Posted by Jeff Short on May 27, 2016 · 1 Comment
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
– Proverbs 1:21
Concourse means noise, such as made by a large crowd of people. Again, wisdom is personified as walking among the crowds in the common places—the gates, in the city, without, and in the streets. So wisdom is shown as having much to do with common life and is not reserved for the pursuit of scholars in towers. Wisdom is not only there but also crying out. The crying and uttering in these passages also give a sense of urgency to heed wisdom’s counsel.
Wisdom is personified in the feminine, chiefly because the Hebrew word is feminine and so naturally gets the feminine pronouns. Lady wisdom is also the counter figure to the foolish woman and the strange woman throughout Proverbs. I’m quite intrigued by the feminine motif throughout Proverbs but don’t have the wisdom to understand it fully.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 25, 2016 · 2 Comments
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
– Proverbs 1:20
Thus far we have seen two different ways and two different ends—the way and end of folly and the way and end of wisdom. Verses 10-19 showed the way and end of folly through the sinners’ enticement. Verses 20-33 now show the calling of wisdom.
Solomon shows that wisdom is accessible. Wisdom here cries and utters her voice in the streets. Wisdom cries openly. The streets are the common place of common men and women. The rest of the passage also bears out that wisdom is accessible. So wisdom is not some secret or mystical knowledge only for a few initiates like the Gnostics taught.
Solomon warns that sinners are calling and compelling us to go their way. He also teaches that wisdom is in the common spaces and cries out to be heard and followed. A part of his aim is to teach us to discern the call of wisdom and walk in the good way.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 23, 2016 · 1 Comment
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
– Proverbs 1:19
It is a mark of wisdom in Proverbs to look ahead and consider the end of one’s actions. It is equally a mark of folly to rush ahead without due consideration of the consequences. Fools either fail to consider the consequences or they lack wisdom so their assessment of the consequences is false.
Solomon identifies the “ways” of those motivated by greed. He has many things to say in Proverbs concerning ill-gotten gain, the lust for it, and the ruin it brings. Paul identified such greed as “the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10) and “idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 20, 2016 · 1 Comment
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
– Proverbs 1:18
The sinners are deceived in thinking their traps are for someone else. They will be taken in their own traps. The trap of folly runs throughout Proverbs. Fools are taken down in their own foolishness. Solomon is exposing the folly for what it is. They are making plans out of greed but they are the ones that will come to ruin.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 19, 2016 · 1 Comment
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird,
– Proverbs 1:17
Solomon here contrasts the greedy company with a natural bird. A bird has preservation instincts so that it will avoid an obvious trap it sees being set. So the bird has a kind of wisdom. This contrasts with the greedy who run into a trap because they are blinded by their folly.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 18, 2016 · Leave a Comment
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
– Proverbs 1:16
The end goal for the company was the treasure (Proverbs 1:13-14). Solomon later identifies their motivation by being “greedy for gain” (Proverbs 1:19). Their greed has so clouded their judgment and overridden their sense that they are quick to commit other crimes in order to achieve their end. Robbing a rich house sounds appealing but shedding blood sounds repelling. However, shedding blood might be necessary in order to rob the house. In that case, they’re quick to shed blood. Solomon exposes the way of folly as a complicated and compounded way of evil.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 13, 2016 · 1 Comment
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
– Proverbs 1:15
Solomon counters the sinners’ enticement in verses 15-19. The counsel of wisdom is to avoid the beginning of sin. Do not go with them. Do not join their company. Solomon will evaluate and counter their claims with the picture of reality—the difference between their promise and their delivery.
Note that Solomon speaks of a “way” and a “path.” All men are in a way and all men are on a path. We are all going somewhere. Solomon’s aim is to point his son to the way of wisdom and the path of prudence. Throughout Proverbs there is a tension between the way of wisdom and the way of folly, which appears in various guise.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 12, 2016 · 1 Comment
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
– Proverbs 1:14
This verse ends the enticement used as an example for a warning to Solomon’s son. It is a strong finish. The allurement all along has had particular appeal to youth. Here it is, “Join us.” The promise is comraderie and belonging in a group. The group provides strength and security. The group also provides a group benefit where the individual is profited by the actions of others in the group. There is a promise of sharing in the spoils, “one purse.” Think back to the deals on the playground where everyone was supposed to get an equal share, how did that usually work out? Solomon will proceed from here to show the folly of going this way.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 11, 2016 · 1 Comment
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil;
– Proverbs 1:13
The previous verse offered power and freedom and this verse promises success. The young man is being enticed to join a lot that will lead him to substantial wealth and all that means. Underlying this is also a promise of equal distribution. Those with experience can easily see the emptiness of the promise but these are powerful temptations to youth.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 1:21
Posted by Jeff Short on May 27, 2016 · 1 Comment
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
Concourse means noise, such as made by a large crowd of people. Again, wisdom is personified as walking among the crowds in the common places—the gates, in the city, without, and in the streets. So wisdom is shown as having much to do with common life and is not reserved for the pursuit of scholars in towers. Wisdom is not only there but also crying out. The crying and uttering in these passages also give a sense of urgency to heed wisdom’s counsel.– Proverbs 1:21
Wisdom is personified in the feminine, chiefly because the Hebrew word is feminine and so naturally gets the feminine pronouns. Lady wisdom is also the counter figure to the foolish woman and the strange woman throughout Proverbs. I’m quite intrigued by the feminine motif throughout Proverbs but don’t have the wisdom to understand it fully.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 1, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Proverbs, Wisdom