angela hormberg

Month: December 2025

  • Proverbs Chapter 6

    Proverbs Chapter 6

    Commonplace –

    “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

    Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

    Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

    How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

    Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

    So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11).

    Avoiding slothfulness is just one of the many important points Solomon touches on in Proverbs 6. In his summary on Proverbs 6, Matthew Henry notes,

    “We are here dissuaded from sin very much by arguments borrowed from our secular interest, for it is not only represented as damning in the other world, but as impoverishing in this” (672).

    As Henry wisely observes in Proverbs Chapter 6, Solomon touches on many sins to avoid in our day to day dealings in the secular world:

    1. Avoid being a surety for others. If you do enter into such a situation, don’t stop working until the debt is paid.
    2. Avoid being lazy, because it leads to poverty.
    3. Avoid being froward, an ancient word that refers to contrariness. The examples Solomon gives are those of the wicked, cunning person, who devises “mischief continually” (v. 14).
    4. Avoid the following seven things, which God hates: “a proud look”, “a lying tongue”, “hands that shed innocent blood”, “a heart that devises wicked imaginations”, feet that run to mischief, being “a false witness that speaketh lies”, sowing “discord among brethren”.
    5. Avoid whorish women (and men).
    6. Avoid adultery.

    All of these things are sins, but, even if you don’t believe in sin, these things make life difficult.

    Instead, “keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not thy law of thy mother”, which hearkens back to Solomon’s words in Proverbs 1:8, “hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother”. Some may not have had fathers and mothers who imparted worthy instruction, which makes reading Proverbs all the more important and necessary. Solomon’s words to his own son serve as useful instruction to us, and the words of the Bible itself impart knowledge of the law. Therefore, we are without excuse.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 6.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs Chapter 5

    Proverbs Chapter 5

    Commonplace –

    “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

    That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge” (Proverbs 5:1-2).

    As Matthew Henry notes,

    “The scope of this chapter is much the same with that of chapter 2. To write the same things, in other words, ought not to be grievous, for it is safe, Phil. 3:1” (668).

    For reference, the full quote from Philippians 3:1 is:

    “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you (Phil 3:1)”.

    This is a splendid reference Henry has provided and spot on in regards to Proverbs 5. It is often said that people need to be reminded more than instructed, which is exactly what Solomon has been doing in these past few chapters, reminding his son over and over why seeking wisdom and choosing good is the best path. In Proverbs 5, Solomon adds to his previous arguments for the path of righteousness and ponders the outcome of a wicked life. He also spends time (v.18-20) encouraging his son to remain faithful to his wife and refrain from seeking the embrace of “a strange woman” (v.20).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 5.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs Chapter 4

    Proverbs Chapter 4

    Commonplace –

    “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

    In the opening verse of Proverbs 4, Solomon cries out to all children, and, as Matthew Henry notes, Solomon revisits the same topics he has covered in the previous three chapters.

    “When the things of God are to be taught precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, not only because the things themselves are of great worth and weight, but because men’s minds, at the best, are unapt to admit them and commonly prejudiced against them; and therefore Solomon, in this chapter, with a great variety of expression and a pleasant powerful flood of divine eloquence, inculcates the the same things that he had pressed upon us in the foregoing chapters” (663).

    Solomon’s reference to his own childhood is important.

    “For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

    He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live” (Proverbs 4:3-4).

    Here we have tradition, from father to son, one generation to the next. This is key, because it highlights the importance of the ongoing duty each generation has to those who come after them. But we must not overlook the duty we have to the previous generation; we must receive receive the instruction they have given us.

    How do we learn? Precept upon precept, we learn the rules that govern our actions and behavior.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 4.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs Chapter 3

    Proverbs Chapter 3

    Commonplace –

    “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

    In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

    Matthew Henry gives the following glowing introduction to Proverbs 3:

    “This chapter is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and for directions therein” (657).

    Further, Proverbs 3:5-6 are two of the most quoted and beloved verses from Proverbs 3. Within them is a sweet promise that if one chooses to acknowledge God and trust Him implicitly, God will direct their path. In particular reference to these verses, Henry notes the following:

    “Those that faithfully follow the pillar of cloud and fire shall find that though it may lead them about it leads them the right way and will bring them to Canaan at last” (658).

    So, let’s take a deeper look at Proverbs 3.

    If this, then this.

    Solomon begins by addressing his son and presents him with statements along the line of “If you do this, then this will happen”

    1. If you remember the law and keep the commandments, then you will have long life and peace (v. 1-2).
    2. If you hold tightly to mercy and truth, then you will find favor and good standing with God and men (v. 3-4).
    3. If you trust in God fully and do not rely on your own understanding, God will direct your path (v. 5-6).
    4. If you are not proud, run from evil, and fear the Lord, then you will have physical and spiritual strength (v. 7-8).
    5. If you honor God with your possessions and give the first fruits of your work, your food and drink will be plentiful.

    Correction

    In verse 11, Solomon again begins with “My son” and addresses the topic of correction. He encourages his son to accept correction from the Lord and refrain from despising it or growing weary of it, because the Lord corrects only those he loves, as a loving father does for his children.

    Wisdom

    Beginning in verse 13, Solomon speaks of the profit of finding wisdom and understanding. The man who seeks wisdom and understanding is a happy man, because the profit of wisdom is more valuable than any physical wealth, such as gold or silver. Wisdom is precious and desirable, because she brings long life, riches, honor, and peace. (v. 13-17).

    In verse 18, Solomon says, “[Wisdom] is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her”. Recall that in Genesis 3:22, after Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God expelled them from the garden, so they would not have access to the tree of life.

    “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever; Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken” (Genesis 3:22).

    Now, Solomon is sharing with us that the way back to the tree of life is through wisdom. It was through wisdom that God created the world and all of the wonders in it (v.19-20).

    Keep Wisdom and Discretion

    Here, for the third time, Solomon directly addresses his son, telling him, “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion” (v.20-21).

    If you keep sound wisdom and discretion, they will bring you life and grace. You will

    1. walk safely (v.23)
    2. not stumble (v.23)
    3. not be afraid, having sweet sleep (v.24).

    Solomon then directs his son to:

    1. Do not be “afraid of sudden fear” (v.25).
    2. Do not be afraid of “the desolation of the wicked” when it comes (v.25).
    3. Be confident in God (v.26).
    4. Do not withhold good (v.27).
    5. When it is within your power to do good, do it (v.27).
    6. If you are going to give, give it right away, without delay, when you have it (v.28).
    7. Don’t devise evil against your neighbor (v. 29).
    8. Don’t argue with others without reason (v.30).
    9. Don’t envy others (v.31).

    God’s provision to the righteous and the wicked

    To the righteous God

    1. gives the secret of righteousness (v.32),
    2. blesses their home (v.33),
    3. gives grace to the lowly (v.34), and
    4. gives an inheritance of glory (v.35).

    As for the wicked, God

    1. views them as an abomination (v.32),
    2. curses their house (v.33),
    3. scorns the scorners (v.34),
    4. shames the fools (v.35).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 3.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • The Reading Mother

    The Reading Mother

    by Strickland Gillilan

    The Reading Mother
    by
    Strickland Gillilan
     I had a mother who read to me
    Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
    Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
    “Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath.

    I had a Mother who read me lays
    Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
    Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
    Which every boy has a right to know.

    I had a Mother who read me tales
    Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
    True to his trust till his tragic death,
    Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

    I had a Mother who read me the things
    That wholesome life to the boy heart brings–
    Stories that stir with an upward touch,
    Oh, that each mother of boys were such!

    You may have tangible wealth untold;
    Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
    Richer than I you can never be–
    I had a Mother who read to me.
  • Proverbs Chapter 2

    Proverbs Chapter 2

    Commonplace –

    “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

    Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee;

    To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things” (Prov 2:10-12).

    In Psalm 2, Solomon pleads with his son to receive his words and “hide my commandments with thee” (v.1) and, in so doing, follow the path of wisdom, which leads to understanding and fear of the Lord. (I wrote a post specifically related to “The Fear of the Lord”, which you can read by following the link.) Solomon lists the benefits of allowing wisdom to enter the heart and knowledge to become pleasant to the soul (v.10):

    1. “Discretion shall preserve thee” (v.11a).
    2. “Understanding shall keep thee” (v.11b).
    3. Deliverance from the evil man (v.12).
    4. Walking in the way of good men and keeping to the right path (v.20).
    5. Dwelling in the good land (v.21).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 2.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg