Discuss Proverbs 1 Page 20

If we will only listen to God, he will keep us safe and we will never have to fear for our lives.

Matthew 15:14 �Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.� When fools and simple become prosperous, they shall destroy other fools and sinners. In essence, they destroy themselves.

Galatians 6:7 �Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.� This is exactly what will happen to the purposeful sinner. Mind you, this is not talking about the ignorant that have yet to be offered enlightenment. This is referring to those who have refused truth and knowingly walk in sin.

This is a repeat of verse 25. He is reminding the sinner why God will not help in his time of need.

Again, this reflects back to verse 7. If people wanted knowledge, they would fear God and follow his word.

When the sinner is in distress, he or she will finally turn to God. Even though they will hurry to get his help, he will refuse them. God is jealous as it states in Deuteronomy 4:24, �For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.� God does not take second to anything, including oneself.

The contempt will come upon when everything is going wrong and you desperately need God�s help. This is why verse 7 says �The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.�

Not only will others laugh when the purposeful sinner distresses, but God will as well. Since the sinner will not accept God�s mercies when they were freely given, the mercy will turn into contempt.

We won�t listen to his advice. We ignore his correction.

God has tried to get our attention but we ignore him. He has offered mercies, and we pay no attention.

If we will listen to his correction, then God will reveal mysteries unto us by the Holy Ghost.

Those who are childlike refuse to put away childish things ( I Corinthians 13:11). Those who cast premature judgments and condemnations continue in their paths. The ignorant hate to learn.

There is a vast wealth of information to be learned and had. People are just deaf to it or simply refuse it.

There is a vast wealth of information to be learned and had. People are just deaf to it or simply refuse it.

Knowledge is not hidden but openly available.

Greed causes harm to innocent people. Greedy men will receive punishments for their actions.

In the end, they receive their just reward. As Isaiah 3:11 says, �Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.�

The greedy will try to obtain treasures beyond their grasps and it will be for nought.

They give themselves over to sin and do not think before harming others.

Do not join yourself with sinners as these. Don�t even follow their example.

The problem is equal labor. One may work more than the other and another do no work at all. Yet everyone will share the spoils.

Greed and taking possessions of others is a powerful weapon of the devil. As I Timothy 6:10 states, �For the love of money is the root of all evil.� In gaining possessions, many lose sight of what is important. The greater goal becomes more possessions.

Not consumption in the physical sense but rather destroying in a spiritual sense. Sometimes, getting involved with people who gossip or cause problems for others, is just as bad as physical harm. Defiling someone�s name and character ruins people even after they have left this world.

When they make sport of other people or seek to harm others, stay away.

Do not listen to the alluring sinners. Stick to what you know is right.

The traditions and teachings of the parents will help the child stay righteous and show the grace of God.

Number five in the Ten Commandments is �Obey thy father and thy mother.� This is saying the same thing. The father has more experience and knowledge. The traditions of mother kept her holy.

Fearing God is the start to knowledge. Once you fear his judgments, then you will be obedient to his word. Fools despise wisdom and instruction and therefore do not fear God or his judgments. What is to keep them obedient to his word?

To understand a wise saying, to grasp the meaning of it, to listen to the word of the wise and understand the meaning. -Dark sayings are not ominous here but rather not in the light or easily seen. They are dark or hidden.

A wise man will not make quick assumptions or presume to know more than other men. He will listen to others to gain knowledge. If a man is truly able to reason, he will listen to wise men rather than fools.