Personification is taking attributes of humans and applying it to animals, or abstract notions in a story. In poetry this is often used as a literary device. Proverbs 8 personifies Wisdom and its competing counterfeit, Folly.

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One thing that is beneficial about this world system, it brings to surface quickly those who are for the Lord and those who are false. Those who are false will quickly be overcome by the strong persistent pull of worldy temptation. Perseverance and godly devotion will be the integrity of those who do not stumble in temptation.

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Divine Wisdom will always provide the solution that is both practical & purely ethical. Where as worldly wisdom is earthly (in the sense of not containing eternal value), sensual (subject to one's unrighteous appetite), demonic (reflects the actions of a demon). It contains envy and self-seeking attributes. Its outcomes are confusion and every evil thing. Unlike the previous chapter in which the father merely "counsels" the son, now the father commands his son!

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The Old Testament does NOT discourage sexual relationships for one moment. In fact it just puts it into a proper context of a heterosexual marriage, made for the pleasure of its covenant participants, designed by an all-wise Creator. In chapter 5 the father gives advice to his son. The father recognizes that sex is a major temptation in the life of a young man. A legitimate sexual union between a male & female in the form of marriage, is the father's worldview. All other sexual behavior is a threat that misleads those seeking intimate physical relationships.

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Ultimately wisdom is worth the pursuit because it leads to life. One must maintain a diligent mindset that summons all of their physical and mental faculty of resources. They must not veer from the path of righteousness.

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The metaphor of the heart as a tablet on which one writes the law points to the internalizing of God's commands in one's life; consciously aware of not only one's actions but also one's motives. Ensuring they are a result of the fear of God.

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The Book of Proverbs recognizes that evil exists in the world. Instead of painting a picture of a perfect world without any moral tension, Wisdom describes the harmful influences that can sway the learner, and instead teaches how these dangerous threats can be avoided.

The wisdom that directs life is the same wisdom that created the universe. To surrender to God's wisdom is to put oneself in harmony with creation and the world around us. Ordinary life and the life of Faith are not two separate spheres, but one unified experience of God's creation. All of life is regarded as a seamless fabric according to the implications of the author of Proverbs.

Four qualities of brotherly love are helpful to practice these "essential" behaviors in the local church setting. They are: impartiality, disciplinary correction, sharing of spiritual gifting, and being mindful saints are learners in the process of achieving mastery.

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Church gatherings are essential to the economy of God's people. From the Praise, to the instruction from Scriptures, to the financial giving, even the frequency of our assembling together. Let's learn to see what is essential and what is NOT.

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