Hello again! This past Sunday, Pastor Alan continued his lessons in the book of Proverbs by taking us through an overview of the first 9 chapters before going in depth in chapter 1. To listen to this wonderful teaching, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included is his outline with links to the verses he references. Enjoy!
- Title and Preamble Proverbs1:1-7
Writer: Solomon Proverbs 1:1
Genre: Proverbs – wise sayings with moral instruction
Purpose: The benefits we looked at last Sunday. Proverbs 1:2-6
Recipients: Youths needing training. We all need moral training though.
Foundation: The distinction of Hebrew wisdom is the fear of “I AM” Proverbs 1:7
- Prologue Proverbs 1:8-8:36
Ten lectures on wisdom and two additional sermons by Lady Wisdom to easily induced youths. We will look at part of these today. - Epilogue Proverbs 9:1-18 (to the first section)
Two invitations, one by Lady Wisdom the other by Madame Folly, to unsuspecting youth to enter their houses.
Note: Chapters 1-9 are a sort of roadmap to understanding the rest of the book of Proverbs. - Today’s Message: Don’t Join the Gang
(the lure of peers and the quest for belonging and identity) Proverbs 1:8-19
Lecture 1 of 10 – Introduction, main lesson, conclusion
I. Introduction: Proverbs 1:8-9
An address: my son
An Admonition: to listen (shema – Deuteronomy 6:4)
Listen to your mother and father (both parents are to teach) – Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Motivation: If one listens to a parent’s instruction and teaching it will be a victory wreath. A way to live above your enemy. A life of victory, power, and order. The idea of order is symbolized by the necklace.
II. Main Lesson: Proverbs 1:10-18
The warning here is against the lure of easy money and seduction by peers. The warning is also against the naive idea of a community where all will share their ill-gained money equally. Sound like some political narratives of today? The real underlying problem is they have no fear of the Lord and no regard for law.
1. How to respond: Don’t yield! Proverbs 1:10.
2. Why not to yield: Proverbs 1:11-14
– An environment of violence and greed. All of it is premeditated with the intent of taking others’ possessions.
3. An elaboration on “don’t yield” Proverbs 1:15-18
Don’t even entertain the temptation. It will drag you away. James 1:14-15
Understand the maxim of what you sow you shall reap. You sow a lifestyle of greed, violence and death, you will eventually become its victim. Gangsters always turn on one another. They don’t have the innate sense of danger that even a bird’s brain has (Proverbs 1:17).
Conclusion: A moral maxim. Proverbs 1:19.
Greedy gain at the cost of others will take the life of the one who gets it. A rip-off artist will be ripped apart. Violence breeds violence. Matthew 26:52, 1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Sources: Proverbs: A Shorter Commentary by Bruce Waltke and Ivan D. V. De Silva
God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy and Kathy Keller.
Colona Community Church 