Proverbs 9:6, Shun the Life that Trifles!

April 10, Proverbs 9:6

2 Peter 1:10-21 “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).

Shun the Life that Trifles!

Proverbs contains many repetitions. If history repeats itself, why not the issues of morality and truth? Some keywords like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding reappear here, as they do in later chapters. This is typical of Hebrew thought, and the Holy Spirit still considers it necessary for our growth in grace. Peter saw the need for repetition. It is not some new discovery that is needed, like the Athenians of Paul’s day (Acts 17:21), or the ecumenical dialoguers of ours, but a return to the basic doctrines revealed by Eternal Wisdom in the Bible. Let this repetition not weary us but make us eager learners.

1. The Absurdity of Fools: Forsake the foolish and live (v.6). We noted the appeal in v.5 was i. This verse presents the i side. It is linked to vs.10 and 11. If we treat vs.7-9 as a parenthesis, then we can catch the full thrust of v.6. Let us not miss the Holy Spirit’s warning here. If you want to live a long life pleasing to God, you must forsake the foolish. The fool cries, No God (Ps. 14), but, says Stephen Charnock, “every atheist is a grand fool.” They may boast that “when they do not believe in God they believe in nothing, but the fact is, they will believe in anything” (Chesterton). A recent poll in England shows that while some do not believe in God, many believe in ghosts and witches! The fool’s life proves to be both shallow and senseless. The existentialist, Jean-Paul Sartre, summed up his own dilemma when he avowed, “That God does not exist, I cannot deny. That my whole being cries out for God, I cannot forget.” No wonder he came to the conclusion that everything must be absurd, and there is no reason for living, yet he does not want to die either. Obey Solomon’s cry, Forsake the foolish and live.

2. The Animosity of Fools: Forsake the foolish and live. In Pr. 14:9 we have a clear example of this, because fools make a mock at sin. One interpretation of this verse suggests that sin mocks the fools. In other words, sin ultimately deceives and disappoints them of the enjoyments they expected. Moses chose suffering with God’s people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The prodigal son, however, i found, to his great dismay, how very brief are the pleasures of sin! Paul also testified that sin deceived him and then slew him (Ro. 7:11). A second interpretation is that fools make a mock at the sin offering. Not believing in God, they must explain away sin and its remedy (Gn. 4:7). When someone is bent on folly, without any concern for right, it is best to leave him to himself. Human argument is useless. It only defiles the wise and gratifies the fool’s pride. Break off all such company and associations. The prodigal must leave the pigsty and the husks, and come to the banquet that is prepared. This is the Holy Spirit’s work. It is beyond human power to break off this folly. The Lord says: Come unto Me. You must separate from them or Me (Jas. 4:4).

Thought: “For all the world forsake not Christ, but all the world forsake for Christ.”

Prayer: Lord, as I must live in the world, let not the world live in me.