Parenting by the Book
STUDY 364
Text: Proverbs 29
15 June 2008
Dear Parents,
OBSERVATIONS OF LIFE
The Book of Proverbs helps us to take note of different people that make up the world. The following groups of people have been identified:-
1. The poor and the rich
2. The righteous and the wicked
3. The wise and the foolish
Of course, there are many other types of people in between these main categories.
THE WISE AND THE SCOFFERS
The antonyms are not always as we expect them. For example, the wise are not always compared to the foolish. In the following text, the wise are compared to scoffers.
Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.Proverbs 29:8
1. The scoffers
a) They scoff at other people’s opinions/views.
b) They indulge in their own understanding of wisdom.
c) They ignore advice that could have prevented bloodshed/war.
d) Because they do not heed anyone but themselves, “scoffers set a city aflame”.
2. Wise men
a) They are presented opposite scoffers.
b) They are wise because they know how to avert disaster (bloodshed/war).
c) They search for wisdom that would enable them to turn away wrath.
d) They are correctly contrasted with scoffers.
Wisdom and folly may be called by other names; but they are the same at heart.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie