Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20120930.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Proverbs: Motivating Teens And Adults To Align With God's Fixed Moral Order
Part IV: Proverbs Of Other Godly Men On God's Fixed Moral Order, Proverbs 22:17-24:34
A. Thirty Proverbs Of Other Godly Men, Proverbs 22:17-24:22
5. Studying Proverbs 24:1-10
  1. Introduction
    1. Solomon's Proverbs 10:1-22:16 sayings are followed by those of other men in Proverbs 22:17-24:34 (Bib. Know. Com., O. T., p. 925, 954), and 30 of them are grouped in Proverbs 22:17-24:22, Ibid., p. 954.
    2. In contrast to Solomon's style, many of these proverbs have a theme that is presented in more than one verse, and we view proverbs nineteen to twenty-four of this group of 30 in Proverbs 24:1-10 (as follows):
  2. Studying Proverbs 24:1-10.
    1. Proverbs 24:1-2 presents the nineteenth saying, teaching (1) do not be envious (qana', B. D. B., A Heb.-Eng. Lex. of the O. T., p. 888) of insignificant men ( enosh, Ibid., p. 60; Robert B. Girdlestone, Syns. of the O. T., 1973, p. 50-52) of evil, and do not long (awah, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 16; Hithpael = intensive reflexive) to abide, remain ( hayah, Kittel, Biblia Hebraica, p. 1184; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 224-228) with them, (2) for they devise (hagah, Ibid., p. 211) violence, destruction (shod , Ibid., p. 994) in their heart, and their lips speak of trouble, mischief (amal, Ibid., p. 765). When one speaks troublesome or mischievous words, it acts as a warning of bad plans in his heart, and of our need to avoid his fellowship.
    2. Proverbs 24:3-4 presents the twentieth saying, asserting (3) through wisdom a house is built (banah, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 124-125), and through understanding ( tebunah, Ibid., p. 108) does it establish itself (kun, Ibid., p. 465-467; Hithpolel = intensive reflexive), (4) and through knowledge are [its] rooms, chambers ( heder, Ibid., p. 293) filled (male', Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 569-571; Niphal = passive) with all precious (yaqar, Ibid., p. 429-430) and pleasant ( na'im, Ibid., p. 653) wealth (hon, Ibid., p. 223). Thus, gaining wisdom, understanding and knowledge is key to successful home ownership!
    3. Proverbs 24:5-6 presents the twenty-first saying, claiming (5) a male man at the height of his powers (geber, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 149-150) who is wise is with [great] might ( oz, Ibid., p. 738-739), and a nobleman (ish, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., Girdlestone, p. 45-50) of knowledge strengthens (ames, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 54-55) [his] human power ( koha, Ibid., p. 470-471), (6) because with direction, counsels (tahbulah, Ibid., p. 287) you make to yourself [wage] battle, war (milhamah, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 536), and deliverance, salvation [victory] ( teshu'ah, Ibid., p. 448) comes with many counselors (ya'as, Ibid., p. 419-420; substantival use of the ptc.). Truly powerful men know their limitations, so they obtain advice from counselors prior to taking action in weighty matters such as deciding to wage war.
    4. Proverbs 24:7 presents the twenty-second saying, teaching wisdom is [too] high [inaccessible] (ra'mot, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 928) for an arrogant, flippant man ( ewil, Ibid., Kittel; Bible Know. Com., O. T., p. 908); in the [city] gate [of assembled town leaders] (sha-ar, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 1044-1045) he does not open ( patah, Ibid., p. 834-835) his mouth (peh, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 804-805) [he has nothing substantive to say]. To rule as a man among men, one must acquire wisdom.
    5. Proverbs 24:8-9 presents the twenty-third saying, asserting (8) he who devises (hashab, Ibid., p. 362-363; Piel = intensive) the evil [plan], to him [will be the reputation of] master of devices [a schemer] ( mezmah, Ibid., p. 273). (9) The devices, schemes (zimah, Ibid.) of folly (iwelet, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 17) are sin, and a mocker ( lis, Ibid., p. 539; substantival use of the ptc.) is an abomination (to'ebah, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 1072-1073) to a common man (adam, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., Girdlestone). Mocking, devising evil plans and folly are all sin, so we must avoid them all!
    6. Proverbs 24:10 presents the twenty-fourth saying, claiming if you weaken, dishearten, slacken yourself (rapah, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 951-952; Hithpael = intens. reflex.) in the day [time] of narrow straits ( sarah, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 865; noun form), narrow [limited] (sar, Ibid.; adjectival form) is your human power (koha, cf. Pr. 24:5) [through a lack of wisdom and knowledge due to failure to seek good counsel, Ibid., Bible Know. Com., O. T., p. 958]. Failure in the face of hardships occurs from previously failing to get the appropriate counsel on facing them, so we must seek such good counsel now!
Lesson Application: May we align with God's fixed moral order in each of these realms for blessing.