Proverbs 3:1-12; Before God and Man.

In this passage, we see there is a horizontal as well as a vertical aspect of how we live. Coram Deo is a Latin phrase that means to live one’s life before God, aware that nothing is hidden from Him, for the glory of His name; this is the vertical aspect. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is the classic passage on this: whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. We are told in many places that all who name Christ as Lord are to also to live honorably before men; this is the horizontal aspect. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus commands us, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. In 1 Peter 2:12, we are told to have our conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. By living for the glory of God, some people will come to glorify Him. This is our aim, whether we see the results of our obedience or not.

The Gospel in Hebrews

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Proverbs 2:1-9; God's Wisdom for the Humble

In some ways, this short passage sums up the bulk of chapter 1 – counsel to a beloved son about the value of wisdom. A big difference is the change in tone. In chapter 1, Wisdom mainly addressed stiff-necked fools, with much warning and rebuke. Here, Wisdom addresses the humble, who desire to know what Wisdom has to say. Proverbs will have a lot to say to us about wisdom. We need to listen. 

Proverbs 1:20-33, Wisdom for Life

If you hear wisdom calling out, know this is God Himself calling. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. Listen to wisdom, consider the Word of Life spoken to you. For, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. All things are ready, come! God gives wisdom for life – He gives eternal life!

 

Proverbs 1:1-7, The Right Fear of God

The last verse in this passage is the foundational idea for the whole book of Proverbs. This is why I titled this lesson, The Right Fear of God; we must know why and how to fear Him. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus told His disciples, do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Same Greek word (from we derive “phobia”) in both places; context reveals meaning. That Greek word can mean great awe and reverence as well as terror. We will look into later in this lesson.

 

Hebrews 13:18-25, A Three-fold farewell

Hebrews 13:18-25; A Three-fold Farewell

This section presents with a three-fold farewell, containing a plea for prayer, blessings in Christ, and brother-love; topics that have been taught throughout this epistle and the Bible.

Hebrews 13:7-17; Life Outside the Camp

These things preserved for us in the Word of God will cause us to live differently from those whose home is this world – if we are indwelt with His Spirit. Jesus was taken outside the camp to be sacrificed for us; we are called to go to Him, outside the camp. We have no eternal city here, inside the camp of the world. As the disciples of Jesus went back into the city to carry on their lives and witness for the Lord, so we maintain our presence in this world, the city of man, to carry on our lives in honor of the One who gave Himself for us, doing good to all – especially those within the household of faith.