Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Proverb for the Day

"Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life."
--Proverbs 4:13

Word Focus: instruction

(Heb. musar) (1:2, 4:1, 8:10; Deut. 11:2; Is. 26:16; 53:5) Strong's #4148: The Hebrew word translated instruction means "discipline" that is instructive and corrective in nature. The world emphasizes the "nourishing" and chastising" elements of bringing up a child. Instruction has to do with both the reception of knowledge through hearing and the application of that knowledge in daily life. In Proverbs, discipline comes primarily through one's father but also through one's mother (see 1:8, 3:11, 12, 13:1; 31:1) Usually the word refers to verbal instruction, but it can also refer to the rod of correction (see 13:24; 22:15; 23:13). The content of the instruction is frequently linked to wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord (1:2, 3; 12:1; 15:33; 23:12,13). Outside of Proverbs, discipline and instruction is frequently connected to God. The Exile was identified by the prophets as God's corrective punishment on the Israelites (Jer. 2:30; 5:3; 30:14)

Word Focus taken from The Nelson Study Bible, NKJV. 1997

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