Proverbs 30

PROVERBS 30

"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."
(vs 5-6)

A promise and a warning. To those who trust in the Lord, and keep His words, He is a shield. Every word of God is pure. Every word, every commandment, every statute, every law, every judgement.

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward."
- Psalm 19:7-11

To those who add to His Holy word, He rebukes and calls a liar. Those called to be God’s children are warned not to add to His word or subtract from His commands. The passage below from Deuteronomy chapter 12, spoken to God’s people Israel, was given also for our example. The New Covenenat did not change the Word of God. The promises and the warnings that were to the nation Israel in the Old Testament, are now to the True Israel, the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16), which is the body of Christ (Jew and Gentile alike) in the New Testament (Rom 9:4-8) The promises and the warnings given to them, apply to us. (1 Cor 10:1-13). As Paul taught us - "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." - 1 Cor 10:11-12

Looking at that admonition in Deuteronomy: to God’s people it was written -

"When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ’How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it."- Deut 12:29-32

When the Lord Jesus forgives our past sins, and delivers us from our bondage, and we become His disciples, we still dwell in a world full of false gods. Truth is, dear saints, when we accept the call of God on our lives, the lure of those false gods often becomes stronger, as the enemy of our souls seeks to steer us off the Path of Life, and back into the world, and our former way of life (or rather death). The way that leads to death is wide, and the enticements are many. The Lord exhorts us -
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to Life, and there are few who find it."- Matt 7:13-14

The Lord commands that we follow not after those false gods. God is unchanging. Some would have us believe that He changes with the times, and that He now accepts certain sins, and abominable lifestyles. He does not. His Word is pure, His law is perfect. In an attempt to justify our sins, we add to, or subtract from the Holy Scripture. Where His command is to love Him with all our mind, heart, soul and strength... we have loved rather ourselves, at the expense of God and the body of Christ. (I’m speaking here about the the Christian religion as a whole). We rob God of sons and daughters He desires, as we put our own passions and desires first. We sacrifice our children, or even prevent children from being born, to satisfy our own pleasures. These things ought not to be. We are to be multiplying and raising our children properly, in the fear of the Lord, training them in the way that they should go.

May we be found among those who do trust in the Lord God, who do desire His righteous judgments, who do yearn for His Truth. Be encouraged, brothers & sisters, for as the Proverb declares -

"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."
(vs 5)

God’s wisdom and understanding to all,

Michael