Prov 1:8-33 Pure Advice and Peer Pressure

How many of you are aware of “The Correction Sandwich”? It is a technique employed to “help the medicine go down.” The idea is that anything corrective is better received if served between 2 compliments.

Any pet owner who has ever hidden a pill in peanut butter, bacon or ground beef knows this idea.

Solomon uses this same technique in today’s text as he wraps the warning of Pr1.10-19 within the gooey goodness of Pr 1.8-9 and Pr 1.20-33.

TRANSITION: Let’s begin with looking at the first layer of sweet positivity

The Preference of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Parents (Pr 1.8)

In the Ancient NearEast wisdom literature of this time frequently used father-son imagery to depict the training of an apprentice. Possibly because most trainees learned the family business from their fathers. But Proverbs has a unique twist to this ancient form, the son is not told to only hear his father, but also to heed his mother’s teaching.

Parents (yes, father and mother) share in the primary responsibility for raising godly children. Way back in Deuteronomy 6 the people of God are told that training happens from sun up to sun down throughout the whole day (not just for a few hours in a classroom or at church), and in all of life.

Provision (Pr1.9)

How do I get “Provision” out of v.9? garland and pendant speak of prosperity and stability.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament 1:1-9:18: Wisdom Exhortations

the attentive son assured of

About a month ago I started seeing move-in pics for college students. In mid-August outfits and supply lists became more important in the minds of students and those who paid for those clothes and supplies.

I still remember the outfit I received as I began 3rd grade. Due to the generosity of a couple in our church that year my sister and I got brand new store-bought clothes for the first day of school. It is the only time I can remember back-to-school clothes shopping until I started making my own money and buying my own clothes.

After the newness had worn off and the price was closer to the plain 3-ring binder, I remember my first “Trapper Keeper” as I began Junior High.

Pr 1.9 is teaching that parents’ instruction can provide confidence as one encounters new challenges.

TRANSITION: Pr 1.10 clearly indicates that the wise parents are fully aware of the temptations to leave the provision of Pr 1.9. To wander from the safety of Pr 1.7 that we are using as an anchor point for this series.

The Pressure of the World (Proverbs 1:10-19)

Our souls have several enemies to staying in this safe place of provision. The Scriptures speak of an individual fallen angel named Lucifer or Satan; while he is not omnipresent like God, he can only be in one place, but he has abundant demons who do his bidding. Additionally, his power has established a mindset in this realm that distracts many. Finally, the individual who has set his heart against God attempts to entice others to join them. It is this last enemy who is described in today’s chapter—those who have turned away from God and wish others to join them in their rebellion.

“sinners” - not the Greek work “to miss the mark”

Hebrew root - in need of cleansing because opposed to God

2. The 5 volume dictionary that is the gold-standard for Old Testament words says there are no less than 10 different Hebrew vocabulary words for sin, including miss, fail, sin, rebel, transgress, guilt, iniquity, and others. The particular word Solomon uses in PR 1.10 is not an accident or an error, but willful opposition.

3. This word carries the idea not of arrows on the edge of a target, but of somebody standing on the dock as the ship sails away. It is the idea of those who are not included.

New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis OT

In the OT, [this word for]

Acting as a Gang (“us”)

notice all the 1st person plural pronouns in Pro 1:11-18

When was the last time you saw a motorcycle gang wearing purple leather? or red leather, or blue leather?

Soccer and volleyball are the only sports I know where 1 position wears a different jersey than the rest of the team, even in hockey the goalie wears the same jersey with a custom helmet.

How many of you have seen the movie Heartbreak Ridge? In that movie a gunnery sergeant is assigned to a unit of misfits in need of discipline and basic training. Each morning the day starts with a “little” run. When they all show up for PT wearing different T-shirts, he makes them run bare chested because they are not the same. The next day they all turn out wearing the same T-shirt, but it isn’t the same as his so they run again bare chested. Through some unique intelligence work they are able to improvise, adapt and overcome.

show https://youtu.be/reEx3fxn7ZU?si=a__Wlcz8qp5wKRn4

You’ll have to watch the Oscar-nominated movie for yourself to find out what happens when the Lieutenant shows up in his white T-shirt. (I suggest the edited for TV version because the Hollywood version was rated R for violence and language)

2. The enticement of the world is not to something better, it is to something more accepted.

3 years ago a motivational speaker wrote a self help book entitled Do Hard Things because he noticed the tendency in the world to just coast and go along with the crowd.

BUT, back in 2008 a set of teenage brothers, Alex and Brett Harris, got the jump on Magness when they wrote Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.

3. I know I am speaking into the wind, but for 20 years I’ve been challenging our children not to LOOK unique, but to ACT unique. I think the Harris brothers have hit upon a desire of many parents for their children and it seems to be the heartbeat of the parents in Pro 1.8-9.

TRANSITION: Solomon and Mrs. Solomon do not want their song to only stand out from the crowd, they want him to avoid...

Acting out of Greed. (vv.13-14, 19)

1. goods, plunder, purse, unjust gain are the targets of these sinners.

2. They are not afraid to use violence to get it. See blood, ambush, swallow them alive, run to evil, shed blood, net (trap), takes away life.

3. The words Sheol and pit speak of the grave, these sinners are willing to end the life of others.

While a mayor, governor and president may disagree if these behaviors create an “emergency”, they are NOT the way to win friends and influence people.

4. The behavior of sinners in this section is very similar to the description of the unrighteous that we recently studied in Rom 3.15

Romans 3:15 ESV:2016

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

the phrasing of Pr 1.19 reminds me of something Jesus said in John 10:10

John 10:10 ESV:2016

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

TRANSITION: The abundant life Jesus offers in John 10 is connected with the way of Wisdom in the 2nd half of this chapter.

The Priority of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-33)

strength to stand alone and resist the crowd. I notice 5 characteristics of Wisdom in this collection.

Public (Pr 1.20-21)

It is found where the people are, not on an isolated trek

The movie Castaway with Wilson the volleyball. I haven’t seen the movie for years so I can’t recall how a volleyball got to the deserted island, but the character played by Tom Hanks gets so lonely that he makes a best friend out of a leather ball.

2. I rarely trust things people tell me came to them when they were alone. If the Spirit of God illuminated a piece of Scripture in a particular way, that same Spirit indwells all other believers and more often than not He will send verification!

3. Since wisdom is public, this is why I eagerly support getting into a learning community! 10 AM on Sundays we have options, Tuesday and Friday mornings we have opportunities for women and men, Wednesday evenings we have groups for children, teens, and adults across the street. Get into God’s Word in a discipleship community, that is where Wisdom calls out.

Persistent (Pr 1.22-24)

How long? I will and I have

Some of us will remember the “blue light special” at a now defunct retailer. While shopping in a “mart” that was not Wal-mart the PA would announce where to find a special that was only available for a short amount of time. A cart would be placed in that aisle with a blue flashing light on top of a pole. When the light went out the sale went away.

The call of Wisdom does not disappear, it is Persistent.

Peril (Pr 1.25-27)

When wisdom is ignored, it brings calamity, terror, distress, and anguish. – not the circumstances that lead to mental health or happiness!

Pill refused (Pr 1.28-32)

Pr 1.28 describes those who refused to take the prescription, then after the consequences are in place they are destroyed by their complacency.

Promise (Pr 1.33)

Back in Pr 1.8 the instruction and teaching were in place, then in Pr 1.20 Wisdom calls for attention, and here in Pr 1.33 a promise is made that completes the prophecy of Pr 1.9 - the obedient are secure, at ease, and without dread of disaster.

Conclusion

I can’t speak for you, but I would MUCH rather experience the security of PR 1.33 than the destruction of Pr 1.32! IT is time to get on the right sider of history.

Because of Jesus’ death and victory over sin, He offers us the strength to resist the temptations of other sinners.

Light & Lamp Application:

Light for my Path

Wisdom provides the strength to stand alone, while greed supplies the adhesive for a gang.

Lamps for my Steps

List 3 pieces of wisdom you received from parents.

Choose 1 learning community to gain wisdom in the next 7 days.