Proverbs 5:1-23 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding”

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Proverbs 5:1-23

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,
and
attend to know understanding”

[Study Aired Nov 28, 2024]

There are two words that I want to draw our attention to, which summarize for us the central point being given to us in this fifth chapter of Proverbs. Those two words are attendH7181 found in the first verse, and the word instructionH4148 found in the last verse of this chapter.

If we look at the root of the word silverH3701, which we know is connected to repentance (Rom 2:4), it is similar to the word attendH7181, in that we won’t repent without a strong desire to do so, and that desire comes about by hearing the word of God that we are blessed to hear in this life if God is working with us (Rev 1:3, Mat 13:16). For a more in-depth study on this concept, please see Mike Vinson’s 7-part series on Silver, of which Part 1 starts here.

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?

God considers His leading us to repentance as the riches of his goodness where we learn of his forbearance and longsuffering spirit (Jas 5:7, Luk 21:19) not knowing at first that it is God’s goodness that leadeth thee to repentance for an extremely valuable purpose (Heb 11:24-25, Mat 19:27-28). It is instructive to note that the first time H7181 qâshab kaw-shab’ is used, it is in the context of what God considers most valuable in our relationship with Him, and that is that we hearken unto Him and obey him (1Sa 15:22, 1Jn 5:2-3).

1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearkenH7181 than the fat of rams.

If God has granted us a humble and contrite heart (Isa 66:2), then this process of going from glory to glory as we acknowledge our shortcomings by looking into His word, that is likened unto a mirror, (2Co 3:17-18) will turn us into a peculiar and zealous people toward the Lord through this examination of self, becoming doers of the word and not hearers only. Hearing the word but also attending to what those words say as they motivate us to move with fear in obedience toward our heavenly Father (2Co 7:11, 1Pe 2:9, 1Co 11:31-32).

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: [the light that reflects off this mirror we look into, and remember what we see, and then attend to what God shows us in the process]

1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

The second word we are considering is instructionH4148, which is in the last verse of this study. It takes on a much brighter meaning when we see how it is used in the context of this fifth chapter of proverbs. As we noted, it is God’s forbearance and longsuffering spirit that needs to be working within us (Php 2:12-13) in order for us to not grow weary of His correction, as we are received as sons of God through it [Heb 12:6]. This word instructionH4148, is connected to ‘chastening’, ‘chastisement’, ‘correction’,’ discipline’,’ doctrine’, and ‘rebuking’.

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

There’s no getting around this point. Every son has to suffer in this life in order to cease from sinning and fulfill the will of God, which is to prepare us to become kings and priests who will rule and reign under Christ (1Jn 2:16-17, 1Pe 4:1-2, 2Pe 3:11-12).

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.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh (Eph 5:30), arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Christ is the one who can take us through these humbling experiences (Ecc 1:13) that will bring us to cease from sinning, being given a humble and contrite heart that is subject to our Creator and to one another as unto Christ (1Pe 5:6, Heb 12:2, Php 1:6, Eph 5:21). God will be exalted through Christ who washes us of all our iniquities and cleanses our hearts and creates in us a new spirit that is zealous for the Lord (Psa 51:10-12, Eze 36:26). These are the wonderful works within us that God’s elect are to offer up as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to our merciful Father (Psa 107:22-30, Heb 13:15).

We must go through a process as His children, bringing us to see the hypocrisy of our own flesh, and also how, in the end, the Lord is far greater than the power that sin has over us (Joh 8:36). We will deny him less and less, and if He is working with us in this age, he will abide faithful to finish this work of grace through faith in us (Eph 2:8), not denying himself as the author and finisher of our faith (2Ti 2:13, Mat 26:34).

Pro 5:1 My son, attendH7181 unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
Pro 5:2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

We’ve looked at the word attendH7181, showing how it is connected to repentance, and in this opening couple of verses we are being shown that ‘attending unto wisdom’ requires that we go through a humbling process, bow thine ear to my understanding. The fruit of that experience of being humbled under God’s hand is that we will be able to regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. It is only through having our senses exercised that we can then grow in that discreet and discerning spirit of the Lord and truly have lips that keep knowledge (Heb 5:14, Rev 13:4, Isa 6:5-8, Rev 5:2-5).

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.

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?

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. [Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?]
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:
Isa 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.[After we go through a process of purification we have a strong desire [silver – kaw-saf] to serve the Lord and to be sent Joh 20:21, Joh 3:17, 1Jn 4:17].

Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. [no one is worthy and no one can open the book, but Christ in us as our hope of glory]
Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. [Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?]
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals [free indeed Joh 8:36] thereof.

Pro 5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

The lips of a harlot that represent mystery Babylon the mother of harlots (Rev 17:5) is contrasted with those who have lips that keep knowledge in the previous verse. This strange woman [whose lips] drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil is a perfect description of the churches of this world who are estranged from Christ and speak words that are easy to digest like honey, and smoother than oil which is no oil at all (Isa 3:1, Mat 25:8, 2Co 11:4).

Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

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,

Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

2Co 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus [strange woman [whose lips] drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil], whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, strange woman [whose lips] drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Pro 5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

The end of those who are seduced by this harlot system is one that is bitter as wormwoodH3939, and not in the positive sense of God’s word being sweet in the mouth like honey and bitter in the belly. No, this is the exact opposite of that, just as this sharp as a twoedged sword does not represent the word of God (Heb 4:12), but rather is a counterfeit sword that is used to pierce Christ and keep the words of life that He wants to bring us, dead and hidden (2Co 4:3, Joh 19:34, 2Sa 14:14).

Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

2Sa 14:14 For we must needs die, [Gal 2:20] and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

Pro 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hellH7585(‘sheol’, grave).
Pro 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Pro 5:6 Lest you should ponder the path of life, Her routes rove about, yet you know not where.”(CLV)
Pro 5:6  For she goes not upon the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known. (Brenton)

This harlot system directs the laity down to death as her steps take hold of hell , all telling us that the spiritually dead can’t help but bury their spiritually dead, as the world is further and further deceived and being deceived (Luk 9:60, Mar 13:22, 2Ti 3:13).

Mystery Babylon is a mystery to those who are blinded to how the god of this world operates (2Co 2:11), but unto the elect, Babylon is falling within and is being exposed by the grace of God (Eph 2:8) as we ponder the path of life which path of life is Christ (Joh 14:6).

Studying to show ourselves approved is how we can avoid being deceived by the myriad of lies in Babylon (Rev 9:2), not laying hold of Christ, having ways that are slippery, deceiving even the very elect if it were possible (Mar 13:22).

It is through the judgement that comes upon the elect in the house of mourning where we die daily (1Co 15:31, Ecc 7:2) that we can continue to overcome the lies of the harlot system that God’s people are blessed to come out of (2Co 6:17) in this life, through judgement (Psa 84:10, 2Pe 3:8).

Pro 5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Pro 5:8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
Pro 5:9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
Pro 5:10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
Pro 5:11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
Pro 5:12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
Pro 5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
Pro 5:14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

In order to Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth, we must be given to attend to the instruction in these verses in the book of James (Jas 1:19-24). Right after telling us to hear and not depart from God’s word, we are shown the consequence of not doing this when we don’t remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house. This harlot represents Mystery Babylon and all the false religions of this world of whom God says we are not to give thine honour unto nor thy years unto the cruel. This section of our study is an admonition to give heed unto Christ’s words and hold fast to the crown that God has given us, not being seduced by the lies and falsehoods of Babylon. Giving our honour to others and our years unto the cruel is what we do when we cast our pearls before swine (Mat 7:6) who represent the unconverted that we witness to with fear and trembling, when the Lord requires it of us, as opposed to carelessly casting our pearls to the unconverted who never asked an answer of the hope within us in the first place (1Pe 3:15, Php 2:12).

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.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts (Jas 1:19-24): and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

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.

The pearl of great price is Christ who is hidden within us and we must walk circumspectly in this world we’ve been sent forth into, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Mat 10:16, Mat 7:6).

If we’re not wise then strangers [will] be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger. This grave mistake of saying too much to the unbelieving, filling their house with our wealth in other words, is what was typified as being done in the life of Hezekiah (2Ki 20:13). The end result for Hezekiah and the nation he ruled (2Ki 20:16-21) is what the proverb continues to reveal would happen: you will mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed.

2Ki 20:13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them [from Babylon], and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

Hezekiah’s house was his empire which does represent a kingdom within that he was supposed to rule over properly, but he did not. We all must go into Babylonian captivity to come out of it and so How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof are words that discuss our own inability, without Christ, to be faithful to God’s words as we come to realize, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. It is in the midst of the congregation and assembly for a reason, as this is talking to us about how we can just naturally take for granted God’s exceedingly great and precious promises (2Pe 1:4), until we are chastened and scourged of Him for doing so.

Pro 5:15  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Pro 5:16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Pro 5:17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
Pro 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Pro 5:19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

We are not left in the dark to know what the solution is to overcome that typical spiritual apathy of Hezekiah, that caused the nation to go into Babylonian captivity, or exile, which is where God intends we will lose our first love. If He shows mercy toward us in this age, we will come out of her and be drawn to the living waters that are found in Christ alone, and not in the churches of this world (Isa 1:3, Isa 3:1, 1Jn 4:6).

The singleness of our relationship with Christ (2Co 11:3) and his body is being discussed with these verses, (Pro 5:15-19).

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 simplicityG572, that is in Christ.

That singleness which we share in Christ as His flesh and bones (Eph 5:30) is likened unto the fidelity that we are to have between husband and wife, and this is the mystery that is hidden from this world (Eph 5:32, Col 1:27), where there is no fidelity but rather many lovers, many churches, vain philosophies, and only infidelity to the word of God (1Co 3:4). Therefore we are told to Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well, meaning we are to protect the word of God and not let it be defiled by the iniquity that is abounding more and more in this age (Mat 24:12). We protect God’s word by labouring in it, and sowing bountifully in this life so that we can reap bountifully (2Co 9:6). His word goes with us in our day-to-day affairs, as we pray without ceasing and bring every thought into “the obedience of Christ” (2Co 10:5). That is how we Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Again, as we go about our life being led of the spirit of God (Rom 8:14-15), we are ready to give to others an answer for the hope that is within us, not being ashamed of the gospel, but we are not forcing our faith on others, and so it is written, Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. The wife of our youth is the wife of Christ who we are associated with as a many membered body of Christ that makes up his wife. We protect and hold fast to the words that God has given us and Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Once again, this relationship that we have with Christ and His body is described in the most intimate of terms, Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love, because that is the way Christ feels toward His wife, and how we should respond to the body of Christ as no spiritual man [the body of Christ] ever hated his own flesh (Eph 5:29-30).

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Pro 5:20  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
Pro 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Pro 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
Pro 5:23 He shall die without instruction;H4148 [Heb 12:6] and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Nothing is hidden from God “with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13-14) and so the question is asked, why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

All of our ways are before the Lord and he knows that this is exactly what will happen to all of us at first. We will be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger, and that won’t be hidden from God but rather is caused by Him (Eph 1:11) in order to snare us in Babylon, which represents this stranger that we first embrace. Our own sins will correct us, our own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins (Jer 2:19), until the son of God sets us free (Joh 8:36) by binding the sacrifice to the altar (Psa 118:27). The simple truth is that we will die without instructionH4148 [Heb 12:6] and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray, speaking of what happens to all of us until God shows mercy to us and causes us to attendH7181 unto his words. Lord willing, or God permitting that will happen to each of us in this age, we pray (Heb 6:3).

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