提要
從箴言書的開始，我們讀到作者的目的就是要揭示「智慧的教訓」，而且要比世上最聰明的人所羅門更努力地傳揚它。箴言書的第一部份主要地是針對「年輕人」，就算是年長的人及聰明的人也能從所羅門的建議中得得到益處（第5節）。他為所有敬虔的讀者提供非常實用忠告。在所羅門說明道德爭論之前，他為所有的箴言提供一個座右銘：「敬畏耶和華就是知識的開端」（第7節）。學習任何有意義知識的第一個原則就是相信上帝、尊敬祂、及敬畏祂。此外，我們了解，這一節重要的經文就是一個教訓：一個人要想有完美的品德，就要與上帝建立良好的關係。
當一位年輕人敬畏耶和華時，他就會孝順他的父母。父母在屬靈事務方面的教訓可以促使子女靈性的成長。這並不是說，這個教訓是一個負擔；反之，它是一件愉快的事，可以促使年輕人得到榮耀與尊敬，更可以培養他的內在美及使他有新生命（第8、9節；3：22）。
「愚妄人」與敬畏上帝的人成了一個尖銳的對比。愚妄人不敬畏上帝。他是一個罪人，所以他過的日子就好像世上沒有上帝一樣；同時，他根本不聽任何勸告；他們都是非常不聰明的人（第7節）。作者警告他的學生，不要學他們的樣，也不要跌入他們的試探中：「惡人若引誘你，你不可隨從」（第10節）；他們的道路通向自我滅亡。他們都是自我願望的、貪心的、也是以行惡為樂的。他們掠奪無辜受害者的財物致富。這些職業小偷比鳥兒都笨，即使鳥兒也知道要遠離他眼前的羅網。不過，愚妄人設下羅網捕捉別人，以及雖然他們曉得那是陷阱，他們還是跌入，並且失去生命（11~19節𦒍）。
所羅門王利用他與智慧人的教訓，繼續說明他祈求他的學生能得到智慧；在此段中，他的學生似乎是一位女性。智慧要點醒三種人，即：一個單純的人，不僅有童稚之心，而且不會受罪的支配；一個嘲諷者，喜歡嘲笑義人，也以行惡為樂；以及最邪惡的人，也是一個恨惡真理，或是任何與上帝有關事物的人。甚至這些人都能離開他們所走的毀滅道路。如果他們能脫離罪及追求上帝的真理，智慧就會樂意，而且慷慨地將她的靈澆灌他們。如果他們冥頑不化，拒絕她賜給他們的憐憫，也不注意她的呼召，那麼恩典的階段就會過去（第廿八節）；若是他們不去敬畏上帝，他們就會悔之晚矣，以及他們的自信與沒有上帝的生活會帶領他們的腳步走向滅亡（比較羅1：18~32）。不過，智慧保證，那些能悔改向上帝的人，就能生活安全快樂，從此不必再害怕邪惡。我們的主耶穌就是真正的智慧化身（西2：3；林前1：24、30），以及凡是悔改向上帝的人都會和祂一起住在沒有邪惡的永生中。
|
Overview
From the beginning of the Book, we read of the author's intention to give "instruction of wisdom", and who better to teach it than Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. This first section of the book is specifically addressed to "the young man", yet even one who is older and wiser could benefit from following Solomon's wise counsel (v. 5). He gives practical advice to all who read with open minds and hearts. Before Solomon deals with moral issues, he gives the motto for all the proverbs: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (v. 7). The first principle for learning knowledge that is of any significance is to believe in God, respect Him, and stand in awe of Him. Also, this important verse is understood as teaching that the first step to a person's morality is his relationship with God.
When a young person fears the Lord, he will also be obedient to his parents. The instruction of both the father and mother in the area of spiritual things is very important for a child's spiritual well-being. The teaching is not meant to be a burden, but rather a pleasant thing that will cause the young person to be honoured and respected, as well as giving him inner beauty and life to his soul (vv. 8-9; 3:22).
The "fool" stands in sharp contrast to the one who fears the Lord. The "fool" does not fear God. He is a sinner who lives his life as though God did not exist, and he is one who does not heed advice; as such, they are the most unwise people (v. 7b). The author warns his student not to be like them nor fall into their temptations: "If sinners entice you, do not consent" (v. 10); their ways lead to self-destruction. They are self-willed and greedy and enjoy doing evil. They prey on innocent victims to become rich by dishonest gain. These professional thieves are more stupid than birds, for even birds at least have the sense to stay far from a net that is set in their view. The fools, however, set the net to catch others, and although they are aware of the trap, they themselves fall prey to it and die (vv. 11-19).
Solomon's plea for his student to attain wisdom continues by illustrating his lesson with the person of wisdom, who in this section appears as a woman. Wisdom calls out to three types of people: the simple who are naive and can easily be swayed to sin; the scorners who mock at the righteous and take pleasure in evil; and the most wicked of people, the fools who hate the truth or anything having to do with God. Even these people can be turned from their path of destruction. If they would only turn away from sin and seek the truth, then wisdom would gladly and graciously pour her spirit upon them. If they stubbornly refuse the mercy she extends to them and do not heed her calling unto them, then the period of grace will be over (v. 28); it will be too late for them, since they did not choose to fear the Lord, and their own self-reliance and life without God will lead them to destruction (cf. Romans 1:18-32). Wisdom promises, however, that those who do turn to her will dwell safely and securely, without having to fear evil. Our Lord Jesus was the true personification of divine wisdom (Col. 2:3; 1 Cor. 1:24, 30), and all who turn to Him will dwell safely in everlasting life with Him, where there will be no presence of evil.
|
