For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, For this commandThe Hebrew word for "command" is "מִצְוָה" (mitzvah), which often refers to a directive or ordinance given by God. In the context of Proverbs, it emphasizes the divine authority and moral obligation inherent in God's instructions. The "command" serves as a guiding principle, much like a lamp that illuminates the path of righteousness. Historically, the Jewish tradition holds the mitzvot in high regard, seeing them as essential to living a life that is pleasing to God. is a lamp
The imagery of a "lamp" in ancient times is significant, as lamps were essential for providing light in the darkness. The Hebrew word "נֵר" (ner) is used here, symbolizing guidance and clarity. In a spiritual sense, the "lamp" represents the wisdom and insight that God's commandments provide, helping believers navigate the moral complexities of life. The lamp metaphor is also found in Psalm 119:105, reinforcing the idea that God's word is a source of illumination and direction. this teaching
The term "teaching" is translated from the Hebrew "תּוֹרָה" (torah), which can mean law, instruction, or doctrine. In the broader biblical context, Torah refers to the first five books of the Bible, but here it signifies the broader scope of divine instruction. This teaching is not merely academic but is intended to transform the heart and mind, aligning the believer's life with God's will. is a light
The word "light" in Hebrew is "אוֹר" (or), which conveys the idea of enlightenment and truth. Light dispels darkness, symbolizing the clarity and understanding that comes from adhering to God's teachings. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), drawing a parallel between the wisdom of Proverbs and the revelation of Christ. and correction and instruction
The Hebrew words for "correction" (תּוֹכַחַת, tokhahat) and "instruction" (מוּסָר, musar) suggest discipline and guidance. Correction implies a redirection from error, while instruction involves teaching and training in righteousness. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of both learning and applying God's principles. are the way to life
The phrase "the way to life" underscores the ultimate goal of following God's commandments and teachings. The Hebrew word for "way" is "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), which can mean path or journey. This suggests that living according to God's wisdom is not a static state but an ongoing journey toward spiritual vitality and eternal life. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), indicating that the path to life is found in Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding. 2. Israel- The nation to whom the Proverbs were initially addressed, representing God's chosen people who were to live according to His commandments. 3. The Father and Son- In the context of Proverbs, the father often represents the wise teacher or God, while the son represents the learner or the people of God. Teaching Points The Role of God's CommandmentsGod's commandments serve as a guiding light in our lives, illuminating the path of righteousness and helping us navigate moral and spiritual challenges. The Importance of InstructionInstruction is not merely about acquiring knowledge but about shaping character and aligning our lives with God's will. Embracing DisciplineDiscipline, though sometimes uncomfortable, is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It corrects and refines us, leading us toward a life that honors God. Living in the LightAs believers, we are called to walk in the light of God's truth, allowing His word to direct our steps and influence our decisions. The Path to LifeTrue life, in its fullest sense, is found in adhering to God's ways. His reproofs and corrections are not punitive but life-giving, steering us away from harm and toward eternal life. Bible Study Questions 1. How does viewing God's commandments as a "lamp" and "light" influence your daily decision-making? 2. In what ways can you incorporate more of God's instruction into your life to ensure you are walking in His light? 3. Reflect on a time when discipline or correction led to positive growth in your spiritual journey. How did it serve as a "way to life"? 4. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace the reproofs of discipline as a means to spiritual maturity? 5. Considering the connection between Proverbs 6:23 and other scriptures like Psalm 119:105 and John 8:12, how do you see the role of Jesus as the light in your life today? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 119:105- This verse also speaks of God's word as a lamp and light, emphasizing the guiding role of Scripture in a believer's life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17- These verses highlight the usefulness of Scripture for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, aligning with the themes of instruction and discipline in Proverbs 6:23. John 8:12- Jesus refers to Himself as the light of the world, connecting the concept of divine guidance and truth to His person and teachings. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Command, Commandment, Corrections, Discipline, Guiding, Instruction, Lamp, Law, Reproofs, Rule, Shining, Teaching, TrainingDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 6:23 1403 God, revelation
4020 life, of faith
4836 light, and people of God
5926 rebuke
8244 ethics, and grace
8419 enlightenment
8724 doubt, dealing with Proverbs 6:20-23 5218 authority, in home
7797 teaching Proverbs 6:20-24 8313 nurture Proverbs 6:20-26 5345 influence Proverbs 6:20-29 5276 crime Proverbs 6:23-24 6237 sexual sin, nature of Proverbs 6:23-29 5714 men Library The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsAn Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863 How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments "Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life "And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 6:23 NIVProverbs 6:23 NLTProverbs 6:23 ESVProverbs 6:23 NASBProverbs 6:23 KJV
Proverbs 6:23 Commentaries
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