proverbs-8

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:6

Proverbs 8:6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things.The excellency of wisdomWisdom is represented as making a public appearance in a rude, ignorant, and corrupt world, loudly proclaiming her doctrines and counsels, and calling upon all men to hearken to them. What consideration could be more powerful to engage their attention than this, that she speaketh of “excellent things”: the opening of her lips is of “right things,” and her mouth speaketh “truth.” I propose to show that this is the... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:7

Proverbs 8:7For my mouth shall speak truth.The doctrines of religion have their evidence in themselvesI. Confirm and illustrate this proposition.1. Those things which religion requires of us are such as Reason herself, when she forms her judgment aright, cannot but approve, or, at most, cannot justly refuse her assent to them. This will appear with respect to the practical commands and duties of religion. The duties which seem to bear hardest upon human nature are repentance, mortification,... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:10

Proverbs 8:10Receive my instruction, and not silver.The commendation of wisdomI. Knowledge must be received.1. Do not refuse knowledge offered you in the Book of God.2. Do not refuse instruction offered you by God’s ministers.II. Knowledge must be received by way of instruction. Instruction is necessary, as it does not come by nature, and God does not teach it now by miracle.III. Knowledge must be more readily received than silver or gold. It can do that which gold and silver can never do. It... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:11

Proverbs 8:11For wisdom is better than rubies.RubiesThis jewel is called a sardius in two places in the Bible. The name comes from the Latin “Ruber,” which means red, and this name is given to the ruby because of its colour. It is sometimes called a carbuncle. We may regard the ruby as representing love or charity. What is there about the ruby on account of which love or charity may be compared to it? What did people in olden times think the ruby could do?I. Cure sorrow. It was thought that a... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:12

Proverbs 8:12I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence.PrudenceThis has been brought into unmerited contempt by being associated with what is really its opposite. The abuse of the title has led to practical evils. Individuals have been known to despise prudence as the most beggarly of the virtues, from a mistaken apprehension of its qualities. Marking the errors of the niggardly--the muck-worms of society--some persons conclude at once against the utility of prudence, and read the text, “There is that... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:13

Proverbs 8:13The fear of the Lord to to hate evil.Hatred of evilA formal definition of the fear of the Lord. To dread the punishment of sin seems to be the main feature in that religion which, under many forms, springs native in the human heart. This is the mainspring which sets and keeps all the machinery of superstition going. It was a maxim of heathen antiquity, that “Fear made God.” To fear retribution is not to hate sin. It is a solemn suggestion that ever the religion of dark, unrenewed... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:14

Proverbs 8:14I have understanding; I have strength.The self-assertion of ChristHere is more than a florid personification of wisdom. It is the Word who is from everlasting--“Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”I. The self-assertion of Christ. Exhibited in three ways.1. Christ claims a boundless power of satisfying human wants.2. Christ claims for Himself the most transcendent ideals.3. Christ claims the possession of absolute truth, by the very form and mode, as well as by the... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:15

Proverbs 8:15By Me kings reign.Christian loyaltyI. The special cause that we have for increased thankfulness to God.1. We ought to be thankful for any event which tends to secure the blessings of peace to our country.2. A state of peace, as it is most conducive to the temporal interests of a nation, so too it is essential to the interests of true religion.II. The duty of praying constantly and earnestly for those who are lawfully set over us. (H. W. Sulivan, M. A.)Civil governments and their... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:18

Proverbs 8:18Riches and honour are with Me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.On gaining and using richesWhatever is true and substantial happiness even in this life has a necessary dependence upon morality and religion. Wealth and riches are but heavy encumbrances and unprofitable lumber if they are not made use of to reward the good, to excite the diligent, and to relieve the oppressed. But that religion should be the path that leads to wealth and substance, and that to be good is the way... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:20

Proverbs 8:20I lead in the way of righteousnses.Substance the inheritance of the saintsI. Jesus leads in the way of righteousness--1. By leading them into His holy, strict, and condemning law.2. By implanting sincerity and uprightness.II. Jesus leads in the midst of the paths of judgment. These paths of judgment are when He, with His holy eye, scrutinises the heart and brings to light its secret workings. He leads by setting up a court of judicature in the heart, arraigning the soul at its bar;... read more

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:6

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:7

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:10

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:11

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:12

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:13

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:14

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:15

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:18

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 8:20

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