Papa B
Proverbs 1:20-33
Pro 1:20-33 ESV Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; (21) at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: (22) “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? (23) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. (24) Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, (25) because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, (26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, (27) when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. (28) Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, (30) would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, (31) therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. (32) For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; (33) but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Wisdom doesn’t hide from us. Wisdom is always there, available for us to seek after. One of the interesting ideas that Solomon really pushes home in this passage is there is a consequence for pursuing foolishness. In verse 32 we see Solomon saying the death of the fool comes from rejecting correction and counsel.
Practical application: God has not hidden understanding from us. He desires us to come to him for wisdom and understanding. I need to be listening for His counsel and reproof.
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction
As parents we sometimes over spiritualize our children’s actions while at the same time not applying the same spiritual understanding to our daily life. Let’s take the simple phrase “I just want to get what I deserve.”
Simple enough.
If we as God fearing parents ever heard that phrase escape the lips of one of our children, we would immediately expound upon the need for grace and how much we have been forgiven and therefore we should always show mercy to others and that we should always turn the other cheek because Jesus paid the ultimate price for us and we should not be like the ungrateful servant who received pardon from much but won’t forgive a little debt and look what happened the children of Israel when they complained — it didn’t work out for them did it– so we should forgive others because as we forgive we are forgiven because that’s what Jesus said! Amen, stand and sing.
Then we get in the car and drive somewhere.
I think one of the hardest parts of parenting is living out your faith in front of your kids. It is a humbling experience to hear God preaching to me in my own voice as I “train up my child”.
Proverbs 3:6 says to acknowledge God in all your ways and HE will make your paths straight. I am grateful for his help.
Proverbs 1:10-17
Pro 1:8-16 ESV My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
(11) If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; (12) like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; (13) we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; (14) throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”– (15) my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, (16) for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
Solomon is telling his children not to associate with those who look to hurt others or try to exploit them. Solomon tells his children not to hesitate in getting way from this type of person. This strong warning is explained in verse 17 where Solomon tells us that this is as useless as trying to catch a bird that can see you coming. Living a life of cutting corners at other expense will end up destroying you in the end.
Practical application: There are people out there that look for trouble and they want you to join them. Avoid them.
Proverbs 1:7-9
Pro 1:7-9 ESV
(7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (8) Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, (9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
Some children resist instruction and training from their parents but Solomon admonishes children to not reject the teachings of their parents. A father’s instruction and a mother’s teaching is meant for the edification of the child. Solomon frames this with the understanding the fearing God is the beginning of knowledge.
Practical application: We should not despise receiving instruction. Learning is a gift from God and we should think of every opportunity to learn (even from mistakes) as a custom tailored gift from the Lord.
Proverbs 1:1-6
Pro 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: (2) To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, (3) to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; (4) to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth– (5) Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, (6) to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Solomon is telling us what types of instructions will be addressed. He points out that it is his intent to “give prudence to the simple” and “knowledge and discretion to the youth”. Knowing this is important because it tells us of the intended audience of Proverbs. There is a nugget of wisdom (are you surprised?) tucked into verse 5. The wise listen to increase learning and the one who understands obtains guidance.
Practical usage: LISTEN to increase learning. These proverbs can be applied or misapplied to many situations, but the intent we should have when we study Proverbs is to sharpen our discernment, to gain guidance in righteousness, and to understand how to apply justice.