Proverb A Day, Proverb 9 [Prayer and Meditation]

2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,

16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.[a]

Commentary on Proverbs by Matthew Henry's well-known six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments (1708–10) or Complete Commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the Bible, covering the whole of the Old Testament, and the Gospels and Acts in the New Testament. Originally written in 1706.

The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly. (13-18)

Verses 1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

Verses 13-18 How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.

I was asked to pinch hit for a fellow freeper/brother due to illness and pc crash.

And you did a fine job; nothing at all to apologize about, though the explanation is appreciated, and will lead to an inclusion in prayer.

Since I had nothing prepared I included a Matthew Henry Commentary (born 18 October 1662 –died 22 June 1714. I did my best to list the sources and post the link.

Glad you did. I've always meant to try to learn a little about the author of The Commentaries and thanks to your effort, I have...and now know where to find more. Thanks!

I'm new at this. Please be kind. Love to you in Jesus, gW

You did fine, swell first effort, and may God bless you!

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