Monday, October 19, 2015

Proverbs 6:20-22: Abiding Place

My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. Proverbs 6:20-22
Keep: Guard with fidelity, observe
Command: precept, code of wisdom/law
Forsake: abandon
Law: instruction

Bind: knit together, join
Continually: of going on without interruption
Heart: memory
Tie: to lace fast, bind

Roam: walk about
Lead: guide, instruct
Keep: guard
Speak: to ponder

Proverbs 6:21
Bind them continually upon thine heart,.... Not upon the head or arm, as the words of the law were to be bound, Deuteronomy 6:3; to which there seems to be an allusion; and which may confirm the sense of the words given, that this respects the law of God itself, and the precepts of it, instructed in by parents; but they should be bound upon the heart, and have an abiding place in the understanding, affections, memory, and will; 
and tie them about thy neck; as an ornament, instead of a necklace of pearl, or chains of gold; they should be so far from being thought burdensome and troublesome, that they should be reckoned comely and graceful
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
"Have an abiding place in the understanding, affections, memory, and will." What do I store away in my memory? What do I allow to effect my affections and will? Something will effect your memory, your actions, your thoughts, your motives. What will it be? 

If wisdom and instruction are abiding in my mind, my memory, than all I do, say, and think will be impacted by that is right. If I ignore wisdom and fill my mind with sinful thoughts and selfish ideas, then that will also be reflected in my life. 

Abiding place. Something will take up residence—either wisdom or foolishness. If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then wisdom and and instruction will have an abiding place. 

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