Proverbs #1

July 1, 2007, Mike Barnett

Proverbs 1 (Pg. 449) says:

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;
       for understanding words of insight;

 3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
       doing what is right and just and fair;

 4 for giving prudence to the simple,
       knowledge and discretion to the young-

 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
       and let the discerning get guidance-

 6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
       the sayings and riddles of the wise.

 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
       but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.

 8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
       and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

 9 They will be a garland to grace your head
       and a chain to adorn your neck.

 10 My son, if sinners entice you,
       do not give in to them.

 11 If they say, "Come along with us;
       let's lie in wait for someone's blood,
       let's waylay some harmless soul;

 12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [b]
       and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
       and fill our houses with plunder;

 14 throw in your lot with us,
       and we will share a common purse"-

 15 my son, do not go along with them,
       do not set foot on their paths;

 16 for their feet rush into sin,
       they are swift to shed blood.

 17 How useless to spread a net
       in full view of all the birds!

 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
       they waylay only themselves!

 19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
       it takes away the lives of those who get it.

 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street,
       she raises her voice in the public squares;

 21 at the head of the noisy streets [c] she cries out,
       in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

 22 "How long will you simple ones [d] love your simple ways?
       How long will mockers delight in mockery
       and fools hate knowledge?

 23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
       I would have poured out my heart to you
       and made my thoughts known to you.

 24 But since you rejected me when I called
       and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

 25 since you ignored all my advice
       and would not accept my rebuke,

 26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
       I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
       when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
       when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

 28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
       they will look for me but will not find me.

 29 Since they hated knowledge
       and did not choose to fear the LORD,

 30 since they would not accept my advice
       and spurned my rebuke,

 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
       and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
       and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
       and be at ease, without fear of harm."

 

·        The author identifies himself as the son of David, King Solomon of Israel.

 

·        It is believed that Solomon gathered together many proverbs from other sources.

 

·        He was the editor of all and the author of some.

 

·        And we are told that he wrote more proverbs than appear in this book.

 

·        Proverbs is believed to be written about 700 B.C.

 

·        Although these proverbs were written 2700 years ago, they could have been written yesterday and are still relevant for today.

 

·        Chapters 1-9 contrast the difference between wisdom and foolishness.

 

Vs. 1

 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;
       for understanding words of insight;

 

·        The word “wisdom” in the scriptures means “the ability to _____________(use) knowledge _____________________(rightly)”.

 

·        The word, “Wisdom” occurs in the book of Proverbs 41 times.

 

·        Wisdom includes skill in living by following God’s _____________________(design) for ________________(life) as outlined in the pages of the ___________________(Bible) and thereby avoiding moral ____________________(pitfalls).

Matthew 7:24-28 (pg 686) says:

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

·        Proverbs urges people to get wisdom for it is ___________________(worth) more than ___________________(gold) or silver.

 

·        The New Testament refers to Christ as “________________________(wisdom) from God” because the _____________________(Word) of _______________(God) is ________________(Wisdom) and ___________________(Jesus) is the Word.

John 1:1,14  (pg. 750) says:

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

·        The Word of God ________________(lived) among us in the form of Jesus ___________________(Christ) and still __________________(lives) among us today in the form of the ____________________ __________________(Holy Spirit)!

 

·        Those who are born again of the Holy Spirit have the ________________(mind) of _________________(Christ) which has access to God’s ___________________(wisdom).

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 (pg. 807) says:

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.[a] 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
 16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
      that he may instruct him?"[b] But we have the mind of Christ.

·        The _____________________(thoughts) you ___________________(think) and the ____________________(words) you ____________________(speak) are either ______________(truth) and wisdom from _______________(God) or ______________(lies) and deceptions from the ______________(devil).

John 8:31, 43-44 (pg. 758) says:

 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

 43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

·        Words are like _____________________(containers) – they _________________(carry) either _____________(faith) &_______________(truth) from _______________(God) or they carry ________________(lies) & ___________________(deceptions) from the ________________(devil) and they produce after their kind.

Matthew 5:21-25 (pg. 684) says:

21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

 25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]

·        The Bible says that your words can ______________(kill) and if they do, you are know aligning yourself with the ____________________(devil) who is the father of _________________(lies), who comes to _______________(kill), __________________(steal) and ______________________(destroy).

John 10:10 says:

0The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

·        Be careful about Speaking your ___________________(problems) to others because most people will ________________(agree) with you and then you will have ________________(more) of what you agree ____________________(together) on whether you _________________(want) it or ____________(not).

Matthew 18:18-19 (pg 695)  says:

 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[c]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.

 19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

·        I have always taken this passage in the positive, but also see how it can work in the negative.

 

·        When a person makes a negative comment like “we are under a curse from the devil” and you say, “That’s for sure” you just bound yourself with your words.

 

·        That’s why it is so important to take ___________________(control) of every _____________________(thought) and throw it out of our mind before we ____________________(speak) it because after it is spoken it will lead to ________________________(destruction) if is not wisdom from God.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says:

5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

·        Wisdom from God confesses __________________(love) in the face of apparent persecution and ____________________(hatred).

 

·        Wisdom from God confesses ___________________(victory) in the face of apparent ____________________(defeat).

 

·        Wisdom from God confesses ____________________(abundance) in the face of apparent ___________________(lack).

Romans 4:15-25 says:

 16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

 18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."[b] 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

·        Jesus has told his followers that they can ___________________(have) what they pray and say in faith, but many professing Christians are ___________________(saying) and praying what they __________________(have) instead and then thy wonder why they get ________________(more) of the things the don’t ______________(want).

 

·        It is because they are not praying and speaking their wisdom, the world’s wisdom, the devils wisdom instead of God’s wisdom by faith

Mark 11:22-24 (pg. 717) says:

22"Have[a] faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."[b]

·        Jesus rebuked his disciples for _______________________(discussing) the ___________________(facts) instead of speaking God’s ___________________(wisdom) and truth by ___________________(faith).

Mark 8:14-21 (pg. 713) says:

 14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15"Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."

 16They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread."

 17Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"
      "Twelve," they replied.

 20"And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"
      They answered, "Seven."

 21He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

·        From God’s perspective real wisdom is not just _______________________(discussing) the ____________________(facts) regarding your _______________________(problems) but instead speaking God’s _____________________(promises) as ___________________(revealed) by the _________________(Word) and the _________________ ___________________(Holy Spirit).

 

 

·        Jesus did not ____________________(call) Lazarus or the young girl who died, __________________(dead) - instead He said they were only ___________________(asleep). John 11:1-44; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56

 

·        Jesus was not lying – he was telling the truth because he knew that they both were going to ________________(live) after he rose them from the dead and he did not want to ____________(say) anything that would ________________________(contradict) that _____________________(truth).

 

·        Jesus knows that words either carry truth or lies and so he always calls “things that are not as if though they _________________(were) – wisdom from God does that!

·         

·        Simon Peter acted like a _________________(reed) that blows in the ___________________(wind), but Jesus called him a ___________________(rock) in which he built his church.

 

John 1:41-42 says:

41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter[a]).

 

·        How you see yourself is how others will eventually see you – what you ___________________(project) to others will be _______________________(mirrored) back to you.

 

·        How you see others will become in time, how they see themselves because life is a _____________________(mirror) that reflects the ____________________(truth) or ________________(lies) contained in our ____________________(thoughts and _______________________(words).

 

·        Over time, we will __________________(reap) what we ____________________(sow) – if you do not like the _______________________(Harvest) you are ________________________(reaping), _________________(sow) a better ____________________(seed) of hope faith and love because in life we will reap the Harvest of the seed you sow.

 

·        When you operate in the ___________________(world’s) wisdom you will read a harvest of ________________________(selfishness).

 

·        When you operate in God’s wisdom you reap a harvest of ________________________(righteousness).

 

·        Real wisdom from God is not always __________________(seen), but ____________________(invisible) to the physical eye.

 

·        Real wisdom from God is only seen through the eyes of _________________(faith).

 

Hebrews 11:1-2 , 13-16 (Pg. 1871) says:

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

 

 13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

 

·        There are a great many brilliant people who have knowledge; yet they lack wisdom from God.

 

·        Wisdom in the Old Testament means Jesus Christ for the believer today.

 

1 Cor. 1:30 says:

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

 

·        Christ is the wisdom for the believer today and to know wisdom is to know Jesus Christ.

 

Philippians 3:10 says:

10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

 

·        True Wisdom is knowing Jesus Christ – _________________(hearing) and _________________(obeying) His voice!

Vs. 3-4

 

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
       doing what is right and just and fair;

 4 for giving prudence to the simple,
       knowledge and discretion to the young-

 

·        “Prudence” means good sense.

 

·        Outside of Proverbs, the Hebrew word is used in the negative sense of “shrewd” or “crafty”

 

·        “Simple” occurs 15 times.

 

·        Simple denotes those who are easily persuaded who lack Judgment”, who are immature, inexperienced and naïve.

 

·        The word “instruction” appears 26 times in the book of Proverbs.

 

·        Sometimes the same Hebrew word is translated by the word chasten.

 

Proverbs 13:24 says:

24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
       but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

 

·        The word “instruction” means to _______________________(teach) by _______________________(discipline).

·        Instruction is to teach by discipline.

 

·        The Bible says that God ______________________(disciplines) those whom he ______________________(loves) so they will _______________(grow _______(up) spiritually becoming more like Jesus and less like the world.

 

·        “To perceive the words of understanding”.

 

·        To perceive God’s truth, we need the “eyes of our heat” to be _________________(opened) by the Holy Spirit.

 

·        In V. 3 the word justice means righteousness – “right behavior”.

 

·        Right behavior is not ___________________(relative) and is not determined by our _____________________(cultural) norms - What is right and wrong is _____________________(declared) by God and written down in the ________________(Bible).

 

·        Right and wrong have become relative terms in our culture today by which the norm is decided by the culture.

 

·        The prevailing feeling in our culture today is that what the average man does becomes the norm; it becomes the standard.

 

·        This is one of the reasons why there is so much dishonesty and gross immorality today.

 

·        Right and wrong have become relative terms and God is opposed to such relativism.

 

·        God is a God of _____________________(absolutes) and The Bible is the Christians ____________________(guide) for what is right and wrong.

 

·        There is such a thing as absolute truth and such wisdom is found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

 

·        “Judgment” means that you and I are to make judgments/decisions.

 

·        People say “I don’t know whether I should do this or not”.

 

·        If you cannot enter into a decision enthusiastically, you ought not to do it at all.

 

·        If we do enter into a decision, we ought to do with anticipation, excitement, and joy.

 

·        We should be fully persuaded in our own minds that this is the right course of action.

 

·        Happy is the man whose conscience does not condemn him in the things which he allows.

 

·        If you look back on what you did yesterday and say, “I wish I hadn’t done that,” then it was wrong for you to do that thing.

 

·        In questionable matters about which the scriptures are silent, this is a great principle that will guide you in your conduct.

 

·        If you can look back on what you did yesterday and say, “Hallelujah, it was a great day for me,” then you know that what you did was right for you to”.

 

·        We should bear with each other’s infirmities, rather than simply pleasing ourselves.

 

·        We should ask ourselves, Is this thing I am doing an offense to my brother or sister in Christ?

 

·        These are great principles of conduct that should guide the believer.

 

·        “Give subtlety to the simple.”

 

·        Being prudent is the meaning of giving to the simple; it is to act prudently – it means to be wise in what we do.

 

·        A child of God ought not to act foolishly.

 

Matthew 10:16 says:

16I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

 

·        “Next to knowing is knowing where to find out.”

 

·        That is one reason it is good to have the Bible handy and to learn to read it – if you don’t know, you surely can know where to find out.

 

·        “Discretion” means thoughtfulness.

 

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
       and let the discerning get guidance-

 

·        Great leaders never stop learning.

 

·        This has been the characteristic of all great men. They never reached the place where they felt they had learned everything.

 

·        Proverbs says that a fool will not ___________________(listen) to ___________________(others), but a wise man will hear and ____________________(increase) his ________________________(learning).

 

·        “A man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”

 

·        This is the challenge of the whole book.

 

·        Solomon says that if you are _________________(smart), you will _________________(listen) and _________________(apply) to what is being said in this book.

 

Matthew 7:24-27 says:

 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

 

·        The spirit of God has a lot of choice things to say in this Book of Proverbs. They are great truths, expressed in short sentences.

 

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
       the sayings and riddles of the wise.

 

·        Another Proverb carries the same thought in Proverbs 25:2

 

Proverbs 25:2 says:

 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
       to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

 

·        God has given the gospel message clearly to be declared from the housetops.

 

·        But there is a great deal of truth in the Word of God that is like diamonds.

 

·        God has not scattered diamonds around on the ground.

 

·        Jewels and that which is valuable have been hidden away for the man to look for and to find.

 

 

·        Just like diamonds must be __________________(mined) and oil must be ___________________(drilled) for; so to ___________________(wisdom) must be ___________________(searched) out and ___________________(discovered) in the Bible.

 

·        That is the way that God does it – it is the glory of God to conceal a thing.

 

·        The Lord Jesus said, “search the scriptures for in them you have eternal life”.

 

·        John 5:39 says:

39You diligently study[a] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

 

·        God has put these great truths in his book.

 

·        You cannot get the nuggets out of the Word of God without study.

 

2 Timothy 2:14-16 says:

14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

 

·        God has hidden some great truths in his Word for those who will take the time to mine them out.

 

 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
       but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.

 

THIS IS THE THEME OF THE BOOK!

 

·        THE THEME OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS IS THE HUMBLE  GRATEFULLY _______________________(RECEIVE) GOD’S WISDOM, BUT FOOLS DO NOT TAKE THE ________________(TIME) TO _________________(LISTEN) TO IT.

 

·        “Fear of the Lord” means a loving reference for God that includes submission to his Lordship and to the commands of his Word.

 

·        Fools are those who despise wisdom and knowledge, who are quick to quarrel and give full vent to their anger, an who are complacent and trust in themselves rather than in God.

 

·         The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

 8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
       and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

 

V. 8 represent a typical introduction to an instruction speech in Proverbs, evoking a domestic situation of a father preparing his son for life in the world.

 

·        The mother is also depicted as a teacher.

 

 9 They will be a garland to grace your head
       and a chain to adorn your neck.

 

·        The wise child listens to the biblical advice of their godly parents.

 

·        Those who follow wisdom add beauty and honor to their lives.

 

·        Parent’s have a responsibility to ______________________(instruct) their children according to biblical ____________________(discipline).

 

10 My son, if sinners entice you,
       do not give in to them.

 

·        Now the movement is outside the home.

 

·        When the you child goes away, who is the first person he meets?

 

·        Generally that conduct will be with a sinner because most of the human race falls into that category – they have not come to Christ.

 

·        All of us are born into sin, but the boy will meet an unredeemed sinner who is really living in sin.

 

·        The boy should not associate with such rebellious children who do not live for God.

 

·        Parents needs to be involved in the selection of the boys friends when he are young.

 

·        In this book you can find a proverb to fit every Bible character.

 

·        This proverb fits Joseph.

 

·        When he was enticed by Potiphar’s wife, he did not consent to her.

 

11 If they say, "Come along with us;
       let's lie in wait for someone's blood,
       let's waylay some harmless soul;

 

·        Their goal is personal enrichment by theft or oppression, even if they have to commit murder.

 

 12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [b]
       and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
       and fill our houses with plunder;

 

·        By contrast, the book of Proverbs teaches that wisdom brings the greatest riches man could ever gain.

 

·        The sinner has a plan and a program to get something for nothing. He lives off someone else and makes someone else suffer in order that he might prosper.

 

 14 throw in your lot with us,
       and we will share a common purse"-

 

·        This is the philosophy of the day – it is a welfare mentality.

 

·        Generally those who hold onto this philosophy of living out of the same purse, are doing nothing themselves.

 

·        They want working people to share what they have worked for, but they don’t have any contribution to make to it at all.

 

·        That is false philosophy, but it is one that is common among young people today.

 

·        It is the thinking and mood of our current culture, to use all kinds of methods, even crooked methods, to get something for nothing.

 

·        It is easy for a young man or woman to fall in with a group that is doing shady things.

 

·        And it is easy to join in with a group who “goof off” at work.

 

·        They do not return a full day’s work for a full day’s wages.

 

·        It is easy to cooperate in that type of thing.

 

·        That is why the young man is given is advice when he leaves home.

 

 15 my son, do not go along with them,
       do not set foot on their paths;

 

·        Wisdom tells this young man to separate from such company.

 

2 Cor. 6:17 says:

17"Therefore come out from them
      and be separate, says the Lord.
   Touch no unclean thing,
      and I will receive you."[a]

 16 for their feet rush into sin,
       they are swift to shed blood.

 17 How useless to spread a net
       in full view of all the birds!

 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
       they waylay only themselves!

 

·        When you associate with such a person, it will eventually lead to your own destruction – You will be caught in your net.

 

 19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
       it takes away the lives of those who get it.

 

·        Covetousness is the great sin of the hour and this is the sin that this proverb is condemning.

 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street,
       she raises her voice in the public squares;
 

·        Wisdom is urging the young man to come to his senses and return to true wisdom as found in the Bible.

 

 21 at the head of the noisy streets [c] she cries out,
       in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

 

·        Gateways where the leaders of the city met to hold court and where the market place was located.

 

·        As a young man confronts life in it’s social context, two voices lure him, appear for allegiance, and seek to shape his life:1) The voice of wisdom 2) the voice of folly

 

 22 "How long will you simple ones [d] love your simple ways?
       How long will mockers delight in mockery
       and fools hate knowledge?

 23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
       I would have poured out my heart to you
       and made my thoughts known to you.

 

·        Wisdom is like a fountain. Her words would constantly refresh and strengthen.

 

 24 But since you rejected me when I called
      
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

 

·        As God was rejected by Israel and Jesus the people of Jerusalem.

 

 25 since you ignored all my advice
       and would not accept my rebuke,

 26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
       I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
       when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
       when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

 28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
       they will look for me but will not find me.

 

·        Just like God refused to listen to Israel when the people sinned.

 

Dt 1:45 says:

45 You came back and wept before the LORD, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf ear to you.

 

Isa 1:15 says:

15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
       I will hide my eyes from you;
       even if you offer many prayers,
       I will not listen.
       Your hands are full of blood;

 29 Since they hated knowledge
       and did not choose to fear the LORD,

 30 since they would not accept my advice
       and spurned my rebuke,

 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
       and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

 

·        What you sow is what you reap.

 

Galatians 6:7-9 says:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
       and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

 

·        It is spiritual suicide to turn from Christ.

 

 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
       and be at ease, without fear of harm."