Following wisdom’s appeal, the inspired author of Proverbs 9 urges his audience to make a choice now between two lifestyles: wisdom or folly. The first and last six verses (Prov. 9:1–6, Prov. 9:13–18) are symmetrical and bring out the contrast between the opposite camps. Compare Proverbs 9:1–6 and Proverbs 9:13–18. What is the difference between … Continue reading –>
The last few verses of this proverb return to the personal — to the practical application of what it means to have wisdom. By contrast, the intellectual knowledge about wisdom’s preexistence, about wisdom’s presence at Creation, is certainly deep. But in the Bible, truth must always at some point come down to the human level … Continue reading –>
In Genesis 1 we see that each step of the Creation concludes with the same refrain: God saw that it was good (see Gen. 1:4, Gen. 1:10, Gen. 1:12, Gen. 1:18, Gen. 1:21, Gen. 1:25, Gen. 1:31). The last step (Genesis 1:31) goes even further: It was very good. The Hebrew word for good contains … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 8:22–31. How is wisdom related to Creation? In these texts wisdom is mysteriously related to the Lord as the Creator. This poem shares many common words with the Creation account in Genesis 1 and 2, and even reflects its literary structure, organized around the three basic elements of heaven, water, and earth. The … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 8:1–21 (NKJV). According to these verses, what is the value of wisdom? Wisdom is so important that it must reach everyone. God created all human life, and Christ died for each one of us. So wisdom, the knowledge of God and the salvation He offers, is for every human being. Look at the … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Prov. 8:1–21, Matt. 16:26, Prov. 8:22–31, Gen. 1:31, Prov. 8:32–36, Prov. 9:1–18. Memory Text: The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old(Proverbs 8:22, NKJV). At this stage in Proverbs, wisdom reappears (see Prov. 1:20-21), and it’s clear from the texts for this week … Continue reading –>
Being from the tropical country of Puerto Rico, Paola never dreamed that she would end up in the wilds of Alaska. It’s just so out there, Paola says. It’s one of those places that you’re never going to go to because it’s so far away. But when the recruiting team from the Alaska conference came … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie. — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, … Continue reading –>
Most people don’t think of death when they sin; they have other things on their minds, usually the immediate gratification and pleasure that they derive from their sin. It doesn’t help, either, that popular culture often extols adultery and other iniquities. In contrast, the book of Proverbs places sin in the right perspective, a view … Continue reading –>
Right after his warning about adultery (Prov. 6:24–29), the author starts talking about another sin: stealing (Prov. 6:30-31). The relationship between the two commandments (stealing and adultery) shows how disobedience to one commandment can affect our obedience to the others. The attitude of compromise, to pick and choose in regard to God’s law, could be … Continue reading –>
