05.22.24
Listen up!
We have taken a walk through the first four chapters of the Book of Proverbs. Written by Solomon to his son, the emphasis is on finding and retaining wisdom. As we now know, this wisdom is embodied in the Bible, the written Word of God, which is a reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God.
Solomon then changes his approach in the next fiver chapters to a series of illustrations that clarify his God-breathed teachings. In chapters 5-7 his focus is on morality. God is very interested in our purity. He is, after all, a holy God.
Remaining pure in an impure world is a difficult thing. It has always been difficult to remain pure for outside of Christ, this world is filthy. The Canaanites were destroyed because of their perverted lifestyle. Believers in places like Ephesus and Corinth grew up in polluted cultures.
The words to young Timothy ring true today: Keep thyself pure. The world constantly bombards us in its advertising, movies, TV, music, video games and social media with images of the flesh. It is difficult to keep our eyes and ears shielded at all times.
These three chapters focus on this important issue. We will look at them as a whole, considering three topics over the next several presentations. There are instructions regarding morality, consequences for immorality, and an example given of immorality.
Here are the instructions Solomon gives to his son Rehoboam. Perhaps these are the same words you heard from your parents, or that that you have given to your children.
Son, listen to me. My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding (5:1) My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of your mother: bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck (6:20, 21) My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with you (7:1)
As someone aptly put it- “We need to feed the spirit and starve the flesh.”
When a child fails to follow parental instruction in the area of morality, it breaks the heart. He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. (17:21, 25)
Son, love the Word of God. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of your eye. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister.” (7:2, 4) Just as things [the apple of the eye] and people [a sister] are important to us, so should be the Word of God.
Son, apply biblical truth to your life. My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow your ear to my understanding: that you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge. (5:1, 2) The Word of God is to be the pilot of my life. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. (7:3) Keep the Bible always at hand. Make it central to your life.
Son, keep hold of this instruction. Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. (5:7) When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you. (23) For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life (6:22, 23)
We will plan to look at some of the other admonitions next time. If we at Immanuel Baptist Church can be of any help to you, please feel free to call upon us.