Righteous Living Defined
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
The name “proverb” means “to be like.”
So when we read proverbs we read a book of comparisons.
Proverbs is a book about moral statements or illustrations that highlight and teach that fundamental realities of life.
Remember the account back in 1 Kings 4 when Solomon was King of Israel, God asked Solomon whether he wanted riches or wisdom, and Solomon chose wisdom.
And because Solomon chose wisdom, which is the better thing, God gave him both wisdom and riches.
Proverbs is broken down into three sections: 1) Mans’s relationship to God; 2) Man’s relationship to Himself; 3) Man’s relationship to Others.
Proverbs contains a gold mine of biblical theology, reflecting themes of Scripture brought to the level of practical righteousness.
It does this by addressing man’s ethical choices, calling into question how he thinks, lives, and manages his daily life in light of divine truth.
It you want wisdom this is the place to go and be ready for it to be a revealing ride.
In the passage that is before us, Solomon makes contrasting statements concerning the steps that lead to living righteously.
Verses 1-11 highlight for us 10 definitions of righteous living.
And we will concerning each individually.
This is what wisdom and righteousness does and does not look like; it is a passage of contrasts.
I. Discipline (vs. 1)
I. Discipline (vs. 1)
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
If God’s people are ever going to have righteous lives, it is going to begin with discipline.
When we use the word discipline we are speaking about training that corrects or molds.
And part of discipline is listening.
And not just listening to the voice but also heeding the advice that is given.
Solomon, in speaking to his son, gives some evidences of the practice of the wise son.
When Solomon speaks about the wise son, he is speaking about the fact that make up his character is that of wisdom.
Now, Solomon uses the adjective “wise” her to describe the son that has accumulated knowledge and discernment.
That is the type of person that leads to a righteous life is one that learns from the lessons of life; both failures and victories.
Notice how Solomon says that the son gathers this accumulated knowledge of discernment.
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
A son or daughter that will be one people that have gained the discernment and knowledge that leads to righteous living will be the ones that accept the teaching of their fathers.
And we could not just apply this to the fathers, because mothers have much wisdom as well.
And the son or daughter that has enough reverence for their parents that they are willing to be advised by them is the son or daughter that is going to gain knowledge and discernment.
Wise children, those have gained true knowledge and discernment, are those that will accept the instructions of their parents.
There will never be a child that will walk in the patterns of righteousness that did not accept the godly teaching of godly parents.
But, the very wise child will not just listen, they will desire to hear it, they will regard it, and they will comply to it.
Now, this is not just speaking about positive instruction, but negative instruction as well.
When a parent brings chastisement, the wise son will accept that as well.
That is one of the reasons why chastisement and discipline in the lives of children is so important.
Because as a son or daughter accepts both positive and negative instruction, it leads to disciplines that lead to righteousness.
There will be no righteousness in the life of a person that is not first disciplined; both corporately (chastisement), and practically (through reception of instruction).
This begins the progression in life.
As the wise child accepts instruction from the father, so that he may be able to give instruction to his son, and so on.
So, the child that has any hope of receiving the wisdom that leads to living righteously will be the son or daughter that accepts the instruction, both negative and positive, from their parents.
And not only does the child that listens to his father bring benefit to the child, but it also brings joy to the parents.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
But notice the comparison.
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
While the child that has knowledge and discernment and will continue in that knowledge and wisdom, their is a child that will not hear.
And the Scripture calls that child a “scorner.”
And that literally is talking about someone that that is a mocker.
When someone is a mocker they are the person that treats others with contempt or ridicule.
That is usually the child that has all the answers.
Solomon later describes this person this way:
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
The more that you try to correct or even encourage a scorner to do the right thing, they more that they will dislike you.
This is the child that mocks moral principles, and spiritual insights, and he rebels against any attempt to correct him.
The foolish child and one that is heaviness to their parents is the child that will not listen to and accept any form of reprimand or advice that is contrary to their wishes.
And the only conclusion that one can come to is that the one that scoffs and rebels against correction is one that believes that they are above any sort of correction.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Notice the dreadful results of someone the rejects godly wisdom.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
The contrast between a child that is wise and a child that is a scoffer, is one will accept the wisdom of their parents and the other will not listen to it.
Righteousness defined is in the Discipline.
Are you a child that listens to the godly advice of your parents or are you one that believes that you have it all figured out and you reject the wisdom of your parents.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
Are you a child of wisdom?
You are if you accept the godly wisdom of your father and mother.