Proverbs 7:4
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman,
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

Wisdom must be welcomed as a beloved member of one’s household, held near in affection, trust, and daily dependence. In the setting of Proverbs 7, such closeness guards the heart against the adulteress and her deceptive invitation. Wisdom provides the moral discernment needed to recognize sin before its consequences take hold. Since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, devotion to wisdom requires reverence for God and submission to His ways.

Pro 3:13-18 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man…
Pro 8:17-21 I love those who love me, and those who seek me…
Pro 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!…

and call understanding your kinsman,

Understanding belongs among the trusted companions of life, supplying insight for faithful obedience when temptation appeals to desire. A kinsman bore responsibilities of loyalty, protection, and help within the family; understanding likewise protects those who keep God’s instruction. Knowledge of God’s commands must become practical discernment, directing conduct in the home, in public, and in hidden choices.

Pro 1:2-7 for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words…
Pro 2:2-6 if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart…
Job 28:28 And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wisdom
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is often personified as a woman who offers guidance and protection. It represents the divine insight and discernment that comes from God.

2. Understanding
Similar to wisdom, understanding is depicted as a close relative, emphasizing the importance of having a deep comprehension of God's ways and truths.

3. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings often focus on the pursuit of wisdom and understanding.

4. The Family Metaphor
The use of familial terms like "sister" and "kinsman" suggests a close, intimate relationship with wisdom and understanding, indicating their importance in one's life.

5. The Book of Proverbs
A collection of wise sayings and teachings, primarily focused on imparting moral and practical guidance for living a life that honors God.
Teaching Points
Value of Wisdom and Understanding
Wisdom and understanding should be cherished and valued as close family members. They are essential for navigating life's challenges and making godly decisions.

Pursuit of a Relationship with Wisdom
Just as we cultivate relationships with family, we should actively pursue and nurture our relationship with wisdom and understanding through prayer, study, and application of God's Word.

Wisdom as a Protective Guide
Embracing wisdom and understanding provides protection against the temptations and deceptions of the world, guiding us to live righteously.

Integration into Daily Life
Wisdom and understanding should be integrated into every aspect of our lives, influencing our thoughts, actions, and decisions.

Wisdom as a Divine Gift
Recognize that true wisdom and understanding come from God and should be sought through prayer and a humble heart.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can you practically "say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,'" in your daily life?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper relationship with understanding as your "kinsman"?

3. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did wisdom and understanding play a role in that decision?

4. How does the familial metaphor of wisdom and understanding challenge you to prioritize them in your life?

5. What steps can you take to seek wisdom from God, as encouraged in James 1:5, and how does this relate to Proverbs 7:4?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 4:7
This verse emphasizes the supreme value of wisdom, urging believers to acquire it at all costs, similar to the familial closeness described in Proverbs 7:4.

James 1:5
This New Testament verse encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, reinforcing the idea that wisdom is a divine gift that should be sought earnestly.

Matthew 12:50
Jesus speaks of those who do the will of His Father as His family, paralleling the idea of wisdom and understanding being close relatives.
A Tragedy of TemptationE. Johnson Proverbs 7:1-27
The Two WaysW. Clarkson Proverbs 7:1-27
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cry, Friend, Insight, Intelligence, Intimate, Kinsman, Kinswoman, Named, Relative, Sister, Special, Understanding, Wisdom
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 7:1-5

     5345   influence

Proverbs 7:1-22

     6241   seduction

Proverbs 7:4-5

     6242   adultery

Library
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3, 4-11. 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Dogmatic.
I. (i) Against Eunomius. The work under this title comprises five books, the first three generally accepted as genuine, the last two sometimes regarded as doubtful. Gregory of Nazianzus, [303] Jerome, [304] and Theodoret [305] all testify to Basil's having written against Eunomius, but do not specify the number of books. Books IV. and V. are accepted by Bellarmine, Du Pin, Tillemont, and Ceillier, mainly on the authority of the edict of Justinian against the Three Chapters (Mansi ix., 552),
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
We must look at the sense not the wording. The offence excited is at the sense; meaning of the Symbols; the question of their not being in Scripture. Those who hesitate only at coessential,' not to be considered Arians. Reasons why coessential' is better than like-in-essence,' yet the latter may be interpreted in a good sense. Explanation of the rejection of coessential' by the Council which condemned the Samosatene; use of the word by Dionysius of Alexandria; parallel variation in the use of Unoriginate;
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Believer's Privilege at Death
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.' Rom 12:12. A Christian's hope is not in this life, but he hash hope in his death.' Prov 14:42. The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all their heaven here. Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.' Luke 6:64. You may make your acquittance, and write Received in full payment.' Son, remember that
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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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