The Proverbs & The Simple

Proverbs for Life

1.  A Purpose for the Proverbs

Proverbs 1:1-4 – “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtilty [discernment] to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.”

2.  The Confrontation of the Simple

Proverbs 1:20-22 – “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?  And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”

3.  The Call to the Simple

Proverbs 1:23 – “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

Proverbs 8:1-5 – “Doth not wisdom cry?  And understanding put forth her voice?  She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.  Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.”

Proverbs 9:1-6 – “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.  She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.”

4.  The Destruction of the Simple

Proverbs 1:29-32 – “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.  For the turning away of the simple [that is – their willful turning away from the wisdom of God’s Word] shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.”

Proverbs 14:18 – “The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”

5.  The Character of the Simple

Proverbs 7:6-7 – “For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.”

Proverbs 9:13 – “A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.”

Proverbs 14:15 – “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”

Proverbs 22:3 (Proverbs 27:12) – “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

6.  The Temptation of the Simple

Proverbs 7:6-23 – “For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: and, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: he hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.”

Proverbs 9:13-18 – “A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.  For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, to call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.  But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”

7.  The Warning for the Simple

Proverbs 19:25 – “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”

Proverbs 21:11 – “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.”

Posted in Proverbs, Spiritual Growth, Rebellion against God, Sowing & Reaping, Temptation to Sin, Sin of Sexual Lust

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