Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20110508.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Proverbs: Motivating Teens And Adults To Align With God's Fixed Moral Order
Part II: Explaining The Value Of Heeding God's Fixed Moral Order, Proverbs 1:8-9:18
F. Utilizing Common Sense And Discretion For Secure Living Among One's Neighbors
(Proverbs 3:21-35)
  1. Introduction
    1. Some people always seem to bring disaster upon themselves since they live lives that irritate other people!
    2. Proverbs 3:21-35 in Solomon's Egyptian sboyet format that instructs maturing princes to align with God's fixed moral order motivates them to focus on common sense and discretion to enjoy security in living, going a long way to avoiding such reprisals from others. We view that passage for edification as follows:
  2. Utilizing Common Sense And Discretion For Secured Living Among One's Neighbors, Prov. 3:21-35.
    1. Solomon called his son not to lose sight of tushiyah and mizmar, for they would be life for his soul and adornment for his neck, producing security in his paths (Proverbs 3:21-23) so that even as he lay asleep, he would not be afraid, but his sleep would be sweet, Proverbs 3:24. (Kittel, Biblia Hebraica, p. 1158)
    2. To clarify, tushiyah means "practical, sound judgment" (Theol. Wrdbk. of the O. T., vol. I, p. 413), what we today term "common sense", while mizmar implies "discretion," Ibid., p. 244. Solomon thus urged his son to keep focusing on his need to use "common sense" and "discretion" to produce a secure life!
    3. Applying such "common sense" and "discretion" to real-life situations, Solomon in Proverbs 3:25-35 shows how they would provide security from loss in relating to one's neighbors (as follows):
      1. If a God-fearing believer utilizes "common sense" and "discretion" in living, he will not need to fear sudden disaster or ruin that overtakes those who are wicked and thus lack these traits, Proverbs 3:25. This will occur because the Lord will keep such a believer from being snared by his own unwise moves so that he can be confident that the Lord will Himself act as his security from calamity, Proverbs 3:26.
      2. Illustrations of this truth as it relates to living among one's neighbors are given in Proverbs 3:27-35:
        1. Solomon noted that "Common sense" and "discretion" drives the believer not to withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in his power to do the good, Proverbs 3:27. This step avoids angry vengeance from others, thus enhancing one's security from vicious retaliation by others. An example is given in Proverbs 3:28: Solomon warned against telling one's neighbor to return the next day for a gift when it was within his power to provide it that day: such a statement under this situation can only anger the recipient and eventually sabotage his future safety!
        2. "Common sense" and "discretion" drives the God-fearing believer not to plot any harm against his neighbor who lives trustfully beside him, for doing so will only incite the neighbor to anger and lead to a life of sudden disaster when the angry neighbor retaliates, Proverbs 3:29. An example of failure in such a case is given in Proverbs 3:30 where one accuses his neighbor for no reason when the neighbor has done him no harm, breeding revenge and thus a lack of security for the wrongdoer!
        3. "Common sense" and "discretion" leads the believer not to envy or adopt a violent man's ways, Pr. 3:31. God detests perverse, violent men, leading them to insecure lives versus men with common sense and discretion whom God rewards by taking them into His protective confidence, Prov. 3:32.
        4. "Common sense" and "discretion" leads the God-fearing believer to have his home blessed where the home of the wicked is cursed with a lack of blessing to his own personal harm, Proverbs 3:33.
        5. "Common sense" and "discretion" makes the believer humble, and God shows him grace opposite proud mockers who only incite retaliation to the harm of their own future security, Proverbs 3:34.
        6. "Common sense" and "discretion" makes one who is aligned with God's fixed moral order inherit honor from God where fools lacking such qualities He holds up to be publicly shamed, Prov. 3:35.
Lesson: The "common sense" and discretion in aligning to God's fixed moral order must be constantly used for one to enjoy relative security from disaster, for doing so wins God's rewarding protective insight and avoids wronging others and thus avoids inciting them to take ruinous revenge.

Application: May we always focus on using "common sense" and "discretion" to stay secure in life from harmful revenge from others and to enjoy God's rewarding, supportive guard against calamity!