Companionship...who do you hang out with?

Proverbs 1:11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

Looking behind the curtain past the obvious here for just a moment you have here an actual description of a real conversation that takes place among our unseen enemies as they conspire to plot against the righteous “without cause” or unprovoked. One must consider the conversation between God and Satan in the book of Job 1:10 “Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land”. In other words, as one walks uprightly the righteous enjoy Gods hedge of protection.

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

The thief comes to steal and to rob, therefore as any thief would he is looking for areas that are unguarded, areas where the door is left open and no one is watching them (This is why we must guard our hearts with all diligence). We need to be like Christ in our conduct, we must be aware of the intent of our enemy; his desire is to bring complete destruction, to swallow us up! Note here, the desire is not just to steal one's blessing the intent is to make them like one's that go down to the pit, in other words the enemy does not just want your blessing, he wants your soul.

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

This verse indicates to us that the saints possess treasures that are unseen and that those treasures can be stolen away! How is it that we gain such treasure? By the level of character developed in our garments through Gods dealings with us as indicated in Revelations 3:18 when the Laodiceans are told to “buy of me gold tried in the fire that ye may be rich”. Once treasures are purchased, can that treasure be lost? Yes, by not being careful to guard ones heart. Clearly in Revelations 3:11 we are told to be careful that no man take thy crown! Hold fast! By turning off the path one can loose their crown.

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

Misery loves company! Cast in thy lot among us. One who participates in the building up of another will have a reward but those who participate in the damage or destruction of another will himself be destroyed. Proverbs teaches us that he that waters others shall himself be watered (Proverbs 11:25) and he that pities the poor lendeth to the Lord and He will repay him (Proverbs 19:17) but he that setteth a trap shall be ensared by it (Proverbs 28:10) and he that rolleth a stone on another will have it roll back on him (Proverbs 26:27).

Pastor Frank Anderson, Mothers Day 2010

We are taking a little break from Proverbs so I can share with you a message that was preached in my home church (see link on lower right of this page) "The Church of Mount Zion" on Mothers Day 2010. It came to me how special a mother is when the Lord impressed upon me that He did not appoint His Son to a magistrate or to a noble but He gave His Son to be watched over by someone who would never be careless or put their own needs over His, He appointed Him to Mary, a mother!

I apologize for the clutter behind me on the platform; we have instituted a policy about having items on the baptismal behind the speaker since this message was recorded...just ignore it and enjoy the message and let the Holy Spirit encourage you with this Mothers Day message.

Proverbs Chapter One Continued...

Proverbs 1:9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

An obedient son or daughter have a grace and beauty about them, they are “goodly” and it can be seen. The wicked show signs of stress and great frustration. Also, note this, that these can be very real spiritual ornaments that beautify an obedient saint. These ornaments of grace are very real and are visible to the angels and the Lord Himself. O' how we need to cry out for the beautiful ornaments of God to be put upon us (Beautify - Psalm 149:4; Ornament - Proverbs 4:9; 1 Peter 3:4)

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

V:10-14 is one continuous theme, David is warning his son Solomon to avoid certain company and certain paths; this is good fatherly advice to any son. “Consent thou not” - in other words don't be willing to go with them, don't agree to it. This speaks to the condition of ones heart, don't even be enticed; let such activities be condemned in your heart. In these verses we have counsel given for a very specific chain of events, the enticement by sinners. This is very real, especially if you are newly saved. Former acquaintances will try very hard to get you to cast in your lot with them but you must be resolute. They will mock, jeer and prod you but you must be firm knowing God does not approve such behavior. You have a new life, new acquaintances; don't fear offending the wicked. Over the next few verses we want to focus on this from another angle, we want to see that this advice which David is giving his son also reveals to us the conduct of the enemy toward a child of promise, this attitude of our enemy is probably best typified in the attitude of Sanballot, Tobiah and Geshem as they were grieved that there was a man who sought the good of the Jews and Jerusalem (Neh 2:10; 19).

Hear Instructions...

Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Rebelliousness is wrapped up in the heart of a child. Children are immature and lack the ability to see the full wisdom of what an adult is telling them, therefore, it is an extraordinary child indeed that embraces the instructions of his/her parents, who can recognize the blessing of the Lord on those who listen to instructions. Parents must be diligent to train them in the way they should go not giving in and becoming faint. They want to produce children who will grow up remembering the kind but firm instructions of their parents. A child’s duty is quite simple, Col 3:20 they must obey their parents. As the scriptures tell us this is the first commandment with a blessing (a long life). Proverbs will continually emphasize the characteristics of a wise son; many times it will revolve around the instructions of a parent. This verse is most likely referring to a young Solomon in his teens when the kingship was in sight, the truth of the matter is that a young man or woman must be trained from the time they are youth in order for them to listen when they become young adults.

There is another aspect to this; it is to have a heart that can receive instructions. So many will find themselves in trouble tomorrow because they failed to listen to the wise instruction of a natural or spiritual parent today; let us endeavor to be those who can "Hear" instruction. When we do not listen to the instructions of those who are reputed for wisdom around us it is certain we are not listening to the Great Counselor Himself (as He frequently uses people to instruct us).

The Importance of the Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The fear of the Lord is not just the beginning of knowledge but it is also the beginning of wisdom (See Proverbs 9:10); but fools despise wisdom, knowledge and any form of instruction. When you consider it, what a terrible state to be in when one hates wisdom, knowledge and won't receive instruction. It is like being on the edge of a precipice ready to fall; good advice comes telling us how to keep from going over the edge and yet that advice is rejected. Wisdom knowledge and instructions are tools designed to keep one from perilous choices, without them one is destined to fall into destruction. That is why Proverbs will tell us to cry out for them as for choice silver and gold, they are precious as rubies and all that can be desired is not compared to them! Proverbs tells us that by wisdom one avoids the strange woman, false doctrine, poverty, judgment and by wisdom one is able to pleases his Maker.

Proverbs Chapter One Continued...

Proverbs 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

One who is simple does not have to remain so, Proverbs teaches us there is a gaining of wisdom and discretion James 1:5. (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Gives generously to all without finding fault; this is one of the "greatnesses of God". He is generous without finding fault.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

The key word here is receive… This wise man is a man who knows how to receive instruction; he is void of personal pride and he can be corrected. The perfect example of this is Apollo’s, a man who could be corrected and instructed by those who some might have perceived as his inferiors. A man of understanding can lead and guide people into the right path. He knows the path that is blessed and the path that is cursed, this of a great value since he can instruct others on how to avoid the pitfalls of life, this man has clarity and is able to direct his and others ways with wisdom.

6 To understand a Proverbs, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Jesus said to those that were His, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries...” Matt 13:9-11. To some understanding is give but to others it is not. God gives wisdom to those who are good in His sight (Eccl 2:26). We want to qualify for understanding and wisdom and knowledge. One cautionary note here, along with wisdom must come the discipline to perform it. One can possess the wisdom to know how to do something wisely but lack the discipline to do so.

Proverbs Chapter One Continued...

Proverbs 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

Once again, the emphasis is on instruction, this book is all about instructions on how to conduct ones life in such a manner as to promote the blessing of God and how to avoid the curses of life. Proverbs will delve into the importance of instruction through various means. We have four various ways instruction is communicated and each brings a different nuance:

1) “The instruction of wisdom” – Isaiah 50:4-5. How important it is for us to be able to receive wisdom through good old fashion instruction. One who cannot receive instruction will live a life in perpetual distress forever making wrong choices and suffering for it.

2) “The instruction of justice” – the instruction, perhaps even the inspiration of seeing the upright making right judgments and eating the pleasant fruit of it.

3) “The instruction of judgment” – seeing and being instructed by Gods judgment on the wicked (this produces the fear of the Lord).

4) “The instruction of equity” – seeing equity in dealings helps clarify our own convictions, it produces within the righteous a desire for just balances in their own lives.

Being Able to Perceive Understanding...

Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

The author of Proverbs (The Holy Spirit not Solomon) wants us to know wisdom and instruction. This book is going to plead with the reader to listen to wisdom and be instructed by her; therefore wisdom and instruction are an integral part of this wonderful book. Proverbs will aggressively appeal to the reader to heed the instructions wisdom has to offer. Concerning understanding, to know what is the right thing to do in the eyes of the Lord is to know righteousness but to also know why it is the right thing to do is understanding. In other words it is one thing to be told what to do, it is another thing all together to know why you should do it. You know why you should do an activity when you understand the outcome of that activity. Many live a life without passion for the right things because they do not understand how important it is to do them. Righteousness is doing the right thing in the eyes of the Lord and wisdom is to choose the fear of the Lord but to choose the fear of the Lord because you know the outcome of that choice is understanding.

We also have this phrase "To perceive the words of understanding" – One should cry out to God for the ability to even grasp wisdom, sad as it is there are some who no matter how hard they try they simply cannot grasp it (Proverbs 17:16 – “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?”). One must have “A heart for wisdom” in order to grasp it and be able to benefit from it

Additional Comments on Proverbs...

I love this book; to me it is not a collection of disconnected random sayings or maxims but rather a collection of some of the most important truths that govern our lives. Proverbs explains why things happen to people, for instance why a person finds favor with God (they are righteous) and why another finds a curse (unrighteousness). It also tells us that in spite of the fact that the righteous do suffer in the end they will be the ones left standing while the wicked who may stand proud and tall for a season will eventually fall and be destroyed. We learn that if one fears the Lord and keeps Gods commandments they will ultimately prevail... These things cannot be altered; God who rules everything makes it so!

Proverbs 1:1

1 - The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

These are the Proverbs of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Lemuel and Agur. Generally David is credited with the first nine proverbs (1:1-9:19), Solomon to Chapter 24 (10:1-24:34). A collection assembled by king Hezekiah to Chapter 29 (25:1-29:27) Agur Chapter 30 and Lemuel recounting his mother’s advice on women Chapter 31. I Kings 4:32 states, “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.” We are told that King Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs (of which only 800 are recorded in the Book of Proverbs).