“The Heir, as Long as He is a Child, Differeth Nothing From a Servant”

(Pro 30:19-23)

[Study Aired June 18, 2026]

Pro 30:19  The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Pro 30:20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Pro 30:21  For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
Pro 30:22  For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
Pro 30:23  For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

Last week we talked about the horseleach who has two daughters who represent Aholah and Aholibah. Here again is the quote from one of Ato’s studies with the book of Ezekiel that we quoted last week (iswasandwillbe.com/ezekiel-2326-49-aholah-and-aholibah-part-2/), repeated here in order to help us consider the first few verses we’ll look at tonight, in (Pro 30:19-23), which represent our time in Babylon after Christ’s first coming.

“In order to understand the study for today, we have to go back to the earlier verses to understand the context. There were two sisters – Aholah and Aholibah. Aholah was the elder, and she played the harlot with Assyrians who invaded the ten tribes of Israel. As we indicated in the previous study, the two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, represent the church of the Lord in different dispensations. Aholah represents the church when it was under the law of Moses, and Aholibah signifies the church after the coming of Christ. That is to say that Aholah represents our walk when we did not know Christ and walked in the churches of this world (Aholah) according to the law of Moses. Aholibah signifies our walk when we were still in the churches of this world when Christ started coming to us. The Assyrians represent the false apostles who come in the name of the Lord but are wolves in sheep’s clothing.” [end of quote]

In this section of proverbs we’re looking at, we see them being spoken of as “two daughters, crying, Give, give” of (Pro 30:15). (Pro 30:19-23) represents the second dispensation when we are Aholibah in the church systems of this world after the first coming of Christ.

Pro 30:19  The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

The question or subject at hand is what we did when we were still in the church systems of this world when Christ started coming to us, to drag us out of her my people (Joh 6:44 , Hos 11:1 ,  1Jn 4:17 , 2Co 6:17). Remember we were just told in verse eighteen that “There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:”(Pro 30:18). This statement is a declaration of our complete immaturity (3+4=7) at this stage in our walk. And now in verse nineteen, the eagle (1), the serpent (2), the ship (3) and the maid (4), all together symbolize the whole (4) status of our yet carnal minds represented by beasts that have not yet been brought properly into subjection unto “a man” who represents Christ the bridegroom of that maid (2Co 11:2 , Joe 2:16).

The “way of a man with a maid” in other words, although a mystery and hidden from the world, is clear to us as we are hidden in Christ (Col 3:3). It is a mystery that is being revealed to the body of Christ through Judgement (1Pe 4:17 , 1Jn 4:17) that is upon the bride so that she can grow unto maturity in this life (1Co 15:51-52 , Eph 5:31-33).

1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

“The way of an eagle in the air” represents the elect who are typified by those eagle’s wings that symbolize the strength that God is going to give us to come out of her my people, a coming out that is typified by the exodus of Israel, only now speaking of the “Israel of God” (Gal 6:16) whose exodus is from sin (Exo 19:4 , Isa 40:31 , 2Co 6:17).

Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Exo 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

Isa 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

In this instance “the way of a serpent upon a rock” represents the yet immature Seraphim who will mature into the Seraphim spoken of in  (Isa 6:2-6). It is when we are raised in heavenly places in Christ (Eph 2:6 , Eph 1:20) as Christ was raised (Joh 3:14 , 1Jn 4:17) that we can then begin to become that mature serpent upon a rock, which “rock” is Christ. God’s word tells us we have to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour (2Pe 3:18) in order to become that mature servant upon the rock, which growth happens in the church (Col 1:24), the body of Christ, by God who gives that increase through Christ, via every joint that supplies in love  (Mat 16:18 , 1Co 3:6 , Eph 4:16).

Isa 6:2  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Isa 6:3  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isa 6:4  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isa 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Christ’s maturing bride is also described as “the way of a ship in the midst of the sea”. Noah represents Christ and His body, who moved with fear, as God’s elect are moving (Rom 8:14-16) to the building up of the body of Christ in love by each joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:16).

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The church is typified by “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of Noah’s ark (Eph 3:18) that was built to the saving “of his house” which house we know can only be built by Christ (Psa 127:1).

Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

That house typifies the few elect, typified by eight souls  [symbol of the new man] in Noah’s day who are on that ark that symbolizes the body of Christ or the firsts fruits of God, His little remnant and flock (Heb 5:7 , Heb 11:7 , Luk 17:28 , Luk 18:7-8). The wisdom needed to build this ark comes from Christ alone (1Co 1:30) who has the words of eternal life that we are told if we are blessed to continue in will set us free (Joh 8:31-36 , Php 2:12-13).

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him(Heb 5:7 , 1Jn 4:17) , though he bear long with them?(Luk 21:19)
Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily(Psa 46:1). Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Pro 30:20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

Everything we’ve been discussing is “the way of an adulterous woman”. In other words when we are yet carnal Christians we are shifting around a lot on that rock like a serpent would (Gen 49:4 , Jas 1:8 , 2Pe 2:14 , 2Pe 3:16) and we get buffeted by every wind of doctrine like an eagle in the air (Eph 4:14). Our way with Christ is found wanting, and because He loves the bride, the maid, God’s elect are chastened and scourged in this age (Heb 12:6 , Tit 2:11-12) which, if we’re given the power to endure such suffering, will prepare us to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Act 14:22 ,  Heb 12:7 , 2Ti 2:12 , Rev 20:6)

Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

2Pe 2:14  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Our initial relationship with Christ is shallow and does not have any great depth, although we may think differently of ourselves. That is why these words are spoken of the adulterous woman who represents God’s elect who are yet in bondage to sin, “the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness”. If we are granted to continue in the truth and speak the truth in love, it will be by God’s grace and the faith of Christ that this is accomplished (Eph 4:14 , Eph 2:8).

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Pro 30:21  For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

Again we see another proverb that aligns these numbers, “three”  and “four”, together. ‘Three’ represents judgement, and so when the earth is being judged, “the earth is disquieted” because it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Lord (Heb 10:31 , Heb 5:7).

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

The earth is the church that is being judged through a process that is effective upon us only if we are of the remnant who are “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev 1:3 , Jer 22:29 , Isa 66:2).

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Disquieted  H7264 râgaz raw-gaz’
A primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear): – be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth.
Total KJV occurrences: 41

At first we cannot bear what God requires of us because we are yet carnal and think that it depends on our strength and not God’s. The strength of the rich young ruler of (Mat 19:20-21) was in his riches which represents his self-righteous spirit that uttered words that confirmed that his confidence was in what he had done throughout his life (Mat 19:20-21). What was required of him was not possible without his being dragged to Christ (Joh 6:44).

It is when we come to the point where we know that unless the Lord opens the seals, the trumpets and the vials in our lives to judge us (Rev 8:6), we will remain hopeless and helpless against the beastly flesh were in (Rev 13:4).

God’s judgement [3] disquiets our earth, “For three things the earth is disquieted”, upon the whole of our life [4] that could not bear that judgement without the faith of Christ, and so the complete man [3+4=7] is going to be formed through the judgement that can and will be endured by the faith of Christ that is upon the whole body of Christ (Luk 22:32).

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Pro 30:22  For a servant^H5650 when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

The immature carnal Corinthian is each one of us in our appointed time, who is liken unto “a servant when he reigneth” (Gal 4:1-5), or a fool who has the meat of the word but is yet a babe and not able to rightly divide that meat of the word (Heb 5:13-14). Again we’re talking about the bride of Christ, and these are the stages that God brings all of His children through, via Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith.

servant   H5650   ‛ebed  eh’-bed
From H5647; a servant: –  X bondage, bondman, [bond-] servant, (man-) servant.
Total KJV occurrences: 800

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Pro 30:23  For an odious^H8130 woman when she is married; and an handmaid^H8198 that is heir to her mistress^H1404.

Pro 30:23  A hated woman when she is married; and a servant-girl who takes the place of her master’s wife. [BBE]

odious  H8130  śânê’   saw-nay’
A primitive root; to hate (personally): – enemy, foe, (be) hate (-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
Total KJV occurrences: 146

handmaid   H8198  shiphchâh  shif-khaw’
Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see H4940); a female slave (as a member of the household): – (bond-, hand-) maid (-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant.
Total KJV occurrences: 63

 mistress  H1404  gebereth  gheb-eh’-reth
Feminine of H1376; mistress: – lady, mistress.
Total KJV occurrences: 9

This last proverb we will look at today is again speaking of our immature relationship with our husband that demonstrates our hatred toward God by the way we keep his words saying ‘Lord, Lord, but not doing the things that He commands us to do’, being yet slaves to sin (Luk 6:46 , Mat 7:21 , Rom 2:13).

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.(Php 2:12-13)

Rom 2:13  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

God has plans for that odious woman who is hated, and it is Esau who is typified by her (Rom 9:13), and it is Jacob who represents our hope of glory Christ within, who God loves, and who is also within her.

This is all telling us that we can be yet carnal and betrothed to Christ as a woman who is hated as Esau was, or be as a handmaid which is the same as saying yet a child even though we are an heir to the throne (Gal 4:1-5). So it can be said that the mistress typifies Jacob, or the maturing bride who will be made ready by God’s mercy shown upon her in this age (Rev 19:7).

Rom 9:13  Even as it is said, I had love for Jacob, but for Esau I had hate.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad with delight, and let us give glory to him: because the time is come for the Lamb to be married, and his wife has made herself ready.

The last section of proverbs chapter thirty that we will look at next week, Lord willing, sets the stage for the last chapter of proverbs, and is very hope-filled as it describes the humility and power and strength that God has given to the maturing bride so that she can, by the grace and faith of Christ, go unto perfection on the third day through a process of judgement in this life (Luk 13:32).

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Pro 30:24  There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
Pro 30:25  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
Pro 30:26  The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
Pro 30:27  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
Pro 30:28  The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
Pro 30:29  There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
Pro 30:30  A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
Pro 30:31  A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
Pro 30:32  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
Pro 30:33  Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give”

(Pro 30:15-18)

[Study Aired June 11, 2026]

In (Pro 30:1-2) that we reviewed last week, we read of the confession of Agur the son of Jakeh, who declared “Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man” (1Co 10:11).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Agur represents all mankind who, in God’s time, will come to put their hands on their mouth, like Job and the apostle Paul, by being brought to see that we are the chief of sinners (Job 40:4 , 1Ti 1:15).

Job 40:4  Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

In the following verses we will look at today, this same point of man’s brute beast demeanor (Ecc 3:18) that is further expounded upon, starting with verse 15, “The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough”. The whole of humanity is represented by the “four things say not, It is enough”  (Eph 2:1-4).

We will look at those “two daughters” as a representation of Aholah and Aholibah (Eze 23:11) that represent stages in our own yet corrupt unconverted hearts needing to be changed by God’s grace. The rest of the proverbs in this chapter focus primarily on the mystery of iniquity, in parables that are hidden from those who are “accusing or else excusing one another”, while in this life not seeing how these things written were meant to be kept or identified as being what is within all of us (Rom 2:4 , Rom 2:15 , Mat 4:4 , Rev 1:3).

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

It is a hidden mystery to the world how God is preparing the bride through Christ (natural Psa 139:14 , spiritual Rev 12:5), and this process of judgement that is upon the elect (1Pe 4:17 , 1Jn 4:17) is what gives us confidence and boldness in this life, not for what we can do in our own weak mortal flesh that needs at first to establish our own righteousness (Php 3:9 , Php 3:3), but for what God can do to prepare the bride and make her ready for the wedding supper as He works in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure, which is to give us the kingdom, that is being formed within us by the righteousness of Christ (Rev 19:7 , Php 2:12-13 , Luk 12:32 , Luk 17:21).

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

This section of proverbs helps set the stage for what needs to be changed within us, as we repent of our former conversation (Joh 3:30), and become more and more a representation of the woman of our last chapter of proverbs who represents the bride of Christ (Pro 31:1-31).

Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease.

Pro 30:15  The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:

What a word! A horse has power, “horseleach”, and we have power in our flesh that’s given to us of the devil (Rev 13:4) and what we do with that power is suck or “leach” the life of Christ away as we succumb to the slavery to sin that has us quenching the spirit of God (1Th 5:19), until the son of God sets us free (Joh 8:36) from that bondage of “the horseleach that has two daughters”.

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

1Th 5:19  Quench not the Spirit.

There are stages to this depravity of spirit which is witnessed by “two daughters, crying, Give, give”. They cry ‘give, give’ defining the vain selfish nature of flesh that cannot be satisfied or say, “It is enough” (Ecc 1:8).

Ecc 1:8  All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. (1Jn 4:5-6)

This excerpt from Ato’s study in Ezekiel iswasandwillbe.com/ezekiel-2326-49-aholah-and-aholibah-part-2/ summarizes who Aholah and Aholibah represent, and in this proverb we see them being spoken of as “two daughters, crying, Give, give”

“In order to understand the study for today, we have to go back to the earlier verses to understand the context. There were two sisters – Aholah and Aholibah. Aholah was the elder, and she played the harlot with Assyrians who invaded the ten tribes of Israel. As we indicated in the previous study, the two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, represent the church of the Lord in different dispensations. Aholah represents the church when it was under the law of Moses, and Aholibah signifies the church after the coming of Christ. That is to say that Aholah represents our walk when we did not know Christ and walked in the churches of this world (Aholah) according to the law of Moses. Aholibah signifies our walk when we were still in the churches of this world when Christ started coming to us. The Assyrians represent the false apostles who come in the name of the Lord but are wolves in sheep’s clothing.” [end of quote]

Contentment is something that can only come by having a right relationship with God (1Ti 6:6), and this happens when we are positively drawn by the grace of God toward living waters found in Christ (Joh 6:44 , Psa 23:1-6 , Psa 1:1-3) that satisfy our souls and bring contentment to us. Babylon on the other hand is that “leach” that is desperately trying to make converts for all the wrong reasons (Mat 23:15 , 2Pe 2:19).

Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Mat 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Pro 30:16  The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

The positive grave is the one that we are baptized into, bringing life (Rom 6:3), whereas the negative grave being discussed in this proverb is likened unto “the barren womb” that represents Babylon who has no stay of bread or water, meaning no right doctrine, doctrines which we know are likened unto children of which there is none in Babylon.

The grave, the womb and the earth are all symbols of the churches of this world that have no water, no word of God within them (Isa 3:1 , 2Ti 3:5-7), and “the fire that saith not, It is enough” is just another way of describing the natural state of all flesh, the earth that Christ must be in the midst of if we are ever going to overcome and positively quench this fire “the fire that saith not, It is enough” which represents the lies of the devil (Ecc 1:8 , Mat 12:40 , Eph 6:16).

Isa 3:1  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, [you can’t quench the fiery darts of the devil if you have no water]

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ecc 1:8  All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Mat 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Pro 30:17  The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

“The eye” represents our perception, and being blinded of our father the devil at that time when we are mocking the spirit, is the first natural default position of all flesh that is “subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope” not having had our eyes and ears open yet to the truth (Rom 8:20-21 , Mat 13:16), causing us to “mocketh at father” [God the Father] with such thoughts and actions as described in these verses (Mat 24:48 , Jud 1:18).

Mat 24:48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Jud 1:18  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (Eph 2:1-3)

This is what Adam and Eve did when they yielded to the lies of the devil in the garden (Gen 3:4). God is not mocked however and what we sow we will reap, and what we sow is what God has purposed we would do according to the counsel of His own will (Gal 6:7 , Eph 1:11 , Rom 9:19-21).

Rom 9:19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Despising the words of the children of God who hold fast to the words of their spiritual mother, Jerusalem above (Gal 4:26), was also prophesied to happen to God’s people by those who “despiseth to obey his mother”(Mat 10:22 , Luk 10:16).

Luk 10:16  He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me;

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

It is “the ravens of the valley” who represent the false doctrines, which are evil spirits, that are likened unto fowl (Mat 13:32), found in the churches of Babylon, who will pick out our eye, meaning our perception, and the other unclean bird, the eagle, that represents the false ministers of Babylon [represented by the “Pharisees and of the Sadducees”], ‘will have us for lunch’, “dust you will eat” (Mat 16:6 , Mat 23:15 , Gen 3:14).

Mat 16:6  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mat 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

If we are being worked with in this age, we will be delivered from the bondage of Babylon that God has purposed that all of humanity must go into in order to ‘come out of her’ at an appointed time (2Co 6:17-18). When we come out of her, the process is reversed and we pluck out our own eye, “better for thee to enter into life with one eye”, meaning the removal or plucking out of the perverted Babylonian beam of self-righteousness (2Th 2:7-8), that then gives us the ability to have a singleness of mind in Christ (2Co 11:3 , Mat 18:9).

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity^G572 that is in Christ.

simplicityG572  haplotēs hap-lot’-ace: From G573; singleness, that is, (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal): – bountifulness, liberal (-ity), simplicity, singleness. Total KJV occurrences: 8

Mat 18:9  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Pro 30:18  There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

This next section of proverbs is introduced with this comment, “There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not”. The “three” represents the judgment of the manchild within the church which is “too wonderful for me”, meaning we are fearfully and wonderfully made, through a process of judgement represented by the number three (Psa 139:14).

Psa 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

The whole process of our growing unto maturity in the Lord is a mystery that is not known to our old man but is being revealed to the new creation that God is forming within His workmanship through Christ (1Ti 3:15-16 , Eph 2:10). The “four which I know not”, confirms this point that the whole [4] process of salvation is a gift from God that is His workmanship from start to finish (Eph 2:8-10).

1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1Ti 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, and the use of the numbers ‘three’ and ‘four’ that add up to seven which symbolizes completeness and assures us that what He has started in us He will finish (Heb 12:2).

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the following proverbs that point to that mysterious work of the Lord within the few who are called in this age to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Mat 22:14 , Rev 20:6).

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Pro 30:19  The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Pro 30:20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Pro 30:21  For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
Pro 30:22  For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
Pro 30:23  For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
Pro 30:24  There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
Pro 30:25  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
Pro 30:26  The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
Pro 30:27  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
Pro 30:28  The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
Pro 30:29  There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
Pro 30:30  A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
Pro 30:31  A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
Pro 30:32  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
Pro 30:33  Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do”

(Pro 30:1-14)

[Study Aired June 4, 2026]

The introduction to this thirtieth chapter of proverbs (Pro 30:1-3) does not have a typical feel or style that most of the other Proverbs have.

Pro 30:1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
Pro 30:2  Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
Pro 30:3  I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

A maturing spiritual mind can see how brutish their own fleshly condition is (Pro 30:2), and sets the stage for the rest of the proverbs that point to the solution to our brutishness being found in Christ who alone can lead us into all truth (Joh 16:13), ascending and descending in our heavens (Eph 4:10) to do this work of grace and faith in this age, in His body (Pro 30:4).

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Pro 30:4  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

It is with that knowledge and conviction of who we are, that we will, Lord willing, continue to diligently examine ourselves against all the words of  God that we are to live by (Joh 9:41, Mat 4:4, Psa 119:160).

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.

“The words of Agur the son of Jakeh” is a ‘Job-moment’ expressed in (Pro 30:1-2). His language parallels Job’s who puts his hand to his mouth after being greatly humbled in his flesh, and recognizes his nothingness in comparison to our great Creator who has been working all things according to the council of His own will, with the ultimate goal of sanctifying all of His creation in time (Pro 30:2, Job 40:4, Eph 1:11, 1Co 3:13, Joh 17:17).

Job 40:4  Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The biblical scholars debate regarding who this “Agur” is, but we know what is important is the message inspired, a  profitable word of God (2Ti 3:16) revealing that when we mature in the Lord, we will all come to the same conclusion that Agur did, as Job did, described by Christ toward his disciples in this verse (Luk 17:10):

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

With this thought in mind, we will look at the first half of the second to last chapter of the book of Proverbs.

Pro 30:1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
Pro 30:2  Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
Pro 30:3  I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
Pro 30:4  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

These opening verses (Pro 30:1-4) parallel God’s comments to Job in (Job 40:1-24, Job 41:1-34) and then Job’s comments to God (Job 42:1-17) after he comes to see through the humbling experiences of his life just how little and insignificant he is (Luk 17:10).

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Agur’s^H94 name means “gathered” and the Lord is going to gather all the nations from the four corners of the world to bring judgement upon the flesh of mankind.

[Gog and Magog typifying how all flesh [4 corners], not just Gog and Magog but every one who has ever been in flesh, will be judged].

Agur’s now correct assessment of what flesh is and is in need of, is typical of mankind’s need for judgement that will come in the order that God has ordained (1Pe 4:17, Rev 20:8, 1Co 15:23). Agur typifies Christ whose Father is Jakeh^H3348 whose name means “blameless”.

Ithiel^H384 is a type of the elect, and his name means “God is with me” (Heb 13:5), and finally Ucal^H401, whose name means “devour”, represents the rest of the world who will be ‘meat’ for the elect at the supper of the Great God (Rev 19:17).

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Rev 19:17  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

There is symbolism in the order and names of these four names mentioned as well. Agur the son of Jakeh, Ithiel and Ucal. The subject has to do with man’s ignorance and inability to hear and see the things of God’s knowledge, and we are being told that this is true of the whole [4] of humanity (2Co 4:4).

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Our hope is in knowing the answers to these questions. It is Christ that “hath ascended up into heaven” and “descended” and “who hath gathered the wind in his fists” and “who hath bound the waters in a garment” and “who hath established all the ends of the earth”.  (Mat 8:27).

Mat 8:27  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? We are blessed to believe that God will, within the body of Christ that is His workmanship, accomplish all this through Christ who has all power over heaven and earth (Mat 28:18, Eph 2:10, Php 2:12-13, Php 4:13).

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Php 2:12-13), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [“walk in them” of Eph 2:10 above]
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Pro 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

God’s word is a shield unto us as long as we don’t add or take away from it (Deu 4:2, Rev 1:3,  Rev 22:19). Our former conversation has us doing just that until Christ comes into our lives to bind those evil spirits and give us victory over our past and present spiritual battles (Mar 3:27, Eph 6:12). So we are going be reproved and found out to be liars if God is working with us in this age, and if we endure that chastening of the Lord, we will be matured and received of God through it (Pro 16:4, Heb 12:6).

Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God,[Psa 119:160] that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Pro 30:7  Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
Pro 30:8  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

This is the cry that God’s humbled elect make every day. It is “two” because it is a witness of Christ who won’t “deny” (2Ti 2:13) himself within us (Col 1:27) of the purpose for which we have been ordained from the foundation of the world to accomplish (Eph 2:10), fulfilling the desires of our hearts that He puts there in this life if we are His elect. These desires and drives will happen “before I die” (Php 2:12-13) so that we can be raised in the blessed and holy first resurrection if this is God’s will (Rev 20:6).

What has to happen in the life of God’s little flock (Luk 12:32) is that “vanity and lies” have to be far removed from us, and we must not be spiritually impoverished by not growing in the grace and knowledge of our Savior (2Pe 3:18). We can only accomplish this by going without the camp with Christ (Heb 13:13, Joh 6:44) so that we can partake of the bullock, the strong meat of Jesus Christ who is represented by the “food convenient for me”. The negative connotation of poverty and riches, “give me neither poverty nor riches”, is defined with these verses (Mat 25:29, Rev 3:17).

Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Pro 30:9  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

The conclusion of verses seven and eight is telling us that we need to ask God for what we need and don’t ask amiss (Jas 4:2-3). We can’t set our hearts on things that are temporal and passing, but rather must keep them fixed on those things which are eternal, as Christ did himself as our example (2Co 4:18, Heb 12:1-2).

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When we’re “full” in the flesh, eating and drinking and being merry all day long (1Co 15:32), we are not in the house of mourning where we can know the Lord and have His strength in our lives as a result of being baptized into his death (Rom 6:3), mortifying the deeds of the flesh, resulting in our being able to overcome this blinded Laodicean spirit (Rev 3:17-19) that says “Who is the LORD?”, or in other words, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”.

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and 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.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

A spiritually poor soul is one who is robbing God by not presenting our whole lives a living sacrifice unto Him, symbolized by the tithe offering spoken of in Malachi (Mal 3:10). When we withhold our life from being a living sacrifice unto God, we are taking “the name of my God in vain”, or His words which are His name.

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, 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.

Pro 30:10  Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Pro 30:11  There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Pro 30:12  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Pro 30:13  There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Pro 30:14  There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

When we get into the second section of proverbs chapter thirty next week, it will be instructive to look back at these five proverbs (Pro 30:10-14) that set the stage for the rest of chapter thirty.

Christ is our master, and each of us are His servants, so this parable is telling us that we are to work together in unity, and cover each other’s sins and not go to Christ with this condemning attitude of others, lest Christ “curse thee, and thou be found guilty”. (Mat 18:22)

Christ is Christ, whether that is Christ in the “servant” or Jesus Christ our saviour. There is a time [dying daily] when we go to God and groan within ourselves things inexpressible regarding the behaviour of others and ourselves, and God is the judge in all instances through His spirit that works within us (Rom 13:4, in the same breath Rom 2:22).

Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Rom 2:22  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

We always need the Lord to help us to bear all things as love does (1Co 13:7, Gal 6:2), and trust that He already knows all the particulars of that person you may be struggling with, or your own personal struggle. In the final analysis God is able to make them stand or fall (Rom 14:4), and so from that perspective we must always be coming  before God with mercy and love, with the hope that we can reconcile any situation by God’s grace and the faith of Christ (Eph 2:16, Col 1:20, Mat 18:22).

Mat 18:21  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Everything that follows verse 10 (Pro 30:10) is revealing the corrupt generation that we’re living in, which wants to pick up the stone and start throwing it at others (Joh 8:7), forgetting our own wretched condition (Rom 7:24, Rev 3:17). We all don’t bear the sword in vain (Rom 13:4), but we’re also told to be very circumspect in removing the beam from our own eyes before we consider it needful to go to another brother (Mat 7:5). In other words, there is a time to go (Mat 18:15), and there is a time to patiently let a situation unfold as God himself does with us, giving us time to repent (Rev 2:5).

With these things in mind we can see that “a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother” is speaking of Babylon that is not given to die daily today, to be judged, and as such negatively “curseth their father” as opposed to being cursed to be on a tree with Christ, which is the positive use of the word ‘curse’ (Deu 21:23, Gal 3:13, 1Jn 4:17, Gal 2:20).

The proverbs go on to show us that “a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness” is also cursed, reminding us of this verse in the book of Revelation, mentioned a couple of times now in this study (Rev 3:17-19).

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and 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.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

This “generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness” is speaking of the self-righteous spirit within us that, by God’s grace, will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming daily into our heavens (Eze 33:13, Php 3:9, 2Th 2:3-5).

The next generation spoken of is “a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up”. Again this is speaking of God’s elect in their appointed time (Mat 24:34), but more specifically regarding the pride of life that blinds us to the reality that we are the chief of sinners, until we are given to see this truth (1Ti 1:15).

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The last generation spoken of is “a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men”, speaking of the heart of man at the end of the ages when the sins of the Amorites are being fulfilled (Gen 15:16, 2Ti 3:1-5, Rev 20:8). As always, if we are brought to see that this is where everyman starts and believe we are being judged by the Lord in this age (1Pe 4:17), then these words will easily be understood as applying to our own former conversation that we are being dragged out of by the grace of God (Eph 2:1-3)

Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation [notice there were 4 generations mentioned in Pro 30:11-14] they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [The sins of the Amorites being fulfilled at the end of this age before Christ returns]

Rev 20:8  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. [sins of the Amorites being fulfilled after the reign of Christ and his Christ]

Next week, Lord willing, will look at the last few verses of (Pro 30:15-33).

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son;
and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

(Pro 29:19-27)

[Study Aired May 28, 2026]

These proverbs are helpful in being able to show us the contrast of our journey in Christ from going from being babes to mature sons of God who by God’s power and might (Zec 4:6) are able to go without the camp becoming heirs of God through Christ (Heb 13:13-16).

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Pro 29:19  A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

Pro 29:19  A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention. (BBE)

Pro 29:19  A servant won’t learn a lesson if you only talk to him. That servant may understand your words but he won’t obey. (ERV)

The servant who will not be corrected by words at first is each one of us, who are under tutors and governors (Gal 4:1-6). We understand the words but do not yet have the power to obey, “for though he understand he will not answer”, and this is all by God’s design to remind us that only Christ can open the seals that need to be opened in our lives to bring us unto maturity in Him (Luk 6:46 , Rev 5:5). It is only with that maturity which is a gift of God (1Co 3:6 , Eph 2:8) that we can find ourselves in that position to be in the blessed and holy first resurrection.

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Pro 29:20  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

These are all conditions of the servant who is a son and an heir, but not yet mature enough to see the need to not be hasty with his words (Ecc 5:2). God is teaching the elect to be quick to hear and slow to speak (Jas 1:19), and this can only happen by suffering for a while, so that we can be perfected, stablished, strengthened, and settled in the Lord (1Pe 5:10).

Ecc 5:2  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Babylon is “hasty in his words”, in his words and not Christ’s. In the positive use of the word “fools”, we are fools for Christ as we mature in him (1Co 4:9-10), our hope of glory within who puts us in remembrance that we will be more than conquerors through him, enduring to the end by grace and faith of Christ (Eph 2:8 , Rom 8:16-18)

1Co 4:9  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1Co 4:10  We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Pro 29:21  He that delicately bringeth up^H6445 his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

H6445  pânaq  BDB Definition:
1) (Piel) to indulge, pamper, bring up, treat delicately
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root

The sum of God’s word shows us that if we spare the rod we will spoil the child (Pro 13:24), so if we indulge our children and don’t correct them we won’t have them at the length spiritually.

On the other hand and in a positive context, God considers our life as being ‘indulged’ and ‘pampered’ when we are being bruised as Christ was, as He knows that this is the only way that we can be received of our Father in heaven (Isa 53:10 , 1Jn 4:17 , Heb 12:6 , Tit 2:12-13).

Isa 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him;(1Jn 4:17 , 2Ti 2:12) he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, [“shall have him become his son at the length”] and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Pro 29:22  An angry^H639 man stirreth up strife, and a furious^H2534 man aboundeth in transgression.

The fruit of an angry man is divisive and stirs up strife. Saul of Tarsus was a furious man that abounded in transgressions. His anger was unknowingly against Christ and his Christ as the nation’s anger is according to the council of God’s will (Act 4:27-28 , Eph 1:11).

Angry  H639  ‘aph  af – From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: – anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.  Total KJV occurrences: 276

Furious  H2534  chêmâh    chêmâ’  khay-maw’, khay-maw’  – From H3179; heat; figuratively anger, poison (from its fever): – anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious (-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath (-ful). See H2529. Total KJV occurrences: 124

There is righteous anger that God has against sin within us every day (Psa 7:11), and there is this carnal, out of control anger that tears down and does not build up, that proceeds from those who have this out of control anger that causes them to sin (Pro 29:22 , Eph 4:26-28).

At first we are Simeon and Levi while we are in Babylon, wanting to take vengeance on others and not able to love our enemies (Gen 34:25 , and Jacob is a type of Christ speaking to our old man Gen 34:30), until the man of perdition is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens (2Th 2:3) so that we can now through His power obey all of the ‘But I say unto you’ commandments’ of Christ (Mat 5:22).

Gen 34:25  And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

Gen 34:30  And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Mat 5:22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

This proverb also reminds us that there is progression to sin. We go from angrily stirring up strife and then become furious, abounding in transgression (the progression in this story of (Gen 34:25-29) is seen in how Simeon and Levi kill first, and then the thief comes to steal (Joh 10:10). It is the opposite of what God has called the elect unto, where we read that we should be going from glory to glory, and being at peace with all men without which we will not see God (2Co 3:17-18 , Heb 12:14 , Jas 1:18-21).

Gen 34:25  And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Gen 34:26  And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out.
Gen 34:27  The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
Gen 34:28  They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,
Gen 34:29  And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

The only anger we should have is against sin in our lives, as we beseech our Father to give us victory over the powers and principalities that we war against (Eph 4:26 , Psa 7:11 , 1Jn 4:17 , Pro 16:4 , 1Co 9:26-27).

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Psa 7:11  God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Pro 29:23  A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

We have to always approach our relationship with Christ and each other and everyone we meet with humility, and if we can’t do that God is assuring us in this proverb that He will abase His children so that we come to that point through His chastening grace (Rom 5:20-21). It is when we are humbled by His mighty hand that we will in due time be exalted to the glory of God (Mat 23:12 , 1Pe 5:6 , Php 2:12-13).

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. [“honour shall uphold the humble in spirit”]

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

A pride-filled spirit has nothing to offer anyone, and so God blesses us to become like a child who is humble and teachable in our spirits, “but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit”. Only Christ can bring us to that place of overcoming the sin of pride, and it will bring everyone low before we are ultimately delivered from it through Christ, “A man’s pride shall bring him low” (Rom 8:36-39).

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Pro 29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

Satan is the thief (Joh 10:10), and if we have partnered with him or someone who is one his children (Joh 8:44) we are in effect hating our own soul (2Co 6:14), being an empowered ‘joined unto’ beast, or son of the devil (Rev 12:9 , Rev 13:4).  This is the opposite of being of one mind with the body of Christ and nourished by every joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:15-16 , Eph 5:14-19).

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

The fruit of being joined unto a spirit such as this, “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul”, is that he/we will “hear[s] the curse, but disclose[s] nothing” (ESV) (1Co 15:33). Our inability to do war against those who are an enemy of the cross is something that we need to constantly be on guard against, and Paul tells us our natural inclination is to not even recognize that there are those who are against us and in our midst (Act 20:28-31).

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves,(1Co 9:26-27) and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Pro 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

David had no fear of Goliath and the armies of that age, and as such God’s plan moved forward. David is a type of Christ and with God’s spirit within us (Col 1:27 , Rom 8:9) His plan is going to move forward despite ourselves (Mat 16:18 , Php 2:12-13). Christ put it this way in (Luk 12:5):

Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. [“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe”]

This kind of fear of God delivers us from the snare of the devil, if God will permit (2Ti 2:24-26).

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (Heb 6:3)
2Ti 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, “The fear of man bringeth a snare” who are taken captive by him at his will.

We know that those who fear God are also those who “trust in the LORD [and] shall be safe”(Eph 1:12).

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

This idea of fearing God is key to our salvation (the beginning Pro 9:10 , the conclusion Ecc 12:13) and it is a gift of God that comes from having God’s spirit within us (Heb 5:7 , Eph 5:30).

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh (Eph 5:30), when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (1Jn 4:17)

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Pro 29:26  Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

We are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” at first (2Ti 3:7) without the judgement that comes from God (1Pe 4:17). Until then we turn to “the ruler’s favour”, the earthly carnal counsel of man’s wisdom because we do not yet have the power of God and the faith of Christ to overcome the lies of the adversary (1Co 2:4-6 , 2Ti 1:7-9). The ruler’s favour is no favour at all (that is found in Babylon) where we are promised liberty and only become part of the blind leading the blind at that time in our lives, until we are called out of her, by God’s grace (2Pe 2:18-19 , Mat 15:14).

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

Pro 29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Polarization! If we think of money or mammon as righteousness or self righteousness, like the rich young ruler parable demonstrates to us (Mat 19:16-26), we can then turn to this verse (Mat 6:24) that shows us that we are going to either serve one or the other, righteousness or self righteousness (Php 3:9), understanding that God has everyone where they are (Eph 1:11 , Rom 8:28 , Mar 10:21).

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

God willing, we will continue to lose our life and serve Christ faithfully to our last breath, going where our flesh does not want to go (Joh 21:18 , Gal 5:16), “no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”.

Joh 21:18  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”

(Pro 29:10-18)

[Study Aired May 21, 2026]

Pro 29:10  The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Pro 29:11  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Pro 29:12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Pro 29:13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
Pro 29:14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Pro 29:15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Pro 29:16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Pro 29:17  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

This eighteenth verse of our study declares, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”.  Each proverb we will look at is in some way connected to this verse, (Pro 29:18), seeing we know that it is God’s word that is a lamp unto our feet (Psa 119:105) that gives us “vision”.

Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Christ is that lamp, He is the word, and you and I are that lamp to each other if God’s holy spirit is within us as our hope of glory (Col 1:27). Simply put, what we are learning is that to be the light of the world we must have God’s spirit within us, and we are commanded to let that light shine in this dark world, and in so doing we will glorify our Father in heaven (Mat 5:14-17).

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. “but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”

Pro 29:10  The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just^H3477 seek his soul.

H3477 yâshâr yaw-shawr’
From H3474; straight (literally or figuratively): – convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet (-est), + pleased well right (-eous), straight, (most) upright (-ly, -ness).
Total KJV occurrences: 119

Saul of Tarsus comes to mind when I read this proverb. He kept the law of God, but not in the spirit, only in the letter. The fruit of his carnal obedience to a carnal commandment had him breathing slaughter against all who were of this way. “This way” of course refers to following Christ who is, “the way, the truth, and the life” (Heb 7:14-16, 1Ti 1:9, Act 9:1, Joh 14:6).

Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (Joh 17:3)

This new doctrine was a threat to Saul as it is to all Christianity today. Saul just represents us in our days in the churches of this world, where we defend the law for the lawless, and the myriad of idols that are tightly wrapped around our hearts, having no power to obey the spirit of the law even if we considered ourselves to be spiritual Jews (Rev 2:9, Rev 3:9).

Rev 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev 3:9  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Pro 29:11  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

There is a right time and a right way to witness, and continuing our reflection with the life of Saul who has been knocked down on the road to Damascus (Act 9:3-6), we learn of what has to happened to each of God’s elect in order to effectively be used of God in whatever capacity He has ordained for us to be a light in this world (Act 9:8-16). Initially we are that “fool [who] uttereth all his mind” and then after we are knocked down to the ground and come to see that we are blind (Joh 9:41), we then arise from the earth, which represents the church in the wilderness, to then see ourselves as the persecuted manchild (Rev 12:13) who by God’s grace and the faith of Christ will no longer know any man after the flesh: “And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: (2Co 5:16) but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus”. It is in the typical city of Damascus where we are going to begin to mature by being “three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink”. It’s only after we have been chastened and scourged of God that we begin to learn how to hold our tongue and “keepeth it in till afterwards”, that being the word of God that we cast before those who the Lord would have us do so, “afterwards”, and to no one else (Mat 7:6).

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Rev 12:13  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Pro 29:12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

There are many examples of this proverb in God’s word but I would like to focus on King Ahab whose four hundred prophets spoke in agreement with him. Ahab is typical of the mother of harlots and the four hundred prophets represents the whole [4] of Babylon whose mantra is ‘unity in the essentials, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love’. In saying this, Babylon has determined that parts of God’s word is non-essential, which we know is a lie of the devil (Mat 4:4, Joh 8:44, Psa 119:160, Psa 139:17).

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.

Psa 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Pro 29:13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

The Lord does “make his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mat 5:45), He does  “lighteneth both their eyes”. It’s two men, the poor and the deceitful man, giving us a witness of what we must come to see ourselves as (Pro 16:1, Pro 16:4) if He is working with us in this age.

Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. [Both “The poor and the deceitful man”]

Pro 29:14  The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

Inwardly we need to continue to acknowledge our blindness without Christ giving us eyes to see and ears to hear (Joh 9:41), and that there is none so blind as God’s servant (Mat 19:27-28) because he knows the poverty that is ours in our flesh. The reward for being blessed to judge ourselves in this age, to die daily, and lose our lives is “his throne shall be established for ever”(Isa 42:18-19).

Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed 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.

Isa 42:18  Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
Isa 42:19  Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’S servant?

Pro 29:15  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

If judgement was not upon God’s elect we would naturally bring shame to our mother, Jerusalem above the mother of us all (Gal 4:26). It takes God’s judgement therefore to bring us to be children who are pleasing in God’s sight (1Pe 4:17, Mat 18:3-5). Christ who is our wisdom (1Co 1:30), increases in our lives via that judgement, “The rod and reproof give wisdom”.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.[1Pe 5:6]
Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

Pro 29:16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

A little leaven does leaven the whole lump, and God allows heresies to manifest to show who is approved in our midst (1Co 11:19). The wicked are multiplied for our sakes, both within and without. God willing we see their fall within us as God leads us unto repentance in this age (Rom 2:4).

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Pro 29:17  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

We are a delight to God’s soul because of the correction He gives us, and if we are as Christ in this life we are also learning obedience by the things that we suffer through judgement (1Jn 4:17), and being His sons and daughters together in this age, we are also learning to judge spiritual matters in the body of Christ, in love (Mat 7:5, Mat 18:3, Mat 18:15-17).

Mat 7:5  Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Mat 18:3  and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:15  And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16  But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.
Mat 18:17  And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.

Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

This is the title of our study, and vision is of the utmost importance for the body of Christ. We’ve looked at where it comes from, but in this last verse I want to look at a very important parable that ties all of what we’ve looked at today. Vision comes from knowing God and Jesus Christ (Joh 17:3), and this story in the book of Acts (Act 6:8-15, Act 7:56-60) expands for us the meaning of what that vision is, and how powerful a role it plays in bringing us to be dedicated to God to our last breath (Mat 24:13, Heb 10:25-26).

Act 6:8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11  Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Act 6:12  And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Act 6:13  And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:[same pattern of false accusations against Stephen as was against Christ (1Jn 4:17)]
Act 6:14  For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Act 6:15  And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Act 7:56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.(Joh 17:3)
Act 7:57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
Act 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Act 7:60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Our initial inability to acknowledge our sufficiency that is given to us of God (2Co 3:5) results in our forsaking the assembling of the brethren (Heb 10:23). The context is extremely important here, in (Heb 10:23-31). We are that sacrifice for sin for each other along with Christ (Lev 16:10), and as such we provide vision for each other by coming together and giving each other hope to endure the cross to the end, and in so doing be saved and not perish for the lack of vision in our lives (Mat 24:13).

2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:[1Co 6:3]
Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins”
Heb 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.(Lev 16:10)

Christ has all power over heaven and earth within each member of the body of Christ (Mat 28:18) and that is where the strength of the fit man spoken of in (Lev 16:10, 1Co 10:16) resides for each of us, if we are blessed to avail ourselves of that communion, the cup of blessing which we bless, which is the communion of the blood of Christ, and the bread which we break, which is the communion of the body of Christ, which we are (Mat 24:13, Pro 29:18, Eph 5:30).

Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [the fruit of iniquity is to separate ourselves from one another, and to say I have no need of the body of Christ, which will lead to blindness and no vision]
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

“The king by judgment establisheth the land”

(Pro 29:1-9)

[Study Aired May 14, 2026]

Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Pro 29:2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Pro 29:3  Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Pro 29:4  The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Pro 29:5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Pro 29:6  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
Pro 29:7  The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Pro 29:8  Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Pro 29:9  If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

The true pattern of a Christian life that God’s elect are called to recognize is one of judgement that is upon the household of God (1Pe 4:17). The first thing we learn of in the churches of this world that we are first drawn into, to then come out of, is that we need only confess our sins one time and voila, you are a shoe-in for the first resurrection, giving license to a potential lifetime of licentious behaviour because Christ did everything on the cross for us (1Co 2:2, 1Co 3:1), leaving us nothing to fill up of what is behind of His afflictions (Col 1:24).

The truth is that the elect are represented by the few (Mat 22:14) typified by the scapegoat that must go through a wilderness experience at the hand of Christ the fit man, or author and finisher of our faith who will make us ready to be saviours that come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau with Christ (Oba 1:21, Lev 16:10)

Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Apprehension of this blessed gift of being in the first resurrection is on our fleshly terms at first, and denies the need for a lifelong process of overcoming, and dying daily, and enduring to the end (1Co 15:31, Mat 24:13).

These opening proverbs of chapter 29 struck me as being very clear on the point that only Christ can establish our kingship and potential future rulership under Him (Rev 5:10).

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

In order for that to happen we must be convinced that we are of the generation who have no confidence in the flesh and then we can be found with His righteousness within us if God permit (Php 3:3, Php 3:9) having been apprehended by Christ to that end (Php 3:11-14), which is just another way of saying that we have been sealed by the holy spirit of God and no one can take us out of our Father’s hands (Eph 1:13).

Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Christ is the means to the end, He is the one who apprehends us as the author and finisher of our faith Php 2:12-13)
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

There will come a time as it did in Paul’s life and all those who the Lord is working with, where our confidence in what God can do in us will cause us to abound with the faith that Christ prayed for the elect to have (Rev 22:11, 1Ti 1:15-16, Luk 17:10, Php 2:12-13, Luk 22:32). There is an outward and inward application that speaks to the points in these verses (Rev 22:11, and 1Ti 1:15-16) and as we mature in Christ we will see more clearly how we have nothing to offer to God and that trials and judgement will be upon us until our last breath as it was upon Christ’s flesh (1Jn 4:17). This realization should be a great encouragement for us, knowing that He who has begun this work in us will finish it through Christ (Rom 5:10).

Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy (Rom 11:30-32), that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

When we clearly see that we bring nothing to the altar, we are acknowledging by those convictions that my unjust flesh is going to remain unjust still and filthy to my last breath, but God’s elect will also be blessed to acknowledge and recognize that His righteousness within us has remained still, and His holiness has remained still, in us to our last breath (Rev 22:11). That conviction is what grows in our lives despite our shortcomings, that only need to be confessed and they will be forgiven (1Jn 2:1-2).

It is because of the judgement, the fiery trials of our life (1Pe 4:12-13), that we cease from sinning (1Pe 4:1-2, Tit 2:12-13) and continue on fulfilling the will of God, and all of that is only possible because of our hope of glory within, Jesus Christ (our hope by which we are saved is tied into the tokens of our afflictions, our filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ Col 1:24, Col 1:27).

Paul came to a point where he was persuaded that nothing could separate him from the love of God and because of a lifetime of suffering, and not otherwise, his confidence soared regarding the faith of Christ within him that convicted him that he could be more that a conqueror through Him (2Ti 4:7, Col 1:24, Mat 16:2-3).

2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

In the early stages of our walk we experience ‘red skies in the morning’ and are told to ‘take warning’, this taking warning means, arm yourself with the mind of Christ (1Pe 4:1, Mat 24:6) because we are in a spiritual battle that is going to require fiery trials (1Pe 4:12), and Psalm 107 storms that will bring us to our wits’ end, but God will be faithful to bring us to our safe haven Jesus Christ every time (Joh 6:44).

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The latter part of our life is the second part of that proverb or parable found in (Mat 16:2-3) that we’re discussing, where Christ says ‘red sky at night is a sailor’s delight’. Yes we delight ourselves in the Lord (Php 4:4) because we know that although we are promised red skies at night, meaning wars in our heavens, and rumours thereof (Mat 24:6), we have at this point matured enough to realize and rejoice in the faithful Creator in whose life we have committed our souls, regardless of the trials and thorns in our flesh which we now know are needful and necessary to grow and go unto maturity in this life. They are a token for us of His working in our lives (1Pe 4:18-19, 2Th 1:5).

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

2Th 1:5  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Let’s look at these proverbs with the thought that we are more than conquerors through Christ (Rom 8:37) who is in charge of the whole process of our salvation, and is giving us the power to be set free from sin (Joh 8:36), as we lose whatever fleshly attributes that have to be put off (Mat 18:9) in order to gain this great prize of being in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Rev 20:6).

Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

We all are like hardened criminals at first, whose repentance is insincere because we still haven’t been set free from the sin in question (Joh 8:36), and that being proved or made evident by the ongoing need to be reproved for any particular giant in our land that continues to keep showing up.

The hope of our calling is in Christ, who at the appointed time, will bring sudden destruction upon the man of perdition within our members (2Th 2:3-8), truly setting us free from the sin, so that there is remedy, healing, which is the means by which this sin will not come back to dominate our lives as it did for an appointed time (Gen 6:3-4). That’s the true gospel that is hidden from the world, and is the deepest lesson that God is going to teach all of humanity starting with His children first typified by Joseph (Gen 45:5).

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Gen 6:4  There were giants in the earth in those days;(1Co 10:13) and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Gen 45:5  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Pro 29:2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Inwardly we mourn, we sigh and cry because of wickedness that bears rule for a season in our heavens, and God causes those conditions for His people today so that we have contrast drawn in our hearts to compare against the fruit of the spirit that gives us victory over those unprofitable works of darkness that must be exposed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our lives (Eph 5:11-12, Rom 6:21).

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Pro 29:3  Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

Again we need to think of the fruit of our lives in times past, our former conversation to understand how we kept company with harlots, meaning the churches of Babylon who rejected the wisdom of Christ. Our Father was not rejoicing in our Babylonian captivity but knew it was necessary to draw the needed contrast between that time in our lives when we spent all our inheritance from our Father upon the harlot systems of this church world (Luk 15:13). It takes a miracle to come out of her my people and then to begin to rejoiceth our Father with the acceptance that we now have with Christ within us and His wisdom that He gives us so that we can give back to Him that which was his all along (1Ch 29:14).

Luk 15:13  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

1Ch 29:14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Pro 29:4  The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Christ is our king and he will establish our land which is our bodies in the “acceptable year of the Lord” (Luk 4:18-19). ‘Receiving gifts’ in this proverb is what overthrows the faith of some, and those gifts come in the form of the vain babblings of Babylon that promise liberty when there is none to be had (2Ti 2:16-19, 2Pe 2:18-19, Luk 4:18).

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

2Ti 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2Ti 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.(2Th 2:7, Eze 33:13)

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity [self righteous iniquity 2Th 2:7, Eze 33:13], they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Pro 29:5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

We can connect the word flattery, “flattereth”, with these two verses (Pro 6:24, Job 17:5), to give us a greater sense of what is being discussed. It’s the flattery of a “strange woman”, the churches of this world that preach smooth things that seduces the flesh into believing another Jesus, and another gospel. The “the eyes of his children shall fail” of the one who speaks flattery to friends, is a reminder that our doctrines, which are likened unto children, are going to fail us and cause spiritual blindness to only deepen in Babylon (Mat 6:23, Mat 23:15).

Pro 6:24  To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

Job 17:5  He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Mat 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Pro 29:6  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

A sinful life brings with it a spirit that ensnares the one who is a slave to sin (Joh 8:34-36), and a snare to the one who is not discerning of the other life that is in bondage (Jud 1:23-25).

Jud 1:23  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jud 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Co 3:17), as long as we don’t use that liberty as an occasion to sin (Gal 5:13), and so we must be ever vigilant in examining ourselves whether we are in the faith or not (2Co 13:5). This daily examination is being accomplished by our hope of glory within (Php 2:12-13, Col 1:27), which is what will bring us to “sing and rejoice”(Php 4:4)

2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Pro 29:7  The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

Christ in us brings us to be genuinely concerned for one another as a joint that supplies in love (Rom 5:5-6, Eph 4:16).

We can still be looking only to our own needs and not that of others, “the wicked regardeth not to know”, and when we do that, we are robbing ourselves of tithes and offerings, meaning we are robbing ourselves of the opportunity to do good unto all men and especially unto the household of faith who we must be provoking unto love and good works (Heb 10:24-25).

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

God’s compassion working within us motivates us and gives us the desire to do what is right and to overcome what is wrong, “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor”. Without his spirit shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5-6), our lives remain very spiritually unfulfilled because they are focused on self and not laying down our life for one another as Christ our example did (Act 20:35).

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Pro 29:8  Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

The ‘city brought into a snare’ represents the church, and these verses that use that word “scornful” establish this point, (Isa 28:14, Pro 1:22). Wise men turn away wrath that comes from a scornful person by disassociating ourselves with them (Psa 1:1).

Isa 28:14  Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

Pro 1:22  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Pro 29:9  If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

If you find yourself in this situation it is somewhat of a diverse temptation that God has given you to exercise patience (Jas 1:2-3). With God’s help, with the holy spirit leading, us we can be ready to give an answer in these situations or not give an answer (Pro 26:4-5, Pro 26:11-12), which is in itself an answer to a foolish man, and “whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest”. So don’t expect to change that person, but rather let God do the dragging and converting after you have sown the mandatory two witnesses to that person (Tit 3:10).

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Pro 26:4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Pro 26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Pro 26:11  As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Pro 26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Tit 3:10  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

The inward application of this verse applies to the way that we can overcome the powers and principalities that we war against in our heavens and that Christ is far higher than. The solution against the fiery darts of Satan is to quench them with the faith of Christ (Eph 6:16), and when we do this God will give us the power to follow these commands that we take into battle every day (Mat 5:25).

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Mat 5:25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

“From whence come wars and fightings among you?”

(Pro 28:17-28)

[Study Aired May 8, 2026]

The answer to the question posed in the title is found in (Jas 4:1-10) and the accompanying proverbs we will look at in this last section of chapter 28 explains how we rob ourselves of a rich and abundant life in Christ by wanting the riches of this life at all costs, losing sight of the true riches which are incomparable to that which God has set before those who love him, and who are called according to His purpose (Php 3:8 , 1Co 2:9 , Rom 8:28).

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

As we go through these last proverbs of chapter 28 we’ll look at how they correlate with these commandments of Christ (Mat 5:44 , Luk 6:27 , Luk 6:35) that tell us to love our enemies. The world cannot reconcile these verses in their hearts, and a warring spirit, one that hates, is associated with one who is wanting and willing to do what it takes to get what we want. The result is war in our hearts, and whether we know it or not, this avarice is the breeding ground for the entire history of humanity’s warring ways.

Pro 28:17  A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

This proverb is true of everyone who has ever picked up a sword and thought that an eye for eye and a  tooth for a tooth was the way to go, whether you picked up a real physical sword or not (1Jn 3:15).

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

But this is what Christ commands us today: (Mat 5:38-42). Everything that follows (Mat 5:38) tells us what we must actively be doing to demonstrate by our actions that we love our enemies (Mat 5:39-42). Violence does not have to be physical violence, it can a violent act of neglect, or seeking vengeance in some way when God tells us that this belongs to him (Rom 12:19).

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:41  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

“let no man stay him” is just another way of saying “let the dead bury the dead” (Luk 9:60). We don’t try to shelter the guilty, not within the body of Christ or without, but we bury our own dead in Christ in the prescribed manner God has ordained found in (Mat 18:1-20) along with our own dying daily examination of whether we be in the faith or not (Rom 14:4).

Luk 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

The court measures itself (Rev 11:2), and as hard as it was for Cain to be a marked man, God did not shelter him from the punishment that was due for his actions of murder against his brother (Gen 4:12-14). The Corinthian fornicator was not sheltered from the punishment of being put out of the church, and neither was Paul or any of us exempt from being buffeted by “the messenger of Satan” as Paul was (1Co 5:5 , 2Co 12:7).

Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not;[Luk 9:60] for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

2Co 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

Pro 28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

We are all perverse in our ways at first as we read in (Eph 2:1-3), and not able to walk “uprightly” in order to be saved. Only Christ can change our walk and wrestle our old man to the ground and leave us in a state for the rest of our lives (2Co 12:7-8) knowing that we can only be more than conquerors through Christ, as this story of Jacob typifies (Num 14:22 , Gen 32:24-25).

2Co 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

Num 14:22  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Gen 32:25  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

It is a lifetime of overcoming that is required as we completely fall seven times (Pro 24:16) and by God’s grace get up and keep overcoming as we confess our iniquities to our merciful and forgiving Father who knows our frame and is cleansing us through Christ. This judgment and wrestling match that the elect have their whole lives (1Pe 4:17) is how our “life is preserved” (Lev 26:40 , Eph 4:22-26 , Lev 16:21 , Gen 32:30).

Gen 32:30  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Pro 28:19  He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Howbeit in vain Christ said do they worship me (Mar 7:7), and that vanity spoken of in this verse, “but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough”, points to our labours in Babylon where there was no stay of bread and water (Isa 3:1), and we were in fact building our own houses, and bigger barns, as opposed to examining ourselves and being led unto true repentance which is what this statement is a shadow of, “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread”.

The harvest comes after the hard work of tilling the land, which is a symbol of examining ourselves, and being prepared in heart to receive the word of God that our Father will give increase to in our lives as He wills “plenty of bread”. It is when we labour for the meat that does not perish (Joh 6:27), that we do so without vanity, as a result of presenting our lives to him as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2 , Joh 6:44). This is what will give us “plenty of bread” and enrich our lives in Him.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Pro 28:20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

The “faithful man” represents the elect in this age who are blessed with Christ’s wisdom (1Co 1:29-30). It is the Lord who makes us as such so that we can provide our portion or be a joint that supplies in love in due season that which the body needs to the edifying of itself in love (Luk 12:42-43 , Eph 4:16).

1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Luk 12:42  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Luk 12:43  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Pro 28:21  To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Christ is the one who has kept us thus far, and Christ is the one who will give us the power to endure until the end (Php 4:13), no one taking us out of the Father’s hand (Joh 10:28). If we contributed one iota to our salvation then perhaps we could “have respect of persons”. But God tells us in this proverb that glorying in men or the flesh of men is akin to this statement, “for for a piece of bread that man will transgress”. We do this at first when we are dragged to the body of Christ when we innately, because of our past making an idol of the beast (Rev 14:9-11), continue in this vein falling at the feet of John to worship him approach (Joh 6:44 , Rev 19:10 , Rev 22:9).

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Pro 28:22  He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

An evil eye is an eye that is not single (Mat 6:22) and tries to serve both God and mammon (Mat 6:24). By doing this spiritual poverty is certain to “come upon him”.

Mat 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Seeking the kingdom of God first (Mat 6:33), and laying down our lives for each other is what will bless us with peace that passes all understanding (Php 4:7), whether we have a little or a lot (Php 4:12).

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Php 4:12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Pro 28:23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Everyone that Christ rebuked will benefit from His correction, as God’s elect are today (Heb 10:26 , Pro 27:6). The many examples of Christ rebuking in the bible is for our sakes as scripture tells us “that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God” (2Co 4:15).

Below are some of the examples of Christ rebuking, and never flattering flesh, including His own flesh of which He told someone right after he explained that we must be as humble as a child to enter into the kingdom of God, “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”[in other words having a right perspective of what flesh is, including Christ’s flesh, is absolutely needful if we are going to “inherit eternal life”]

Christ rebuked the religious leaders (Mat 23:27-28), his disciples (Mat 16:23), again his disciples for a lack of faith (Mar 16:14), the sons of thunder were rebuked (Luk 9:55), he rebuked the crowd, the wicked and adulterous generation (Mat 12:39), He rebuked the corruption in worship (Mat 21:12-13), and the unrepentant cities mentioned in (Mat 11:20-24).

Pro 28:24  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Wherein have we robbed you Lord? That was the question in the book of Malachi (Mal 3:7-9).

Mal 3:7  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Mal 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.[the fig tree cursed Mar 11:14]

We have robbed God in tithes and offerings which represents the whole of our life (Rom 12:1). We naturally rob God of His glory when we don’t present our lives a living sacrifice and continue to conform to this world (Rom 12:2). And when we take glory unto ourselves by being found operating in our flesh, by our own righteousness, our companionship at that moment is with the devil who is called a destroyer, making us “the companion of a destroyer”(Rev 9:11).

Rev 9:11  And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon^G3, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon^G623.

G3 Abaddōn ab-ad-dohn’
Of Hebrew origin [H11]; a destroying angel: – Abaddon.
Total KJV occurrences: 1

G623Apolluōn ap-ol-loo’-ohn
Active participle of G622; a destroyer (that is, Satan): – Apollyon.
Total KJV occurrences: 1

It is our “father or his mother” we are robbing, who typify God the Father and Christ who is the head of the church, or we could say it is Christ and the church who we are robbing, when we don’t present our bodies a living sacrifice unto Him (Rom 12:1-2). The opposite effect of robbing Him is pronounced in these verses that proclaims that if we keep his commandments, his words, the Father and the Son will abide in us (Joh 14:20-23).

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Pro 28:25  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Pro 28:26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

A proud heart is a heart that trusts in his own righteousness (Php 3:9). Pride comes before a fall, and what causes that fall is the inability to walk humbly with God and mankind (Mic 6:8 , Zec 4:6). God therefore humbles His children so that we can walk humbly with Him, no longer trusting in our hearts but yielded to His will (2Co 1:8-9 , Pro 3:5-6).

2Co 1:8  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2Co 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

When we don’t bind His laws around our hearts we are going to bring strife upon others and not know the way to peace (Deu 11:18 , Pro 3:3 , Pro 6:21 , Pro 7:3 , Isa 59:8). When we trust God emphatically it is because we have been going through fiery trials (1Pe 4:12) which create zeal within us so that we can bind God’s laws continually upon our hearts.

Pro 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Pro 6:21  Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

Pro 7:3  Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

It is a fool who trusts in his own heart (Jer 17:9-10), and it is a wise man who sees the need to examine himself and die daily (1Co 15:31) so that we can walk wisely and be delivered from our flesh (Pro 3:5-10).

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;(Jer 17:9) and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Pro 28:27  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

We are to do good unto all men, but especially unto the household of faith (Gal 6:10), and this is the way of life we’ve been called unto (Luk 6:38 , Pro 19:17).

Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Pro 19:17  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

If we forsake this way of life it will bring “many a curse” on us (1Jn 3:17), but if we present our bodies a living sacrifice and give our entire life to God as a living scapegoat sacrifice, we “shall not lack” and will be blessed for helping the poor in spirit who Christ says the elect are (Mat 5:3).

We are poor because we truly see the impoverished state that flesh is in, and the need for continual deliverance, as opposed to those who we once were, thinking, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev 3:17 , Joh 9:41).

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Pro 28:28  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Another way of saying this part of the proverb, “but when they perish, the righteous increase”, is found in (Joh 3:30).

Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease.

The wicked within us must be made manifest, and those giants in the land may cause us to hide ourselves, but not in a negative sense but rather in the Lord who will do battle against those giants in our land, those powers and principalities that He is far higher than (Eph 6:12 , Eph 1:19-21).

Every battle in history is just a reminder for God’s elect that the main battlefield we are always to be identifying is within us, “From whence come wars and fightings among you?”(Jas 4:1-7).

This is where the battles are taking place and why Christ tells us not to worry, because the battle is of the Lord and we will be more than conquerors through Him (1Sa 17:47 , Mat 24:6 , Rom 8:37).

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [within the hearts and minds of His children]
Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1Sa 17:47  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

“God divided the light from the darkness”

(Pro 28:12-16)

[Study Aired April 30, 2026]

Many of the proverbs in God’s word have contrasting light and dark statements that act like contrasting colours in the natural world. The natural things do reveal spiritual truths as we read in (Rom 1:20). One can find webpages with examples of contrasting colours at work. For example, the effect of orange appearing more orange, and blue more vibrantly blue when they are set beside each other.

Rom 1:20  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:

Complementary colors – Wikipedia

The same principle is true with many of the proverbs that relay the positive and negative example of some particular subject in scripture to make both sides of the coin brighter in our heavens. God works continually through contrast that are both the same to him as we go from glory to glory (2Co 3:18) at the hand of the Master Potter who is dragging us to Christ (Joh 6:44), working out this process within us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure (Isa 45:7 , Psa 139:12 , Php 2:12-13). God does not do the evil, but he does facilitate such an evil experience at the hands of those who are being humbled in this life, which in time will be everyone (Eph 1:11 , Ecc 1:13).

Ecc 1:11 There is no remembrance of former generations, And also for those who shall come after us, A remembrance of them shall not continue With those who shall come afterward.”
Ecc 1:12 I myself, the Assembler, came to be king over Israel in Jerusalem.”
Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it. (CLV)

The old man and the new man within us are needful for the workmanship of His hands to be brought to see more clearly through this contrast that we are guilty of all, and chief of sinners, or as David was inspired to say, just as Saul of Tarsus did in their own words “you [Tony] are the man” (2Sa 12:7 , 1Ti 1:15). The only thing that is acceptable to God in us is Christ (Eph 1:6) who is the new creation (2Co 5:17).

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Christ is being formed within His body the church today (Col 1:24), and that’s why Paul was rejoicing because he was blessed to endure all that suffering he was going through in his day with the people of God, via the much tribulation (2Co 11:23-30), that must be a part of our lives if we are going to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Act 14:22 , Php 1:29 , 2Ti 2:12).

Pro 28:12  When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

Pro 28:12 When the righteous are glad there is great felicity everywhere, Yet when the wicked rise humanity must lie low.”[CLV]

Pro 28:12  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. [ASV]

Christ is our righteousness and if we are granted to endure to the end of this life to be those saviours that come up on Mount Zion (Oba 1:21) there will be great rejoicing from the saints at that time. In (Job 38:4-7) we read a typical statement of the great rejoicing of the morning stars that sang together. What they were rejoicing over is found in the context of the words which are typical of the body of Christ who are also measured and supported upon “the corner stone thereof” which represents Christ (Eph 2:20 , 1Pe 2:6). Again Paul was rejoicing as we rejoice knowing that Christ is being formed within the church (Col 1:24).

Job 38:4  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Job 38:5  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Job 38:6  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Job 38:7  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,(Heb 11:26) and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

The wicked have risen in the lives of God’s elect and are being destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming within (2Th 2:2-8). Now we are hidden in the Lord, being judged first (1Pe 4:17), as God’s workmanship that is hidden from the world (1Co 2:7 , 1Pe 3:4).

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Outwardly evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse at the end of this age (2Ti 3:13) and that is also a typical statement that Christ made reminding us that the outward wars and rumours of wars and breakdown of society (Mar 13:7 , 2Ti 3:1-9) are types and shadows of what has come to be realized is within us and needs to be destroyed by Christ. This is the first and perhaps most obvious contrasting proverb we’re looking at, where we learn that it is within us that light will come out of darkness as the Lord mercifully judges us and leads us unto repentance in this age (Tit 2:12-13 , Heb 12:6). This concept stems back to our title where the first use of the word light and darkness are used in the bible in (Gen 1:4), revealing the means by which God would work with His workmanship until the very end when He is all in all, and there is no more darkness (1Co 12:6 , 1Co 15:28 , Eph 1:23)

1Co 12:6  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

What must be destroyed by the brightness of His coming into our heavens:

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Pro 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Covering our sins is the same as despising God’s goodness that leads us unto repentance “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper” (Rom 2:4). We will not prosper spiritually with such a hardened heart, and therefore this section of the proverb is contrasted with the miracle that must occur in our lives as God give the increase by softening our hearts and making them contrite and broken (Isa 66:2 , Psa 51:17). It it with that heart alone that we can confess our faults from our heart and be shown mercy from our heavenly Father “but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy“. Again we see contrast here that is simply showing God’s elect that no one comes out of Egypt which typifies the bondage of sin except by the strong hand of our Lord, the fit man who takes us through our wilderness experience of evil (Joh 8:32-36 , Lev 16:21).

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

“but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy“

Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Pro 28:14  Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

If we are as He is in this life (1Jn 4:17) then we are going to be blessed to have this Godly fear working within us so that we may be heard, in that we fear God as Christ did in the days of his flesh (Heb 5:7 , Eph 5:30).

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

If we don’t continue to hear him (Joh 8:31 , Mat 24:13) are hearts will be hardened, and this is the litmus test as to who it is that has God’s spirit within them or not (1Jn 4:3-6).

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Without Christ’s spirit working within us it is impossible to not have our hearts hardened as the love of many will wax cold because of iniquity abounding at the end of this age (Mat 24:12-13), due to the fact that God is not saving everyone in this age but a few who have been blessed to have their eyes and ears opened, and kept open, in order to hear Christ’s parables that reveal the kingdom of God within us (Mat 22:14 , Luk 17:21). The obvious contrast here is that you will either be given a heart that fears God until the end of this age, or  you won’t, saying my Lord delays his coming (Mat 24:48-50)!

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Pro 28:15  As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

There is no direct contrast with this proverb that is simply showing us in type and shadow how wicked Satan is, who is likened unto “a roaring lion” or a “ranging bear“. The “wicked ruler” is the god of this world (2Co 4:3-4) who has kept the world in spiritual poverty from the garden of Eden “a wicked ruler over the poor people“.

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

He is like a “roaring lion” that wanders around, roaming, and searching and seeking who can destroy, all according to the counsel of God’s own will (Eph 1:11). He is likened unto a “roaring lion” seeking whom he may destroy (1Pe 5:6-8), which is why we must always be on our guard, ever vigilant (2Co 2:10-11). The positive use of a lion is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who is destroying all the false doctrines within us, giving us victory over the lies of the devil. The positive use of a bear in scripture is also in connection with the destruction of false doctrines that are in this story being likened unto children that were destroyed by a bear (2Ki 2:24)

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2Co 2:10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; [“Humble yourselves“]
2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2Ki 2:24  And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Pro 28:16  The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

When we are wanting and lacking in understanding we can feel oppressed and be oppressive due to the lack of good judgment, wisdom, and insight, that are all qualities that God is forming within the body of Christ. “The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor“.(1Co 10:11 , 1Ki 12:1-14).

1Ki 12:8  But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
1Ki 12:9  And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
1Ki 12:10  And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
1Ki 12:11  And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
1Ki 12:12  So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
1Ki 12:13  And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
1Ki 12:14  And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18). Solomon in the positive view of his life typifies Christ, and his son and those who He put in charge are a good example of someone lacking understanding, reflecting this covetous me first attitude that has been dominating so many rulers throughout the ages “but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days “.

Next week will continue to look at how God is dividing the light from darkness within us, and how this process is being revealed in His word, and in particular via the proverbs we are studying.

“The Righteous are Bold as a Lion”

(Pro 28:1-11)

[Study Aired April 23, 2026]

Pro 28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Pro 28:2  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
Pro 28:3  A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
Pro 28:4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Pro 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Pro 28:6  Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Pro 28:7  Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Pro 28:8  He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Pro 28:10  Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
Pro 28:11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

In this section of (Pro 28:1-11), we’re shown a clear contrast between two ways of living. The righteous are “bold as a lion,” walking in integrity and understanding, while those who pursue wickedness or unjust gain ultimately bring harm—to others and to themselves, taking on a mindset of fearing men and not God, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth”.

Wealth, when pursued without righteousness, is shown to be unstable and even destructive as it draws us away from our Father. Putting our confidence in those things which are temporal is what will destroy our confidence in God, but if we are granted to look to, and believe and work toward attaining those things which are not temporal, and not seen (Heb 11:27), it will be by the grace and faith of Christ that this is accomplished (2Co 4:17-18, Eph 2:8).

2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (Mar 10:29-31)
2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:(Mat 6:33) for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

In (1Ti 6:6-13), where we’re reminded that “godliness with contentment is great gain,” and we are admonished that “they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.” Paul adds that “the love of money is the root of all evil,” and urges us to “flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” This aligns perfectly with what Jesus teaches in (Mat 6:33), “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Together, these passages remind us that the issue is not simply wealth, but what we are pursuing first. Are we chasing gain, or are we seeking God’s righteousness above all? This brings us to a most instructive parable that the world gives no regard to as far as what its spiritual meaning is, found in (Mar 10:17-27).

Mar 10:20  And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.(Mat 16:25)
Mar 10:22  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. (Php 3:9)
Mar 10:23  And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:24  And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches (Php 3:9) to enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:25  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,[the narrow way] than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mar 10:26  And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
Mar 10:27  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

This really is where ‘the rubber meets the road’, as we say, and it was written for our admonition to remind us that this narrow way that leads to life can only be found with Christ’s righteousness, which happens as a result of our being miraculously dragged to Him in this age, so we can lose our life (Php 3:9, Joh 6:44, Mat 16:25).

Right after describing this parable to His disciples, Peter then says this, “Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee”. This journey God’s elect are on separates us from the rich young ruler, and brings us to eventually see the need to give our whole lives a living sacrifice to our Creator (Rom 12:1-2), going in a direction that He has ordained for the bride of Christ (Rev 14:4, Rev 19:7, Rom 8:14-16, 2Co 3:17). And what was Christ’s answer to Peter who represents us? (Mar 10:29-31). This answer of Christ is why the redeemed of  the Lord (Psa 107:2) ought to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice”(Php 4:4).

Mar 10:29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
Mar 10:30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mar 10:31  But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Pro 28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

This faintness of heart, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth”, is a curse from God that comes upon us when we are not doing the right thing in His service (Lev 26:36).

Lev 26:36  And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies;[the enemy of unbelief within us] and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

It is possible to have Godly fear and boldness at the same time, which comes as a result of the Lion of the tribe of Judah abiding in us (Col 1:27, Rev 5:5), and when we labour for the meat that does not perish (Joh 6:27) our hearts are strengthened by that bread of life (Psa 104:15).

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Psa 104:15  And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

When we don’t neglect so great a salvation by crying out to God, as Christ did with fear (Heb 2:3, Heb 5:7, Eph 5:30), those prayers will avail much and cause us to not faint and lose heart (Luk 18:1). If we seek God with all our heart he will be found (Jer 29:13, Heb 11:6), and the strength will be given to stand our spiritual ground, which is on His Word (Eph 6:13), not fleeing under any circumstance. “The wicked flee” but the righteousness of Christ makes us “bold as a lion”(Rev 2:10, Rev 5:5)

Luk 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Pro 28:2  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

Our bodies are likened unto the land, and the many princes represents power that yet rules over our bodies causing us to transgress. It is only with spiritual understanding that comes from Christ that we will be able to have lives that will be prolonged, as we’re given dominion over those powers and principalities that are likened unto princes (Eph 6:12). The “man of understanding” represents Christ in us and when we honour our olam Father Christ, and the church Jerusalem above, our days shall be prolonged by being in that blessed and holy first resurrection, which is what this first commandment of promise is all about (Eph 6:1-3, Rev 20:6).

Eph 6:1  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Eph 6:2  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Eph 6:3  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Pro 28:3  A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

This statement, “A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food”, is true both physically and spiritually. It’s the gentle consistent rain of God’s word, meat given in due season, that benefits the body of Christ, not a driving or sweeping rain that would make things worse, which is symbolic of the Nicolaitan spirit that wants to rule over the laity with its damaging rain that promises liberty but does not deliver (2Pe 2:18-19).

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

In Babylon there is a Nicolaitan spirit which rules over the laity with false doctrines, and those false doctrines are like “a sweeping rain which leaveth no food”. We were definitely poor in Babylon, with no stay of bread and water (Isa 3:1) and though our intentions were good, because of our blindness at that time we were the poor man who was oppressing the poor with a myriad of false doctrines that as we read is likened unto “a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.”

Pro 28:4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

This proverb is showing us that our response to evil reveals where we stand. If we drift from what is right, or leave our first estate as it is described in Jude (Jud 1:6), we would start to tolerate and even approve wrong doing as the blinded church of Corinth did, both physically and spiritually (1Co 5:1-3).

1Co 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife
1Co 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Co 5:3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

It is by standing on the word of God that we can contend with that spirit that was in the Corinthian church of Paul’s day. It was the physical event of fornication that revealed the spiritual fornication that was in the hearts of the Corinthians who were tolerating not just a little leaven, but a lot in their midst (1Co 5:4-7).

1Co 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Co 5:6  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Pro 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

Our labours are not in vain in the Lord, and it is in the seeking of Him that we will “understand all” (Php 3:14-16, 1Jn 1:7-9). We won’t understand judgement if our actions are evil and we are relying on our own righteousness to deliver us in this life (Php 3:8-9).

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Pro 28:6  Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Being poor in spirit (Mat 5:3), whether your wealthy by the world’s standards or if you don’t have a lot in this life, is infinitely more valuable than a rich person who is perverse in his ways (Php 4:11-12). It is those who have the Kingdom of God within them (Luk 17:20-21) who have the true riches, that is to say the life of Christ within us (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9), which gives us the ability to “walketh in his uprightness”. The rich person who is “perverse in his ways” represents our time when we were the rich young ruler, confident in our Babylonian doctrines and confidence in our own flesh, our own righteousness (Joh 1:17, Luk 16:16, our last proverb Pro 28:11), which is where we all start until were given the power to come out of her my people and live by the faith of Christ (Gal 2:20).

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Php 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Php 4:12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Pro 28:7  Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotousH2151 men shameth his father.
Pro 28:8  He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Pro 28:10  Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

Keeping the law of Christ is a blessing (Psa 119:2), and the one who does not keep the law is considered riotous^H2151 in this proverb and is contrasted with the law-abiding “wise son”. The riotous man is described as a prodigal son, someone who is squandering his father’s inheritance in Babylon, which we all do at first. The parable of the prodigal is not about us being on the physical skids as a result of poor money choices, but rather about taking God’s fair jewels of my gold and of my silver [the inheritance from his father Luk 15:12] and wrapping it around the idols of our hearts which is what the prodigal son does, and we do when we are in Babylon (Eze 16:17). Consequently if God is working with us in this age, we are brought to our wits’ end and come to see by God’s grace that we are spiritually starving to death (Luk 15:11-32).

Eze 16:17  Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

Riotous H2151 zâlal zaw-lal’
A primitive root (compare H2107); to shake (as in the wind), that is, to quake; figuratively to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal: – blow down, glutton, riotous (eater), vile.
Total KJV occurrences: 9

The “usury and unjust gain [that] increaseth our substance” represents our labour of building our own house that is all done in vain, and “he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor” means that even that which we think we have will be taken and given to those who were blessed to have the Lord build their spiritual house in this age (Psa 127:1, Mat 25:29).

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

The verse, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination”, is telling us that not everyone that says “Lord, Lord…” will be heard of God (Mat 7:21, Luk 6:46). If we turn from hearing the law of God we will reap what we sow, but as Paul said, ‘I am persuaded better things of the body of Christ (Heb 6:9) who God is causing to have a broken and contrite heart so that He looks to us and our prayers are heard, in that we fear Him’ (Isa 66:2, Rom 9:22-23, Heb 5:7, Eph 5:30, 1Jn 4:17).

Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

We all caused the righteous to go astray in an evil way when we were in Babylon, and consequently fell into our own pit of self-righteousness, thinking that we were right before God in our spiritually hedged state. It is only when that insidious spirit of self-righteousness is exposed from the pit of our being that we will cry out by the grace of God and be amongst the upright that “shall have good things in possession”, with the “good” being the life of Christ now abiding in us, who said ‘there is none good but one’ (Mar 10:18, Luk 17:10).

Mar 10:18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Pro 28:11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

This last proverb we will look at is an admonition to not let knowledge puff us up and become conceited, as if we had attain anything of our own selves, “The rich man is wise in his own conceit”. This high-mindedness that we must avoid at all costs, is addressed in the book of Romans, (Rom 11:18-21), and “the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out” is symbollic of the poor and contrite spirit of our Lord who became poor for us (2Co 8:9) and with God’s spirit within us searches out all that conceit within us, or any root of bitterness (1Co 2:10, Pro 20:27), and destroys it so that it cannot gain victory over our lives in Him (Rom 8:37).

Rom 11:18  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom 11:19  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

2Co 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (1Jn 4:17).

1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Pro 20:27  The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.(Rom 2:4)

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5), who, if He is dwelling within us, will cleanse this temple that we are (1Co 3:16), driving out everything that does not belong there our whole life (Joh 2:15) so that we can continue to worship our Father in spirit and truth (Joh 4:23), coming boldly before “the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16, Eph 1:16).

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”

  (Pro 27:17-27)

[Study Aired April 16, 2026]

Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Pro 27:18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Pro 27:19  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Pro 27:20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Pro 27:21  As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
Pro 27:22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Pro 27:24  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Pro 27:25  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
Pro 27:26  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Pro 27:27  And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Our title, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”, taken from verse 17 of this chapter,  is a powerful metaphor that reminds us that growth is never meant to be a solitary journey (Heb 10:25). This proverb from last week’s study (Pro 27:9) confirms that it is Christ in us who makes it possible for us to be a joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:16, Col 1:27, Rom 5:5, Rom 8:30-34).

God’s word of course is likened unto a sharp two-edged sword (Heb 4:12), and both breastplates and swords can be made of iron, and so we’re reminded of the constant need in these verses as the body of Christ to be sure that we are clothed with the spiritual armour that God grants us in this life (Rom 8:29-32) in order to do battle against the powers and principalities that we constantly war against (Eph 6:12). This is how we can be an effective joint that “maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph 6:10-18, 1Th 5:1-11).

Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Iron is being likened unto God’s word in this opening proverb, and we know God sends His word to bring healing (Psa 107:20, Joh 20:21, Joh 3:17), especially to God’s elect in this age (1Ti 4:10). It is because of our belief in that word (Joh 6:68, Joh 6:28) that we can grow and overcome and endure the reproach that comes upon us for trusting in the living God who is the saviour of all men.

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God (Eph 1:12), who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe (specially of those who are doing the work of God in this age Joh 6:28-29).

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Two examples of God’s word being sent to bring spiritual healing: “Iron sharpening iron”

1- Nathan Confronts David — “Iron sharpening iron”

2Sa 12:13  And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.(Eph 2:8, Psa 32:2)

2- Paul Confronts Peter — “Iron sharpening iron”

Gal 2:11  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Pro 27:18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Keeping the fig tree is just another way of saying “Occupy till I come”(Luk 19:13), the fig tree representing the body of Christ as does the vineyard that we occupy. Our labours our not in vain in the Lord (1Co 15:58) and we are reminded through Christ directly that “he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured”(Mat 24:42-47).

Luk 19:13  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.(Heb 11:6)

Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [Christ is the goodman in our temple (1Co 3:16, Col 1:27) and we are being told to not neglect so great a salvation by stirring up the spirit of God within us, and Christ will then be that goodman who will be the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 2:3, Heb 12:2, Php 2:12-13)]
Mat 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. (Luk 9:23, Joh 6:44, Mat 19:27-30)

We are not just passively sitting around or mentally not involved as we wait for the Lord’s return but rather we are by God’s grace fearfully (Mat 10:28) taking on all these needful qualities in our life (Heb 11:7, Heb 5:7, Mat 18:8-9, Rom 13:11) that will make it possible for us to be scarcely saved as it says in (1Pe 4:18).

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (1Jn 5:4).

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Mat 18:8  Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat 18:9  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Heb 11:26)

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Pro 27:19  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

When we understand our own heart we will get insight into the heart of others is what this proverb is saying, and that is true for both the negative and positive things that come forth from our hearts (Jas 3:10-18, 1Co 3:1-6).

Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

What we know about the heart of man is that it is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things (greatest enemy we have is seen in the mirror every morning Jer 17:9). That’s who the beast on the throne who is empowered by the devil is (Rev 13:4), and he must be destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming into our lives daily (2Th 2:3-8) so that we can go from glory to glory (2Co 3:18) ripping this veil of flesh daily, keeping under ourselves (Heb 10:20, 1Co 10:16), as we die daily, to ultimately see Christ face to face one day (2Co 3:13, 1Co 13:12). For now we see through a glass darkly making the way very narrow for those few who are called to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Mat 7:14).

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The reflection that we see of ourselves in the water is being paralleled with the heart of “man to man”. We are beasts that have to be shown we are such, and we cannot become that new creation without acknowledging that truth (Ecc 3:18), and so we must be judged our entire life in order to endure to the end and be saved (1Pe 4:17, Act 14:22)

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith (Gal 2:20, 1Jn 5:4), and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Pro 27:20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

This proverb is simply telling us what we read here in Ecclesiastes (Ecc 1:8-10).

Ecc 1:8  All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Ecc 1:9  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Ecc 1:10  Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

This is why the internet with the myriad of search engines on AI steroids fits right into this proverb that says “the eyes of man are never satisfied”(Ecc 12:12, Gen 6:3). All of flesh leads to the same “hell” (H7585 Sheol; grave) “and destruction” (H10 ->H11 Abaddon; perishing) destination, and cannot inherit the kingdom (1Co 15:50). As long as there is flesh, “hell and destruction are never full”.

Ecc 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Our Father is ultimately seeking an occasion against all flesh [all books], and today God’s elect are blessed to be judged and overcome all that is in the world [our books] within us first so that we can fulfill God’s will (1Jn 2:15-17, Eph 2:8, Eph 1:12, Php 1:29).

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. [the narrow way Mat 7:14]

Pro 27:21  As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

Pro 27:21  People use fire to make gold and silver pure. In the same way, a man is tested by the praise people give him. (ERV)

Pro 27:21  The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, and a man is measured by what he is praised for. (BBE)

In these verses we are being shown that when we go through trials our life is going to be refined, “fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold”. It is those tests that we go through that bring us to a place where we are standing in the Lord and if standing we are giving honour where honour is due, “a man is measured by what he is praised for” (Rom 13:7). All that glory and honour are God’s for the work that He does within us as His workmanship (Eph 2:10).

God has worked a work in our lives which is expressed in these verses (this is the “the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold”1Co 3:12-14) and it is all being accomplished by God through Christ who told us of himself he can do nothing without the Father, just as we of our own selves can do nothing without Christ (1Jn 4:17) while in these earthen vessels (Luk 19:40, Joh 15:5, Joh 5:30, Rom 1:20).

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Mic 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Pro 27:22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

Pro 27:22  No matter how hard you beat a fool, you can’t pound out the foolishness. [CEV]

This proverb is speaking about our old man whose hardened heart cannot change and make war with the beast (Rev 13:4), until the day of evil is revealed within ourselves (Pro 16:4) and the man of perdition is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens (Joh 8:36). Christ is the pestle that crushes the wheat in the lives of God’s elect for good, but if we are not being worked with in this age our sorrowful situations will not change us, being of a worldly sort and not Godly sorrow that is not to be repented of.  (2Co 7:9-10). Godly sorrow brings forth fine flour that is refined and able to be used to nourish the body of Christ as the next verse goes on to show (2Co 7:11)

2Co 7:9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him”)
2Co 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Pro 27:23  You should take good care of your sheep and goats, (CEV)

David was a man after God’s own heart, and so there is a correlation to repentance in the lives of God’s people that is needful if we are going to be justified and take good care of the Lord’s flocks and herds (Luk 18:14). We are taking good care of the flocks and herds when we have a contrite and broken heart which is a gift from God (Isa 66:2). Verse (Isa 66:3) is contrasted with (Isa 66:2) to show the difference between a sacrifice that is acceptable versus one that is not.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isa 66:3  He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

Pro 27:24  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Pro 27:25  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

Pro 27:24  because wealth and honor don’t last forever.
Pro 27:25  After the hay is cut and the new growth appears and the harvest is over, (CEV)

The imagery of youthful spiritual beginnings is illustrated with these words, “The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered”, speaking of the sincere milk of the word that we can grow by (1Pe 2:2), going onto maturity no longer a babe in Christ but able to partake of strong meat (Heb 5:13-14, Eph 4:13-15, 1Pe 5:10).

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

There are seasons in our lives where we will be less productive, and God has purposed this and calls us to pray for that renewed growth “because wealth and honor don’t last forever” and “After the hay is cut and the new growth appears and the harvest is over” we need to continue to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling to the end (Php 2:12-13), patiently possessing our souls (Heb 10:36, Luk 21:19) and waiting for the next harvest, the next increase, that God gives in our lives (1Co 10:11-13, 1Co 3:6, Jas 5:7).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Jas 5:7  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:(1Pe 5:10) for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Pro 27:26  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Pro 27:27  And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Pro 27:26  you can sell lambs and goats to buy clothes and land.
Pro 27:27  From the milk of the goats, you can make enough cheese to feed your family and all your servants. (CEV)

We are like Christ on this earth (1Jn 4:17-18) and as such we are sheep for the slaughter (Rom 8:36) whose lives are sacrificed for each other so that we can clothe each other, “The lambs are for thy clothing”, as a joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:16). The end result of our due diligence in the Lord which is accompanied by repentance (Rom 2:4) is an abundant spiritual harvest which is being likened unto with these words, “The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field” and “goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens”. Between harvests in our lives we have enough spiritual store laid up, which is what this plenty is talking about [likened also unto extra oil in our vessels given by the grace of God (Mat 25:4, Eph 2:8)].

Finally we share in paying for “the price of the field” as the scapegoat along with Christ. The field is the world (Mat 13:38), and God so loves the world that He bruises Christ as well as His body (Isa 53:10, Mat 21:44, Php 1:29, 2Ti 2:12) so that we can share in being saviours with our Lord who will come up on “mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S” (Oba 1:21).

Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: (the fit man within Col 1:27, the same fit man Lev 16:21)

Isa 53:10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes[a] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.[NIV]

Mat 21:44  Any man falling on this stone will be broken, but he on whom it comes down will be crushed to dust.

Php 1:29  Because to you it has been given in the cause of Christ not only to have faith in him, but to undergo pain on his account:

Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

These final few verses we’ve looked at remind us that Christ not only had the preeminence in being crushed for our sakes, but has also taken on the role of our high priest so we can be assured that we can indeed drink the cup. (Mat 20:23, Rom 5:10). God’s word, Christ,  is that strong sword in our heavens who is able to sharpen our heavens and prepare us to endure whatever the future holds for the bride of Christ (Joh 18:9).

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Joh 18:9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.