He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Effects Of Foolishness: Ruin: Proverbs 29:1-4
1) He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when
the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3) Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth
company with harlots spendeth [his]
substance.
4) The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth
gifts overthroweth it.
In
this chapter, Solomon examines the affects of foolishness on the lives of the
foolish and those who are around them….
EXPOSITION:
In
this devotion, we will look at one of the great effects of foolishness,
physical and spiritual ruin…
1) He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Those
who are foolishly stubborn…
1. The person that stiffens his will against consistent
warnings and correction
2. will be quickly crushed without deliverance
When
a person is warned and chastened by the Lord, but rebelliously chooses to
continue on his sinful path will face unexpected ruin without deliverance. Foolish stubbornness works eventual,
permanent ruin.
“If so be they will
hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the
evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. And thou shalt say unto
them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law,
which I have set before you, To hearken to the words of
my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and
sending [them], but ye have not hearkened;” (Jeremiah 26:3-5)
2) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when
the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Those
who rule others foolishly….
1. When lawful rulers are in control, they bring
gladness to the hearts of their subjects
2. When lawless rulers possess authority, their
subjects will be sorrowful due to great loss
When
the righteous rule, due to their fairness, justice and unselfishness their
subjects are content and joyful.
However, when the lawless exercise authority over others, they abuse and
mistreat them due to their spirit of selfishness.
“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness,
and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from
the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock
in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:1-2)
3) Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth
company with harlots spendeth [his]
substance.
Those
who foolishly accompany the wicked…
1. The person who gives of himself to gain Godly
wisdom is a joy to his father’s heart.
2. The person that accompanies those who live
for selfish, sinful pleasure and worldly gain will allow his worldly riches to
wander from him.
The
person who is willing to give himself over to the Lord and the application of
His Word brings great joy to his parents for several reasons…
1. it is a good reflection on his parents and
how they raised him
2. it is a relief to his parents who see his testimony
that he is a child of God and therefore, spiritually secure in the Lord and
receive His many eternal blessings.
3. it is a relief to his parents knowing that he
will be making decisions based upon the will of the Lord and will be blessed
with temporal blessings throughout his lifetime.
The
person who foolishly accompanies the wicked will be influenced to live for the
pleasures of this world and will find that their efforts will not be blessed of
God. One of the great results of worldly
living is wasted worldly possessions.
(note the story of the prodigal son – Lk 15:11-32)
“The proverbs of Solomon. A
wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his
mother.”
(Proverbs 10:1)
4) The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth
gifts overthroweth it.
Those
who foolishly accept bribes to pervert their judgment…
1. The king through the proper discernment in
decision making, will support, strengthen and equip his nation.
2. The selfish king that accepts offers for
self-enrichment will destroy his land.
The
wise King that uses God’s Word as the basis for his decision making will make
unselfish decisions that work for the good of His people. This will result in his nation being strengthen
and firmly planted in the midst of all the nations surrounding her.
The
foolish king who governs selfishly will only bring harm to their nation. Their decisions will be motivated by
self-gain as they are only concerned with their personal benefit. This attitude will bring harm upon their
subjects as he turns his attention from their protection, welfare and gain,
ignoring the needs of his people.
“The king's strength also
loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and
righteousness in Jacob.” (Psalms 99:4)
SUMMARY:
Living lives of
foolishness, or wisdom will affect every aspect of our testimony and all of our
relationships with others. Foolishness
will work great loss, while wisdom works for our temporal and eternal gain.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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