Proverbs 19:27
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
If you cease to hear instruction
The Hebrew root for "instruction" is "mûsār," which often implies discipline or correction. In the ancient Near Eastern context, instruction was not merely academic but was deeply tied to moral and spiritual formation. The phrase suggests a deliberate choice to stop listening, which is a warning against complacency. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of continual engagement with God's Word and the teachings of the Church. The act of ceasing to hear is akin to turning away from the path of righteousness, emphasizing the necessity of perseverance in faith and learning.

my son
This phrase is a common address in the book of Proverbs, indicating a personal and intimate relationship between the speaker, often seen as a father or a wise teacher, and the listener. It reflects the familial and covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people. In a broader sense, it can be seen as God addressing His children, urging them to heed His wisdom. The use of "my son" underscores the loving concern and authority of the speaker, reminding believers of their identity as children of God and the responsibility that comes with it.

you will stray
The Hebrew word for "stray" is "tāʿāh," which conveys the idea of wandering or going astray. This term is often used in the context of sheep that have left the safety of the flock, illustrating the vulnerability and danger of departing from divine guidance. In the biblical narrative, straying is frequently associated with sin and disobedience. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this serves as a caution against the spiritual peril of neglecting God's instruction, emphasizing the need for vigilance and adherence to the truth.

from the words of knowledge
"Words of knowledge" refers to divine wisdom and understanding, which are foundational to living a life that honors God. The Hebrew term for "knowledge" is "daʿat," which encompasses not only intellectual understanding but also experiential and relational knowledge of God. In the scriptural context, knowledge is closely linked to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). This phrase highlights the consequence of abandoning instruction: a departure from the truth and wisdom that guide righteous living. For conservative Christians, it underscores the importance of Scripture as the ultimate source of knowledge and the necessity of remaining rooted in biblical truth to navigate life's challenges.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and instruction.

2. My Son
This phrase is often used in Proverbs to address the reader in a personal and relational manner, suggesting a fatherly or mentoring relationship.

3. Instruction
In the context of Proverbs, instruction refers to the teachings and guidance that lead to wisdom and understanding.

4. Words of Knowledge
This phrase refers to the truths and insights that come from God’s wisdom, as opposed to human understanding.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Continual Learning
As believers, we must remain open to instruction and learning. Ceasing to seek wisdom leads to spiritual stagnation and straying from God’s truth.

Guarding Against Complacency
It is easy to become complacent in our spiritual journey. We must actively pursue knowledge and wisdom to stay aligned with God’s will.

The Role of Community in Instruction
Engaging with a community of believers provides accountability and encouragement to continue in the pursuit of wisdom and instruction.

The Consequences of Ignoring Instruction
Ignoring instruction can lead to a gradual drift away from God’s truth, resulting in poor decision-making and spiritual decline.

The Value of Godly Wisdom
Godly wisdom is a treasure that guides us in all areas of life. We should prioritize seeking and applying it daily.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some practical ways you can ensure you are continually receiving instruction in your daily life?

2. How can you identify areas in your life where you may have become complacent in seeking wisdom?

3. In what ways can your community of believers help you stay accountable in your pursuit of knowledge and instruction?

4. Reflect on a time when ignoring instruction led to negative consequences. What did you learn from that experience?

5. How can you apply the principles of Proverbs 19:27 to help others in their spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 4:13
This verse emphasizes the importance of holding onto instruction and not letting it go, reinforcing the idea that instruction is life-giving.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
These verses highlight the role of Scripture in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, which aligns with the importance of instruction in Proverbs 19:27.

James 1:22-25
James speaks about being doers of the word and not hearers only, which connects to the idea of actively engaging with instruction to avoid straying from knowledge.
A Protest Against the ImmoralThe Tatler.Proverbs 19:27
Avoid False Books and TeachersE. D. Griffin, D. D.Proverbs 19:27
Temptation to Perilous ListeningT. Sherlock, D. D.Proverbs 19:27
Mixed Maxims of Life-WisdomE. Johnson Proverbs 19:22-29
People
Isaiah, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Attention, Causeth, Cease, Discipline, Err, Gives, Instruction, Listening, Longer, Sayings, Stop, Stray, Teaching
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 19:27

     5165   listening

Library
How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
A DAY and an evening such as of that Sabbath of healing in Capernaum must, with reverence be it written, have been followed by what opens the next section. [2299] To the thoughtful observer there is such unbroken harmony in the Life of Jesus, such accord of the inward and outward, as to carry instinctive conviction of the truth of its record. It was, so to speak, an inward necessity that the God-Man, when brought into contact with disease and misery, whether from physical or supernatural causes,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
These maxims, good for a country where life is nourished by the air and the light, and this delicate communism of a band of children of God reposing in confidence on the bosom of their Father, might suit a simple sect constantly persuaded that its Utopia was about to be realized. But it is clear that they could not satisfy the whole of society. Jesus understood very soon, in fact, that the official world of his time would by no means adopt his kingdom. He took his resolution with extreme boldness.
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14).
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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