Proverbs 4:1-19
The young man has left College with its sheltered environment, and is joining
the "School of Hard Knocks" to gain Work Experience.
Solomon wants his sons to receive his teachings, because they are the way of
life. Behold, a Greater than Solomon is here, the One who has made Peace with
God. /Shlomo/ (Solomon) is Hebrew for "His Peace". Christ gives us "his Peace"
(John 14:27).
1. THE WAY OF THE WISE 11-13
a. This is the Way. 11a, 18
The Way of Wisdom turns out to be the Way of Christ. He is the Wisdom of God
personified (Proverbs 8). It is also the Path of Uprightness: and Christ is
our righteousness. His way is the holy Way.
b. This is the Truth. 12-13a
The Word of Truth turns out to be the Word of Christ. He is the Word of God
incarnate (John 1). Christ gives us true and accurate instruction. We can walk
His way, run even, for there is nothing to trap us or to trip us. His Word is
the true Word.
c. This is the Life. 10,13b
The Years of Life turn out to be the Years of Christ, and He is eternal
(Revelation 1:18). His Life is the real Life (John 10:10).
2. THE WAY OF THE WORLD 14-19
a. The World's "way" is a cul-de-sac. 14-15
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). Modern liberal theology seems sweet
and reasonable, but it is not scriptural. "Wide is the gate and broad is the
way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat"
(Matthew 7:13). Solomon says "No Entry" (15).
b. The World's "truth" is falsehood. 16
In Russia there were two newspapers: /Pravda/ (the Truth) and /Izvyestia/ (the
News). Russians say "There is no truth in The News, and no news in The Truth".
Satan has no truth: only propaganda. The devil tells enough truth to put us
off our guard, then drops the big lie. Hitler said "If you are going to tell a
lie, tell a big one". Satan's greatest lie is "Thou shalt not surely die". He
was a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). He never sleeps.
c. The World's "life" is death. 17, 19
"Live now, pay later" say the adverts. "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth;
and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of
thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these
things God will bring thee into judgment" (Ecclesiastes 11:9). Darkness and
death are waiting.
"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose
life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19).
____________________________________________________________________________
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
<ben.crick@argonet.co.uk>
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
