Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Proverbs 30

Study 20 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 30

The last two chapters of Proverbs are appendices.  Chapter 30 gives the words of Agur, of whom nothing further is known. Agur first looks Godward, and is humbled by the mystery of the divine being and power. Later he looks out upon the world of men and animals and notes a number of striking facts which the records.

1.      Notice the definiteness, urgency, content and motive of Agur’s prayer.  Compare with it the prayer which our Lord taught His disciple to pray.

2.      Are the classes of men mentioned in verses 11:14 still present? State in four words the sins of which they were guilty.

3.      What four lessons may the four creatures mentioned in verses 24:-28 teach us?                          

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The Scriptures —Study 19 — Proverbs 28 and 29

Study 19 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 28 and 29

1.      Gather out in these chapters the verses which present a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. How do these differ in character and conduct? Consider also their influence for good or evil on society, especially if they hold positions of authority.

2.      What is said about the importance of keeping the law, and about a right attitude to the poor? There are four references to the first and at least five to the second.   

3.      Put a mark against verses in these two chapters that you feel to be specially incisive and memorable.         

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Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — Proverbs 26:13 – 27:27

Study 18 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 26:13 – 27:27

       1.      What various kinds of wrong speech are exposed in 26:18-27:2?

       2.      ‘Be wise, my son’ (27:11). What directions for wise living do you find in 27:5-22, especially in regard to friendship?

       3.      What, according to 27:23-27, is the reward of diligence? Cf. also 27:18; 28:19; Rom. 12:11

Note. 27:25, 26 should more probably read, ‘When the hay is removed and the after-growth appears and the grass of the mountain is gathered then thy lambs will supply thee with clothing, and thy goats furnish the price of a field’ (ICC).

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The Scriptures —Study 17 — Proverbs 25:1-26:12

Study 17 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 25:1-26:12

1.      How does our Lord in one of His parables adapt the teaching of 25:6, 7?

2.      Observe in 25:8-28 how many illustrations are given of the power and influence of words both to do good and to do harm.  Am I sufficiently careful in this matter?

3.      In what ways does the passage 26:1-12 enforce the familiar injunction, ‘Don’t be a fools’? Cf. Mt. 7:26; 23:17; 25:2; Lk. 11:40; 12:20; 24:25.

Note.  The ‘fool’ is one who is willfully unresponsive to the teaching of divine wisdom, and going his own self-chosen way, hurts himself and others.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Proverbs 24

Study 16 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 24

1.      What missionary call is heard in verses 11, 12? Am I saying concerning those who are going down to death, ‘Behold, we did not know this’?

2.      What other sayings here challenge my standards of neighbourly love?

3.      What did the wise man learn from the field of the sluggard? Find and ponder the positive teachings of this chapter on thoroughness and forethought.                           

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The Scriptures —Study 15 — Proverbs 22:17-23:35

Study 15 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 22:17-23:35

1.       According to 22:17-21 what steps are involved in a full reception of God’s word?  What blessings are promised as the outcome?

2.      What are the marks of a wise ‘son’ (23:15)? What will he avoid and what will he practice?

3.      What, according to 23:29-35, are the effects of too much indulgence in wine?                           

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Proverbs 20:14 – 22:16

Study 14 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 20:14 – 22:16

1.      Gather out from this passage those principles for wise living that most impress you.

2.      Make a list from 20:17-25 of different kinds of action which ought to be avoided; and notice why.

3.      20:24 speaks of God’s sovereignty, and 20-27 of man’s responsibility.  What other verses in this passage touch on these two complementary truths?

Notes:

1.        20:27. ‘The spirit of man’: here a synonym for the conscience.

2.      22:16, ‘He who…. Gives to the rich’: i.e., solely with his own advantage in view—‘to increase his own wealth’.

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The Scriptures —Study 13 — Proverbs 19:1-20:13

Study 13 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 19:1-20:13

1.      Make a list of the varied conditions and circumstances in respect of which counsel is given in this passage. Which of them apply more particularly to yourself? Note particularly the warning and the challenge of 20:6.  Cf. Mt. 7:21.

2.      What is said about the Lord?  Note carefully how the fact of His presence forms the foundation on which the writer’s counsels are based.                                                        

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Proverbs 17 and 18

Study 12 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 17 and 18

1.      Make a list of the sins condemned in chapter 17.  What choices concerning our conduct ought we to make, if we wish to avoid them?

2.      What reasons are given in chapter 18 why we should ‘watch the door of our lips’?

3.      Consider the two fortresses in 18: 10, 11; and cf. Jn. 10:27, 28; Lk. 12:15-21.

Notes. 18:10. ‘The name of the Lord’ denotes the character of God Himself, as revealed to us in the Scriptures. Cf., Ex. 34:5ff.  For us it is summed up in ‘Jesus’.               

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Proverbs 15:24-16:33

Study 11 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 15:24-16:33

1.      How does 15:24-33 illustrate what has been called ‘the sanity of religion’?

2.      Gather out what is said in today’s portion about the Lord, and about man’s proper attitude to Him.

3.      Consider in 16:27-30 the multiplied evil wrought by evil men. Cf. Jas. 3:6-10.

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