Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20000924.htm
PROVERBS: ALIGNING TO GOD'S FIXED MORAL ORDER
Part III: Displaying God's Fixed Moral Order
O. Viewing Specific Proverbs Of God's Fixed Moral Order
(Proverbs 24:1-34)
- Introduction
- After motivating a young man to heed an observed fixed moral order, the literary genre of the Egyptian sboyet that the Book of Proverbs uses works to supply actual proverbs to reveal that order, cf. Bruce Waltke, "The Book of Proverbs and Ancient Wisdom Literature," Bibliotheca Sacra, 136:543, p. 221-238.
- Solomon reveals that order to be God's order for his son to heed. We continue that study of that order:
- Viewing Specific Proverbs Of God's Fixed Moral Order From Proverbs 24:1-34.
- A son must learn that he should not be jealous of a wicked group, and not want their company, for they are inwardly violent and speak of making trouble, Proverbs 24:1-2.
- A son must see that heeding God's fixed moral order (wisdom) contributes to security and prosperity in whatever endeavor he attempts. Hence, he should adhere to that order, Proverbs 24:3-4.
- A son must learn that heeding God's fixed moral order will keep him always humble enough to get the guidance and advice he needs to deal with life's serious risks (like war), Proverbs 24:5-6. The word gever is used here to picture a male-head-of-household, a warrior in his might who still humbly seeks advice!
- A son must see that heeding God's fixed moral order will equip him to say what is honorable in court, 7.
- A son must learn to avoid plotting what is evil, for it will lead to a reputation as a schemer who is a sinner who mocks, and people detest a mocker, Proverbs 24:8-9.
- A son must see that keeping himself aligned to God's fixed moral order will lead him to gain the insight needed to adhere to the endeavors undertaken no matter what pressures trials raise to make him quit, 10,5.
- A (Solomon's prince) son must see that God will hold him (as a future king) accountable to help innocent people who are being herded to death when he has the means (as a king) to know and do so, 24:11-12.
- A son must learn that as honey was the sweetest substance known in the Ancient Near East in Solomon's era, and was profitable for one's health, so wisdom is sweet and wholesome to gain and use, 24:13-14.
- A son must see that he must never unjustly attack a righteous man, for the righteous are protected by God, and evil attacks against the innocent always incur the retribution of God, Proverbs 24:15-16.
- A son must learn that it is never acceptable before God to gloat, even if an wicked enemy falls, for gloating reveals an arrogant attitude which itself is sin, and which God will judge, Proverbs 24:17-18.
- A son must be taught that he should not fret because of an evil person's temporal advance, or envy his gain: the long-term result of evil is disaster, so it is not worth being fretful or envious of him, 24:19-20.
- A son must see that he must respect the Lord and the king whom God's permissive will allows to be set up, for both will send sudden destruction upon evildoers, Proverbs 24:21-22.
- A son must learn courageously to administer punishment as a king when punishment is due: letting the guilty go unpunished will result in peoples and nations cursing and denouncing the judge, but convicting the guilty will lead to wholesome blessing for the judge, Proverbs 24:23-25.
- A son must learn that speaking honest, straightforward words demonstrates genuine concern, and is thus a sign of true affection much like a kiss demonstrates the same thing, Proverbs 24:26.
- A son must keep his priorities straight by excelling at his livelihood before getting a home and family, 27.
- A son must learn never to use his witness in a court of law to get even with one who has wronged him: testimony given in court must always adhere to what is true if he is to avoid bad repercussions, 24:28-29.
- A son must learn that poverty results from habitual carelessness in daily, "small" things strung over a long time period just like a vine dresser who fails to stay on top of his job: thus he also must remain vigilant in his daily, "small" financial matters of life to stay above poverty and take care of his own needs, 24:30-34.
Lesson: From these proverbs, we learn that a youth is much better off learning from his parents that heeding God's ways is to his own distinct advantage in the adult world.
Application: (1) We parents must have the courage under God's leading to inform our maturing sons and daughters of the VALUE of heeding God's fixed moral order. (2) As maturing children or as adults ourselves, we can apply these truths to our own lives for eventual blessings.