Proverbs 24:32
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Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
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You can learn much by observing others' actions and their consequences. Observation and analysis is one of life's great teachers, and Solomon was a master at wisely considering all he saw (Ex 1:12-13). It is your duty to learn from the mistakes of others, and it is your duty to teach your children to observe and analyze them also.
Solomon here is condemning lazy men (24:30-34). One of the first lessons parents must teach children is to get out of bed, work hard, and finish the job. Laziness is condemned often in Proverbs (6:6-11; 10:4; 12:24; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 22:29). Solomon knew his son's success required his diligence, and he also wanted him to avoid lazy administrators.
Poverty is often easy to explain. Solomon saw that love of sleep cost many men their financial success. When he viewed the derelict condition of homes and property, he realized that the certain consequences of laziness had come to roost at that address. Men who enjoy sleeping in the morning and procrastinating will surely end up in poverty.
A wise parent can be like Solomon to children. He can point out losers in life and the certain consequences that come when the Bible is not obeyed. Life can provide the lesson guide for godly social studies! Son, do you see the shutters falling off that house? The owner intended to get to it, but he always finds a reason to wait until later! If he doesn't correct it soon, the house will eventually fall down, just like the Bible says (Eccl 10:18)!
Reader, do you know the Bible well enough to see its proof in the world around you? Can you see the fulfillment of Scripture in the dysfunctional lives and political chaos of this foolish world? Can you teach your children and others the painful consequences of rejecting God's Word? Or are you so deficient that this task sounds near impossible?
Why are most homeless men drunkards? Because drunkenness and gluttony bring rags (23:21)! Why do children scream in restaurants? They need the cure (29:15)! Why do some men spend their free time in a hobby? Because they are escaping from an odious woman (21:9, 19)! Are there any consequences to adultery? Just death and hell (9:18)!
Why is there so much sexual sin and violence in America today? Because it is glamorized on television (Ps 101:3; I Cor 15:33)! Why are Catholic nations so poor? Because they are taught from childhood to deny reality and truth by assuming a cracker is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ (I Cor 11:24)! Why is there pedophilia among their priests? Because they rejected God's role for the woman (I Tim 4:1-3; I Cor 7:1-5)!
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