“A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.” Proverbs 17:8 (KJB)
“A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.” Proverbs 17:8 (ESV)
Precious
The Precious of Your Eye
The Apple of Your Eye – Proverbs 7:1-27
Verses 1 – 5 – The keeping, protecting power of the Commandment. A commandment to “guard”, “give heed to”, “wait for”, “retain”, “treasure”
v. 2 – “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings…” Psalm 17:8, See also Deuteronomy 32:10; Lamentations 2:18; and Zachariah 2:8. The pupil of the eye is a sensitive part of the eye, thus the faithful Christian is one who will treasure, retain, “Keep” the commandments, the word of God as precious in life, for life.
v. 4 – “Sister” Part of the family, one dear to the heart. See Song of Solomon 4:9, 10, 12; 5:1, 2. The way of evil is to keep one from holiness, and to move the naive toward unrighteous and evil deeds.
Verses 6 – 23 – The path of the simple minded and ignorant.
v. 9 – “The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.” Job 24:15
v. 14 – See Leviticus 7:11-18. “Peace offerings” were a part of the Hebrew worship. This is the way of evil. There is probably more evil within the churches of the USA than most of us would like to admit, or think. Hypocrisy is pretending to be something one is not. Whether it is a wolf acting as a sheep; or a sheep acting as a wolf it is hypocrisy.
“…Ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour…” 1 Thessalonians 4:2-4
There is a much greater danger than the husband returning home (vv. 19-20). There is first the offense of God; there is the offense to one’s self; there is the offense of one’s future spouse; and the offense of the offended spouse. There is also possible reference to disease in verse 23.
Verses 24 – 27 – God’s plea for knowledge and wisdom to control one’s thinking. Matthew Henry Commentary states,
“Take fair warning when it is given you.’’ (1.) “Look back, and see what mischief this sin has done. The adulteress has been the ruin not of here and there one, but she has cast down many wounded.’’ Thousands have been undone, now and for ever, by this sin; and those not only the weak and simple youths, such as he was of whom he had now spoken, but many strong men have been slain by her, v. 26. Herein, perhaps, he has an eye especially to Samson, who was slain by this sin, and perhaps to David too, who by this sin entailed a sword upon his house, though so far the Lord took it away that he himself should not die. These were men not only of great bodily strength, but of eminent wisdom and courage, and yet their fleshly lusts prevailed over them. Howl, fir-trees, if the cedars be shaken. Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (2.) “Look forward with an eye of faith, and see what will be in the end of it,’’ v. 27. Her house, though richly decked and furnished, and called a house of pleasure, is the way to hell; and her chambers are the stair-case that goes down to the chambers of death and everlasting darkness. The cup of fornication must shortly be exchanged for the cup of trembling; and the flames of lust, if not quenched by repentance and mortification, will burn to the lowest hell. Therefore stand in awe and sin not.” From the Libronix Digital Library System.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Day Three Three Three
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to want what God wants and desires for my family, friends, neighbors, myself, and the rest of the world.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with You.” Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV)
Precious Faith in the Fire
1 Peter 1:6-7
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (KJV).
Precious is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Precious can mean rare, and when you number the people of the world to the number of people who are in Christ Jesus it will be seen just how precious it is.
The word “Precious” is described in THE MIRRIAM/WEBSTER Dictionary as being, “Of great value”. In Greek it is “timios“, here it is from E-Sword – “G5093
τίμιος
timios
tim’-ee-os
Including the comparative τίμιώτερος timiōteros and the superlative τίμιώτατος timiōtatos; from G5092; valuable, that is, (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved: – dear, honourable, (more, most) precious, had in reputation.” Valuable, costly, etc. By this definition surely we have reason to rejoice in and out of sorrow, tribulation, and all our trials.
There are many trials and temptations within this world and in our daily lives. This faith that is “More precious than gold” can and will endure the fires that will try us. These trials and temptations often become heavier than we ourselves can bear. Rejoice in knowing that these trials are only for “a season”, and that the promises of God for glory will come to pass. It is quite assuring to know that even though “gold that perishes”, but our faith in Christ Jesus though tried with fire will be “found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”. This is talking about when our Lord comes again to receive His own unto Himself.
The word of Jesus is being fulfilled when He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV). It is the faith that endures trials and tribulations which will glorify Jesus. If your faith is in faith then it will be a misplaced faith, as well as a foolish faith. Faith does not make what you believe to be true. Faith is believing what is true to be true, and carrying out what you believe. Let me try and illustrate; If you believe that you make the teachings of Jesus to be true because you believe them to be true, then your faith is in error. On the other hand if you believe that the teachings of Jesus are true, because Jesus said them, and He said they are true, then, your faith is genuine, and that faith is able to stand in the fires of trials and rejoice.
It is the faith in Jesus Christ that is “More precious than gold” which will endure and glorify Him. Gold put through the fire becomes more pure, thus, the faith which endures the fire is made pure, and strong. “If your faith cannot be tested, then, it cannot be trusted” (Unknown). In the fire the “Wood, hay and stubble” (1 Corinthians 3:12), Paul mentions will be burned up. The precious things like, gold, silver, precious metals, and gems will be made purer, and will glorify Jesus. How is your faith? If you are trusting anything (such as your faith in faith), or onyone other than Jesus, it will not stand in the fire.
-T.A.
Whatsoever Thou Hast Given Me…
We are already at Memorial Day of 2010, and there are many things which can concern and worry us. What is dear to you? What do you cherish more than anything else? Is it health, family, your children, your grandchildren, your spouse, your career? There was something dear and cherished by Jesus, and He shared them with those He knew and loved.
“Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me” John 17:7 (KJV).
If you look at the first sentence of these two, you must ask the question “What has the Father given the Son? That question is quickly answered by the following statement. God’s Word is a very precious item to the Lord. Jesus lived to glorify the Father/God by living according to His Word, preaching it, and giving it to those who followed Him.
Giving the Word of God to others is still a priority of God’s people. It must be given. We must ask ourselves the begging question, “Have I received the Words the Father gave the Son?” The disciples did, and it was His disciples for whom He prayed, “They have received them”. It is because they had “Received them” that they were able to know, “Surely I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me”. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ; you are His disciple, and this prayer is for you too.
When you want to know the Personal Truth personally you will hear, and receive His Word. It will be precious to you. Jesus Christ, the Living Word; will especially be precious to you.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 