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Providing a Message of Hope, to the Hopeless

Daily Bible Reading

Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 23

¹ When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: ² And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite. ³ Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful meat. ⁴ Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. ⁵ Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. ⁶ Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: ⁷ For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee. ⁸ The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. ⁹ Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. ¹⁰ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: ¹¹ For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. ¹² Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. ¹³ Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. ¹⁴ Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. ¹⁵ My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. ¹⁶ Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. ¹⁷ Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long. ¹⁸ For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. ¹⁹ Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. ²⁰ Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: ²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags. ²² Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. ²³ Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. ²⁴ The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him. ²⁵ Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. ²⁶ My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. ²⁷ For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit. ²⁸ She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men. ²⁹ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? ³⁰ They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. ³¹ Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. ³² At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. ³³ Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. ³⁴ Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. ³⁵ They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^1-3 God|s restraints of the appetite only say, Do thyself no harm.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^4-5 Be not of those that will be rich. The things of this world are not happiness and a portion for a soul; those that hold them ever so fast, cannot hold them always, cannot hold them long.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^6-8 Do not make thyself burdensome to any, especially those not sincere. When we are called by God to his feast, and to let our souls delight themselves, Isa 25:6; 55:2, we may safely partake of the Bread of life. Verse 9 It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of Divine things; but if what a wise man says will not be heard, let him hold his peace.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^10-11 The fatherless are taken under God|s special protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^12-16 Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his expectation!

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^17-18 The believer|s expectation shall not be disappointed; the end of his trials, and of the sinner|s prosperity, is at hand.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^19-28 The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people, with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have an earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godly parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours, riches, or any thing in this world. The heart is what the great God requires. We must not think to divide the heart between God and the world; he will have all or none. Look to the rule of God|s word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his people. Particular cautions are given against sins most destructive to wisdom and grace in the soul. It is really a shame to make a god of the belly. Drunkenness stupifies men, and then all goes to ruin. Licentiousness takes away the heart that should be given to God. Take heed of any approaches toward this sin, it is very hard to retreat from it. It bewitches men to their ruin.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^26-27

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^29-35 Solomon warns against drunkenness. Those that would be kept from sin, must keep from all the beginnings of it, and fear coming within reach of its allurements. Foresee the punishment, what it will at last end in, if repentance prevent not. It makes men quarrel. Drunkards wilfully make woe and sorrow for themselves. It makes men impure and insolent. The tongue grows unruly; the heart utters things contrary to reason, religion, and common civility. It stupifies and besots men. They are in danger of death, of damnation; as much exposed as if they slept upon the top of a mast, yet feel secure. They fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are before them; they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them. So lost is a drunkard to virtue and honour, so wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say, I will seek it again. With good reason we were bid to stop before the beginning. Who that has common sense would contract a habit, or sell himself to a sin, which tends to such guilt and misery, and exposes a man every day to the danger of dying insensible, and awaking in hell? Wisdom seems in these chapters to take up the discourse as at the beginning of the book. They must be considered as the words of Christ to the sinner.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 23:1-999

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Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 24

¹ Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. ² For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. ³ Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: ⁴ And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. ⁵ A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. ⁶ For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers [there is] safety. ⁷ Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. ⁸ He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. ⁹ The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is] an abomination to men. ¹⁰ [If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small. ¹¹ If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain; ¹² If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works? ¹³ My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste: ¹⁴ So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. ¹⁵ Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: ¹⁶ For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. ¹⁷ Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: ¹⁸ Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. ¹⁹ Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked; ²⁰ For there shall be no reward to the evil [man]; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. ²¹ My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change: ²² For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? ²³ These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment. ²⁴ He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: ²⁵ But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. ²⁶ [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer. ²⁷ Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. ²⁸ Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips. ²⁹ Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. ³⁰ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; ³¹ And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. ³² Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction. ³³ [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ³⁴ So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^1-2 Envy not sinners. And let not a desire ever come into thy mind, Oh that I could shake off restraints!

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^3-6 Piety and prudence in outward affairs, both go together to complete a wise man. By knowledge the soul is filled with the graces and comforts of the spirit, those precious and pleasant riches. The spirit is strengthened for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare, by true wisdom.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^7-9 A weak man thinks wisdom is too high for him, therefore he will take no pains for it. It is bad to do evil, but worse to devise it. Even the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, and must be repented of. Those that strive to make others hateful, make themselves so. Verse 10 Under troubles we are apt to despair of relief. But be of good courage, and God shall strengthen thy heart.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^11-12 If a man know that his neighbour is in danger by any unjust proceeding, he is bound to do all in his power to deliver him. And what is it to suffer immortal souls to perish, when our persuasions and example may be the means of preventing it?

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^13-14 We are quickened to the study of wisdom by considering both the pleasure and the profit of it. All men relish things that are sweet to the palate; but many have no relish for the things that are sweet to the purified soul, and that make us wise unto salvation.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^15-16 The sincere soul falls as a traveller may do, by stumbling at some stone in his path; but gets up, and goes on his way with more care and speed. This is rather to be understood of falls into affliction, than falls into actual sin.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^17-18 The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^19-20 Envy not the wicked their prosperity; be sure there is no true happiness in it.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^21-22 The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^23-26 The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it. Verse 27 We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^28-29 There are three defaults in a witness pointed out.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^29-35

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^30-34 See what a blessing the husbandman|s calling is, and what a wilderness this earth would be without it. See what great difference there is in the management even of worldly affairs. Sloth and self-indulgence are the bane of all good. When we see fields overgrown with thorns and thistles, and the fences broken down, we see an emblem of the far more deplorable state of many souls. Every vile affection grows in men|s hearts; yet they compose themselves to sleep. Let us show wisdom by doubling our diligence in every good thing.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 24:1-999

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Evening Bible Reading - 2 Corinthians 5

¹ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ³ If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. ⁵ Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. ⁶ Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ⁸ We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. ⁹ Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. ¹² For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to [answer] them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. ¹³ For whether we be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: ¹⁵ And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. ¹⁶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more. ¹⁷ Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸ And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ�s stead, be ye reconciled to God. ²¹ For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^0-999 Chapter Outline The apostle|s hope and desire of heavenly glory. (1-8) This excited to diligence. The reasons of his being affected with zeal for the Corinthians. (9-15) The necessity of regeneration, and of reconciliation with God through Christ. (16-21)

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^1-8 The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place. In our Father|s house there are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God. The happiness of the future state is what God has prepared for those that love him: everlasting habitations, not like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of clay, in which our souls now dwell; that are mouldering and decaying, whose foundations are in the dust. The body of flesh is a heavy burden, the calamities of life are a heavy load. But believers groan, being burdened with a body of sin, and because of the many corruptions remaining and raging within them. Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as end all our troubles here below. But believing souls shall be clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory. The present graces and comforts of the Spirit are earnests of everlasting grace and comfort. And though God is with us here, by his Spirit, and in his ordinances, yet we are not with him as we hope to be. Faith is for this world, and sight is for the other world. It is our duty, and it will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we live by sight. This shows clearly the happiness to be enjoyed by the souls of believers when absent from the body, and where Jesus makes known his glorious presence. We are related to the body and to the Lord; each claims a part in us. But how much more powerfully the Lord pleads for having the soul of the believer closely united with himself! Thou art one of the souls I have loved and chosen; one of those given to me. What is death, as an object of fear, compared with being absent from the Lord!

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^9-15 The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty. Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ|s love to us will have a like effect upon us, if duly considered and rightly judged. All were lost and undone, dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no power to deliver themselves, and must have remained thus miserable for ever, if Christ had not died. We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions. A Christian|s life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how many show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves and to the world!

Matthew Henry Commentary: ^16-21 The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?

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