The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 4:7
Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain.
Proverbs 4:12
The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou runnest”) there is no risk of falling.
Proverbs 4:13
She is thy life - Another parallel between personified Wisdom in this book and the Incarnate Wisdom in John 1:4.
Proverbs 4:16
A fearful stage of debasement. Sin is the condition without which there can be no repose.
Proverbs 4:17
i. e., Bread and wine gained by unjust deeds. Compare Amos 2:8. A less probable interpretation is, “They eat wickedness as bread, and drink violence as wine.” Compare Job 15:16; Job 34:7.
Proverbs 4:18
Shining shineth - The two Hebrew words are different; the first having the sense of bright or clear. The beauty of a cloudless sunshine growing on, shining as it goes, to the full and perfect day, is chosen as the fittest figure of the ever increasing brightness of the good man‘s life. Compare the marginal reference.
Proverbs 4:19
Compare our Lord‘s teaching John 11:10; John 12:35.
Proverbs 4:20
The teacher speaks again in his own person.
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22. OHC 277.1
Read in context »Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.... For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22. RC 137.1
Read in context »(John 14:15). Ten Commandments—Ten Promises—The ten commandments, Thou shalt, and Thou shalt not, are ten promises, assured to us if we render obedience to the law governing the universe. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Here is the sum and substance of the law of God. The terms of salvation for every son and daughter of Adam are here outlined (Manuscript 41, 1897). 1BC 1105.1
The ten holy precepts spoken by Christ upon Sinai's mount were the revelation of the character of God, and made known to the world the fact that He had jurisdiction over the whole human heritage. That law of ten precepts of the greatest love that can be presented to man is the voice of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise, “This do, and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan.” There is not a negative in that law, although it may appear thus. It is DO, and Live (Letter 89, 1898). 1BC 1105.2
(Romans 12:1; 2 Peter 1:4). A Wall of Protection—In the ten commandments God has laid down the laws of His kingdom. Any violation of the laws of nature is a violation of the law of God. 1BC 1105.3
Read in context »My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.... For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22. TDG 129.1
Read in context »My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.... For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22. TDG 206.1
Read in context »