“But godliness with contentment is great gain” Part 3

(Pro 17:18-28)

[Study Aired August 21, 2025]

Pro 17:18  A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
Pro 17:19  He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Pro 17:20  He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Pro 17:21  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Pro 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Pro 17:23  A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Pro 17:24  Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Pro 17:25  A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
Pro 17:26  Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
Pro 17:27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Pro 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

our first verse:

Pro 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Physical Meaning

“A man void of understanding”: This refers to someone lacking wisdom, discernment, and good judgment.

“striketh hands”: In ancient times, striking hands was a way to seal a deal or agreement, similar to shaking hands today.

“becometh surety”: This means becoming a guarantor or co-signer for someone else’s debt.

“in the presence of his friend”: This highlights the friend’s presence as the one benefiting from the surety, often without fully appreciating the risk involved for the guarantor.

A person who lacks wisdom will recklessly make financial commitments for others—like co-signing a loan or guaranteeing someone else’s debt—without thinking it through. (Pro 17:18) warns against foolishly putting yourself at risk for someone else’s obligations financial or otherwise, as does (Pro 6:1-5).

Pro 6:1  My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
Pro 6:2  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Spiritual Lesson

The physical lessons are all true in these proverbs, however we must remember that the natural precedes the spiritual (1Co 15:46) and the more important spiritual lesson we are to learn is to “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another” and appreciate where God has them, while at the same time being ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you, without proselytizing or casting our pearls before swine, or giving that which is holy unto the dogs (Rom 13:7-8). We all fish through the day by our own power at first, until Christ comes along and tells us, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find” (Joh 21:6-11). If we are granted to have God do the dragging and the converting, the fish will come into the net as God determines, and they will both [fisher and fish=those God is working with] be indebted to help bear each other’s burden in the Lord (Gal 6:2). Being our brother’s keeper indebts us to each other, similar to being “surety to a friend”, but in the positive, spiritual relationship in Christ that we’re called unto.

Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Rom 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law (Gal 6:2).

Pro 17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Physical Meaning

Someone who loves conflict also loves sin—they go hand in hand. And a person who shows off (“exalts his gate”, meaning makes a big show of himself or his wealth) is heading for ruin. Pride and fighting both lead to downfall.

Spiritual Lesson

The fruit of our lives, the gentleness of spirit, and kindness to one another is the opposite of someone who loves conflict. Someone who ‘stirs the pot’, so to speak, is not someone who is demonstrating the fruit of love, even if they have all sorts of knowledge, if that truth is not being spoken in love (1Co 13:2-3). There is likely an element of pride in that person’s heart, and that pride is manifested in how they express their wealth [God’s wealth, his words, and his works], that they have kept from their youth up, which wealth is really nothing more than their own self righteousness that prevents us from truly selling all that we have and coming and following Christ with the understanding that we are ‘dirt poor’ in his sight (Rev 3:17, Joh 9:41) and have nothing to offer to our own salvation (Mat 19:20-24, Php 3:9, Eph 2:8)

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness [“All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”], which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [Php 2:12-13, Eph 2:8]

Pro 17:20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Physical  Meaning

A person with a twisted or dishonest heart won’t find true goodness in life. Someone who speaks in a corrupt or deceitful way will eventually get into trouble. Being men and woman of our word, matters both in thoughts and speech.

Spiritual Lesson

It is the “froward heart” that has to be answered according to the idol of that heart (Eze 14:4, Mat 25:24), and that froward heart will not find the truth because at this time it is being withheld by God who has given Satan the power to rule over our hearts and minds (2Th 2:8) causing us to have a perverse tongue that will bring us to fall into mischief, as we hold back or, “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2Th 2:10) and keep back part of the price of the land, meaning part of our complete devotion to God as a living sacrifice [our land, our bodies] (Act 5:3).

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Act 5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Pro 17:21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Physical Meaning

A parent who raises a foolish child will experience sorrow and disappointment. A foolish child brings grief, not joy, to their parents. This reflects the emotional burden of raising someone who rejects wisdom.

Spiritual Lesson

God is in as much control with the spiritual increase in our lives as He is in determining who and what kind of character our children are going to have in this life, meaning when he wants us to have an idol of our heart, a disobedient child, it’s going to remain there until he determines otherwise (1Co 3:6-7). Our physical children may show us who we would be spiritually except for the grace of God, and their success in this life or their failure are all for the sake of the elect who have come to see by the faith of Christ that water is thicker than blood and not blood than water as this proverb is taught in the world. Here is Christ’s perspective on his own family and what should truly matter in our hearts and minds when we think of our own personal families compared to the family of God that we are a part of, Lord willing (Mar 3:33-35). The world “thy brethren without” are seeking God, but Christ made clear that seeking alone does not determine who it is who is the mother [church] or the disciples indeed of Christ (Joh 8:31-36).

Mar 3:32  And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mar 3:33  And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? [physical blood line does not matter]
Mar 3:34  And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mar 3:35  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. (Those who are washed with the word are Christ’s brother, sister, and mother Joh 8:31-32, Joh 13:14)

Pro 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Physical Meaning

A joyful heart has a healing effect—like good medicine. But a broken or crushed spirit can drain a person emotionally and physically. This highlights the power of emotional health on the body and soul.

Spiritual Lesson

The “merry heart doeth good like a medicine” comes about, for God’s elect, by clearly knowing what the gospel message is, which is the joy of our salvation that gives us the incentive to strive for the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ (Psa 51:12). As we discussed last week, the way the Lord restores our joy is by bringing us unto our safe haven after we have gone through the red sea, or the lion’s den, or the fiery furnace of affliction (Act 14:22). God’s elect are blessed to see a “broken spirit” that “drieth the bones”, and those dry bones are healed through His mercy that leads us unto repentance, a repentance that the rest of the world will experience in the second resurrection, where the manifest knowledge of the church will be made known (Eph 3:10) to re-hydrate those dry bones [the valley of dry bones Eze 37:4].

Psa 51:8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Pro 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Physical Meaning

A corrupt person accepts secret bribes (“out of the bosom”) to twist justice. It’s a warning against corruption and how it destroys fairness in society.

Spiritual Lesson

If we aren’t respecters of persons, we won’t be corrupt in our dealings with others, and we will never accept a gift ‘out of the bosom’ of one who is trying to bride us, or pervert the ways of judgement. This is happening all the time in Babylon, and it is the kind of guile that defines who we all were in our appointed time, in our former conversation in the churches of Babylon, where we exchanged gifts and did so unknowingly over the dead bodies of God’s true witnesses who we now are if we are granted to be lying dead in the streets of that great city today (Rev 11:10-11).

Rev 11:10  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Pro 17:24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Physical Meaning

A wise person keeps their focus on what matters — wisdom is right in front of them. A fool, however, is always distracted, chasing distant or unrealistic things, never grounding themselves in what’s truly valuable.

Spiritual Lesson

Our eyes are on the church, which at first is the earth, Jerusalem below (Rev 18:21, Rev 11:8), being tossed about by every wind of doctrine and ‘chasing rabbits’ down holes with dead ends which are contrary to the Truth (Mat 14:24, Eph 4:14, Jas 1:6), “in the ends of the earth”. However, if we are dragged to Christ in this life, our eyes will be on Him who is our wisdom, and the one who gives us understanding, “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding”(1Co 1:24, 1Co 1:30).

Rev 18:21  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Pro 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

Physical Meaning

Again, like verse 21, this emphasizes how deeply a child’s foolishness affects parents—it causes sorrow to the father and pain to the mother. A reminder of the weight our actions have on family.

Spiritual Lesson

The foolish son represents our immaturity in Babylon where we held onto false doctrines, that were a grief to us, during a time when our own bitter experience was being felt by not being free from sin that had dominion over us (Joh 8:36).

We had to bear that sinful nature that was controlled by powers and principalities we wrestle against to this day (Eph 2:3-4). Our doctrine in hindsight could be likened unto a foolish son that caused grief to our heavenly Father (Psa 95:10), and bitterness to her who bore with our infirmities (Rom 15:1), Jerusalem above, which God mercifully drags us to, as we’re dragged out of Babylon and unto our Lord (Rev 18:4, Joh 6:44). Christ never sinned but he identifies with this journey of overcoming sinful flesh (Hos 11:1).

Pro 17:26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Physical Meaning

It’s wrong to punish innocent people or to harm leaders who are doing what is fair. Justice must be upheld, and punishing the righteous is a perversion of what is good.

Spiritual Lesson

God’s elect by His grace are quick to hear and slow to speak, and in matters of judgement love is slow to expose (1Co 13:4-7). We know the world rejected Christ’s judgements, and if they hated the master of the house, what are they going to do to the servants of his house, Christ asks us (Mat 10:25). So the world with the spirit that currently resides in it will ‘punish the just and strike princes’, meaning the elect for the righteousness of Christ in them and the works that God is accomplishing through them, and so we need the miracle of God’s powerful hand in our lives to endure those fiery trials of rejection (1Co 10:13) that He knows we must experience in order to mature in His service (Joh 10:32).

1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.(Php 4:13)
1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Mat 10:25  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Joh 10:32  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

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

Pro 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Physical Meaning

Wise people don’t talk too much—they speak carefully and thoughtfully. A person with understanding stays calm and composed, showing maturity and strength of character.

Spiritual Lesson

This ‘quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath’ mindset spoken of in (Jas 1:19) is a gift from God, that is witnessed in those who are maturing in the body of Christ (1Ti 4:15-16, Joh 15:8-10). The spiritual decorum that God is forming within us is needful in order to do all things decently and in order in the house of God (1Co 14:40, 1Ti 3:15).

1Ti 4:15  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

As we grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and saviour we become more settled and strengthened and established in the Lord, like a tree that is deeply rooted and not moved around (Psa 1:1-3) by the false doctrines that are likened unto “wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14) that the Lord is giving us victory over with an “excellent spirit”, the spirit of God that each joint supplies to that end (Heb 5:14).

Pro 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Physical Meaning

Even a foolish person can appear wise if they stay quiet. Silence can give the impression of wisdom. In other words: better to be silent and thought wise than to speak and remove all doubt.

Spiritual Lesson

Mercifully God does give us the power to put a bridle upon our lips (Psa 39:1, Jas 3:2-5), but we certainly could not be anything other than what He has ordained for us to be in this life, and so if He does give us this blessing to hold our peace, and not stir up strife, or be argumentative, if He gives us a bridle on our tongue so that we shut our lips, then we will be a peculiar people who are zealous of good works that are coming forth from hearts that have the wisdom of Christ within them, and we will be esteemed as men and woman of understanding blessed to have been given the power to experience this process of bringing every thought into subjection unto God (2Co 10:5, 1Co 9:27). This is truly the spirit of great gain that God has called His son’s bride to be adorned with, “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”(1Pe 3:4-6).

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.
1Pe 3:5  For after this manner in the old time the holy women (typifying the Church) also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands (Christ):
1Pe 3:6  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (Rom 5:5, 1Jn 4:18).

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge” Part II
(“the just shall come out of trouble”)

(Pro 12:8-13)

Pro 12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Pro 12:9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Pro 12:10 A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.
Pro 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
Pro 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

In this next section of proverbs we’re introduced to the immediate and long term benefit of staying in the word of God (Joh 8:31-32) that will equip us to deal with the dying daily process within ourselves, that we’ve been called unto (1Co 15:31).

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.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Godly confidence, as opposed to having confidence in our own flesh, is something that can only be miraculously achieved by His judgements in our lives (1Pe 4:17). God’s elect are therefore likened unto the generation who have no confidence in the flesh. The flesh and the law for the lawless (1Ti 1:9) that governs that flesh are discussed in these scriptures, and the blessing that becomes ours when we go from being of the concision to become spiritually circumcised by God’s spirit, the new governor on our hearts by which we are led (Rom 8:14, Php 3:1-11).

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you [it is] safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe [of] Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
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,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Gal 2:20, Php 2:12-13)
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Rom 5:10)
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

By God’s grace (Eph 2:8) we can be brought to see the comparative language in these proverbs as a mirror that we are looking into, which God commands us to use to help us cleanse the inside of the cup of our own lives (Jas 1:23-27, Mat 23:26).

It is those who are of the generation that have no confidence in their flesh who come to see that they are the chief of sinners, as typified by the publican who couldn’t so much as lift his head to heaven because he truly saw his own wretchedness as oppose to the Pharisee, which represents our first man Adam with his own righteousnesses and many wonderful works that blind us to how God sees all flesh (Luk 18:10-14, Rom 7:22-25, Rev 3:17).

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Joh 8:36). So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

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:

God reveals to His people first that they are the generation who are guilty of the blood of the prophets from Abel to Zacharias, and these proverbs like all of God’s word point to that reality of how God alone can bring us to cry out to him (Heb 5:7-8, Luk 12:5), as we recognize our daily need for His deliverance from our own self-righteousness that constantly wants to establish itself on the throne of our hearts (Eph 1:5-12).

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;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

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.

Pro 12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

Christ is our wisdom (1Co 1:30), and so in this opening verse we’re looking at we are being told straight out of the gate that if we don’t acknowledge Christ as our wisdom and the reason we know anything about God, then our hearts are going to reflect a perverse spirit that will be rejected of Him. That self-righteous spirit is within us and can only be overcome and ruled over by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our lives to destroy that man of perdition who holds fast to the mystery of iniquity (self-righteousness)(2Th 2:5-8).

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:

2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Pro 12:9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

We are striving through Christ to give our flesh no quarter in this life with the rest of the saints so we can find life (Gal 2:20, Mat 10:39). Christ is our hope of glory (Col 1:27), the “servant” within me who makes me better than the self-righteous old man in me that “honoureth himself” and in doing so “lacketh bread” and is starving. These verses in Romans sum up for us what this proverb is telling us about this inward struggle against the powers and principalities that we all wrestle against (Rom 7:22-25, Eph 6:12)

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [the spirit of Christ who is a servant in me is who I delight in]
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [my flesh wanting to honour itself and not give all glory and honour to God for all things including the sin in my life (Rom 8:28)]
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Pro 12:10 A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

With Christ in us we are mindful of the beast that we are, and take care to take care of ourselves and others (Gal 6:10).

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

No man ever hated his own flesh in other words and we are Christ’s flesh and bones (Eph 5:30) that we nurture and take care of. We have a comparative in this proverb of our old man within us that does not have our best interest at hand, not being able to remain unspotted from this world and visit the fatherless and widow with the tender mercies of God’s word (Psa 146:9, Jas 1:27). The cruel-deceived-first-man Adam cruelly proclaims that God’s punishment on our life should be forever, twistedly thinking this is somehow God’s mercy on those who won’t have to burn in hell forever. We all at first paint God out to be a monster in one way or another, revealing what is actually in our own hearts.

Psa 146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.

The admonition in this proverb is telling us that our labours are not in vain in the Lord, and tilling the land is analogous of fighting a good fight of faith so that we can be satisfied with the word of God. If we follow the traditions of man we will be void of understanding (Isa 3:1) and doing so in vain (Mat 15:9).

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 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

“Vain” H2638 châsêr khaw-sare’: From H2637; lacking; hence without: – destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want.
“Vain” G3155 matēn mat’-ane: Accusative case of a derivative of the base of G3145 (through the idea of tentative manipulation, that is, unsuccessful search, or else of punishment); folly, that is, (adverbially) to no purpose: – in vain.

Pro 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].

Pro 12:12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.[ESV]
Pro 12:12 He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds. The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.[DRB]

God is burning up all the wicked desires of the elect, turning us into a new creation that is connected to the vine, Jesus Christ, through whom we can bear much fruit. It is God’s favour in our lives that brings about this growth that would otherwise never happen (Tit 2:11-12). We must expect that in God’s vineyard we are going to be pruned so that more fruit can be borne (Joh 15:2-3, Heb 12:5-7).

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching^G3811 us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Pro 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

We’ve all done it and said something that we don’t want to say, and in doing that, “The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips” . When Christ’s words and ways become our ways and words and works, we stumble less and less as He increases [the word, his righteousness] and we decrease [our own righteousnesses and the way that seems right unto us]. Christ was never snared by His words and with His life within us, our goal will remain, of bringing every thought into subjection (2Co 10:3-5) unto our faithful high priest who knows how to deliver us from our conscience (1Jn 2:1-3) when we do stumble in this life. It is through Him alone that “the just shall come out of trouble” (Jas 3:5-12).

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
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; (Eph 6:12)

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue [is] a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; (Rev 13:4-5, Rev 5:4) [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

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?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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 thereof.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

The Purity of God’s Word:  Why We Must Not Add or Take Away

[Study Aired March 18, 2025]

Introduction

Throughout Scripture, God consistently emphasizes the perfection and completeness of His Word. In a world where man’s opinion often overshadows divine truth, understanding the purity of God’s Word becomes essential for genuine spiritual growth. As we explore this vital topic, we must begin with the foundational understanding that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20), reminding us that these truths must be internalized, not merely understood intellectually.

The writer of Proverbs delivers a powerful declaration: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6). This statement establishes both the perfect nature of Scripture and the serious consequences of attempting to alter it. The Psalmist reinforces this concept: “The sum of thy word is truth” (Psalm 119:160 ASV), emphasizing that God’s Word in its entirety constitutes truth.

The apostle Paul further explains the origin of Scripture: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Understanding the purity of Scripture requires spiritual discernment beyond natural comprehension. As Paul explains, “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). We must approach this topic recognizing that true understanding comes through God’s Spirit comparing “spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13).

Throughout biblical history, deviations from God’s pure Word have led to spiritual confusion, judgment, and separation from God. By examining what Scripture itself says about its purity, we gain insight into why every word matters and why both adding to and taking away from God’s Word represents a serious spiritual transgression.

The Declaration of God’s Word as Pure

Proverbs 30:5-6 contains one of Scripture’s most direct statements about God’s Word: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” This declaration deserves careful examination.

The Hebrew word translated “pure” is “tsaraph” (Strong’s H6884), meaning refined or purified as metal in a furnace. This metaphor appears elsewhere: “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). The imagery suggests a process where all impurities have been removed, leaving only what is perfect and valuable. Unlike men’s words which often contain error or impurity, God’s words are completely refined.

This purity stands in stark contrast to human wisdom. As Isaiah reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The verse continues by describing God as “a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” This reveals the protective function of God’s pure Word. When we trust in what God has said—without addition or subtraction—it shields us from error and spiritual harm.

The warning follows: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” This serious consequence indicates that when we add to God’s words, we misrepresent Him and spread falsehood, even with good intentions. This principle applies not only to obvious textual alterations but also to giving traditions or interpretations the same authority as Scripture itself. Jesus confronted this problem: “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mark 7:13).

The purity of God’s Word serves a spiritual purpose beyond mere factual accuracy. As Jesus taught, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Each word carries spiritual significance and life-giving power that can be diminished when modified.

This warning appears elsewhere in Scripture, establishing the principle by the biblical standard of “two or three witnesses” (2 Corinthians 13:1): “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it” (Deuteronomy 4:2), and “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 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” (Revelation 22:18-19).

The Sum of God’s Word is Truth

The Psalmist provides profound insight: “The sum of thy word is truth” (Psalm 119:160 ASV). This statement carries enormous implications. While the KJV renders this verse as “Thy word is true from the beginning,” the ASV translation captures an important nuance in the Hebrew. The word “rosh” can refer to the beginning, but also to the sum or totality, suggesting that truth is found not merely in isolated verses but in the complete testimony of Scripture.

This principle safeguards against misinterpretation. Individual verses or passages must be interpreted in light of the entire revelation of Scripture. As Paul instructed Timothy, we must be diligent to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), comparing Scripture with Scripture.

This concept aligns with Paul’s instruction about “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13). The Holy Spirit teaches by connecting related truths across Scripture, revealing patterns that might not be apparent from any single passage alone.

The Psalmist continues: “and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” This affirms the eternal nature of God’s Word. Unlike opinions or cultural standards which change over time, God’s Word remains permanently relevant and authoritative because it originates from the unchanging God who declares, “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).

This eternal quality means we cannot dismiss portions of Scripture as outdated without effectively taking away from what God has declared to be perpetually valid. While specific applications may vary according to covenant contexts, the underlying spiritual principles remain consistently true.

This principle has practical implications for handling difficult or seemingly contradictory passages. Instead of dismissing such texts, we should see them as invitations to deeper study. Jesus demonstrated this approach when confronting temptation in the wilderness. When Satan quoted Scripture, Jesus responded not by rejecting the quoted passage but by bringing additional Scriptures to bear, saying “It is written again” (Matthew 4:7).

Understanding that “The sum of thy word is truth” reveals why both adding to and taking away from Scripture distort its message. Adding introduces elements that conflict with the harmonious whole, while taking away creates gaps in the complete picture God intends us to see.

All Scripture is Given by Inspiration of God

Paul’s declaration provides another foundational principle: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This passage establishes both the source and purpose of Scripture.

The phrase “given by inspiration of God” comes from a single Greek word, “theopneustos” (Strong’s G2315), literally meaning “God-breathed.” This vivid term conveys that Scripture originates from God Himself—it is His very breath expressed in written form. This connects to creation, where “God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Just as the Word brought creation into existence, He has breathed forth His Word to us, explaining its purity.

Significantly, Paul states that “all scripture” bears this quality. This comprehensive statement leaves no room for selecting which parts we consider inspired and which we might dismiss. When we understand that all Scripture is God-breathed, we must receive the whole counsel of God.

Scripture is “profitable” for four specific purposes:

1. Doctrine (teaching) – establishing what we are to believe about God
2. Reproof – revealing where we have strayed from God’s path
3. Correction – showing how to return to the right path
4. Instruction in righteousness – teaching how to live rightly before God

These functions work together toward the ultimate purpose: “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The word “perfect” (artios, Strong’s G739) means complete or fully prepared. Scripture thoroughly equips us for every good work, explaining why additions are unnecessary and dangerous—God has already provided everything we need.

This connects with Jesus’ statement that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Just as our physical bodies require a complete diet, our spiritual lives depend on the entire Word of God.

Since Scripture originates from God, we cannot interpret it according to our preferences. As Peter warns, “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). We must approach Scripture with humility, recognizing that spiritual discernment comes through the Holy Spirit, who “teach[es] you all things” (John 14:26).

Historical Examples of Adding to or Taking Away from Scripture

Scripture contains numerous examples of the dangers that result from modifying God’s Word. As Paul noted, “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4). These accounts provide practical insight into how these errors manifest.

In the wilderness, the Israelites demonstrated taking away from God’s Word by repeatedly ignoring portions of His commands. When Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people requested Aaron to make gods to go before them (Exodus 32:1), violating God’s command against idolatry (Exodus 20:4-5). The resulting judgment was severe, “And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” (Exodus 32:28)

The prophet Balaam initially delivered God’s message to Balak faithfully, but later compromised by teaching Balak how to entice Israel into sin (Numbers 31:16). Revelation identifies this as “the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel” (Revelation 2:14). By adding his own counsel to God’s message, Balaam caused great harm.

During the Judges period, “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25), substituting their judgment for God’s commandments. The book demonstrates the tragic consequences of this approach.

By Christ’s time, religious leaders had developed elaborate traditions placed alongside Scripture. Jesus confronted this error: “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition” (Mark 7:13). These additions effectively nullified certain commandments, particularly regarding care for parents (Mark 7:9-12).

The early church faced similar challenges when certain teachers added requirements beyond those established by Scripture, teaching “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). This prompted the Jerusalem Council, which affirmed salvation through grace alone (Acts 15:11).

Paul later confronted different errors in Colosse, where false teachers promoted “philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men” (Colossians 2:8). These included restrictions not found in Scripture: “Touch not; taste not; handle not” (Colossians 2:21). Paul identified these as “commandments and doctrines of men” lacking true spiritual value.

These examples reveal a consistent pattern: whether adding to or taking away from God’s Word, the result is spiritual corruption. Church history beyond the biblical record shows similar patterns, as various groups have either added extra-biblical writings or removed portions deemed offensive or difficult. In each case, the result has been distortion of God’s truth.

Modern Applications and Dangers

Understanding these biblical warnings has profound implications for us today. We face many contemporary temptations to modify God’s Word.

Many add to Scripture by elevating traditions or denominational practices to the level of biblical authority. While traditions aren’t inherently wrong, they become problematic when treated as equally binding as Scripture. Jesus addressed this: “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3).

Another form of addition occurs through embracing extra-biblical teachings that claim equal authority with Scripture. Paul warned about this: “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Similarly, interpreting Scripture through worldly philosophies can introduce foreign elements. Paul cautioned: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men” (Colossians 2:8). When cultural values determine our understanding of Scripture rather than Scripture shaping our view of culture, we effectively add to God’s Word.

Taking away from Scripture happens when we dismiss certain passages as culturally bound or selectively emphasize comfortable teachings while minimizing challenging ones. “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

Modern scholarship sometimes questions the reliability of certain passages, suggesting our understanding stands in judgment over God’s Word. This subtly diminishes Scripture’s authority, forgetting that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Perhaps most commonly, we take away from Scripture through simple neglect. When we fail to engage with God’s Word entirely, portions cease to influence our thinking and living, unlike the Psalmist who declared: “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).

These modifications lead to serious spiritual consequences:

1. Diminished spiritual discernment
2. Vulnerability to deception
3. Compromised relationship with God
4. Loss of spiritual effectiveness
5. Confusion and division among believers

Rather than modifying Scripture to fit our understanding, we need Scripture to modify us. As Paul instructed, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). This transformation occurs as we approach Scripture with humility, allowing God’s pure Word to work internally.

Preserving the Purity of God’s Word in Our Hearts

Maintaining Scripture’s purity begins with our internal approach. As Jesus taught, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), indicating that the true battlefield lies in our hearts and minds.

The first essential step is approaching God’s Word with genuine humility. Isaiah described the attitude God honors: “to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). This reverent respect acknowledges Scripture’s authority over our opinions and preferences.

This humble approach leads to dependence on the Holy Spirit for understanding. Jesus promised, “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost… shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). Rather than relying solely on intellectual abilities, we must seek the Spirit’s illumination, recognizing that “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Regularly immersing ourselves in Scripture’s complete testimony provides another safeguard. When we consistently study the whole counsel of God, comparing “spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13), we become sensitive to distortions or omissions. The Bereans exemplified this practice, as they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Internalizing God’s Word helps us more readily notice alterations. The Psalmist valued this: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). This provides an internal reference point against which we can compare all teaching.

We must cultivate willingness to obey what Scripture teaches, even when uncomfortable. Jesus established this connection between obedience and understanding: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” (John 7:17). Partial obedience subtly takes away from Scripture by treating some commands as optional.

Community provides another safeguard. Paul instructed Timothy to “commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2), establishing a pattern that protects against individual distortions. When we humbly submit our understanding to mature believers, we reduce the risk of adding personal ideas to Scripture.

Regular self-examination regarding our handling of Scripture remains essential. Paul encouraged Timothy to be “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) This requires vigilance against tendencies to modify God’s Word based on preferences or cultural influences.

Finally, preserving Scripture’s purity requires trusting God’s sovereignty over our understanding. Solomon instructs, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). When Scripture presents difficult truths, we must remember that God’s thoughts transcend ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and trust that apparent contradictions resolve in His perfect wisdom.

Through these practices, we fulfill the pattern of Ezra, who “had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10). This three-fold commitment—seeking God’s Word, doing it, and teaching it faithfully—preserves Scripture’s purity across generations.

Conclusion

Throughout this study, we have explored the critical importance of maintaining God’s Word in its purity, neither adding to nor taking away from what He has spoken. We began with the declaration from Proverbs that “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5), establishing the perfect nature of Scripture as our starting point. The Psalmist’s insight that “The sum of thy word is truth” (Psalm 119:160 ASV) reminded us that Scripture must be received in its totality for its full truth to be grasped. Paul’s testimony that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16) further confirmed that Scripture originates not from our minds but from God Himself.

Historical examples from Israel in the wilderness to the Pharisees demonstrated the consistent pattern—adding to or taking away from God’s Word invariably leads to spiritual error and vulnerability to deception. These biblical accounts serve as warnings, showing that even seemingly small modifications can create openings for more serious deviations from truth. The modern applications and dangers we examined revealed how these same tendencies manifest in our contemporary context, often in subtle ways that require vigilance to identify.

Finally, we explored practical approaches to preserving Scripture’s purity in our hearts, recognizing that this preservation begins internally as we humble ourselves before God’s Word, depend on His Spirit, and commit to receiving the full testimony of Scripture. These practices protect us from the ever-present temptation to modify God’s Word according to our preferences or cultural pressures.

The implications of this study extend beyond mere academic understanding. How we approach Scripture directly affects our relationship with God, our spiritual discernment, and our effectiveness in representing Christ to the world. When we add to or take away from God’s Word, we distort the very means by which He reveals Himself to us and through which He transforms us. Conversely, when we receive His Word in its purity, we position ourselves to experience its full life-giving power, as Jesus declared, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Let us therefore approach Scripture with the reverence it deserves, carefully guarding against both additions and subtractions. In doing so, we follow the example of Jesus, who consistently upheld the complete authority of God’s Word, declaring, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). May we likewise value every word God has spoken, treating Scripture not as raw material to be shaped according to our preferences but as the pure revelation of God that shapes us according to His perfect will.

Pro 11:4-12 “Righteousness delivereth from death”

[Study Aired February 27, 2025]

Pro 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Pro 11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Pro 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
Pro 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
Pro 11:8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
Pro 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Pro 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Pro 11:11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

In this section of chapter eleven we will explore the meaning of what true riches are in God’s mind and how He is bringing His children to have a great appreciation for the joy that has been set before us (Heb 12:2-3) so that we don’t set our affections on the temporal things of the earth that are passing (Heb 11:26, Gal 5:24, Col 3:2-3).

Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

The only way that an appreciation for things of the spirit can grow in us, is by the Lord delivering us from the deceitfulness of our flesh [Jer 17:9], that naturally wants the riches of this world, the immediate and deceitful bowl of pottage that represents “the flesh with the affections and lusts”(Gen 25:34) that will rob us of an eternal reward described in the following verses, (Mat 11:11, Php 3:8, Mat 10:28-31).

Lay hold of eternal life:

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [luk 17:20]

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:[Eph 3:10] for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [to continue to have the mind of Christ, is to win Christ (1Ti 6:12, 1Ti 6:19, Joh 17:2-3, Joh 3:15, Joh 6:45, Joh 6:68)

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh 6:68 When Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Be content – Be stedfast:

If the Lord is working with us in this life, as our hope of glory within (Col 1:27), we will be learning to be content whether we have a little or a lot (Php 4:11-13) seeing our hearts will not, by God’s grace, be set on the temporal, but rather on the things above which will give us the hope and vision we need to stedfastly endure until the end of this life (Act 7:55-56, Joh 17:3).

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven (Heb 3:14-15, Heb 6:19, 1Co 15:58, 1Pe 5:9, Heb 2:2), and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [Joh 17:3, Heb 12:2]

Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;[Rev 3:3, Rev 3:11]
Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

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.

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith [1Jn 5:4, 1Jn 5:14, Eph 6:16, Col 3:14, 1Co 13:2-3], knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Pro 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

This opening proverb reminds us that our riches, which are analogous of our righteousnesses (Php 3:9), amount to nothing when God’s judgements come into our lives “in the day of wrath“. It will only be by the righteousness of Christ that we will sell all that we have and come and follow Christ who alone can “delivereth from death” (Mat 19:20-26).

Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.(Php 3:9)
Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.(Php 3:9)
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. [Joh 8:32, Joh 8:36, Joh 14:6]

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [“righteousness delivereth from death“]

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. [“righteousness delivereth from death“]

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. [“righteousness delivereth from death“]

Pro 11:5 The righteousness of the perfect^H8549 shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

We follow each other as we follow Christ (1Co 11:1) who makes it possible for us to live lives that are led by God’s spirit (Rom 8:14) that “shall direct his way”. The perfect^H8549 way or better way or more excellent way (1Co 12:31) is shown in (1Co 13:1-13), and that way is only made possible with the life of Christ within us (Rom 5:5, Col 1:27). That spirit within us bears witness that we can take on these qualities described in the word “perfect^H8549” hat describe our Lord and Saviour, and the new man within us (Rom 8:9).

“Perfect” H8549 tâmı̂ym taw-meem’
From H8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth: – without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole. [Rom 8:1, Rom 8:9, Rom 8:14]. Total KJV occurrences: 91

Pro 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

God delivers us from our own selves everyday as we die daily (1Co 15:31), and he uses “the righteousness of the upright” to accomplish this (1Ti 4:14-16, Mat 4:19), which is His righteousness that we can only be drawn to as our Father drags us unto Christ in each other (Joh 6:44).

1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:(Joh 8:31-32) for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

We are drawn to Christ in ourselves (Joh 6:44, Col 1:27) as well as in each other as we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, not neglecting so great a salvation (Heb 2:3). Our being drawn to Christ within and without ourselves is what God is accomplishing within His workmanship, “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” which is to give us the kingdom (Php 2:12-13, Joh 4:14, Luk 12:32).

Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

It is the ‘kind of first fruits’ of God’s creation who are the first to come to acknowledge that there is no good thing is this flesh and so this section of the proverb, “but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness”, is written to remind us of the fact that we must be “taken in their own naughtiness” and will suffer in this life through judgement so that we will continue to cease from sinning (Tit 2:12-13, 1Pe 4:1).

Pro 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

The wicked man in each of us must die, and Lord willing we will see our false aspirations torn down and destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming into our heavens as we die daily (2Th 2:2-5).

The opposite of the hope of glory within us (Col 1:27) is the hope that our carnal minds hold out that we can somehow glorify God by our own might and power, like the disciples who fished all day to learn this powerful lesson of where our power comes from (Joh 21:5-11).

Joh 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. [our efforts produce no spiritual meat, only God can give this increase (1Co 3:6)]
Joh 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

We live by every word of God and “the hope of unjust men perisheth” is something that must be lived in the elect’s lives in order to learn that only Christ’s righteousness within us will preserve us. “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find“, and all else will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming into our heavens to cleanse us from our own iniquitous, self-righteous ways that cast the net all the day long on the left side of the ship, until the Lord comes along and tells us to do otherwise (Eze 33:13).

Eze 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Pro 11:8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

God is dealing with the sins of the Amorites in the elect’s life today, which is what “the righteous is delivered out of trouble” tells us. He is setting us free from sin, an aorist event that is unfolding in our lives, and so “the wicked cometh in his stead” is a reminder that we are not ‘once saved always saved’, but rather little and by little the Lord is giving us victory over the beasts of the land (Exo 23:30) or “the wicked that cometh in his stead” in this instance. God’s people will continue to overcome through His power within us that gives us nourishing victories (Num 14:9) as we battle the many giants that have been written in our books to overcome until we go unto perfection on the third day (Luk 13:32).

Pro 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

It’s easy for the flesh to think of some other hypocrite other than our own flesh, as was demonstrated in king David’s life, when he could easily see who the unjust person was in the story that the prophet Nathan brought to him, but was speaking about David who was ‘the man’ (2Sa 12:7).

In this story, David represents all the characters in this proverb (Pro 11:9) just as we do. Our hypocritical flesh has to be brought to a point, Lord willing, where we confess our iniquities (1Jn 1:9), and that event of forgiveness will happen if we are given to not despise God’s goodness (Rom 2:4) that came by way of Nathan the prophet, showing us that it is “through knowledge shall the just be delivered” as the Lord leads us unto repentance and blesses us so that the sword of his word does not depart from our house, as it makes war against our old man with a spiritually sharper than any two edged sword (Heb 4:12), typified by the sword of war that will not depart from David’s house going forward (2Sa 12:10, Psa 32:2).

Pro 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting^H7440.

The city in this proverb represents the church where we rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice for the wonderful works that God is doing unto the sons of men (Psa 107:15), causing the man of sin to perish within me and bringing about great rejoicing for the new man that is being formed (Luk 15:7). When the wicked man within me perishes, it happens as a result of my being brought to acknowledge that he resides in me and must be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into the temple, bringing great rejoicing for the new man for whom “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 2:4, Rom 8:28-31).

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?

“Shouting” H7440 רִנָּה rinnâh rin-naw’
From H7442; properly a creaking (or shrill sound), that is, shout (of joy or grief): – cry, gladness, joy (Psa 30:5,), proclamation, rejoicing (Psa 126:6), shouting, sing (-ing), triumph. Total KJV occurrences: 33

Pro 11:11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown^H2040 by the mouth of the wicked.

“No man ever hated his own flesh” (Eph 5:29-30) is a proverb in itself that reminds us that with God’s spirit within us we can acknowledge that we are a many membered body, who are one bread and one spirit, and so when we bless one person in the body, the whole church that is represented by a city is exalted, “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted“.

Conversely when we don’t guard out thoughts and actions we can negatively affect the church, as it is “overthrown by the mouth of the wicked” within us (Mar 9:42, Heb 12:15).

Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

“Overthrown” H2040 הָרַס hâras haw-ras’
A primitive root; to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy: – beat down, break (down, through), destroy (Psa 28:5), overthrow, pluck down, pull down, ruin, throw down, X utterly. Total KJV occurrences: 43

The goal we are working toward is to not offend or cause our brother to stumble (1Co 8:13), and we can rest assured that although God’s elect will be guilty of being “the mouth of the wicked” that overthrows the church, in the end if we are God’s children that spirit of disobedience will be burnt out of us and we will learn to walk in harmony with the rest of the body parts that make up the bride of Christ. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church in other words, and those gates are as much within each of us as they are in Babylon, that we will overcome by the gift God’s grace and the faith of Christ in our lives (Mat 16:18, Gen 4:7, Eph 2:8).

Pro 11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Another way of saying “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour” is that without Christ [our wisdom] in our lives who softens our hearts and deepens His love within us (Rom 5:5-6), we would be easily sifted by the devil (Luk 22:31) and iniquity would abound in our heavens causing us to despise our neighbour as God’s love waxes cold within us (Mat 24:12-13).

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.

Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

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.

It is solely because of Christ within as our hope of glory that we can be men and woman of “understanding” who know how to hold our peace, and acknowledge that it is Christ who is growing us in that ability to be more than conquerors through him, our great King of “Peace” typified by the name Melchisedec.

Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 
Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

The title of our study, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death”, reminds us that today is a day of living and abiding in bodies of death, or the shadow of the valley of death as it’s called (Psa 23:4-5), and it is only by the righteousness of Christ that we will be delivered from our own self-important flesh that thinks it’s rich and increased with goods (Rev 3:17) when in fact it cannot inherit the kingdom of God unless, Lord willing, it is being destroyed today of these negative attributes “in the day of wrath”.

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.

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:

“The Spiritual Significance of Directions”

North, South, East and West

[Study Originally Aired January 7, 2025
Revised and re-recorded January 28, 2025]

Introduction: Understanding Direction in Scripture

In our pursuit of spiritual understanding, we must begin with Jesus’s foundational teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20). This truth transforms our study of directional references in Scripture from mere geographical indicators to profound spiritual realities. When God established physical directions in creation, He provided patterns that would reveal spiritual truth, for “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Romans 1:20).

God deliberately established directional patterns from the beginning of creation. This pattern became physically visible when “God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night” (Genesis 1:16). By setting the sun to rise in the east and set in the west each day, God created an enduring natural cycle that would teach spiritual truth. The prophet Malachi captured this teaching purpose: ”For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles” (Malachi 1:11). Through this daily journey of light, we learn how divine revelation progresses to completion in our lives.

To understand these spiritual patterns, we must rely not on natural reasoning but on divine wisdom. Paul emphasizes this necessity: “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). As Jesus taught, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Therefore, we must approach directional references in Scripture seeking their spiritual significance.

The Divine Pattern: Israel’s Tribal Arrangement

God’s arrangement of Israel’s tribes around the tabernacle provides our first complete picture of how directions reveal spiritual truth. This wasn’t random positioning but deliberate placement teaching eternal principles. Each tribe’s location carried specific spiritual meaning that would illuminate God’s working in our lives.

On the east side, God positioned Judah: “On the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies” (Numbers 2:3). Through Judah would come Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). This eastern placement established that direction’s connection with divine revelation, just as natural light first appears in the east.

The south side belonged to Reuben: “On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben” (Numbers 2:10). As Jacob’s firstborn who lost his birthright through sin, Reuben’s position revealed how the south represents progressive testing and judgment in our lives. His story shows how God uses circumstances to reveal and deal with what lies within us.

Continuing with the tribal arrangement, God placed Ephraim on the west side: “On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim” (Numbers 2:18). Ephraim had received a blessing of multiplication from Jacob: “his seed shall become a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19). This western position reveals how God brings His work to completion and fullness, just as the sun completes its daily journey in the west.

Finally, the tribe of Dan occupied the north: “The camp of Dan shall be on the north side” (Numbers 2:25). The name Dan means “judge,” establishing the north’s connection with God’s judgment and authority. This positioning teaches us how God’s authority works in our lives through judgment to accomplish His purpose.

The Language of Direction: Hebrew and Greek Insights

The original Hebrew and Greek words for directions provide deeper insight into their spiritual significance. Each directional term carries meaning that illuminates how God uses these patterns to accomplish His purpose in our lives.

The Hebrew word for north, tsaphon (צָפוֹן), derives from a root meaning ”to hide or treasure up. ” God reveals this connection through Solomon’s instruction to ”lay up (tsaphan) my commandments with thee” (Proverbs 7:1). Just as precious things are carefully stored until the right moment, so God’s judgments from the north are released according to His perfect timing. The Greek equivalent, borrhas (βορρᾶς), relates to strength and hardness, reinforcing the north’s connection to God’s unmovable authority and judgment.

The south’s Hebrew designation, negeb (נֶגֶב), literally means ”to be parched” or ”dry, ” referring to desert regions. This parching process pictures how God uses testing to reveal what lies within us, as seen powerfully when Christ was ”led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1). After forty days in this desert testing, angels came and ministered to Him, showing how God’s testing ultimately brings refreshing. The Greek term notos (νότος) reinforces this pattern – connecting to moisture and rain, it reveals how testing leads to spiritual renewal, fulfilling the prophet’s words: ”For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud” (Isaiah 55:10)

In Hebrew, east is mizrach (מִזְרָח), from zarach meaning “to rise or shine forth.” The Greek anatole (ἀνατολή) carries the same meaning of rising or dawning. Both terms connect directly to sunrise, reinforcing how God’s revelation dawns progressively in our lives, as “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

The Hebrew ma’arab (מַעֲרָב) for west comes from a root meaning “to grow dark,” referring to sunset. Similarly, the Greek dusme (δυσμή) means “a setting.” Rather than suggesting negative darkness, these terms speak of completion – just as each day finds completion at sunset, God brings each aspect of His work to its appointed conclusion.

These linguistic foundations reveal how God embedded spiritual meaning even in the basic terms for direction. As we study how Scripture uses these terms, their root meanings enrich our understanding of God’s working in our lives. This aligns with Solomon’s observation that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

The North in Scripture: A Place of God’s Judgment and Authority

Scripture develops the north’s spiritual significance far beyond Dan’s initial placement. Job provides foundational insight when he declares, “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7), connecting the north with God’s absolute authority over creation. The Psalmist reinforces this, declaring “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2), linking the north specifically with God’s kingship and throne of judgment.

The prophet Ezekiel deepens this understanding through his dramatic vision: “a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it” (Ezekiel 1:4). This appearance from the north preceded God revealing His throne and glory, showing how experiencing God’s judgment prepares us for deeper revelation of His nature.

Through Jeremiah, God reveals how He uses northern powers as instruments of His judgment: “Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 1:14-15). Yet this judgment serves His redemptive purpose, for He promises restoration through this same direction: “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers” (Jeremiah 3:18).

Isaiah illuminates the north’s significance when recording the king of Babylon’s proud boast: “I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). This reveals the north as the place of highest authority – a position belonging to God alone. As Isaiah further declares, “I am the LORD, and there is none else… I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things” (Isaiah 45:6-7). Through this authority, God works all things according to His will, establishing His kingdom within us.

The South: A Direction of God’s Progressive Judgment

Building on the north’s establishment of judgment, the south reveals how God’s judgment progresses to accomplish His purpose. This progression begins with Reuben’s placement on the south side of the tabernacle. Just as Reuben’s position changed through testing, the south represents how God’s judgments work progressively to transform us.

Just as He told Satan regarding Job, ”Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand’‘ (Job 1:12), every testing from the south operates within His set boundaries. The progression of these tests follows His perfect timing, for ”to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Job provides a key witness to how God uses the south for progressive testing: “Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north” (Job 37:9). This verse reveals how both directions serve God’s purpose – the north establishing judgment and the south advancing that work. The progression through the south appears powerfully in Ezekiel’s prophecy when God commands him with threefold emphasis: “Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field” (Ezekiel 20:46). This repetition emphasizes the progressive nature of God’s work through this direction.

The Psalmist captures the transformative nature of God’s southern working when he prays, “Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south“ (Psalm 126:4). These streams in the south speak to how God’s judgments flow progressively, bringing transformation as they advance. The context reveals the joyful outcome of this work: “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing” (Psalm 126:1-2).

North and South: The Progression of Judgement

The distinction between the north’s judgment and south’s testing is crucial. North’s judgment establishes God’s authority, like when God told Job from the whirlwind, ”Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2). This judgment firmly establishes God’s sovereign rule.

South’s testing, by contrast, works progressively to reveal and purge what opposes God’s life within us. This appears when God tested Abraham: ”And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Abraham” (Genesis 22:1). Testing reveals what lies within, as Moses explained to Israel: ”to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Both judgment and testing serve God’s purpose, but in different ways. Judgment establishes His authority and right to rule, while testing progressively reveals and removes what opposes His life. As Isaiah declared, ”when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9).

North and South: The Boundaries of Judgment 

Unlike east and west which continue without end, both north and south reach definite boundaries. This natural pattern reveals important truth about God’s judgments and testing. As David observed, ”As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Significantly, David did not say ”as far as north from south, ” because those distances are measurable and finite.

The finite nature of the north and south appears clearly in creation. Traveling north, one eventually reaches the pole and can go no further – any continued movement becomes southward. The same limitation occurs when traveling south. This natural boundary reminds us that God’s judgments and testing serve specific purposes and have appointed ends. As the prophet Isaiah declared, ”In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind” (Isaiah 27:8).

This truth brings comfort during times of judgment and testing. Job learned this when God appeared to him from the whirlwind, revealing that even his intense trials had prescribed limits. The Lord reminded him, ”Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed” (Job 38:11). Just as God sets bounds for the sea, He sets boundaries for every judgment and testing.

The finite nature of judgment appears again when God promises restoration: ”For the Lord shall not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies” (Lamentations 3:31-32). All judgment serves His purpose of transformation, leading to the prophet’s confidence: ”The Lord doesn’t enjoy sending grief or pain.” (Lamentations 3:33 CEV)

The East: The Direction of God’s Glory and Light

The east holds special significance as the direction from which God’s glory and revelation proceed. As mentioned earlier this pattern begins in creation itself when God said “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” (Genesis 1:16). He established the sun’s daily rise in the east as an enduring pattern teaching how spiritual light and understanding come to His people. After creating man, “the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden” (Genesis 2:8), and when man sinned, God placed cherubim “at the east of the garden of Eden” (Genesis 3:24), establishing the east as both the direction of divine glory and the way back to God’s presence.

Ezekiel witnessed this connection dramatically when “the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory” (Ezekiel 43:2). This appearance carried such power that “the earth shined with his glory,” showing how divine revelation illuminates everything it touches. When Israel’s disobedience caused God’s glory to depart from the temple, it moved eastward in stages, “Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.” (Ezekiel 10:18-19), yet God promised restoration would come from the same direction, as the prophet later saw the glory return “from the way of the east“ (Ezekiel 43:4).

This pattern of revelation from the east finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, for “in him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). The wise men declared, “We have seen his star in the east“ (Matthew 2:2), following this light to find Him who would later declare “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). This connects the east’s natural light with Christ as the source of all spiritual illumination.

The east’s association with God’s glory reminds us that even divine revelation serves His sovereign purpose. When the Psalmist declares, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge” (Psalm 75:6-7), he emphasizes that all true advancement comes from God alone, not from any direction or means.

The West: Completing God’s Work and Gathering His People

The west in Scripture reveals how God brings His work to completion and gathers His people. Just as the sun completes its daily journey in the west, this direction teaches us about the fulfillment of God’s purposes. This completion pattern begins with Ephraim’s placement on the west side of the tabernacle. Through Ephraim’s blessing of multiplication and fruitfulness, the west reveals how God’s work reaches its full increase.

The west’s completion pattern demonstrates God’s sovereign control over every work’s fulfillment. Nothing reaches completion except according to His purpose and timing, for ”In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

The west’s connection to completion appears powerfully in God’s promise to Joshua about the Promised Land: “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast” (Joshua 1:3-4). This western boundary, marked by the setting sun, represented the full extent of their inheritance.

The Psalms connect the west to the completion of God’s praise and glory: “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). This shows how God’s work extends throughout the whole earth, from beginning (east) to completion (west). Similarly, Isaiah declares “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun” (Isaiah 59:19), revealing how God’s glory fills the entire earth as His work reaches completion.

Christ particularly connects the west to the gathering and completion of His work: “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:27). This gathering work culminates in His promise that “many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). The progression from east to west in these verses shows how God’s revelation leads to completed gathering.

The Unified Working of All Directions

Understanding how these directions work together reveals the completeness of God’s purpose. We see this comprehensive pattern first in God’s promise to Abraham: “And the LORD said unto Abram… Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever” (Genesis 13:14-15). This all-encompassing view represented not just physical territory but the fullness of God’s spiritual promise.

Isaiah reveals how these directions serve God’s gathering purpose: “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 43:5-6). Each direction receives specific commands that reveal its role in God’s complete work – the north must “give up,” showing release of judgment; the south must “keep not back,” allowing progression of judgment; while east brings forth “thy seed” and west completes the “gathering”.

The prophet Ezekiel witnessed this comprehensive working through the four living creatures: “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle” (Ezekiel 1:10). These four faces, looking toward the four directions, show how God’s authority extends everywhere. Their movement according to God’s spirit – “And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went” (Ezekiel 1:12) – reveals how all directions serve His sovereign purpose.

Practical Application of Directional Truth

Understanding these directional patterns transforms how we view and respond to every circumstance in our spiritual journey. Each direction reveals specific aspects of God’s work in us, helping us cooperate with rather than resist His purpose.

When facing judgment from the north, we recognize God establishing His authority in our lives. Rather than resisting these experiences, we can submit like Job who declared “He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). This understanding helps us yield to God’s establishing work, knowing His judgment serves His perfect purpose.

The south’s progressive testing reveals God’s transformative work advancing in our lives. Like the Psalmist, we learn to pray “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). God’s testing process accelerates our spiritual growth as each trial reveals and purges what opposes His life within us.

When divine revelation comes from the east, it brings increasing light and understanding to transform our walk with God. The prophet captured this progressive illumination: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward” (Isaiah 58:8). As Hosea declares, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning” (Hosea 6:3). Each new day presents fresh opportunities for increased spiritual understanding.

The west reminds us that God will complete what He has begun, bringing every aspect of His work to its appointed conclusion. Paul expressed this certainty: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). When circumstances seem to hinder or delay God’s purpose, the west’s completion pattern encourages our faith to trust His perfect timing.

These directional workings ultimately point to internal spiritual realities, fulfilling Christ’s declaration that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20). The north’s judgment works within to establish God’s authority in our hearts. The south’s progression moves us through internal testing that reveals and purges what opposes God’s life. The east’s light illuminates our understanding of spiritual truth. The west’s gathering brings all these workings to completion in our experience.

This internal working aligns perfectly with God’s promise through Ezekiel: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Each direction serves this transformative purpose as God works to conform us to Christ’s image.

Conclusion: The Perfect Pattern

These directional patterns ultimately reveal the perfection of God’s working in every aspect of our lives. From the north’s establishment of divine authority through the south’s progressive testing, from the east’s revelation to the west’s completion, each direction serves God’s purpose of conforming us to Christ’s image.

The prophetic visions of both Daniel and Ezekiel reveal how God orchestrates all powers and movements according to His directional purposes. Daniel’s vision of the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward demonstrated how God uses even earthly kingdoms to accomplish His purpose of judgment (north), testing (south), and moving toward completion (west). Notably, the ram’s inability to push eastward aligns with our understanding that God alone brings revelation and glory from the east.

Together, these prophetic visions reveal how God maintains absolute control over all directional movements in creation. Whether through spiritual beings or earthly powers, every directional movement serves His sovereign purpose, for ”all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand” (Daniel 4:35).

This comprehensive understanding brings peace amidst life’s various circumstances. Whether facing judgment, testing, revelation, or completion, we recognize each experience as part of God’s perfect pattern. As Paul declared, ”we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

May this understanding of Scripture’s directional patterns deepen our walk with God and strengthen our faith in His sovereign working. For truly, ”of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36)

Pro 8:1-36 “Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

[Study Aired Jan 9, 2024]

In this study we will look at some answers in God’s word to the questions “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?” (Pro 8:1).

Christ is our wisdom (1Co 1:30, 2Co 3:3-5) who cries out to us and beseeches us to present our lives a living sacrifice to him (Rom 12:1-2), as we hold fast our profession of faith (Heb 4:14, Heb 10:23, 1Co 9:25).

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:

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ (Rev 20:12) ministered by us (Eph 3:10), written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:(Eph 1:11-12)
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

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.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

If we are granted to cleave to our Saviour and resist the lies of the devil as the body of Christ (Jas 4:7, Joh 6:44), which is the church (Col 1:24), then we will be blessed to put forth our voice, which will be reflecting the mind of Christ, the voice of living waters (Zec 14:8, Joh 7:38, Rev 14:1-2).

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:

Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; (Gal 4:26) half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

This process of bringing forth of living waters is accomplished by resisting the lies of the devil represented by the crown of thorns (Mat 13:22, Gen 3:18, Heb 6:8, Job 2:9) around Christ’s head (Heb 12:4, Mat 27:29). We must hold fast to the crown of life that God has given us through Christ that represents his mind, and resist the lies, or the thorns and briers of the devil (Rev 3:11, 1Co 2:16).

Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Mat 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 

1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The body of Christ are the first to come to trust in God (Eph 1:11-12) and acknowledge and recognize that all the work being done in us is His workmanship that we are blessed to be a part of (Eph 2:10).

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

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.

We give glory and honour to God as we die daily and learn obedience through that dying process that requires judgement (1Pe 4:17). Ultimately that process of judgement will lead to the blessed and holy first resurrection where the saints will cast back the crowns of righteousness forged in their lives at Christ’s feet. These actions symbolize our acknowledging that we were his workmanship, who were prepared from the foundation of the world to accomplish those works of God to His glory, works that required that we overcome the powers and principalities that we wrestle against in our heavens and gain victory over through Christ alone (Rev 4:8-11, Php 2:12-13).

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,(Joh 17:17) Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Pro 8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

These straightforward questions are really a declaration of the truth that wisdom does cry out and understanding does put forth her voice. Christ is the head of the church whose voice is contrasted with that of John the baptist of whom we read, “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it”. Christ’s voice, was connected to baptizing with fiery trials and contrasted with John the baptist who baptized with water unto repentance (Joh 1:23, Mat 3:11, Heb 12:25-26)

Joh 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth (John or Christ Luk 7:33-34), much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Heb 9:23-24)

Christ is our wisdom who cries out to us in our hearts and minds, and he also uses the church of which He is the head to “put forth her voice”, meaning the manifest knowledge of God is being made known through the church (Eph 3:10) as God gives increase to each joint that supplies in love what is needed for the edifying and building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:16).

Pro 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Pro 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Wisdom cries from the highest quarters, “the top of high places” which represents Jerusalem above the mother of us all where God’s people are raised through Christ (Gal 4:26, Eph 2:6).

We are in the world and not of it (1Co 5:10), and so if we are being led by the holy spirit in this life, it will be in “in the places of the path” (Rom 8:14, Psa 1:1-3, Psa 23:2-3). It will be with Christ, who makes a way where their appears to be none, in the sea where we will learn to become more than conquerors through him (Php 2:12-13, Isa 43:16, Psa 107:11-15).

Isa 43:16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

Psa 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Psa 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

The church crying “at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors” are all symbolic locations that point to how Christ in us as our hope of glory gives us the ability to enter into the narrow gate (Mat 7:13-14), at the entry of the city which city represents the church of the first born (Heb 12:23), whose doors can only be opened and closed by Christ (Rev 3:7).

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Pro 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
Pro 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

God’s existence has been expressed through the Word, Jesus Christ (Mat 11:27, Joh 1:1-3), who made all things (Rom 1:20, 1Co 8:6). All that physical creation reveals a spiritual reality to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, and are given the ability to compare spiritual with spiritual using the physical realm (Mat 13:16, 1Co 2:12-14). The world will be without excuse once their eyes are opened to these truths, but today very few are given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Mat 13:11).

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” of (Psa 8:4), tells us that even though God calls, or is mindful of us, we also know that many are called of God and few are chosen and remain faithful till the end (Mat 22:14, Rev 17:14) as a result of God’s visitation in our life which is His judgement (Luk 19:44). It is those who go onto be judged and are blessed to endure that judgement until the end, who are being blessed to do the work of casting His bread upon the waters that will return in time (Ecc 11:1, Isa 55:11, 1Co 10:16).

The elect are that bread upon the water, the flesh and bones of Christ (bread of life) that is sacrificed for the world today as we are led by our Saviour (Eph 5:30, 1Jn 3:16). Our desire should always be to point people to Christ, with a readiness of mind to speak the truth to anyone who asks us with “meekness and fear” the reason for the hope within us (1Pe 3:15). These two verses were looking at, (Pro 8:4-5), are an invitation to the wedding supper if God is visiting us in this age (Psa 8:4), which means he will judge us in this age, and finish that work of faith in us through Christ (1Pe 4:17-18, Php 1:6).

Pro 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Pro 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Pro 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Pro 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Pro 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Pro 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

The opening questions of verse one, “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?”, which are a proclamation of what God’s words are, is answered for us with such statements as, “I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things”, and, “my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips”, as well as, “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them”.

God is holy (1Pe 1:16), and to those who are blessed to be in pursuit of His mind in this life, a clear and evident truth arises that shows us that God’s words don’t contradict themselves and are “all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge”.

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

If we are blessed to receive God’s instruction in this life and lean not unto our own understanding (Pro 3:5-8), we are promised a clarity of mind and peace that is more valuable than any physical things we could desire such as silver or gold (Php 4:7).

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

Wisdom is better than rubies, and “all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”.  These negative uses of gold and silver and rubies and their rejection is just the same as Paul saying, “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” (Php 3:8).

Pro 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

It is God’s wisdom that will bring us to see the beasts that we are (Ecc 3:18), and the fear of the LORD will motivate us to “hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” within me.

Many translations has “witty inventions” ^H4209 translated in a positive sense, as “discretion” or “sound judgment”. However, H4209 is also defined as ‘an evil plan or thought or mischievous devise or lewdness’, and here is this verse in a couple of those translations:

Pro 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.(KJV)
Pro 8:12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out. [good or evil!] (YLT)
Pro 8:12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And I find out a knowledge of purposes. [good or evil!] (LSV)

There is no one who dwelt on this earth that was more prudent and wise than Christ, and this verse, “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions”, is a reminder to God’s elect that with Christ as our head we can avail ourselves of that prudence that dwells within Christ and receive whatever knowledge we need for “find[ing] out knowledge of witty inventions” [good or evil] by simply asking our Father in heaven for those things we need (Jas 1:5). 

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [Solomon, a type of the elect, does not ask amiss (1Ki 3:11-13, Jas 4:3, Mat 6:8)]
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Pro 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Pro 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Pro 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

This is the great epiphany in our lives when we come to see the strength that we have when we learn of God’s faithfulness to provide for those who ask of Him both counsel and sound wisdom. When we come to see that Christ is our wisdom and our strength, through whom we can endure all things, we acquire great confidence and hope in this life (Joh 14:20).

Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

It is by Christ that “kings reign, and princes decree justice”, whether they be carnal kings or holy kings who are connected to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. It is also true that by Christ “princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth”. How else can we call God sovereign unless the world itself, including its kings and princes, nobles and judges, are all living and moving and having their being in Christ (Act 17:28)? For God’s elect, the difference with that relationship is that God has earmarked those who are His to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection, which will be attained through much tribulation (Rom 8:28, Act 14:22).

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.

Pro 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Pro 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Pro 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Pro 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
Pro 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

The bible is redundant, but it is a blessed redundancy for those who see the hope filled message being given.

God loves those who love him, but He loved us first and shed His love abroad in the hearts of those that He softened in this life (1Jn 4:19, Rom 5:5). He also caused us to want to seek Him early in this life as a kind of first fruits who, as a result of this relationship, we are promised we would find Him “and those that seek me early shall find me”.

Only Christ can be Christ, so it is the true Shepherd who leads “in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment”, and he does this so “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures”.

The treasure or fruits that we receive come about by being connected to the vine, Jesus Christ (Joh 15:5), who gives us “durable riches and righteousness” and promises exceedingly great and precious in this life that are of more value “than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver”.

Pro 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Pro 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Pro 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Pro 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Pro 8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Pro 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Pro 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Pro 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Pro 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Pro 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

All of these verses are talking about Christ and his relationship with the Father prior to the creation as well as after he, Christ, created all of the heavens and earth as the beginning of God’s creation who was given the power to do that (Rev 3:14). 

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

It is also speaking of the predestined work (Pro 8:22) that is unfolding in the body of Christ through God’s spirit that makes it possible for His workmanship (Eph 2:10) to have a start and finish in the lives of those who are being dragged to Christ in this age (Joh 6:44).

Wisdom here is personified, making an intimate relationship more visible for us to embrace (Pro 8:35, Joh 17:26).

Pro 8:35 For whoso findeth me [Wisdom, Christ] findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Pro 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Pro 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Pro 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Pro 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The final admonition to the church in these verses (Pro 8:32-33) is stated this way in (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”.

Verse 34 reminds us of the zealous and faithful approach that must be taken in order to find God (Jer 29:13, Heb 11:6), and when we find Christ we find life and “obtain favour of the LORD”, as opposed to “he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (1Jn 3:14).

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Proverbs 2:1-22 – Paths of Judgment, of the Righteous, of Life

[Study Aired Nov 7, 2024]

In order for the body of Christ to increase and John the baptist within us to decrease, we must needs be judged in this life, which judgement is given to the body of Christ (1Pe 4:17) so that the mind of Christ can be formed within us (Joh 3:30, 1Co 2:16).

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

1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

When we are received of God, we are chastened of him and scourged; we are judged in other words (Heb 12:6-7) and told not to despise this process that His precious first fruit workmanship (Eph 2:10) is called unto (Heb 12:5).

We are promised that the judgement that God is executing on the body of Christ is going to preserve us in this life (1Co 11:31-32, Joh 8:36, Rom 8:31-37) so we don’t have to experience the second death, in the process of dying in this life by being given the power to fulfill God’s will and purpose (Rom 8:28). God’s will can only be fulfilled by our being given to be witnesses of these things (Act 5:32), “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Rev 20:14, 1Jn 2:16-17, Php 2:12-13, Rev 11:3, Zec 4:6).

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 [1Co 15:50], and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

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.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

These verses in (Luk 13:4-7) lead up to and explain what we must go through as the unproductive fig tree that will only begin to be productive as a result of judgement in our lives that is typified by this statement, “till I shall dig about it, and dung it”. The growth or increase we experience from the digging and dunging process is a gift of God that is given to the elect in this age (1Co 3:6, Eph 2:8).

Luk 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? [Do we think they were the chief of sinners or the apostle Paul only, or anyone else, (1Ti 1:15) or are we in agreement with what Paul quoted, in (Rom 3:10, Mat 23:29-30, Mat 24:34?]
Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent (Rom 2:4), ye shall all likewise perish [and come up in the great white throne judgement (Rev 20:11)].

These first five verse are the important context that set the stage for how God creates the circumstances in our life so that we are repentant, “except ye repent“.

Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. [The ‘certain man’ is Christ.]
Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years (symbolizing our time in Babylon where judgement did not convert our souls (Jer 22:29), no fruit was borne, regardless of physical miracles, and overcoming vices in the flesh (2Th 2:9, Rev 13:13, Co 11:14-15, Joh 14:12-14) I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? [rhetorical question by Christ, he knows why we must experience this exile in Babylon where we bear no spiritual fruit for a symbolic three years]
Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also (this year symbolizing the Day of the Lord “judgment – digging and dunging”) , till I shall dig about it, and dung it (Act 20:28-31).

Paul was called to dig and dung the fig tree in hopes that some fruit would be borne, becoming a true “dresser of his vineyard” who was once a blasphemer (1Ti 1:13).The churches of Babylon are represented by Paul at that time in his life, and like Paul, one day they will obtain mercy, because all their actions were done ignorantly and in unbelief (Gen 45:8).

1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Gen 45:8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

In this second chapter of Proverbs, we are admonished to not neglect this high calling (Heb 2:3) that we’ve been given as we seek the Lord with all our hearts, being promised that we will find him as a result of that pursuit that is being accomplished by the power of God’s holy spirit working within our lives both to will and do of His good pleasure (Deu 4:29, Php 2:12-13).

The dunging part of the analogy is very instructive as it typifies for us the dead and dying old man that is used as fertilizer to set the stage for our growth. The digging is also important to keep in mind as it symbolizes the labour that we are called unto so that we can enter into His rest (Heb 4:1-11, Tit 3:8).

Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

The land rest that occurred every seven years back in old covenant times (Deu 15:1) was needful to enrich the land for future yield in the field. The symbolism is not telling us we just sit back and do nothing during that year of rest (Tit 3:8), rather that we must labour to enter into it, as we read in (Heb 4:11). The fruit that is borne out of a wholehearted pursuit of seeking the kingdom first and His righteousness is that we will be spiritually preserved with all that we need in this life in order to endure until the end (Mat 6:33). This is what the elect have been called unto and need to remain focused on all of their lives (1Co 15:57-58, Heb 11:6, Rom 7:24-25).

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.

After we have acknowledged this high calling and made our profession of faith (Php 3:14, Heb 4:13-14) and understand the need to dig and dung this fig tree, our direction and mindset must be singular as Paul stated, forgetting what is behind us and staying in the light (1Jn 1:7-9) with the hope that Christ will cleanse the inside of the cup and bring us unto perfection on the third day as the author and finisher of our faith (Php 3:8).

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 [our hearts and minds Col 1:27], Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

This parable we have looked at in chapter thirteen of Luke is very connected to this second chapter of Proverbs, that admonishes us to receive God’s words and hide them like precious treasure in earthen vessels. Christ is our wisdom and we have this gift of his mind in these earthen vessels in this life (Col 3:3, 2Co 4:7). What we are to do with this mind of Christ is to not neglect it, as these proverbs will clearly state (Heb 2:3). Stirring up the spirit of God (1Ti 4:14) happens as result of our search that God promises us will result in our finding him (Heb 11:6). The fruit of that search will bring us to understand the fear of the Lord that we know is the “beginning of knowledge” (Pro 1:7).

A great deal of this second chapter also explains how Godly wisdom and our pursuit of it will keep us safe from the many lies and falsehoods in Babylon. There is a reward awaiting those who are given to lose their life today in pursuit of a right relationship with our husband Jesus Christ (Mar 10:28-31).

Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee [all the sins of the world (1Jn 2:16-17)].
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 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Pro 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness…

(who receive my words, and hide my commandments, and incline your ear to wisdom, a doer of the word who is justified, crying after knowledge, lifting your voice with strong tears and are heard in that you fear God (Heb 5:7, Eph 5:30), who seek her first as silver and hid treasure, as silver representing the sanctification process that comes with the word of God being unearthed within us)

(Mat 5:6 , 2Co 11:27) because “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of 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;

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

Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Pro 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Pro 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Pro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above (Jas 1:17), and it is the LORD who is giving us the wisdom and knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous and that wisdom is a buckler to those who walk uprightly, being led of the spirit of God (Rom 8:14). He leads us by still waters, he keeps the paths of judgement, and preserves the way of the saints through that judgement. If all of these affirming events are happening to us in this life through the faith of Christ (Php 2:12-13, Gal 2:20), “Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path“, and the spirit will bear witness of this along the way (Rom 8:15-16).

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Pro 2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Pro 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Christ is the author and finisher of our faith who we look to (Heb 12:2), and the comforter leads us into all truth; that is how “wisdom entereth into thine heart“, and because we know it is the Lord working this in our lives (Php 2:12-13), we have great joy in knowing that we are his little flock (Luk 12:32 , Php 4:4), his workmanship, and this relationship is “pleasant unto thy soul“.

The fruit of this blessed relationship with Christ is that “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee“.

Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. [understanding the sum of God’s word old covenant and new covenant, how both can be profitable to the maturing Christian is what “both are preserved” means (2Ti 3:15)]

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father (Joh 17:17), and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Pro 2:12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
Pro 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Pro 2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
Pro 2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

When we seek the Lord and his wisdom, He leads us not into temptation (Mat 6:13) and we are delivered from evil, from the man that speaks froward things. By God’s grace we develop the ability to try the spirits whether they are of the Lord (1Jn 4:1) and we are preserved by the discretion and understanding that God gives his children. We foresee the evil and hide ourselves (Pro 27:12), we grow to truly understand what an enemy of the cross looks like, as those whose fruit identify them as such (Luk 6:43-45, 1Jn 3:7),”Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths“

Luk 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

Pro 2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
Pro 2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
Pro 2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
Pro 2:19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

We are also delivered “from the strange woman” who represents Babylon, and we are kept safe “from the stranger which flattereth with her words“, again representing those who peddle the word of God and make merchandise of the many called (Mat 22:14). It is in Babylon that we “forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God” and don’t realize that in this state of captivity we are in a house that “inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead“. None that go unto her return again, unless they are dragged out of her and given to “ponder the path of life”(Pro 5:5-8), otherwise we could never” take hold of the paths of life that are found through Christ (Joh 6:44).

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

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.

Pro 2:20  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
Pro 2:21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
Pro 2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. [another digging and dunging reference – those transgressors and the wicked within us, Lord willing, being rooted out in this life]

We have to go back to the statement found in verse ten (Pro 2:10), “When wisdom [Christ] entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul“, telling us that when God’s holy spirit is within us, Christ who is our wisdom, we can “walk in the way of good and keep the paths of the righteous“. It is only Christ who can be Christ (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9), who makes it possible for those that He dwells in to be “the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it“(Joh 8:31-32).

The elect remain in the land, “But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it“, first within us but also revealing that the elect are being talked about in these parables (Mat 24:40-51) that tell us some are taken and others remain in the earth. The ones remaining represent the elect who inherit the land, because we have been blessed to conquer the land within in this age, by the grace and faith of Christ (Eph 2:8).

Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Our searching for wisdom and knowledge is not in vain (1Co 15:58). Christ is the tree of life who we are being dragged unto, to “lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her” (Pro 3:18).

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 (Col 1:27) 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. [Pro 24:3, Psa 127:1]
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Mat 25:4-8)
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.

Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The Book of Daniel – Dan 1:8-21, Daniel Would not Defile Himself with the King’s Meat

[Study Aired February 8, 2024]

Dan 1:8  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 
Dan 1:9  Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 
Dan 1:10  And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 
Dan 1:11  Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 
Dan 1:12  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 
Dan 1:13  Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 
Dan 1:14  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 
Dan 1:15  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 
Dan 1:16  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 
Dan 1:17  As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 
Dan 1:18  Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 
Dan 1:19  And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 
Dan 1:20  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 
Dan 1:21  And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

When we are desirous of the Lord’s meat as discussed last week, for His words, His truth, His portion, His will in our lives (Eph 5:17) as typified by Daniel not wanting to be defiled with “the portion of the king’s meat (Babylon Isa 3:1)” but rather wanting only to eat what he knew would be healthier for him and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, we are in fact being blessed to be given that hunger and thirst for God, a “hunger and thirst” which is “after righteousness“ that “shall be filled” (Mat 5:6) as we are dragged to Christ whose “flesh is meat indeed” and whose “blood is drink indeed” (Joh 6:44, Joh 6:55). 

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

God makes a way where there seems to be none in each of our lives (Isa 43:19) as our sufficiency in God is found in Him through Christ (2Co 3:5, 2Co 9:8, Eph 2:10). God’s purpose for His people is being fulfilled by way of consuming our old Adamic nature, represented by the first temple, and building a new creation that will stand forever (Joh 2:19-21). We are standing healthy before the King when we are granted to fulfill His will which is accomplished by eating His words (1Jn 2:16-17, Rev 19:8, Rev 10:10).

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

2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

The Hebrew word in the opening verse of our study for “purposed” is H7760 which means “to put.” If we look at the ABP+ we read this: “And Daniel put^G5087 unto”^{G1909 G3588} and then if we go to these new covenant verses that use the number G1909 (Mar 1:10, Mat 4:4, Mat 12:18), we see how God’s will is purposed in every man’s life (Eph 1:11), as every man, not just those who have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9, Col 1:27), but every man who lives and moves and has their being in Christ (Act 17:28) is having God’s will purposed in their lives to be exactly what that book was written to be, what He has put upon our hearts (Joh 3:27, Jer 20:9, Jer 29:11) whether that person is one who has become a vessel of honor in God’s house or whether that person remains in a state of dishonor, not having the wood, hay and stubble burned out of them in this life (2Ti 2:20-21, Heb 6:1-3).  It is God who purposes and determines these things from the foundation of the world to His glory and for His purpose (Rom 9:22, Mat 20:8).

The difference between God’s will being fulfilled in the lives of those who are called and chosen, and Lord willing, faithful to the end, is that God’s will in the lives of the elect is being “done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mat 6:10), as opposed to God’s purpose or will for mankind being fulfilled on the earth and in the earth, in carnal minds that are not being transformed or conformed to the image of Christ in this life, and so Paul begs us, “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. 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 (Eph 1:6), and perfect^G5046, will of God“, which is another way speaking of the fidelity to God’s word that we are always striving for with one mind and one spirit found in Christ (Rom 12:1-2, 1Co 2:16). In type and shadow this verse (Dan 1:8) is telling us the same thing as Romans 12:1-2. 

H7760 “Purposed“ śûm    śı̂ym soom, seem  [untoG1909 G3588 ABP+]

A primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literally, figuratively, inferentially and elliptically): –    X any wise, appoint, bring, call [a name], care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down, ([over-]) turn, X wholly, work.

Total KJV occurrences: 580

Dan 1:8  And^G2532 Daniel put^G5087 unto^{G1909 G3588} his heart so as in no way he should be polluted in the table of the king, and in the wine of his banquet. And he petitioned the chief eunuch so that in no way he should be polluted. [ABP+]

Mar 1:10  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon^G1909 him:

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by^G1909 bread alone, but by^G1909 every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (1Co 15:46). [The natural is represented by the “bread alone” that precedes the spiritual “bread of life” (Joh 6:48) which is “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” That natural experience that precedes the spiritual cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, but is a means to an end [worm to butterfly (1Co 15:50)].

Mat 12:18  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon^G1909 him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

In this section of Daniel we will see how the Lord can preserve His saints in Babylon, and create circumstances for our favor in this life as He did with Joseph in prison (Gen 39:21) and with Daniel who found favor as well with the “prince of the eunuchs” by God’s mercy (Dan 1:9). The lesson to be learned in all of this, both with Joseph and Daniel, is that the word of God was going to be preserved in type and shadow in the lives of those with whom God was working, as it is literally being preserved in the lives of those today who have those words of eternal life (Joh 6:68) given to them by God which are sanctifying us (Joh 17:17-19).

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Joh 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Christ is directing us (Php 2:12-13) as our head, the author and finisher of our faith who we are told to confidently believe will finish this work of faith within us (Php 1:6). That work involves purifying those words of life in this age (1Pe 1:7). A type and shadow of that purifying process is being shown throughout the chapters of Daniel and admonishes us today to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (Act 14:22, Luk 22:32, 1Pe 5:7-11). 

Dan 1:8  But Daniel purposed^H7760 in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

What Daniel purposed in his heart to do was of the Lord, as we read in Proverbs 16:1 which says, “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” ‘Coming out of her my people’ is accomplished by savoring the things of God and not the “king’s meat…nor with the wine which he drank” (Mat 16:23, 2Co 2:14). God prepared Daniel to make this request “of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself“, and it symbolizes our resisting the devil (Jas 4:7) and tearing down the spiritual strongholds, through Christ, in our lives (Eph 6:11-12, 2Co 10:4-5) so that we can, like Daniel, “not defile [our]self with the portion of the king’s meat.” As mentioned, the positive example of meat and drink is symbolized by the body and blood of Christ which represent the undefiled word of God, the altar that we are blessed to eat at in advance of the world who serve us in their unbelief  (2Co 4:15, Heb 13:10).

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 

Dan 1:9  Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 

God’s work moves forward because of God’s favor, as demonstrated with this verse where we read, “God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” There was a softening of hearts happening here so that this dialogue and relationship could even begin to bear the fruit of which we are going to read in the following few verses. This reminds us again that all things are for our sakes and that God will not withhold anything from us that is not for our good, and the goodness of God is working a work in Christ’s body that is leading to salvation (Eph 1:7, Eph 3:16, Php 4:19).

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Dan 1:10  And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

Daniel having a friendship with this prince of the eunuchs who knew that the king’s meat and drink would not be good for him was God’s way of preserving Daniel. This preservation by way of taking on the food that Daniel would eat, as opposed to eating the king’s meat and drink typifies for us what we read in Hebrews 13:10, which states, “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.” God miraculously changes the circumstances in our lives so that we don’t defile ourselves “with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 

Those who are moved to labor and serve the tabernacle represent the churches of Babylon, as does this “prince of the eunuchs“, and it is God who gives Babylon the wisdom they have that ends up benefiting the body of Christ at an appointed time. The prince of the eunuchs in this story is like the unjust steward in Luke 16:8 who is commended by Christ “because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” In this case, the “prince of the eunuchs” was saving both his own life and helping his friend Daniel by making that wise observation about the king’s food.

Luk 16:7  Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 
Luk 16:8  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light [1Co 1:26-27].
Luk 16:9  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

As the story goes, the prince of the eunuchs believed that the king would kill him if the health of Daniel or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was to fail, and not compare to that of their own people. This story reminds God’s elect how “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). This story reveals how Daniel, like ourselves, had to be shown favor with God in order to “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.“

Dan 1:11  Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 
Dan 1:12  Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 

The ten days period of proving the servants represents our carnal fleshly minds that need to be put off, and that is done by staying in the word of God, or walking in the spirit and not making provision for the flesh (Rom 8:1, Rom 8:4, Gal 5:16, Gal 5:25-26, Joh 6:63). The pulse and water represent the true nourishment that can only come from God’s word. The pulse and water in this instance are the starting source of nourishment, the sincere milk of the word that we are to desire and grow thereby (1Pe 2:2). 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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

Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Melzar, like Babylon, is set over us as he was over “Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah” and is going to witness a transformation that will take ten days, which also parallels the thought that we bring in the whole tithe, the tenth that represents our whole life, in order to lay up store in God’s house through this proving process (Mal 3:10).

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.

Babylon does not know that God is preparing to take us from being a servant to an heir of God, who is a mature son (G5206: uihothesia hwee-oth-es-ee’-ah Gal 4:1-5, Rom 8:21), but it is happening, and the nourishment is making its way to us by God opening our heavens to begin to start growing in faith which comes from hearing the word in ears and eyes that are being blessed to do just that (Rom 10:17, Mat 13:16). He sets a table in the presence of our enemies that they cannot see and partake of at this time as was the case with “Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah” (Heb 13:10, Psa 23:5).

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

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.

Dan 1:13   Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 
Dan 1:14  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 
Dan 1:15  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 
Dan 1:16  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 

God accomplishes what He does through His children so we can be the light of the world, which is what this verse is a shadow of. It is after we have done all that we can that we can stand (Eph 6:13) and be a witness for Christ in this life as He prepares the bride for that very reason to “let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.“

A tree is known by its fruit and after “the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” This came by way of the miraculous relationship God created so that Melzar would take “away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Dan 1:17  As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 

These four children have been given everything they have from God who is the giver of “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The gift of learning and wisdom and the understanding of visions and dreams are purposed for God’s people who will need this manifested in their lives in order to go on to maturity. The gift must grow and has a starting point that, God willing, will reach a mature point which will aid in bringing forth spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22) that must accompany the gift, or that gift or talent will just remain buried in the earth, part of the many wonderful works that are not accompanied with the selfless spirit of God that gives us the ability to lay up treasure in heaven by His righteousness working in our heavens (2Pe 3:18,  Mat 12:33, 1Co 12:31).

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 

Mat 12:33  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

1Co 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way [The more excellent way (1Co 13:1-13)].

Dan 1:18  Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

These last few verses demonstrate again how God requires a witness from His people against the evil days in which we are living, “Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in” (Luk 24:48, Mat 13:11).

Luk 24:48  And ye are witnesses of these things.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

We are brought to Nebuchadnezzar by the hand of the “prince of the eunuchs” again showing us how God will provide comfort and strength and amiable circumstances through His holy spirit to accomplish this needed witness (Mar 13:11)

Mar 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Dan 1:19  And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 
Dan 1:20  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 
Dan 1:21  And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

This section of scripture is foreshadowing what the elect will do to the world when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ (Rev 11:15). There will be none found like those who are resurrected in that blessed and holy first resurrection, typified here by Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The bride, in other words, will be made ready to manifest the knowledge of God in a manner that the world will not be able to deny has come from Him (Luk 2:42-47, Mat 16:17-19).

Luk 2:42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 
Luk 2:43  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luk 2:44  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 
Luk 2:45  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Luk 2:46  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 
Luk 2:47  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
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. 
Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

There being “in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,” found to be “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm” also reminds us that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God (1Co 3:18-23) and that we are not to “glory in men”, for all things are yours.

1Co 3:18  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 
1Co 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 
1Co 3:20  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 
1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

In the last verse of our study, the signified words of scripture remind us that establishing righteousness in the earth takes time, and that we must continue in the truth (Isa 26:9, Joh 8:31-32). “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” The first year in this instance represents the judgment of the Lord that is going to be established through the wisdom and knowledge of God that will be manifest through the church (Eph 3:10) and will put an end to the lies and strong delusion of Babylon in the heavens of mankind symbolized by “all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.“

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Obadiah 1:9 Mount of Esau is Cut Off

[Study Aired January 31, 2024]

Obadiah 1:9  And broken down have been thy mighty ones, O Teman, So that every one of the mount of Esau is cut off. (YLT)

Oba 1:9  And thy mighty^H1368 men, O Teman,^H8487 shall be dismayed,^{H2865 (H8804 Qal)} to the end that^H4616 every one^H376 of the mount^{H4480 H2022} of Esau^H6215 may be cut off^{H3772 (H8735 Niphal)} 

H1368 – Ghibbor, strong, mighty, strong man, brave man, mighty man, from a primitive root H1396, Gabar, to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty, be great, make strong, strengthen, confirm, give strength, confirm, show oneself mighty, act proudly (toward God)

H8487 – Teyman, Teman = south, from H8486, Teyman, south, southward, whatever is on the right (so the southern quarter), south wind, toward the south, denominative from H3225, Yamiyn, right, right hand, right side, south (the direction of the right hand when facing East), from a primitive root H3231, Yaman, to choose the right, go to the right, use the right hand, be right handed

H2865 – Khathath, (Qal) to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, a primitive root

H4616 – Mahan, purpose, intent, for the sake of, in view of, on account of, for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to, to the end that, from a primitive root 

H6030 Anah, to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout, respond to, respond as a witness, make answer, be answered, receive, sing, utter tunefully, dwell

H376 – Eesh, man, male, husband, human being, person, servant, mankind, champion, great man, whosoever, each, contracted for H582, Enoshe, man, mortal man, person, mankind, of an individual, men, from a primitive root H605, Anash, to be weak, sick, frail, be incurable, desperate, incurable, desperately wicked, woeful, very sick

H4480 – Min, from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than, some of, after (of time), from…even to, both…and, either…or, too much for, through, because, from H4482, Mane, musical chord, a stringed instrument from an unused root to apportion

H2022 – Har, hill, mountain, hill country, mount, a shortened form of H2042, Harar, mountain, hill, hill country, mount, from an unused root meaning to loom up

H6215 – Esav, hairy, apparently a form of a primitive root H6213, Asah, to do, fashion, accomplish, make, work, produce, to deal with, act, act with effect, effect, prepare, attend to, put in order, observe, celebrate, acquire, appoint, ordain, institute, bring about, use, spend, pass, be done, be made, be produced, be offered, be observed, be used, be made, to press, squeeze

H3772 – Karath, (Niphal) to be cut off/down, be chewed, fail, a primitive root

Here is Obadiah 1:9 with the root words included:

The mighty ones (those who act proudly toward God) of Teman (South facing/the right hand) (is being) shattered (and shall) for the purpose of being a witness to mankind (the desperately wicked). So that the mountain (looming up) of Esau shall be cut down. 

Teman is the name of a district and town in the land of Edom, named after Teman, the grandson of Esau, the son of his firstborn, Eliphaz. A duke Teman is named among the chiefs or clans of Edom. Teman H8487 tay-mawn’ means the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east). The south denotes man’s right hand (man’s power). Figuratively, the right hand denotes “power” and “authority”:

Act 2:32  ‘This Jesus did God raise up, of which we are all witnesses;
Act 2:33  at the right hand then of God having been exalted—also the promise of the Holy Spirit having received from the Father—he was shedding forth this, which now ye see and hear;
Act 2:34  for David did not go up to the heavens, and he saith himself: The Lord saith to my lord, Sit thou at my right hand,
Act 2:35  till I make thy foes thy footstool

The proud heart in all of us is being brought down as we are humbled by Christ. Christ’s bright eyes shine in us and filtrate/purify us because we are a living sacrifice upon which He has chosen to transform into pillars in His temple. Unlike James and John arguing about who will sit at Christ’s left or right hand, we as the elect know it is simply an honour to be called, chosen, and remain faithful to be considered worthy to be grafted into the body of Christ as ministers and servants. The body does not tell the head where it will sit, on the right or the left, instead, the body is submissive to its head in all things. The body follows the head just as the body of Christ follows the mind of Christ in all things. Where Christ goes, we go:

Eze 1:20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Eze 1:21  When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels

Contrary to this spirit of submission was the spirit of James and John:

Mrk 10:35  And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
Mrk 10:36  And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
Mrk 10:37  They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Mrk 10:38  But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Mrk 10:39  And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
Mrk 10:40  But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
Mrk 10:41  And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
Mrk 10:42  But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Mrk 10:43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mrk 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mrk 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

James and John were eager to make their requests known to Christ, but in doing so were making the sacrifice of fools

Ecc 5:1  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
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.
Ecc 5:3  For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

James and John were used as an example to remind us how important it is to “keep our foot” when entering the house of God. The mighty ones of Teman and Edom placed their identity and worth in their pride. Their heart was hasty:

Oba 1:3  The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Job’s words were not few, nor did he keep his foot when offering his sacrifice of fools.

Job 10:1  My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
Job 10:2  I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
Job 10:3  Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
Job 10:4  Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?
Job 10:5  Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days,
Job 10:6  That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
Job 10:7  Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand

Job 23:3  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
Job 23:4  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
Job 23:5  I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

Here is God’s response to Job’s sacrifice of a fool, labelling it as Job speaking by words without knowledge:

Job 38:1  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Job 38:2  Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge.

Job 40:1  Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
Job 40:2  Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Job Promises Silence

Job 40:3  Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
Job 40:4  Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth

Ultimately, God the Father and Christ are sovereign in this cleansing process of purification we are all going through. How are we purified? By the words of the Son. The sovereignty of God has ordained that in “these last days” He speaks to us in His Son, Jesus Christ:

Heb 1:1  In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,
Heb 1:2  in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;
Heb 1:3  who being the brightness (G541) of the glory, and the impress of His subsistence, bearing up also the all things by the saying of his might—through himself having made a cleansing of our sins, sat down at the right hand of the greatness in the highest.

Brightness is from G541 ap-ow’-gas-mah meaning an off flash or effulgence. Effulgence means the ability to shine brightly. The brightness of Christ occurs in that he perfectly reflects the majesty of God. It is this brightness of His coming that will be how the wicked in us is revealed (illuminated):

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked (the old man) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

How is the old man consumed with the spirit of His mouth? The spirit of His mouth is the flames of fire of His Word:

Rev 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God

We are the apple of His eye, and even though we will suffer loss in this battle as we are burned, he that remains (overcomes) shall be saved.

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 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire

Psa 17:8  Keep me as the apple, the daughter of the eye; In shadow of Thy wings thou dost hide me.
Psa 17:9  From the face of the wicked who spoiled me. Mine enemies in soul go round against me.
Psa 17:10  Their fat they have closed up, Their mouths have spoken with pride:
Psa 17:11  ‘Our steps now have compassed him;’ Their eyes they set to turn aside in the land.
Psa 17:12  His likeness as a lion desirous to tear, As a young lion dwelling in secret places.
Psa 17:13  Arise, O Jehovah, go before his face, Cause him to bend. Deliver my soul from the wicked, Thy sword.

Being delivered in this battle is Christ saving us. We can only be truly humble if we are given eyes to see that it is Christ in us that is the New Man and He has dragged us to Himself so that we cannot take any credit for our salvation. This is true humility. Without it, without Christ, our humility is false, and we remain the high and lofty mountain of Esau.

Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

In verse 9 of Obadiah this message is reinforced: “every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off.” The word used for ‘cut off’ is H3772 kaw-rath’ meaning to cut, destroy, consume and to be chewed. It is first used after the flood of Noah

Gen 9:11  And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off (consumed) any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
Gen 9:12  And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Gen 9:13  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Physical water is no longer, and never again will be, used to consume all flesh. Instead, spiritually speaking, it is spiritual fire that is used to chew/consume all flesh (the proud heart and wise men of Edom in us). It is with Christ’s fire that he consumes all flesh.

Deu 4:24  For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Deu 9:3  Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

This passage in 2 Thessalonians describes what Christ is consuming:

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
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;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

It is this process that saves us. Christ has overcome the world, Christ has brought down Teman and Edom, making Him our one and only true saviour:

Joh 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Conclusion and Spiritual Principle: Those with eyes to see and ears to hear will understand that the Word of God is a book that we are to keep and experience because the Word of God is alive and is how God the father “speak(s) to us in a Son.”

Heb 1:2  in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;

The day of Christ is “at hand.”

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand

Christ is at hand and as He increases in us, and our old man decreases, we begin to speak by words with wisdom, not as Job who spoke by words without knowledge offering sacrifices of a fool.

Mal 2:1-17  And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you (Going from a corrupt seed to a holy seed!)

[Study Aired December 28, 2023]

Mal 2:1  And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. 
Mal 2:2  If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
Mal 2:3  Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
Mal 2:4  And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:5  My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 
Mal 2:6  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. 
Mal 2:7  For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 2:8  But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 2:9  Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. 
Mal 2:10  Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? 
Mal 2:11  Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. 
Mal 2:12  The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 2:13  And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. 
Mal 2:14  Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 
Mal 2:15  And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 
Mal 2:16  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. 
Mal 2:17  Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? 

We spent two studies with chapter one of Malachi which points to a type and shadow event that represented the yet carnal mind of Christians who could not as yet whole-heartedly present their bodies a living^G2198 sacrifice acceptable to Him through Christ. The nation of Judah was going through the motions, but their devotion to God was lacking and being exposed by the wanting display of blind, lame, and torn animals that were being offered for sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2, Eph 1:6, Mal 3:10). 

In this second chapter of Malachi, the focus is more on the priests, as stated in the first verse “And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.” The commandment is for the priests who represent the ministers of Babylon today who are not able to lay the commandments of God to heart, and contribute to the contemptible way in which the people have brought their blind, lame and torn animal sacrifices to the altar (Isa 9:15-16). The elect are typified as coming out from these priests and people in the persons of Levi (Mat 20:16). God has ordained from the foundation of the world for a royal priesthood (1Pe 2:9-11) to “come out of her, my people” through judgment (1Pe 4:17, 1Jn 4:17, Heb 12:6), to be made kings and priests by His great power (Rev 1:6).

Isa 9:15  The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 
Isa 9:16  For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

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: 
1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy [Rom 11:30-32].
1Pe 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen [Rev 5:10].

The remnant spoken of in this section of Malachi, “Yet had he the residue^H7605 of the spirit” (Mal 2:15), are the typical remnant of God (Rom 11:5) which represents those who have been granted to live by the faith of the son of God in this life that saves us (Gal 2:20, 1Jn 5:4). 

residue H7605 she‘âr  sheh-awr’  From H7604; a remainder: –  X other, remnant, residue, rest.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me [Php 2:12-13]: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God [1Jn 5:4], who loved me, and gave himself for me.

These words, “And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts” (Mal 2:4) are an old covenant type and shadow statement that is declaring that God has a remnant [Levi – the elect]  that He is going to use to save all Israel [all the world] in time. In this section of Malachi we are learning how the people cannot obey the commandments of God because God has not put in their hearts and minds his law as he typically was doing in the life of Levi who represents the elect of God in this case (Rom 11:26-27).

The priests continue to be admonished for leading the people astray and corrupting the covenant relationship with Levi in the following verses (Mal 2:8-11), especially regarding Judah who has “profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.” Those daughters represent “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” and her daughters that have deceived the whole world (Rev 17:5).

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

The remaining verses of Malachi (Mal 2:12-17) go on to explain the curse that the whole earth is under and reminds Judah, as a type of the Christian religious world today, how they have despised the covenant of Levi, which covenant represents our first love with Christ which over time is corrupted and dealt treacherously with and lost (Rev 2:4-5). 

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

It is very few who see God’s modus operandi which is to give all of humanity a heart that is not able to lay to heart the commandments of God (Rom 3:10, Rom 7:14, Rom 10:4), even losing our first love. Then out of those masses ( the many called) a few come to have those commandments written on their hearts (Mat 22:14), who few in turn will witness against those who were not dragged out of Babylon in this age, all summed up with the words in these verses found in Malachi 2:4 and Romans 11:11-12.

Mal 2:4  And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom 11:12  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Mal 2:1  And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. 
Mal 2:2  If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

This commandment is for the priests, so it is for the body of Christ as well as for the ministers of this world. Its effectiveness on the ears who are hearing the commandment is completely dependent on whether God gives us spiritual ears to hear or not hear the command (Luk 10:24, Mat 11:25, Mat 13:16).

Luk 10:24  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Mat 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

These verses reveal that God is not holding out any hope for the nation of Israel or Judah to give “glory unto my name”, but rather we are being told that God already knows the condition of the heart of mankind, just as He did Adam and Eve in the garden. So, this is what is written, “I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart“ (dying you shall die – Gen2:17)

Gen 2:17  but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, dying you shall die. [LITV]

Mal 2:3  Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.

None of this is going to be averted. God has promised that the first seed of the woman is going to be corrupt (Gen 3:15) and that we are going to be carried away into Babylonian captivity by way of the traditions of men “and one shall take you away with it.“

Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Mat 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Paul looked back and considered his captivity under the law for the lawless (1Ti 1:9-14) as part of the loss of all things he talked about, and as dung in comparison with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, or the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). Like dung, the law if used correctly (1Ti 1:8) is like fertilizer, the schoolmaster God used to bring about all the growth and zealous works that were accomplished through apostle Paul when the time came for those to become a reality (Php 3:8, Gal 4:1-2, Gal 3:23-24). 

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, 
1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 
1Ti 1:11  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [“under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father“]
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 

The nation of Judah was not using the law lawfully, and God is the one who worked all of those actions of the nation and administered the punishment for their disobedient hearts expressed in these words: “Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.” Once again we see God causing the nation to err and then correcting them. This was all according to the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11), which was all written for our sakes (1Co 10:11) to learn how God works with our own hearts and minds as His workmanship that goes from being marred in the hand of the Potter to becoming something new and glorious “as seemed good to the potter to make it.” (Isa 63:17, Rom 9:19-21, Eph 2:10, Jer 18:4-6).

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, 

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. 

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Jer 18:5  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 
Jer 18:6  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Mal 2:4  And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 

God sends His commandments to us as He did to Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, knowing that we will not be able to keep those commandments. He also, at the appointed time, gives us the ability to keep that commandment and reveals those who can’t by heresies that are made manifest so we can discern who is approved in our midst through their disobedience (1Co 11:19). The world will understand in time that God’s covenant was with the elect who were predestined to fulfill God’s purpose in this life (Eph 1:11-12) which is what “ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi” means.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 
Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. [2Co 1:9, 1Co 15:31]

Mal 2:5  My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 
Mal 2:6  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. 
Mal 2:7  For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 

These next verses typify for us the covenant relationship God has with the elect today, and it all points to the life of Christ within us that gives us “life and peace” (Joh 6:63, Php 4:7) along with the proper fear wherewith we fear him and tremble at His words because we know that those words are “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom 1:16, Luk 12:5).

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

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

God’s indwelling spirit within the body of Christ (Rom 8:9) makes it possible for all of these things listed in verse 6 to be a reality just as they were with Christ when He walked on this earth (1Jn 4:17).

1: The law of truth was in his mouth 
2: Iniquity was not found in his lips 
3: He walked with me in peace and equity 
4: Did turn many away from iniquity 

In order for these four points to become a reality, we are then told, “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts” (verse 7), meaning all of this is being obtained through Christ who is our sufficiency in this life, to whom our heavenly Father is dragging us (2Co 3:5, Joh 6:44) making it possible for us to keep knowledge (Rev 1:3), as He blesses us with the hunger and thirst to “seek the law at his mouth” (Mat 5:6, Heb 11:6,  Col 1:29); and all of this telling us that the “messenger of the LORD of hosts” is blessed to come in His name (Psa 118:26) to perform these actions of righteousness through Him who is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure, which is to give us the kingdom (Php 2:12-13, Luk 12:32). “Levi” here typifies those who are coming in the name of the Lord as His messengers with the true gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us to worship our Father in spirit and in truth (Joh4:24).

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is [1Jn 5:4] impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Psa 118:26  Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. 
Psa 118:27  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. 

Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Mal 2:8  But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 2:9  Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

Corrupting “the covenant of Levi” by being “partial in the law” is what is in review here, and the lesson for the body of Christ is that when we depart “out of the way” we can cause others to “stumble at the law” (Heb 12:14-17).  The law in question is speaking about the old covenant laws which represent a type and shadow admonition for the elect of God today to not depart from the law of Christ “out of the way” and from the obedience to God’s commandments (1Jn 5:2-3).

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 
Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 
Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Whatever we sow we are going to reap, knowing it is God who causes us to corrupt “the covenant of Levi.” This departing from the way by the nation of Judah typifies for us how we lose our first love and expresses how Babylon has caused “many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi.” The many who stumble at the law are the many called, and out of those many God calls a few to repent of our iniquities and sins and overcome through Christ (Rom 8:26-28). It is all of the Lord and demonstrates His sovereignty over the vessels of clay to make one unto honor and one unto dishonor as He determines and for His purposes (Rom 9:20-24).

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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.

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?
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, 
Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Mal 2:10  Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? 
Mal 2:11  Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. 
Mal 2:12  The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts. 

“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?”

Of course the answer to this rhetorical question is that we do have one father and that we do “deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers.” God has made us that way, marred in the hand of the Potter to be made something anew in His perfect time and order, each man in his own order (1Co 15:23-24). The marred clay is also referred to as the “same lump” and God purges, chastens and scourges His children in this age so that they can become a “new lump” that comes out of the old lump  (Rom 9:21, 1Co 5:7, 2Co 5:17, Heb 12:6).

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? 

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: 

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

The whole world is deceived by Satan (2Co 4:4, Rev 12:9), and in that regard we also all start off with one father in the negative sense of a father (Joh 8:44), to whom we are unknowingly subject as the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2, Rom 6:16).

It is Judah who has dealt treacherously, where an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem that represent God’s people. That abomination spoken of typifies the abomination of desolation within the temple of God that we are (Mar 13:14, 1Co 3:13), which must be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming (2Th 2:2-4) if we are going to overcome the beast who wants to rule in that temple and sit on the throne of our heart that belongs to Christ himself. “Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.” The initial union we have with the false doctrines of Babylon is represented by “the daughter of a strange god” whom we have married, and whom God calls us out of if He is working with us in this age (Rev 18:4).

Mar 13:14  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 

The way that, “The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts” [as a man who offers these things in the condition of one who “hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved and hath married the daughter of a strange god”]  is by having men trust in their own righteousness, which is what the wisdom of man produces through the master and the scholar, rather than trusting in God’s power that can only come from Him via the faith of Christ “the righteousness which is of God by faith” (1Co 2:5, Luk 18:9, Php 3:9).

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:
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: 

Luk 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  

Mal 2:13  And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. 
Mal 2:14  Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 

God is continually showing us who we are through these old covenant examples and how it is impossible to change the spots of the leopard unless the Lord intervenes and does so (Jer 13:23). Esau, who represents our flesh that must be put off, sought the Lord with bitter tears, “covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.” Esau’s heart was not changed, and God knew this about him just as He did with the nation of Judah, and reminded the nation, “yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant“, meaning this “wife” represents a covenant that you were not able to keep, and you were together with her in name only and not in spirit, typifying Christianity today (Isa 4:1).

Isa 4:1  And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. 

The nation of Judah had the same question in mind as Esau when they were being tried by the Lord, “Yet ye say, Wherefore?”  God is showing us who we are (that we are beasts), and this evil experience is a witness God gives us through which we must go in order to be brought to our wits’ end and acknowledge that reality of our existence “Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.” It is only when we miraculously take heed to that witness that we ‘come out of her my people’, as the Lord drags us to Christ through His power (Joh 6:44, Joh 8:36)

Where we fall short is in the most important and treasured relationship we have in the earth, with the wife of our youth [that represents our covenant relationship with Christ], and the Lord uses that failed relationship to show us that we are incapable of being anything other than the basest of beasts, which we are without His mercy being shown to us that leads us to repentance (Rom 2:4), changing us from within. He knows the end result of our falling seven times in the wilderness will one day lead to all the world being reconciled to Him, and how blessed we are today then, to know that He calls us friend (Joh 15:14-15). We are His companion, we are “the wife of thy covenant” if Christ is our head and we are obeying His commandments.

Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Mal 2:15  And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 
Mal 2:16  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. 
Mal 2:17  Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

God did make one lump (Rom 9:21), and out of that same lump He purposed from the foundation of the world to have a remnant, a kind of firstfruits to be saved first “Yet had he the residue of the spirit.” So the question is asked, “Why one lump?” The answer is “That he might seek a godly seed” that holy seed (Gal 3:16) being the means by which He would redeem all his banished in this life, all humanity (2Sa 14:14). 

2Sa 14:14  For we must needs die, 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. 

What are we to do now as the body of Christ while we tarry and wait for our Lord’s return is answered with these words, “Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” This wife of our youth represents our new covenant relationship we have as the wife of Christ, and we are being warned to judge ourselves, and keep under ourselves, as the body of Christ with these words, “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, [our garment, our own righteousness excusing our bad behavior] saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously” (Heb 12:15, Eph 4:31, 1Pe 4:17-18). 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

If we don’t do this, we will be cut off (Rom 11:20-21), and yes, God hates “putting away.” However, if we are granted to “take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously“, then we will not have to be cut off. The last verse expresses the fruit of our losing our first love, which spirit wearies the Lord and must be repented of. It’s not someone else. It’s the beast I see in the mirror every morning who has the potential to do what is written here, “Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?“

This phrase “Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” is an expression of that Laodicean spirit God hates and will spew out of His mouth, when we call light dark and dark light, leaning to our own understanding and thinking that we won’t reap what we sow. In doing so we forget that we are to seek his judgments against our hearts every day as we die daily (Psa 139:23-24, Rev 3:18, 1Co 11:31, Heb 12:15).

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 
Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire [1Pe 4:19], 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.

1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

The Lord can keep us, but it will only be through His judgements that are upon us that we will continue to be able to hold fast to the crown of righteousness (Rev 3:18) that is being forged through Christ who is going to make the bride ready (Rev 19:7). This is the covenant relationship Christ has with His bride, and it will not fail (Rev 3:11-12, Mat 24:24, Mat 16:18).

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 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. 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, [Rom 8:36-39] they shall deceive the very elect.

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.