Proverbs 20 - Various

July 29, 2020

Miscellaneous Thoughts #

Proverbs 20:12, 20, 30

Introduction

Tonight is more of a shotgun message, it will hit all over the place instead of just hitting one theme. These are the last three verses that I was not able to fit into a category in this chapter. From Proverbs 10 on, we have many sayings that are not necessarily themed, or go together. For sake of thought and continuity, I have been going through each chapter, and connecting the dots between the thoughts that are covered to give us a uniform way to look at them, and cover topics.

“Proverbs is not just a collection of wise sayings but is a collection of proverbial sayings inspired by God. Something is Scripture because it is breathed out (meaning of inspired) by God not because man is inspired by the writing.” - Dr. David Brown, The Landmark Anchor - July 2005

I. Creator #

Prov. 20:12 ¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

A. Awe #

1. Creator #

    • 2. It is very clear, wisdom declares that GOD created, designed man. #

    • We are not the effects of millions of millions of years of small evolutionary changes that have taken place.

3. Creation #

    • Advanced modern technology, we are not even close to replicating the incredible design and creation of the eye and ear.

B. Appreciation #

1. We tend to take for granted the things we have #

  • Working with the deaf in Peru, I realized the incredible blessing it is to have hearing.

C. Application #

1. Witness the work of God! (Ezekiel 12:1-2**) #

    • To live apathetically of God’s work, is about the worst thing you can do…
    • Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
    • See, perceive the hand of God!

2. Watchful eye, listening ear of God: #

1Pet. 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

II. Condemnation #

Prov. 20:20 ¶ Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

A. Cursing #

1. This can be a generational thing… #

Prov. 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

    • Many people follow what others are doing… and therefore unwittingly bring great problems in their life.

2. OT Law says: #

Ex. 20:12 ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ex. 21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

3. You will never understand the sacrifice your parents made, until you grow up and have children of your own. #

B. Consequences #

1. Lamp put out, represents life… this is clear throughout Scripture as well… #

  • Life could be fullness of life, you will be left stumbling around in the darkness with NO GUIDANCE
  • Life could very well be death!

2. Normally you wouldn’t take the adverse of Scripture to be true too, however in this case, both sides are clearly stated #

Eph. 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

III. Correction #

Prov. 20:30 ¶ The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

1. This is not a scientific proverb, but rather speaks to the bruises left by a beating #

    • The cleansing is not of the wound, but rather of the wickedness of a person.

A. Corporeal Correction #

  • OBVIOUSLY I don’t advocate beating, but the Bible is clear about corporeal punishment

    • Prov. 22:15 ¶ Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
    • Not all lessons can be learned through words
    • Some people only respond to physical beating… They are unreasonable, foolish, hard hearted people. Sometimes we can be hard hearted, and unreasonable… sometimes, we hurt ourself because of our stubbornness, then we realize, that was dumb.

B. Severity – “so do stripes the inward parts of the belly” #

1. This proverb starts at blueness (bruises) and ends with stripes… it is more severe #

Prov. 19:29 ¶ Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

2. The idea of severity, talks about more severe correction, reaching to the very inner being of a man. #

    • It would change his heart, and very direction of life
Tags: Preaching Outlines Proverbs Creator Condemnation Correction Punishment