruction [i.e., watch him head
for ruin].
22:6 Train up a child in the way he should
go. When he is old he won't depart from it [The principles of self-discipline
need to be taught early. How?]
22:15 Foolishness is bound up in
the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
[Have the 1990's taught us better?]
23:13 Do not withhold correction from a
child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. 14 You
shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell [Heb.
sheol: the grave; but probably does have allusion to the mythological underworld
and hence the associated fears and evils that emanate from the demonic
spirits associated with this world (Rev 12:9; 1Jn 5:19; Eph 2:2)].
29:17 Correct your son, and he will give
you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Do these Scriptures apply to young children:
Rom 8:7; Rev 12:9; Jer 17:9-10?
(E) YOUTH'S CONSIDERATIONS
AND RELATIONSHIPS
1:4 [The purpose of the proverbs is]
to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
2:17 [The immoral woman] forsakes
the [faithful] companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her
God.
4:1 Listen to me, my children, the
instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding [1Jn
2:12-14; Gal 4:19; 1Cor 4:15-16].
5:7 Hear me now, my children, and
do not depart from the words of my mouth.
7:7 I saw among the simple, I perceived
among the youths, a young man devoid of understanding [See the context:
7:6-23].
7:24 Now therefore, listen to me, my
children; pay attention to the words of my mouth.
8:32 Listen to me, my children, for blessed
are those who keep my ways.
9:3 She [Wisdom] has sent out her
maidens. She cries out from the highest places of the city.
14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is
strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
17:6 Children's children are the
crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
20:7 The righteous man walks in
his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
20:11 Even a child is known by his deeds,
whether what he does is pure and right.
20:29 The glory of young men is their
strength, and the splendour of old men is their gray head [God
expects young people to thoroughly enjoy their strength and vigour -
without breaking His laws].
30:17 The eye that mocks his
father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of
the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it. 18 These
three things are too wonderful for me; yes, there are four which I
do not understand: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent
on a rock; the way of a sailing ship on the ocean; and the way of a young
man [who is courting/ is exhilarated in being] with a young
woman.
[What are the beautiful elements of
friendship between a young man and a young woman as implied here?]
31:28 Her children rise up and call her
blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
(F) SONS AND DAUGHTERS
1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do
not consent [What does it take to resist peer pressure?].
3:1 My son, do not forget my law, but let
your heart keep my commands;
3:11 My son, do not despise the chastening
of the LORD, nor detest His correction. [See (D) Child Rearing]
3:12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
just as a father the son in whom he delights.
3:21 My son, let them not depart from your
eyes - keep sound wisdom and discretion.
4:3 When I was my father's son, tender
and the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 he taught me, and said
to me: Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live [an
excellent life].
4:10 Listen to me, my son; accept my teaching,
and you'll live a long time.
5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
give ear to my understanding.
5:20 For why should you, my son [daughter],
be enraptured by an immoral woman [man], and be embraced in the
arms of a seductress [seducer]?
6:20 My son, keep your father's command,
and do not forsake the law of your mother. [Notice the constant urging
to listen, heed, hear, respond, and do good].
10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son
[daughter] makes a glad father, but a foolish son [daughter] is
grief to his [her] mother.
10:5 He who gathers in summer is a
wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. [What
does this mean?]
13:1 A wise son heeds his father's
instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
15:20 A wise son makes a father glad, but
a foolish man despises his mother. [How does a son/daughter make his/her
mother glad - all the time?]
17:25 A foolish son brings grief his father,
and bitterness to her who bore him.
19:13 It hurts greatly to be a fool's father.
[And no doubt it hurts greatly to have a fool as a father].
19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope,
and do not set your heart on his destruction [if you don't,
you will ruin his life; or, do not let him run to ruin].
19:26 He who mistreats his father
and chases away his mother is a son who causes shame
and brings reproach. 27 [If you] cease listening to instruction,
my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, my
heart will rejoice - indeed, I will! 16 Yes, my innermost being will
rejoice when your lips speak of right things.
23:19 Listen, my son. Be wise. Guide your
heart in the Way [Acts 9:2; 19:23].
23:22 Listen to your father who begot you,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23:26 My son, give me your heart, and
let your eyes observe my ways.
24:13 My son, eat honey because it is
good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste [Honey
may symbolise eating the words of God; Ezk 3:3; Rev 10:9; Ps 119:103].
24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king.
Do not associate with those given to change [or, who rebel against
them (i.e., God and established authorities; Rom 13:1; 1Pet 2:13-17)].
27:11 My son, be wise, and make my [your
father's, your mother's] heart glad.
28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a
discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
29:17 Correct your son, and he will give
you rest. Yes, he will delight your life.
31:1 These are the words of King Lemuel
- the oracle his mother taught him: 2 What, my son? What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows [should you do]? 8-9 [Answers part of the
question]: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for
the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend
the rights of the poor and needy [Is 61:1-3; Jer 23:28-29; Lk 4:16-19].
31:29 Many daughters have done well, but
you excel them all.
(G) FRIEND AND NEIGHBOUR
RELATIONSHIPS
6:1 My son, if you have become guarantor
for your friend, and if you have shaken hands in pledge for a
stranger, 2 and you are ensnared by your own words, trapped by the foolish
words of your mouth - 3 So do this, my son, and save yourself, for you
have come into the power of your friend: Go and humble yourself. Plead
with your friend.
6:29 The person who goes in to his neighbour's
wife and touches her [sexually], shall be punished.
11:9 The hypocrite with his mouth
destroys his neighbour, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
11:12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises
his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
14:20 The poor man is hated even
by his own neighbour; the rich has many friends. 21 He who despises
his neighbour sins. He who has mercy on the poor, is blessed [by
God].
12:26 The righteous shows the Way to a
friend, whereas the wicked leads others astray. [This verse uses a verb
which occurs only here in the Hebrew. Translators are uncertain about the
real meaning. The NKJ has: The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
for the way of the wicked leads them astray.]
16:28 A perverse man sows strife, and
a whisperer separates the best of friends. 29 A violent man entices his
neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.
17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks
love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends. 18:17 The first to plead his cause seems
right, until his neighbour comes and examines him.
18:24 There are friends who pretend to
be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
19:4 Wealth brings many new friends, but
a poor man is deserted by his friend. 21:10 The soul of the wicked desires evil.
His neighbour cannot find favour in his eyes.
22:24 Make no friendship with a man given
to anger, nor go with a wrathful man.
24:28 Do not be a witness against your
neighbour without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
25:8 Do not go hastily to court; for what
will you do in the end, when your neighbour has put you to shame? 9 Debate
your case with your neighbour, and do not disclose the secret to another
[1Cor 6:1-8].
25:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbour's
house, lest he become weary of you and hate you. [Why?]
25:18 A man who bears false witness against
his neighbour is like a club, a sword, a sharp arrow.
26:19 [Like a madman] is the man
who deceives his neighbour, and says, I was only joking! [Does
this seem extreme? The Hebrew for 'mad' is 'halal' and is used in Isa
44:25; Eccles 9:3; Jer 25:15-16; 50:38; 51:7; It is akin to 'helel', Lucifer's
name in Is 14:12, meaning 'light-bringer'].
27:6 Wounds from a friend are in good faith,
but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
27:9 Fragrant oil gladdens the heart, and
friendship's sweetness comforts your life.
27:10 Do not forsake your own friend or
your father's friend, nor go to your brother's house on a calamitous day
of yours. Better is a close neighbour [ready to help you]
than a brother far away [who is unwilling to help].
27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a [godly]man
shapes up his friend.
29:5 A man who flatters his neighbour spreads
a net for his feet.
(H) LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
3:12 Whom the LORD loves He corrects, just
as a father the son in whom he delights [Heb 12:5-11].
4:6 Do not forsake her [wisdom],
and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
5:19 As a loving deer and a graceful
doe, let [your wife's] breasts satisfy you at all times; and always
be enraptured with her love. [See (B) Husband and Wife].
7:18 Come, let us take our fill of love
until morning; let us delight ourselves with love [What is the context
here?].
8:17 I love those who love Me, and those
who diligently seek Me will find Me. 8:36 He who sins against Me wrongs his
own soul. All those who hate Me love death.
9:8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate
you. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. [Why would this
be true?]
10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love
covers all sins. [Under what circumstances does one expose sins (Jas
5:16; Is 58:1; 61:1-3; Jer 23:28-29; Mic 3:8; Prov 28:13; Elihu, Job 32-37;
Acts 19:18; Rom 7)?]
12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.
15:12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects
him, nor will he go to the wise.
17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks
love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.
27:5 Open rebuke is better than
love carefully concealed.
11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine's
snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. [Immodesty
is a graphic example of indiscretion].
15:9 The way of the wicked is an
abomination to the LORD, but He loves him who follows righteousness.
15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs
where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.
16:13 Righteous lips are the delight
of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right.
17:17 A friend loves at all times, and
a brother is born for adversity.
17:19 He who loves transgression loves
strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
18:21 Death and life are in the
power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will find good.
20:13 Do not love sleep, lest you come
to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread
[The Bread of Life?].
21:17 He who loves pleasure will be
a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won't become rich.
22:11 He who loves purity of heart and
has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.
29:3 Whoever loves [God's] wisdom
makes his father rejoice.
CONCLUSION:
The purpose of this document is to help
and provide a clearer biblical basis for understanding how each of us -
whether an adult, a parent, a youth, a child - should apply our minds
and wills to doing the will of God in all our relationships.
With that intent, and limiting the purpose
of the workshops to Proverbs, I have amplified the first 7 verses
in an attempt to show the greater depth and beauty of this book.
1:1 The proverbs, the parables, and
the maxims of God, as collected by Solomon, king of Israel and son of David,
are the ways by which to rule; 2 to recognise wisdom and instructive
discipline; to discern words that bring perception; 3 to cause to receive the instructive
discipline of prudence, the carrying out of justice, right determinations,
and equity; 4 to give subtilty to the naive, and
to the young man perceptively knowledgeable awareness and foresight.
5 A man of intellect will listen acutely,
will increase in receptivity to right instruction; and a man of perception
will attain to even more truthfully enterprising wisdom; 6 will perceptively interpret the proverbs,
parables, and maxims for ways to govern; will perceive the patterns of
intelligent thought, and will comprehend the pattern of riddles within
the larger patterns. 7 Whole-hearted reverence for the Eternal
GOD is the beginning of all godly knowledge and divine awareness, but
the careless mind despises godly wisdom and spiritually educative discipline.
Questions posed within the Scriptures,
questions added, questions you might have should be defined and hopefully
many of them will be well answered during the workshops and subsequent
discussions.
1:7 The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge
of the Holy One is understanding. [Holy One: Isa 5:24; 43:15;
45:11; 49:7; 54:5; 60:14; Mk 1:24; Lk 4:34; Acts 3:14]
5:18 Let your fountain be blessed, and
rejoice with the wife of your youth [See also Eccl 9:9; Mal 2:14-15].
23 Her husband is known in
the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
28 Her children
rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises
her.
Your lips cover me with kisses; your
love is better than wine (1:2).
My lover is like the wild flowers that
bloom in the vineyards of Engedi (1:14).
Like a lily among thorns is my darling
among women (2:2).
You are like a dove that hides in the
crevice of a rock. Let me see your lovely face and hear your enchanting
voice (2:14).
34 For jealousy is a husband's fury, therefore he will not spare
in vengeance
7:19 My husband isn't at home. He's gone on a long journey
['Come into my parlour', said the spider to the fly].
21:9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared
with a contentious woman.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,
than with a contentious and angry woman.
25:24 It is better
to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious
woman.
27:15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious
woman are alike. 16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps
oil with his right hand.
1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your
father, and do not forsake the law of your mother. [It should be noted
that straight after the introduction in Proverbs, responsibility is put
on the shoulders, and should be in the heart of the child, presumably
from the age of 12 (Lk 2:41-52). An argument could be made for a level
of high responsibility from the age of 8, increasing till 16, and reaching
fullness at 20 years (See the story of Josiah in 2Chr 34:1-6; 2Ki 22:1-2)].
10 Harsh discipline is for
him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction [Heb.
tokeha; rebuke; confrontation (with one's sin)] will die.
24 The father of the
righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will
delight in him. [How is that achieved?] 25 Let your father and
your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
3:12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
just as a father the son in whom he delights [Compare Heb 12:5-11.
How does this apply?].
If they do, how? If they do not apply,
why?
See Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16; Lev 19:3; 20:9.
Notice Jesus' words to the Scribes and Pharisees: "God commanded, saying,
'Honour your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother,
let him be put to death.'" (Mt 15:4).
1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your
father, and do not forsake the law of your mother [Would it not be
fair to say that one might easily transpose "son" for "daughter" in these
verses?]
3:28 Don't say to your neighbour: Go
home, and come back tomorrow. I'll give it to you then - when you
have it to give now. 29 Don't plot evil against your neighbour, who lives
trustingly close to you.
17 A friend is a
loving companion at all times, and is a brother born to share adversity
[with you]. 18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a
[careless] pledge, and [foolishly] becomes guarantor
for his friend.
6 Many seek the favor of a generous
man, and every one is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All a poor
man's brothers hate him. How much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with pleading words, but it is all in vain.
1:22 How long, you simple ones, will you
love simplicity [simple, simplicity: Heb. peti: immature, naive, undiscriminating,
deceived] ? Scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate knowledge
[Why do some hate folly? (14:8,24,29; 15:21)].
21 I will cause those who love Me
to inherit wealth, and I will fill their treasuries. [These verses
in context, especially taken with vv.22-36, speak of Jesus Christ, who
personifies the Wisdom of GOD (1Cor 1:24)].
15:4 A
wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks
the spirit.
After many hours many hours of thought,
meditation, and compilation of all this the inevitable result is that
this exercise reveals how wondrous are the words of God, how profound and
awesome, and how incredibly instructive this has been for me. The more
each of us takes the words to heart the more godly are our thoughts, words
and deeds. It is an undoubted hope that this document will help give much
impetus to further increase our conformity with the words of life
(Php 2:16; 1Jn 1:1; Rom 12:1-2; Ps 119:14-16,
97-104).