My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.
--Proverbs 1:10, 19 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on August 31, 2013 of Proverbs 1:8-19; Luke 24:13-53; Job 21-22.
Solomon authored most of the Book of Proverbs, which is fitting since he was so wise and, according to scripture, he spoke 3000 proverbs during his life (please see 1 Kings 4:32). Only two chapters in the book were penned by other writers, Agur (chapter 30) and Lemuel (chapter 31), about whom we know nothing today. Five of the chapters (25 through 29) are attributed to Solomon as having been copied into the book by King Hezekiah's men. So just about all of these pearls of wisdom came from Solomon, whose short statements about life and human nature are intended to make God's truth more accessible to all people so that they might strive to live as He wills.
Today's focus verses serve as bookends to a set of instructions informing us how to react when tempted to sin. Solomon may caution that sinners might try to entice us, but we know it is Satan who provides the temptations. Solomon points out that while the promises of sinners may seem attractive, that way leads to destruction in the end. Do not consent, he says, to those who would try to drag you down with them. Don't go along with them when they lie in wait to steal or shed blood, when they secretly lurk after the innocent to do them harm. Don't be a party to taking the possessions of others, no matter how precious they may seem. Stay clear of the path that leads to ill-gotten gains or violence, for those who travel that way will end up losing everything.
Stay off this path, Solomon warns, for this is the way of the greedy who look only for gain and profit for themselves at any cost to others. In the end they trap themselves and never enjoy what they so greedily sought. All the swag and booty they so lusted after is worthless when they lose their soul in the process. These sinners may think as Job describes in another section of today's scripture reading when he speaks for them and says, "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?" (Job 21:15.) Profit, questionable gains, material possessions, pleasures of the flesh - these consume the hearts of sinners. What does it profit them, or us, to serve God? Jesus looks at that question from a different angle when He asks, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36.) The Apostle Paul reinforces this when he adds, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23.)
Solomon warns us to beware of sinners who try to influence us. Job shows how they might try to reason with us. And Paul and Jesus makes it clear just what the ultimate price of sin truly is. Stay away from sin. Don't obsess over material or earthly gain. Believe in and follow Jesus to gain what truly matters, eternal life in paradise. Amen.
Dearest Lord Jesus, You took all the sin of the world upon Yourself and carried it to the grave so that we might be seen as righteous in the Father's eyes. Yet we seem unable to rid ourselves of sin, even after being washed clean by Your blood. Please help us resist the temptations of Satan, the enticements of sinners. We long for the gift of eternal life in You, our Strength and our Redeemer. In Your beautiful name, O Jesus our Savior we pray. Amen.
Today's focus verses serve as bookends to a set of instructions informing us how to react when tempted to sin. Solomon may caution that sinners might try to entice us, but we know it is Satan who provides the temptations. Solomon points out that while the promises of sinners may seem attractive, that way leads to destruction in the end. Do not consent, he says, to those who would try to drag you down with them. Don't go along with them when they lie in wait to steal or shed blood, when they secretly lurk after the innocent to do them harm. Don't be a party to taking the possessions of others, no matter how precious they may seem. Stay clear of the path that leads to ill-gotten gains or violence, for those who travel that way will end up losing everything.
Stay off this path, Solomon warns, for this is the way of the greedy who look only for gain and profit for themselves at any cost to others. In the end they trap themselves and never enjoy what they so greedily sought. All the swag and booty they so lusted after is worthless when they lose their soul in the process. These sinners may think as Job describes in another section of today's scripture reading when he speaks for them and says, "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?" (Job 21:15.) Profit, questionable gains, material possessions, pleasures of the flesh - these consume the hearts of sinners. What does it profit them, or us, to serve God? Jesus looks at that question from a different angle when He asks, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36.) The Apostle Paul reinforces this when he adds, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23.)
Solomon warns us to beware of sinners who try to influence us. Job shows how they might try to reason with us. And Paul and Jesus makes it clear just what the ultimate price of sin truly is. Stay away from sin. Don't obsess over material or earthly gain. Believe in and follow Jesus to gain what truly matters, eternal life in paradise. Amen.
Dearest Lord Jesus, You took all the sin of the world upon Yourself and carried it to the grave so that we might be seen as righteous in the Father's eyes. Yet we seem unable to rid ourselves of sin, even after being washed clean by Your blood. Please help us resist the temptations of Satan, the enticements of sinners. We long for the gift of eternal life in You, our Strength and our Redeemer. In Your beautiful name, O Jesus our Savior we pray. Amen.
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