Lifestyle and Balance

VALIDATING PROPHECY In Deuteronomy 13:1, Moses gave two criteria by which to validate prophecy. The first was its accuracy; the standard was 100 percent. However, as we will see, some prophecies were contingent on the audience’s response, which meant that the people had an opportunity to repent and prevent the judgment. The second standard was the focus of the prophecy. If it did not encourage the people in their worship of YHWH, it was to be viewed as false prophecy. In either case, the punishment was execution of the false prophet. Ref; A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS MICHAEL A. HARBIN

The Principles of the book of Proverbs  The book of Proverbs is based on two principles. The first is that the basic foundation of a successful life is reverence for God, or “the fear of the LORD. The second principle of Proverbs is the nature of humankind. The book points out that basically there are three kinds of people: the simple (or naive), the wise, and the foolish.  The simple person is inexperienced and must be shown the ropes. Everyone is born simple. The premise of Proverbs is that all people need instruction to be able to make right decisions. Without that instruction, they will end up making foolish choices and having to learn from their own mistakes. Given good instruction, a simple person can make wise decisions and thus have a fuller, more successful life. Ref; A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS MICHAEL A. HARBIN