2019 Feb 07 Proverbs 7, Psalms, Matthew 7
2019 Feb 07 Proverbs 7, Psalms, Matthew 7
A warm welcome with a hearty hello! Proverbs 7 contains a story between verses 6 and 27. Let's pick up in Proverbs 7, recapping verses 7-10 and 21, then adding 22,23.
"7 And as I observed the naive ones, I discerned among the youths a young man lacking good sense. 8 He passed along the street near her corner, And he marched in the direction of her house 9 In the twilight, in the evening, At the approach of night and darkness. 10 Then I saw a woman meet him, Dressed like a prostitute, with a cunning heart...21 She misleads him with great persuasiveness. She seduces him with smooth speech. 22 Suddenly he goes after her, like a bull to the slaughter, Like a fool to be punished in the stocks, 23 Until an arrow pierces his liver; Like a bird rushing into a trap, he does not know that it will cost him his life."
Prove 7:7-10 The verse calls the young man "naïve" and one "lacking good sense." He is oblivious, unaware, of the serious consequences of his dwelling on and succumbing to immoral desires. This is in direct contrast to having wise shrewdness, or prudence, able to see the terrible consequences and develop hatred for the wrong. Wrong desire may occasionally confront anyone, whether from our own mind or from our association, including entertainment sources. But how unwise to dwell on the desire we know to be wrong! This has been illustrated by a bird's landing on someone's head, like an immoral desire. What do we do about it? Wouldn't we quickly shoo it away? We wouldn't let the bird remain and build a nest on our head, would we? So it should be with wrong thoughts entering our mind. Fight it with good reasoning on the matter, thinking of the right way to view things from God's perspective, after the example of Jesus. Thus shoo away the wrong thoughts, and switch the station to something good and upbuilding. Unfortunately, the young man of Proverbs 7 acted on his wrong desires, marching "in the direction of her house," putting himself in a compromising situation, exposing himself to temptation that could lead to disaster.
Prove 7:21 The immoral woman uses "smooth speech" and actions with "great persuasiveness." Verse 10 informs us she has a "cunning heart." Thus she proves very deceptive, claiming she has pleased God while violating His standards, and threatening the eternal life and happiness of herself and this young man. May we be reminded to ponder the good things we learn about God's ways, appreciating the wisdom and benefits of doing things the right way, that we may truly love Jehovah and "hate what is bad." (Psalm 97:10). This, coupled with prayer, will help the right thoughts to sink deep into our hearts, where it will affect both our speech and actions.
Prove 7:22,23 Since the young man had unwisely pondered wrong desires, her immoral persuasiveness overcomes his "thinking ability" to lead him into disastrous conduct with this married woman. He didn't even stop to consider how unwise and troublesome this conduct may be. How would her husband feel once he finds out about this young man's interference with the wife? He is "like a fool to be punished in the stocks," as such conduct usually becomes exposed and known publicly, bringing humiliation and disgrace. Further, sometimes there are hidden dangers to wrong conduct, that God understands and gives Him reason to lovingly warn us against the sin. This young man didn't realize the effect on his "liver," causing disease that could end his life in untimely death, like many others who have come to "fall down slain." (verse 26). Just as important is the spiritual impact, corrupting our chaste thinking toward others, as God is preparing us for life in a clean environment spiritually on Earth, with all able to have loyal marriage partners and enjoy pure dealings with true friends worldwide, delighting in God's righteousness. May we ponder the blessings of God's loving purpose toward humans, moving us to be loyally obedient to God and Jesus' teachings and instruction.
Psalm 96 (Book 4, 7th psalm) encourages us to sing God's praises, and "declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all the peoples." (v. 3) Why is this appropriate? Verse 4 acknowledges "Jehovah is great and most worthy of praise. He is more awe-inspiring than all other gods." Especially should we appreciate what verse 5 reminds us, that "Jehovah is the one who made the heavens." When is the last time you looked up at the stars on a clear night, and pondered God's incredible power, wisdom, love, and right ways??? Some question God's authority. But when is the last time they created a star and a planet or two to revolve around it the right distance from it to sustain life? Then to bring the planet to life with all the things needed to make life enjoyable, as God has done in His love and according to what is good and right??? Astronomers are continuing to find planets in our galaxy, evidently in "habitable zones" or perfect distances from their associated star or sun. All glory to Jehovah for His marvelous works!!! Thus verse 9 encourages us "Bow down to Jehovah in holy adornment; Tremble before Him, all the earth!" Jehovah has such love for mankind, and is such as fair Judge. Thus verse 12,13 say "Let all the trees of the forest shout joyfully before Jehovah, for he is coming. He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the inhabited earth with righteousness and the peoples with his faithfulness." May we rejoice that we have such a good, loving, and fair-minded Judge, also allowing Jesus, who imitates His Father's qualities, and represents Him to judge in accord with God.
Matthew 7:15-20 contains Jesus' caution: "15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men."
These verses warn that such false prophets, in their hearts "ravenous wolves," would nevertheless come "in sheep's covering." Thus we must be aware that a person can have an abundance of good knowledge in their head, but without pondering such things to unselfishly use it for the glory of God rather than for their own, such knowledge can "go to their head," causing pride and a deceitful heart. As Paul acknowledged, "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (1Cori 8:1). Inside, they could therefore be, for instance, selfish, greedy of dishonest gain, and showing favoritism, rather than practicing God's justice. Their actions, however, often done in private, belie their claims of having God's love and being righteous in His eyes. Whatever attempts at concealing the true nature of their hearts, will prove fruitless, as the fruit tree must eventually produce fruit, whether good or rotten, for others to see. Jesus' warnings clearly are primarily for the benefit of sheeplike ones, not to fall victim to the teachings and treatment of such deceitful "false prophets." They should find those producing good fruit, those bearing evidence of sincere and righteous hearts of integrity and loyalty to God and his Son. Still, how vital for any falling victim to such practices, to a greater or lesser degree, to sincerely repent before Jehovah, and seek His loving assistance to let His thoughts penetrate their hearts, to receive of His correction. 2Peter 3:9 reminds us that God "does not desire anyone to be destroyed, but desires all to attain to repentance." And Isaiah 55:7 says "Let the wicked man leave his way And the evil man his thoughts; Let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, To our God, for he will forgive in a large way."


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