The Word for Today with Ray

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Deliver Yourself as a Roe - Proverbs 6:5

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger, you are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend. Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids”, and in chapter six and verse five of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter” where we read,

Deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fouler.

The verse begins, “Deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “deliver yourself” or “rescue, save and liberate your own self, Solomon's son” “as a roe” which means “in likeness and similar to a pleasant roebuck or gazelle” “from the hand of the hunter” or “separate and apart from the hand of power, might and authority belonging to the one who hunts the pleasant roebuck or gazelle for prey”. Solomon told his son to rescue himself from the commitment with his companion in way that is similar to how a gazelle escapes from the power of one who hunts for prey.

The verse continues, “... and as a bird from the hand of the fouler.” Solomon added the words, “and as a bird” or “and similar and in likeness to a little fowl or sparrow” “from the hand” which means “separate and apart from the hand of power, might and authority” “of the fouler” or “belonging to the bait-layer or trapper”. Solomon said his son should escape from the agreement with his companion similar to the way a little fowl or sparrow separates itself from the trapper.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon wanted his son to attempt to be separated from his companion similar to the way a pleasant roebuck removes itself from the one who hunts it and the way a flying fowl escapes the trapper. In other words, get away from the deal as quickly as possible. God knows we make mistakes, and our best action when we realize it is to recover from them rapidly. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for all our sins, errors and wrongs, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to remove ourselves from our wrongs and mistakes as quickly as possible.

Next time Solomon says to his son, “go to the ant, you sluggard”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Give Not Sleep to Your Eyes - Proverbs 6:4

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger, you are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend”, and in chapter six and verse four of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “give not sleep to your eyes” where we read,

Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

The verse begins, “Give not sleep to your eyes, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “give not sleep” or “do not provide slumber or rest” “to your eyes” which means “toward your, Solomon's son's, physical eyes and mental and spiritual faculties”. Solomon instructed his son not to provide any slumber to his physical eyes until he solved the relationship and commitment with his companion.

The verse goes on to say, “... nor slumber to your eyelids.” Solomon continued with the words, “nor slumber” or “no and not in any way drowsiness or absolute rest” “to your eyelids” which means “toward your, Solomon's son's, covers from the morning rays”. Solomon told his son not to allow the lids of his eyes to be drowsy before he reconciled with his associate.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon did not want his son to rest at all before he corrected his position with his companion. When we make an error, we do best when we correct it quickly. God knows we all have mistakes and wrongs, and these violations to His law are sin. The penalty for sin is death, and Jesus was sent into the world to die on the cross to pay the price for the sins of everyone. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to stay awake until we have corrected our error and wrong.

Next time Solomon says to his son, “deliver yourself as a roe from the hand of the hunter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Do This and Deliver Yourself - Proverbs 6:3

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger, you are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth”, and in chapter six and verse three of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself” where we read,

Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend;

go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend.

The verse begins, “Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you are come into the hand of your friend;”. Solomon began with the words, “do this now” or “make, accomplish and produce the following at this present time”, “my son” which means “my, Solomon's, offspring and progeny”, “and deliver yourself” or “and rescue, save and liberate your own self, Solomon's son”, “when you are come into the hand” which means “at the time and moment you, Solomon's son, are lead, brought and carried into the hand of power, might and authority” “of your friend” or “belonging to your, Solomon's son's, companion, fellow-citizen and associate”. Solomon instructed his son to do the following to save himself at the time and moment he entered into the authority and commitment to his companion or associate.

The verse continues, “go, humble yourself, and make sure your friend.” Solomon added the words, “go, humble yourself” or “walk, proceed and be lead and carried away, and prostrate, trample and submit your own self, Solomon's son”, “and make sure” which means “and urge severely, behave proudly and strengthen” “your friend” or “your, the son of Solomon's, companion, fellow-citizen or associate”. Solomon told his son to submit himself to his companion and strengthen his position with him.

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how he wanted his son to know how to act if he made a commitment to a companion or associate that he no longer was able or wanted to keep. He was to lose his pride and ask his friend to be removed from their agreement. God knows when we have made foolish pledges, and we do best when realize our error and attempt to be removed from that obligation with as little loss as possible. God loves us, and He knows we make mistakes. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins so we could be forgiven of them and inherit everlasting life with Him. When we surrender to Him, He will give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and assist us when we make a commitment that we should have never made.

Next time Solomon says to his son, “give not sleep to your eyes”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Snared with the Words of Your Mouth - Proverbs 6:2

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger, ...”, and in chapter six and verse two of Proverbs Solomon continued his thought to his son when he said, “you are snared with the words of your mouth” where we read,

You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.

The verse begins, “You are snared with the words of your mouth, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “you are snared” or “you, Solomon's son, exist as presented with a lure, enticed or trapped” “with the words” which means “by the use of the uttered, declared and proclaimed noises and sounds of meaning” “of your mouth” or “belonging to your, Solomon's son's, orifice in the face used for drinking, eating and speaking”. Solomon shared how his son would be trapped by the “words” coming from his “mouth” if he made an agreement with someone else.

The verse goes on to say, “... you are taken with the words of your mouth.” Solomon continued with the words, “you are taken” or “you, Solomon's son, exist as captured and seized” “with the words” which means “by the use of the uttered, declared and proclaimed noises and sounds of meaning” “of your mouth” or “belonging to your, Solomon's son's, orifice in the face used for drinking, eating and speaking”. Solomon said his son would be captured by the “words” which he spoke if he committed to be “surety” for his friend or struck hands with a “stranger”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon did not want his son to make verbal commitments that he was unable or later did not desire to keep. In other words, he was to be very careful about his vows. A person's word was indeed their bond in those days, and if Solomon's son promised to do something, he was to fulfill his promise. God is committed to us, and He proved His commitment when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to carefully consider that which we promise and vow with our mouths.

Next time Solomon says to his son, “Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Surety For Your Friend - Proverbs 6:1

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray”, and in chapter six and verse one of Proverbs Solomon shared with his son about being, “surety for your friend” where we read,

My son, if you be surety for your friend, if you have stricken your hand with a stranger, ...

The verse begins, “My son, if you be surety for your friend, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “my son” or “my, Solomon's, male offspring and progeny”, “if you be surety” which means “whether and in case you, Solomon's son, become a pledge, mortgage and security as a kind of exchange” “for your friend” or “on behalf of your, Solomon's son's, companion, fellow-citizen or associate”. Solomon shared with his son concerning being as security on behalf of his associate or companion.

The verse continues, “... if you have stricken your hand with a stranger.” Solomon added the words, “if you have stricken your hand” or “whether and in case you, Solomon's son, have clapped, struck, sounded and pledged your, Solomon's son's, physical hand” “with a stranger” which means “alongside and beside a foreigner, alien or loathsome prostitute or harlot”. Solomon considered the case of his son making an agreement with a foreign or loathsome person.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon warned his son against becoming a partner or co-signer with someone who was his companion, fellow-citizen or foreigner. The idea was to be extremely careful when committing to a business dealing with someone else. Solomon wanted to protect his son from future pain and anguish, and God desires the same for us. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to lead us in wisdom whenever we are to form any agreement with other people.

Next time Solomon says to his son, “you are snared with the words of your mouth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Dying Without Instruction - Proverbs 5:23

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be held with the cords of his sins”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-three of Proverbs Solomon said, “he shall die without instruction” where we read,

He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

The verse begins, “He shall die without instruction;”. Solomon began with the words, “he shall die” or “he, the wicked person, will perish, be put to death and killed prematurely” “without instruction” which means “not having or possessing discipline, chastening or correction”. Solomon shared how the person who is wicked and “held with the cords of his sins” would be put to death prematurely because he did not have discipline or correction in his life.

The verse goes on to say, “and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.” Solomon continued with the words, “and in the greatness” or “and within the multitude, numerous and abundance” “of his folly” which means “pertaining to his, the wicked person's, silliness and foolishness” “he shall go astray” or “he, the wicked person, will err, meander, swerve and be morally misled”. Solomon said the wicked person would be morally misled because of his abundant foolishness.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon knew the fate of the person who is wicked and bound by their “sins” would not only be morally misled, but also would eventually end in death. Paul the apostle wrote, “the wages of sin is death” (See Romans 6:23a), but he also wrote, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (See Romans 6:23b) God knows “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), and “there is none righteous, no, not one”. (See Romans 3:10) This is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit about the value of ridding ourselves of “wickedness” and receiving eternal life with Him after our lives on earth have expired.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon share with his son about being, “surety for your friend”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…