Proverbs 7:24
Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Now, my sons,

The fatherly appeal follows the warning about the young man led to ruin by the adulterous woman. Solomon addresses his hearers as sons, extending paternal care and moral responsibility to all who receive godly instruction. Wisdom is meant to be passed from one generation to another, guarding the inexperienced from paths that appear pleasant but end in death.

Pro 8:32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those…
Pro 5:7 So now, my sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside…
Pro 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;…

listen to me,

Hearing requires humble reception and obedient response. The young man in the preceding account ignored wisdom’s warnings and followed desire instead of truth. God calls His people to listen to instruction before temptation gains control, because a heart trained by His Word is better prepared to resist deception.

Pro 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,…
Pro 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily…
Isa 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen,…

and attend to the words of my mouth.

Careful attention to righteous counsel protects life, marriage, family, and fellowship with God. The words of wisdom expose the destructive end of sexual sin and direct the believer toward purity and self-control. Scripture repeatedly joins attentive listening with obedience, for those who receive God’s instruction in faith are led away from ruin and into the path of life.

Pro 4:20-21 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear…
Pro 5:1-2 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear…
Pro 22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom, is traditionally believed to be King Solomon. He is addressing his audience with fatherly advice.

2. Sons
Represents the audience or readers of the Proverbs, often seen as young men or disciples who are being instructed in wisdom and moral living.

3. The Setting
The context of Proverbs 7 is a warning against the seduction of an adulterous woman, illustrating the dangers of straying from wisdom and righteousness.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Listening
Listening is a crucial aspect of gaining wisdom. Just as Solomon urges his sons to listen, we must be attentive to God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Heeding Wise Counsel
The call to "attend to the words of my mouth" suggests an active engagement with wisdom. We should seek out and heed godly counsel in our lives.

Guarding Against Temptation
The broader context of Proverbs 7 warns against the dangers of temptation. We must be vigilant and guard our hearts against influences that lead us away from God's path.

The Role of Parental Guidance
Solomon's address to "my sons" highlights the role of parents and mentors in imparting wisdom. We should value and seek out such guidance in our spiritual journey.

The Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom
Ignoring wisdom can lead to destructive paths. We must recognize the consequences of our choices and strive to align our lives with God's truth.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the call to "listen" in Proverbs 7:24 challenge your current approach to studying Scripture and seeking wisdom?

2. In what ways can you actively "attend to the words" of God in your daily life, and what practices can help you stay focused on His teachings?

3. Reflect on a time when you ignored wise counsel. What were the consequences, and how can you apply this lesson to future decisions?

4. How can you cultivate a heart that is vigilant against temptation, as warned in the broader context of Proverbs 7?

5. Consider the role of mentors and spiritual leaders in your life. How can you better engage with and learn from their wisdom and experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 4:1-2
This passage also emphasizes the importance of listening to wisdom and understanding, reinforcing the call to heed parental and divine instruction.

James 1:19
Encourages believers to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, highlighting the importance of attentiveness and self-control, which aligns with the call to "listen" and "attend" in Proverbs 7:24.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Known as the Shema, it underscores the importance of listening to God's commandments and teaching them diligently, similar to the call for attentiveness in Proverbs.
On ImpurityW. Dodd, LL. D.Proverbs 7:24
A Tragedy of TemptationE. Johnson Proverbs 7:1-27
The Two WaysW. Clarkson Proverbs 7:1-27
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Attend, Attention, Attentive, Ear, Hearken, Listen, Mouth, O, Pay, Sayings, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 7:24

     5165   listening

Proverbs 7:6-27

     5276   crime

Proverbs 7:14-27

     6242   adultery

Proverbs 7:24-27

     6237   sexual sin, nature of

Library
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
Text: 2 Corinthians 3, 4-11. 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Dogmatic.
I. (i) Against Eunomius. The work under this title comprises five books, the first three generally accepted as genuine, the last two sometimes regarded as doubtful. Gregory of Nazianzus, [303] Jerome, [304] and Theodoret [305] all testify to Basil's having written against Eunomius, but do not specify the number of books. Books IV. and V. are accepted by Bellarmine, Du Pin, Tillemont, and Ceillier, mainly on the authority of the edict of Justinian against the Three Chapters (Mansi ix., 552),
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
We must look at the sense not the wording. The offence excited is at the sense; meaning of the Symbols; the question of their not being in Scripture. Those who hesitate only at coessential,' not to be considered Arians. Reasons why coessential' is better than like-in-essence,' yet the latter may be interpreted in a good sense. Explanation of the rejection of coessential' by the Council which condemned the Samosatene; use of the word by Dionysius of Alexandria; parallel variation in the use of Unoriginate;
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Believer's Privilege at Death
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.' Rom 12:12. A Christian's hope is not in this life, but he hash hope in his death.' Prov 14:42. The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all their heaven here. Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.' Luke 6:64. You may make your acquittance, and write Received in full payment.' Son, remember that
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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