Book of Proverbs, Chapter 1:8-33 August 18, 2018
Question from last week. King
Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.
The wives were described as foreign princesses,
including Pharaoh's daughter and women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon and of the
Hittites and his wives led him astray.
1 Kings 11:1-8
But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh:
women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites-- (2) from
the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You
shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away
your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love. (3) And he had seven hundred
wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. (4) For it was
so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and
his heart was
not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.
(5) For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after
Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (6) Solomon did evil in the sight of
the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David. (7) Then
Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill
that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of
Ammon. (8) And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense
and sacrificed to their gods.
King Solomon is an example
for us today, We know there is a difference between having knowledge and
applying knowledge. Solomon was
extremely wise, but he was a man with temptations like any other person but he
obeyed God in many areas, yet he failed with women.
We should learn from his mistakes and his wisdom recorded
in Proverbs to avoid these problems in our own lives.
Last week I ask the
question, “What
does it mean to live ‘the good life’?” God’s word, Proverbs answers this question and
deals with every day issues of how to live life in this physical world.
Proverbs is a book that is concerned with the development of Godly
Character. A Godly man is not merely one
who professes to believe certain truths, but one who practices them.
*James
2:23-24 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed
God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's
friend. (24) You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Proverbs is devoted to the development of Godly character. We who
profess to be Christians or Followers of our Lord Jesus are to become like
Christ in every way, especially His character.
The study of character in Proverbs will instruct us how to do
this. Second, we need to be able to discern the character of others.
PROVERBS HELPS
US TO LOOK AT LIFE REALISTICALLY.
The Enticement of Sinners, Warning
Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Proverbs 1:8
Listen,
my son, to your father's
instruction and do not forsake your
mother's teaching;
Proverbs 1:9 They will be a graceful ornament on your head
and a chain to adorn your neck. {graceful ornament, about our neck}
Remember our teachings of our fathers and mothers when we were
young. Notice, it is father’s
instruction and mother’s teaching appeal.
Notice the opening words of wisdom's instruction
comes as an appeal from parents to their children (son, a generic term for child);
Both father and mother teach.
Do we realize that we have
a Father in Heaven giving us instruction in His Word, the Scriptures, that we
are to obey.
Timothy is a good example
of this.
*2 Timothy 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus.
Children listening and obeying the instructions of their
parents are more lovely than any beautiful ornament or honor that can be put on
their heads. When we see our kids are
doing good, we feel good and that also goes for our grandchildren.
In many nations, highest honor is given by a signet ring and
chain of gold about the neck when acting according to the principles of true
wisdom, proceeding from the fear of God, especially if is our own children.
*Genesis
41:42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his
hand and put it
on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain
around his neck.
*Daniel 5:29 Then at Belshazzar's
command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was
placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in
the kingdom.
Proverbs 1:10-14 My son, if sinners entice
you, Do not consent. (11) If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait
to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; (12) Let us
swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; (13)
We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with
spoil; (14) Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"—
Vs, 10 My
son, if sinners
entice you, Do not consent {or do not give in to}.
*1
Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled:
"Bad company corrupts good character."
The first great danger
which happens to the simple and the young is that of evil companionship. The
only safety is to be found in the power of saying “No,” to all
such invitation
There
is the natural temptation for young people to go with the group, to feel that
they are part of the group.
*Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the
wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
The wicked do not have the fear of God.
We know the devil himself cannot lead a person into sin
unless he consents. We have free moral
agency to choose, were it not so, how could God judge the world.
Vs. 11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in
wait for innocent {shed} blood, let's ambush
some harmless soul;
{some innocent person for no reason
at all}
Peer pressure from others is hard; the way sinful men entice
others to rob and murder by doing so in ambush.
They may be lured by the excitement of anything so daring.
Vs.12 let's
swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole,
like those who go down to the pit;
{destroy the victims and traces of
the crime}
*Genesis
37:20 Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say,
'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his
dreams!"
Vs. 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder {spoils};
They kill and the carry away their personal property and the
booty will be great.
Vs.14 cast lots
with us; we will all share the loot { have one purse}
Common sense says this gang of cutthroats would say together,
we would have equal share of all the spoil.
A warning against temptation. Avoid the beginnings of sin.
Proverbs 1:15-19 My son, do not walk in the
way with them, Keep your foot from their path; (16) For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood. (17) Surely, in vain the net is spread In
the sight of any bird; (18) But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk
secretly for their own lives. (19) So are the ways of everyone who is greedy
for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.
These parents speak words
of caution to their children. If you take one step on this path is a step
closer toward destruction. Spreading a net in the sight of the birds to
trap would be a fruitless task. Yet the fool is less sensible than the bird; he
will watch the trap being set and get caught in it anyway. We see this in news all the time.
Vs.15 my son, do not go along
with them, do not set foot on their paths; {have nothing
at all to do with them or way of life}
Vs.16 for their feet rush into evil, they are swift
{haste} to shed blood.
*Romans 3:15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
These evil men want to cover their sin about obtaining
individuals personal things so that no information may be given out about them
is why there is blood of innocent persons involved, commit robberies and murder.
Vs.17 How useless {in vain}
to spread a net where every bird can see it!
These men will not take the warning. This is the first
proverb in Proverbs which has received a variety of interpretations.
The great net of God’s
judgments is spread out, open to the eyes of all, and yet the doers of evil,
willfully blind, still rush into it though they know it is to their own ruin.”
Vs.18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only
themselves { lurk secretly for
their own lives}
Men own blood - The destruction which
they design to others, fall upon themselves.
*Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the judgment He
executes; The wicked
is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah
Vs.19 So are the ways {paths} of everyone who is greedy {ill-gotten} for gain; It takes
away the life of its owners.
Greedy – that
seeks gain by wicked practices, basically a murderer.
*2 Peter 2:3 In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The
ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not
delayed.
We just
conclude this section talking to my son, and now introduce a theme that the
following passages develop passages develop further. The study of wisdom is a matter of life and death.
Proverbs 1:20-22 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She
raises her voice in the open squares. (21) She cries out in the chief
concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: (22)
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight
in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
Vs.20 Wisdom
calls aloud outside {in the open}; She raises
her voice in the open {public} squares.
*1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us
wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption {Jesus is Wisdom}
The wicked men plan behind
closed doors while wisdom is discussed
in the streets or open places. Not in
corners, but openly before all the world.
This wisdom is the eternal
Word of Jesus and no one can pretend ignorance.
Vs.21 She {Wisdom} calls {cries} out
at the busiest part of the noisy streets, and at the entrance to the gates of
the city she utters her words:
*Acts 5:20 "Go, stand in the
temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."
Wisdom
in every part of the city. These Words by which the way unto life is shown.
Vs.22
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners
delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
Three Losers are in the Proverbs we will find, covered last
week.
Simple Ones:
Loser (silly - that is, easily
lead astray,
foolish one, who err out of ignorance)
Scorners:
Loser (Mockers who cannot stand to be taught, make a mouth, make a mock, mocker,
scorn) at Jesus and his disciples and followers, His doctrines and
miracles, sufferings and death.
Fool:
Loser (figuratively stupid or silly, foolish); The person who is dense,
sluggish, careless, and self-satisfied, who are drowned in worldly lusts and
hate the knowledge of godliness. Fools
hate knowledge of Jesus and the Father and His followers.
All Rejects Wisdom, listen
to Folly and leads to death. Just look at the news today, about all the
hate against Christians and what they stand for.
Proverbs 1:23-25 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make
my words known to you. (24) Because I have called and you refused, I have
stretched out my hand and no one regarded, (25) Because you disdained all my
counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,
Vs.23
Turn {repent} at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
*Titus 3:5-6 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Spirit, (6) whom He poured out on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Savior,
*John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth,
has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you
things to come.
Vs.24 Because I have called and you refused {to listen}, I have stretched out my hand and no one
regarded {pays attention},
*Isaiah 65:2 I have stretched out My
hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts;
Vs.25 Because you disdained {disregard}
all my counsel, And would have none {accept} of
my rebuke,
We will
see what will happen to the individuals, losers
Proverbs 1:26-30 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will
mock when your terror comes, (27) When your terror comes like a storm, And your
destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.
(28) "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me
diligently, but they will not find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge And
did not choose the fear of the LORD, (30) They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
Vs.26 I also will laugh
at your calamity {when
disaster strikes you}; I will mock when your terror
comes {or overtakes you},
*Psalms 2:4 He who sits in the heavens
shall laugh; The LORD {scoffs at them} shall
hold them in derision.
*Luke 21:26 men's hearts
failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming
on the earth, for the powers of the
heavens will be shaken.
Vs.27 When your terror comes {calamity
overtakes you} like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress
and anguish come upon you {trouble overwhelm you}.
*Romans 2:8-9 But for those who are
self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and
anger. (9) There will be trouble and distress for every human being
who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;
Vs.28 "Then they will call on me {or to me}, but I
will not answer; They will seek me diligently {look for me}, but they will
not find me.
*John 9:31 We know that God does not listen
to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
Vs.29 Because they hated knowledge And
did not choose the fear of the LORD,
Vs.30 They would have none of my counsel {or advice} And despised {spurned}
my every rebuke {correction}.
Showing
that without faith and obedience, we cannot call on God correctly.
Way of Life results we see
what Jesus tells us
Proverbs 1:31-33 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to
the full with their own fancies. (32) For the turning away of the simple will
slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; (33) But whoever
listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of
evil."
Vs.31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way {way of life}, And be filled to the full with their own
fancies {or schemes}.
Vs.32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them {kill them}, And the complacency of fools
will destroy them;
To the
Wise, for following the Words of Jesus
Vs.33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely {live in safety}, And will be secure {at ease}, without fear of evil {or harm}."
Rejection of wisdom of Jesus our Lord will slay
them. This warning ends with a promise of life to the few who will listen;
they will find safety in the hands of our Father.
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