Proverbs:1

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* Verse 1-6 - The lessons here given are plain , and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance , and their need to be taught . If young people take heed to their ways , according to Solomon 's Proverbs , they will gain knowledge and discretion . Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth , and a greater than Solomon is here . Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit . Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God , and he is made to us wisdom . * Verse 7-9 - Fools are persons who have no true wisdom , who follow their own devices , without regard to reason , or reverence for God . Children are reasonable creatures , and when we tell them what they must do , we must tell them why . But they are corrupt and wilful , therefore with the instruction there is need of a law . Let Divine truths and commands be to us most honourable ; let us value them , and then they shall be so to us . * Verse 10-19 - Wicked people are zealous in seducing others into the paths of the destroyer : sinners love company in sin . But they have so much the more to answer for . How cautious young people should be ! "Consent thou not ." Do not say as they say , nor do as they do , or would have thee to do ; have no fellowship with them . Who could think that it should be a pleasure to one man to destroy another ! See their idea of worldly wealth ; but it is neither substance , nor precious . It is the ruinous mistake of thousands , that they overvalue the wealth of this world . Men promise themselves in vain that sin will turn to their advantage . The way of sin is down-hill ; men cannot stop themselves . Would young people shun temporal and eternal ruin , let them refuse to take one step in these destructive paths . Men 's greediness of gain hurries them upon practices which will not suffer them or others to live out half their days . What is a man profited , though he gain the world , if he lose his life ? much less if he lose his soul ? * Verse 20-33 - Solomon , having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan , here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God . Christ himself is Wisdom , is Wisdoms . Three sorts of persons are here called by Him : 1 . Simple ones . Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil , their simple prejudices against the ways of God , and flatter themselves in their wickedness . 2 . Scorners . Proud , jovial people , that make a jest of every thing . Scoffers at religion , that run down every thing sacred and serious . 3 . Fools . Those are the worst of fools that hate to be taught , and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness . The precept is plain ; Turn you at my reproof . We do not make a right use of reproofs , if we do not turn from evil to that which is good . The promises are very encouraging . Men cannot turn by any power of their own ; but God answers , Behold , I will pour out my Spirit unto you . Special grace is needful to sincere conversion . But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it . The love of Christ , and the promises mingled with his reproofs , surely should have the attention of every one . It may well be asked , how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path , when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered ? Now sinners live at ease , and set sorrow at defiance ; but their calamity will come . Now God is ready to hear their prayers ; but then they shall cry in vain . Are we yet despisers of wisdom ? Let us hearken diligently , and obey the Lord Jesus , that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God ; be free from evil , in life , in death , and for ever . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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