2020 Jan 10 Proverbs 2, Psalm 119 Stanza 3B
J. Mark A. Campbell-Elanemy • January 10, 2020
2020 Jan 10 Proverbs 2, Psalm 119 Stanza 3B
Hello, wishing you well! Let's move into Proverbs 2, verses 1-6, then consider stanza 3B of Psalm 119, verses 21-24.
"1 My son, if you accept my sayings And treasure up my commandments, 2 By making your ear attentive to wisdom And inclining your heart to discernment; 3 Moreover, if you call out for understanding And raise your voice for discernment; 4 If you keep seeking for it as for silver, And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah, And you will find the knowledge of God. 6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and discernment."
"1 My son, if you accept my sayings And treasure up my commandments,"
Prove 2:1: Proverbs 30:5 says "Every saying of God is refined." Jesus said in prayer, at John 17:17, "Your word is truth." We can count on God's word the Bible containing powerful, dependable truths. Let's appreciate the 'sayings of God,' and treasure up his commandments. "This is what the love of God means, that we observe His commandments, and yet his commandments are not burdensome." (1John 5:3). God's commandments, now primarily through Christ, are for our protection and benefit, essential to keeping God's standards in our life.
"2 By making your ear attentive to wisdom And inclining your heart to discernment;"
Prove 2:2: Recall we have two ears and one mouth, so we should be good listeners before
being good speakers. A truly wise person continues to humbly listen and learn from others, rather than becoming a "know-it-all." Of course, the gaining of knowledge is fine with proper motive, but is best preceded by the acquiring of a "heart of [true, divine] wisdom." May our ears be attentive to genuine wisdom from God, the successful application of knowledge, in God's view, and may we seek discernment, the ability to see the difference between right from wrong, good from bad, true from false, wise from unwise, and the more important matters of law from lesser matters, though still required.
"3 Moreover, if you call out for understanding And raise your voice for discernment;"
Prove 2:3: May we call out for understanding and discernment, by seeking God's assistance in prayer, that largely we may ensure proper motives in serving God, loving Him first and foremost (Matth 22:37-39). God is the One who loves mankind the most, so true love will faithfully act in line with God's will in seeking to love others, rather than doing things our own way, seeking our own glory. (Prove 20:6). With understanding, we can begin seeing the big picture, along with all the smaller pieces of knowledge and how they interrelate to one another, coming together to make the whole, seeking God's glory in making use of such knowledge, not our own (John 7:18).
"4 If you keep seeking for it as for silver, And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah, And you will find the knowledge of God. 6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and discernment."
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PSALM 119
Stanza 3 Theme: FONDNESS FOR GOD'S WORD VITAL FOR FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 119:21-24, offering more help in line with developing fondness for God's word, reads this way: "You rebuke the presumptuous, The cursed ones who stray from your commandments. 22 Remove from me scorn and contempt, For I have observed your reminders. 23 Even when princes sit together and speak against me, Your servant ponders over your regulations. 24 I am fond of your reminders; They are my advisers."
Psalm 119:21 You rebuke the presumptuous, The cursed ones who stray from your commandments.
AVOID PRIDEFUL DISOBEDIENCE.
The presumptuous take liberties that they have no right to take, and thus fall under the curse of Jehovah's disfavor. Even through Christ, showing great mercy to sinners as they learn to trust God more fully, nevertheless exceptional obedience to one or many serious commands does not excuse violation of another. James 2:10-13 makes this point, with verse 11 putting it this way: "For the one who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” If, now, you do not commit adultery but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of law." Whitewashing such evil does not take away the effect of Jesus' stern rebuke: "But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have hung around his neck a millstone that is turned by a donkey and to be sunk in the open sea.7 “Woe to the world because of the stumbling blocks! Of course, it is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the man through whom the stumbling block comes!" (Matth 18:6-7). Now Jehovah is primarily a God of hope. (Romans 15:13; Psalm 25:5). So the point is, may we therefore turn away from evil practices, refusing to stumble God's precious sheep, training our conscience by God's word, proving loyal to our God and Father, Jehovah.
Psalm 119:22 Remove from me scorn[or, reproach] and contempt, For I have observed your reminders.
LOOK TO GOD DESPITE REPROACH.
The psalmist pleads for Jehovah to take away any reproach motivated by hatred, even by fellow servants of God, who may have found fault with him, or reproach received due to the sins or mistakes of a parent. He thus requests to be treated fairly according to his own integrity, rather than receive prejudice due to the errors of others. Clearly the psalmist strives hard to observe God's reminders, that he may give no good reason for reproach against him.
Psalm 119:23 Even when princes sit together and speak against me, Your servant ponders over your [instructions].
REMAIN COURAGEOUS TO OBEY GOD.
Likely, princes would be speaking against a king, anointed of Jehovah. Despite such reproach or rebellious talk, the psalmist continues to look to God and His word, to ensure he remains compliant and receive divine favor and assistance. We should thus regularly "ponder" or reflect upon God's good guidance and instruction, just as Paul exhorted Timothy, to "Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, so that your advancement may be plainly seen by all people." (1Timo 4:15). Prayer should usually precede such a thoughtful intake of spiritual instruction, that we may do so with a proper, unselfish motive, seeing how to use the information to help others and ourselves to honor Jehovah, improving in our worship of Him.
24 I am fond of your reminders; They are my advisers.
Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
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