Sermon Tone Analysis

Two Invitations with One Moral (1:8-33)

Wisdom begins at home (vs.

8-9)

“My Son” is used ten times in the first nine chapters.

Who are the primary influencers of our children in the Western culture?

Refuse the appeal of ungodly companions (vs.

10-19)

“A major purpose of the book of Proverbs is to prepare a young man to wisely and effectively assume the responsibilities of adult life.”

JN

Proverbs

Mom and Dad are crucial

Children have a responsibility as well

Parents must be careful not to abdicate their responsibility to properly train their children.

Refuse the appeal of ungodly companions (vs.

10-19)

“Some parents shelter their children from the world so much that their young ones are naive and vulnerable.

Proverbs helps parents prepare their children for the allurements of the world and train them in how to resist evil.”

JN

The enticement of moral misfits (vs.

10-14)

The enticement of moral misfits (vs.

10-14)

“Those who are of the world are trying to seduce our children into substance abuse, crime, and immorality.

Many worldly people take particular pleasure in luring and ruining the righteous and their offspring.”

JN

Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 35.

How do you respond to this statement?

If you follow evil companions, you will reap destruction (vs.

15-19)

Fools do not consider the long term consequences of their actions.

According to this text, even the bird is smarter than the fool for he will not step into the trap!

The fool devises his own destruction.

How do you see this happening today?

Choose your companions wisely

Friends, heroes, celebrities…be careful!

Community starts at home!

Choose your companions wisely

Heed the appeal of Wisdom before it is too late (vs.

20-33)

Wisdom calls out to you (vs.

20-23)

Wisdom is personified in the early chapters of Proverbs as a woman who is placed in stark contrast to Madame Folly, who would seduce and destroy you.

She is the soul’s true lover and bride who should be prized and embraced (4:6–8).

She is a tree of life (3:18).

Here she sounds like one of the prophets appealing to God’s people to turn before it is too late.

She offers great blessing to those who listen but warns of terrifying judgement upon those who reject her.

She does not keep her message secret but goes into every public place (vv.

20–21) in order to get the widest possible hearing.

Her voice is loud, even shrill and piercing, because of the urgency of her appeal.

JN

Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 38.

Wisdom appeals to four different category of fools (vs.

22)

The naive - is committed neither to good nor evil.

There is hope

The fool (Hebrew keciy) - has rejected wisdom and has become morally insensitive.

He is preoccupied with the things of this word.

The (stronger word for) fool (Hebrew eviyl) - This is the fool in 1:7.

He loves folly and despises wisdom and instruction!

The scoffer - is on the faculty of the graduate school of folly.

He is the free thinking cynic who mock at God, sin and judgement.

He is hardened against any reproof.

Wisdom Promises blessing to those who repent (vs.

23)

If you reject Wisdom’s appeal, you will reap calamity (vs.

24-32)

24

God’s patience with fools will finally run out...

Those who seek wisdom are secure (vs.

33)

“Some people wear a Saint Christopher medal, thinking it will protect them from danger.

Our text teaches that it is the one who is adorned by wisdom who is safe even on the Day of Judgement.”

JN

Conclusion: The Voice of Wisdom is the voice of God

“The cry of Wisdom in Proverbs recalls how, under the Old Covenant, God cried out to Israel through the law and the prophets, promising blessing for obedience and judgement to those who refuse, to pay heed to his voice ().” JN

Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 41.

Jesus is wisdom incarnate

“Under the New Covenant, God speaks to his people through our Lord Jesus, in whom is the fullness of wisdom.”

Jesus pleads with the lost.

So does wisdom

Jesus pours out His spirit on those who seek Him.

So does wisdom

John

Jesus gives life to all who come to Him

So does wisdom

Jesus warns that the season of mercy will pass

So does wisdom

Jesus promises safety for those who trust Him

So does wisdom

You are the voice of wisdom to a foolish world

Are you wise?

We, like Lady Wisdom and Jesus, may be rejected by many, but some will turn and gain life (; ).

JN

Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 42.

Are you wise?

For Further Study

1.

How did unwise companions influence Amnon and Rehoboam (see ; )?

2. Describe the four categories of people to whom Wisdom appeals (see 1:22 and 1:7b).

Do you know people who fall into each of these categories?

To Think About and Discuss

1.

Why do kids join gangs?

What can be done to strengthen the identity a child feels with his or her family?

2. Why are we tempted at times to listen to Folly?

How can we cultivate a mindset of rejecting Folly’s invitations?

3. How does Wisdom relate to the law and the prophets?

3. How does Wisdom relate to the law and the prophets?

4. In what sense is the voice of Wisdom the voice of Jesus?

4. In what sense is the voice of Wisdom the voice of Jesus?

5. Have you seen situations in which both Wisdom and Folly were crying out to someone?

How did he or she respond?

5. Have you seen situations in which both Wisdom and Folly were crying out to someone?

How did he or she respond?