#905 Proverbs 1 Her Voice

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.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Enticement of Sinners

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.

10 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.

17 For in vain is a net spread

in the sight of any bird,

18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood;

they set an ambush for their own lives.

19 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;

it takes away the life of its possessors.

The Call of Wisdom

20 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.” Proverbs 1 ESV

ii. “Naturally [proverbs] generalize, as a proverb must, and may therefore be charged with making life too tidy to be true. But nobody objects to this in secular sayings, for the very form demands a sweeping statement and looks for a hearer with his wits about him. We need no telling that a maxim like ‘Many hands make light work’ is not the last word on the subject, since ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth.’” (Kidner)

iii. “Proverbs itself makes this clear. A proverb is not a magical formula, bringing wisdom and blessing by incantation: ‘Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools’ (Prov. 26:7).” (Phillips)

Proverbs are concise statements presenting general truths. A fool could say them to sound clever, but the wise will certainly ponder their depths. They are pragmatic in their appeal to common sense and reason when applied. These are a collection of proverbs of Solomon, a man who asked for wisdom,  of Agur and Lemuel, and some of these bear much resemblance to other wisdom teachings of and before his time. 

v. There are several sections of Proverbs (22:17-23:14, 22:23, 22:26-27 are examples) that seem to be borrowed from The Teaching of Amenemope, an ancient Egyptian writing. There is debate as to whom borrowed whom, but most scholars believe Amenemope is earlier. - Enduring Word

vi. “If Proverbs is the borrower here, the borrowing is not slavish but free and creative. Egyptian jewels, as at the Exodus, have been re-set to their advantage by Israelite workmen and put to finer use.” (Kidner)

One thing that has served me well is that I have found wisdom where others would refuse it. I do not know everything encompassed by my job, but I have an accumulative team of those with varying types and degrees of expertise, that, when all brought together, accomplish a common goal. I am mostly alone in my views of religion and politics there, of business and morality, but I am able to recognize those gifts that God has graciously bestowed upon both the just and the unjust. If I have asked for grace from God then I should desire as much for others, and I should want all men to be gainfully employed so that they can care for themselves and their families. Most cultures have wisdom sayings, some not so wise when you really evaluate them, like "peoples perception is their reality." If their perception is not true, then it is not reality, and therefore their actions or reactions based on such untruths are at best ignorant. 

To know wisdom and instruction - This will require some discernment, and the wisdom that comes from God, of God, Spiritual wisdom, must be requested of Him, brought from outside of us. Who can know the things of God except the Spirit of God. We live in an information age, and there are many games of trivia, but to recite something, to regurgitate facts, that may show knowledge, but wisdom is the practical use of knowledge. I can tell you many things I have learned about electricity, but I am not an electrician. I can tell you many wise sayings, but they have done me no good until I have put them into use. A degree tells me you can learn facts, but what is your experience with their practice; I prefer results over claims. 

…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.… James 1: 4-6

In righteousness, justice and equity - This is the fruit of wise dealings, unlike craftiness or all trading seeking the betterment only of one side, we treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. Wisdom acts in moral uprightness, not changing what is moral or deciding what is true, but seeking truth and acting upon it. Wisdom does not say, "it's not lying, it's just business." Wisdom tells the truth and receives the consequences. It is not trying to get one over, she wants what is just and fair. She wants the best possible outcome for her partner, her acquaintance, in business, at home, for her friend and even her enemy. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge - Reverence of the Creator, His word, His redemptive plan, leads the smartest and the dullest mind alike to wise action. 

- 1. He lays down this truth, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (v. 7); it is the principal part of knowledge (so the margin); it is the head of knowledge; that is, (1.) Of all things that are to be known this is most evident, that God is to be feared, to be reverenced, served, and worshipped; this is so the beginning of knowledge that those know nothing who do not know this. (2.) In order to the attaining of all useful knowledge this is most necessary, that we fear God; we are not qualified to profit by the instructions that are given us unless our minds be possessed with a holy reverence of God, and every thought within us be brought into obedience to him. If any man will do his will, he shall know of his doctrine, Jn. 7:17. (3.) As all our knowledge must take rise from the fear of God, so it must tend to it as its perfection and centre. Those know enough who know how to fear God, who are careful in every thing to please him and fearful of offending him in any thing; this is the Alpha and Omega of knowledge.

2. To confirm this truth, that an eye to God must both direct and quicken all our pursuits of knowledge, he observes, Fools (atheists, who have no regard to God) despise wisdom and instruction; having no dread at all of God's wrath, nor any desire of his favour, they will not give you thanks for telling them what they may do to escape his wrath and obtain his favour. Those who say to the Almighty, Depart from us, who are so far from fearing him that they set him at defiance, can excite no surprise if they desire not the knowledge of his ways, but despise that instruction. Note, Those are fools who do not fear God and value the scriptures; and though they may pretend to be admirers of wit they are really strangers and enemies to wisdom. - Matthew Henry

And forsake not your mother's teaching - Children are given to their parents to bring up in the nurture and admonishment of the Lord. We are to teach, to love and guide, patiently and not provoking our children to wrath. 

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”…

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 1-4

We shall fill our houses with plunder, throw in your lot among us - When I was young we thought much of the stories of Billy the Kid, of mobsters, outlaws, drug dealers etc. They got money and they got it fast. Their lives and stories were exciting, the things they had were enviable to us, but they were quick to shed blood. I have known lawless men that have tattoos of the crucifixion, thinking their rituals and prayers are not superstition. They ask God for help, for blessing in doing the things He has said not to do, and when they do well in these endeavors, they believe they have God's approval, but actually they have laid a snare for themselves and others who follow.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street - She is not silent, our ears are stuffed, our hearts looking for another voice. We want the approval of men, the things that they hold dear. She is shouting, her voice is louder as we near the edge of the cliff, but with our fingers in our ears and our eyes closed, we scoff. We love being simple, we call it wise, making faces, lifting our middle finger, refusing the counsel of God, craving the darkness that keeps us from being exposed. We build walls and bubbles, echo chambers to block her out. "Ignorance is bliss so let us stay here forever," but be assured wisdom will have the last laugh. 

…5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.… Hebrews 11: 5-7

27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.… Romans 8: 27-29