Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-10-20

wTF~f they can see that
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consist wholly or
Solomon's proverbs. 1t is well, TOO, IN
ments These were of high order.
such a book, from which we have only
three lessons, to point out some OF the
choicer passages, as we'll as to gather
together whatever is said in other parts
of the book upon the subjects treated in
the lesson.
The section includes the whole chapter.
together with light from Proverbs 8: I'LL
and 3: LIZ, describing the invitations OF
wisdom.
Today's lesson includes Proverbs Chap
ter l: 1-l9 follows:
l. THE proverbs of Solomon" This is
the title of the book as a whole, see
above. Son of David" this is stated III
order to identify the author without pos
sible mistake The choice of Solomon as
one of the writer's of the Bible at first
sight startles but in deeper study in
structs.
?. ITO know wisdom The book of
Proverbs belongs to what modern critics
call the wisdom literature" including
Proverbs, Job, Ecclesastes and Solomon's
Song. instruction" Properly, ''disci-
pine" 1t signifies education, moral
training, good culture and habits, the
practical side, as it were. of wisdom
Lange. ITO perceive the words of under
standing" to discern, not merely to read
or learn by heart, to distinguish good
from bad, and to make the proper apph-
cations.
3. ITO receive" This is the second oh
ject of the book,-not only to know, but
to accept, to lay hold of, to take into the
daily life. THE instruction" or discipline
that leads to wisdom" not the word
used in verse 3, but rather with revised
version. wise dealing" or discernment.
thoughtfulness, the thinking through"
of subject.
4. ITO give subtility.'' wise foresight
and shrewdness which foresees evil and
avoids ii. ITO the simple" inexperienced.
Supplemented, not foolish ITO the young
man."
.. "A wise man will hear" Because
| he is not conceited like fool, but is will
| ing and anxious to learn. "A man OF
understanding An intelligent one. Shall
attain unto wise counsels." Literally, the
power to steer his course rightly on the
dangerous seas of life.
8. ITO understand a proverb, and the
Interpretation" The result of the wise
mans study in verse .. Dark sayings,
enigmas: sayings hard to understand,
hut mines of gold when we once under
stand them.
ing of knowledge" The fear of the Lord
| is that reverence of Jehovah as God which
| leads US TO worship and obey him. But
| FOOLS" who thus prove that they are
| fools, 'despise." look down upon, wis
| dom and instruction" They think they
| know enough without the help of others
or of Gods Word.
| s. My son." term indicative ~ affec-
| ton, addressed by teacher to his pupils.
IN.
g. For they" They refers here to the
paternal discipline and maternal teach
ings. AN ornament of grace unto thy
head" A graceful crown, wreath OF
| grace, as in chapter A.: 3. Chains about
| thy neck" The insignia of office and hon
| or were usually displayed by some con-
| spicuous ornament worn about the neck.
Stuart.
TO- MY son, if sinners entice thee" as
| sinners are sure to do. No one can go
| out into the world and not be exposed to
| temptations. Consent thou notS' This
| is the defense. blunt, peremptory No.
| Your method of defense must be different
| from the adversary's mode of attack.
H. Come with u.s. etc. The most
easy and natural form dishonesty took at
that time. 1T would seem that banditti
| We're not only frequent, but that the at
| fractions which such a mode of life of
| ferred to young, idle and profligate per-
| sons were great and dangerous.
IL. Let us swallow them up alive as
| the grave" suddenly. completely. I'VE
| will be as Sheol, Hades, as the great
| under world Of the dead. all-devouring,
| merciless. Cook. Thus they would be
| safe. There would be none TO revenge the
| injury, none to tell of their wckedness
and bring them to justice.
10. The second inducement was the
| amount of ''all precious substance" sill
| Yer, gold, precious stones. they could thus
safely obtain Fill our houses with
SPOIL" taken from those they had robbed
IA. Cast i'm thy lot among u.s." join in
our enterprises and share in it's dangers
| and its rewards. IAN have one purse"
| The oneness of the purse consists in this.
| that the booty which each of them gets
belongs. not wholly or chiefly to him, but
| to the whole together. KEEL.
II. Walk not thou I'm the way with
| them" Avoid their courses, their con-
| versaton. and company.--Pool. Have
| nothing TO do with them; do not walk
with them enough even TO be tempted by
| them. Refrain thy foot" Restrain thy
| self, as il were. by force and violence. as
the word implies.-Pool. Tear yourself
| away.
10. For their feet run 10 evil" Ii Is a
| sin and crime. That fact alone should de-
ter you. Through all their charming pic
| ture see the horrid face of sin.
Il. surely in vain the net Is spread in
| the sight of any bird" Open your eyes
and see that these men are spreading a
net and setting a trap for YOU Moreover.
they are going TO be caught in their Own
snare.
Is. "And they lay wait for their own
| blood" They are hasting to their own de-
struction. and they wish you to so with
them.
19. so are the ways of every one
that is greedy of GAIN and not alone of
those who show II in the way above de-
scribed. I'VE are not tempted to be high
waymen, but the greed of gain is alive
to-day"