THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PROVERBS

CHAPTER 9

1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Again, wisdom is personified. "She" is considered as having perfected her house. The "seven pillars" represent the perfect foundation. The table is set with plenty of food (verse 2). And messengers are sent out to CALL people to the feast.

The call to participate in wisdom here is similar to the call to participate in salvation in Isaiah 55:1.

"1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."

In order to participate in wisdom or salvation, one must "Forsake the foolish, and live..." The "foolish" in the Bible are those who give no consideration to God. Life, REAL LIFE, can only be grasped through the perspective of God.

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

It is a waste of time to try and correct a "scorner" with reproof. A scorner is one who mocks and ridicules and his total focus is upon self. The reproof given to a scorner is returned with more mockery and ridicule.

The Bible teaches that the scorner tries to obtain wisdom, but cannot (Proverbs 14:6). Wisdom is not found in selfishness.

However, a "wise man" will willingly receive reproof, for he desires to "increase in learning."

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

Verse 10 is similar to Proverbs 1:7. It is when a person genuinely reverences God that he begins to have wisdom. To KNOW God is to increase in understanding and wisdom.

To know God is to know the right way of living on earth, and to know the end is eternal life with God (verse 11).

Surrendering to Christ as Lord of life bring the joy of knowing eternal life through the forgiveness of sins. But to scorn God results in eternal condemnation.

13 A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

God has already spoken of the danger of physical adultery (Chapters 5, 6 & 7).

I believe that here, the "foolish woman" is the WORLD, or worldliness.

In contrast to godliness, worldliness proposes that "stolen waters are sweet, and breat eaten in secret is pleasant" (verse 17).

Just as wisdom calls to people in the world, so does worldliness call. However, it is the "simple" who will turn to worldliness rather than godliness. How can one live in the complexities of life and not believe there is more than being born, living and dying? Life is much more complex than that! A person who doesn't believe in the "hereafter" doesn't know what he's here after.

The "dead" represent those who are without God (verse 18). REAL LIFE is to know God!

God created man to have fellowship with Him. To NOT have fellowship with God is to be SEPARATED from Real Life.

See the home page, and clik "Link To Jesus For Real Life."

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.