Proverbs 4:22

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. FOR THEY ARE LIFE UNTO THOSE THAT FIND THEM, AND HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH - literally, 'to all his flesh' - i:e., to the whole man of each one of "those that find them" (; ; ; )....

14-27 The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word...

HEALTH - See the Proverbs 3:8 note....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 4:1 7. _Seventh admonitory discourse. _We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24. This group extends to the end of Proverbs 7:1. Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject worthy of all earnest endeavour and sacrifice, but it is noticeable that the teacher introd

FOR THEY [ARE] LIFE UNTO THOSE THAT FIND THEM,.... The words or doctrines of Christ, whose type Solomon was, are to be found in the field of the Scriptures, by diligent searching for them; and being found, they are the means of spiritual life, and of maintaining it, and of showing the way, and bringing unto eternal life; see John 6:63; AND HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH; the whole man, soul and body, as they are the means of preserving the body from many diseases, which intemperance, lust, and luxury, lead unto, and are curbed by these; so of healing the various diseases of the soul; and, however, of directing to a panacea for them, to the blood of Christ, which is the true balm of Gilead, and he the physician of souls. Moreover, the doctrines of the Gospel are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus; they are sound, salutary, and healthful, and serve to keep the soul in good plight, a

CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Solomon's training (Proverbs 4:1)_ 2. Hear, O my son: Receive my sayings (Proverbs 4:10) 3. My son, attend to my words. (Proverbs 4:20) Proverbs 4:1. This passage shows the early training which Solomon received and he passeth on the instructions. It is said that these verses formed a model for many Puritan homes in England and the Scotland of the covenant. He was the beloved one, his father's true son. Note the different exhortation, about wisdom: Forget it not; forsake her not; love her; exalt her. Then the promises: She shall preserve thee; she shall keep thee; she shall promote thee

HEALTH. healing....

Ninth Address. Chap. 4. Proverbs 4:20 22. _their flesh_ Lit. HIS FLESH, i.e. the flesh of every one of them. This _individualising_the teaching, by a sudden change from the plural to the singular number occurs again, Proverbs 3:18....

TEXT Proverbs 4:20-27 20. My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21. Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart. 22. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. 24. Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. 25. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26. Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 4:20-27 1. Why does the father go over the same thought so often ...

ANCESTRAL WISDOM. THE TWO PATHS In Proverbs 4:1 the teacher lays stress on the fact that his instruction is a repetition of his father's. No teaching was thought valuable save that which was handed down from one generation to another. The best pupil was the one who was 'a cemented cistern which loses not a drop.' Proverbs 4:10 might be called the doctrine of the two paths, the two ways of life. 20-27 enjoin strict attention to instruction and to conduct....