The Usefulness of Proverbs
The aproverbs of Solomon bson of David, king of Israel:1 Kin 4:32; Prov 10:1; 25:1; Eccl 12:9Eccl 1:1
2 To know skillful and godly awisdom and instruction;To discern and comprehend the words of bunderstanding and insight,Prov 15:33Prov 4:13 aTo receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness,bRighteousness, justice, and integrity;Prov 2:1; 19:20Prov 2:94 That aprudence may be given to the naive or inexperienced who are easily misled,And bknowledge and discretion to the youth,Prov 8:5, 12Prov 2:10, 11; 3:215 The wise will hear and aincrease their learning,And the bperson of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth, Prov 9:9Prov 9:9Prov 14:6; Eccl 9:116 To understand a proverb and a figure of speech or an enigma with its interpretation,And the words of the wise and their ariddles that require reflection.Num 12:8; Ps 49:4; 78:2; Dan 8:23
7 aThe reverent fear of the LORD that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge its starting point and its essence;But arrogant 1fools despise skillful and godly wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. Ps 111:10In Proverbs various kinds of fools are discussed including those who are closed-minded, over-confident, and reject instruction and correction—the unteachable; those who lack spiritual insight—the spiritually blind; and those who are flippant, hardened, and who deliberately choose to reject God and wisdom—the arrogant.Job 28:28; Ps 111:10; Prov 9:10; 15:33; Eccl 12:13
The Enticement of Sinners
8 My son, ahear the instruction of your father,bAnd do not reject the teaching of your mother.Prov 4:1Prov 6:209 For they are a garland of agrace on your head,And bchains and ornaments of gold around your neck.Prov 4:9Gen 41:42; Dan 5:2910 My son, if sinners aentice you,bDo not consent. Ps 1:1; Eph 5:11Prov 16:29Gen 39:7-10; Deut 13:8; Ps 50:18; Eph 5:1111 If they say, “Come with us;Let us alie in wait to shed blood,Let us bambush the innocent without cause;Prov 12:6; Jer 5:26Ps 10:8; Prov 1:1812 Let us aswallow them alive like Sheol ,Even whole, as those who bgo down to the pit of death;Ps 124:3Ps 28:113 We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions,We will fill our houses with spoil;14 Throw in your lot with us they insist;We will all have one money bag in common,”15 My son, ado not walk on the road with them;bKeep your foot far away from their path,Ps 1:1; Prov 4:14Ps 119:10116 For atheir feet run to evil,And they hurry to shed blood.Prov 6:17, 18; Is 59:717 Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited netIn the sight of any bird;18 But when these people set a trap for others they alie in wait for their own blood;They set an ambush for their own lives and rush to their destruction.Prov 11:1919 So are the ways of everyone who is agreedy for gain;Greed takes away the lives of its possessors. Prov 15:27; 1+@Tim 6:10Prov 15:27
Wisdom Warns
20 1aWisdom shouts in the street,She raises her voice in the markets;Wisdom is personified as a woman in vv 20-33 and speaks, in the first person, of godly wisdom. Read the word “wisdom” as “the wisdom of God” and see the wonderful power of this book.Prov 8:1-3; 9:321 She calls out at the head of the noisy streets where large crowds gather;At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:22 “How long, O anaive ones you who are easily misled, will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning?How long will bscoffers who ridicule and deride delight in scoffing,How long will fools who obstinately mock truth chate knowledge?Prov 1:4, 32; 8:5; 9:4; 22:3Ps 1:1Prov 1:29; 5:1223 “If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,Behold, I Wisdom will apour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you. Is 11:2; Eph 1:17-20Is 32:15; Joel 2:28; John 7:3924 “Because aI called and you brefused to answer,I cstretched out my hand and no one has paid attention to my offer; Is 65:11, 12; 66:4; Jer 7:13, 14; Zech 7:11-13Is 65:12; 66:4; Jer 7:13Zech 7:11Is 65:2; Rom 10:2125 And you atreated all my counsel as nothingAnd would not baccept my reprimand,Ps 107:11; Luke 7:30Prov 15:1026 I also will alaugh at your bdisaster;I will mock when your cdread and panic come,Ps 2:4Prov 6:15Prov 10:2427 When your dread and panic come like a storm,And your disaster comes like a awhirlwind,When anxiety and distress come upon you as retribution.Prov 10:2528 “Then they will acall upon me , but I will not answer;They will bseek me eagerly but they will not find me, Job 27:9; 35:12, 13; Is 1:15, 16; Jer 11:11; Mic 3:4; James 4:31 Sam 8:18; Job 27:9; 35:12; Ps 18:41; Is 1:15; Jer 11:11; 14:12; Ezek 8:18; Mic 3:4; Zech 7:13; James 4:3Prov 8:1729 Because they ahated knowledgeAnd did not choose the fear of the LORD that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect, Prov 8:13Job 21:14; Prov 1:2230 aThey would not accept my counsel,And they spurned all my rebuke.Ps 81:11; Prov 1:2531 “Therefore they shall aeat of the fruit of their own wicked wayAnd be bsatiated with the penalty of their own devices.Job 4:8; Prov 5:22, 23; 22:8; Is 3:11; Jer 6:19Prov 14:1432 “For the aturning away of the 1naive will kill them,And the careless ease of self-righteous fools will destroy them. Is 32:6Lit simple ones.Jer 2:1933 “But awhoever listens to me will live securely and in confident trustAnd will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”Ps 25:12, 13; Prov 3:24-26