BIG IDEA:
THE HOPE OF THE RIGHTEOUS VS. THE FALSE SECURITY OF THE FOOLISH
(:1-4) INTRODUCTION: THIS WORD OF WISDOM APPLIES TO EVERYONE
A. Exhortation to Listen Carefully (Listen Up!)
“Hear this”
“Give ear”
B. Scope of Application (No Partiality)
1. Worldwide Application
“all peoples”
“all inhabitants of the world”
2. Economic Class Application
“both low and high”
“both rich and poor”
C. Value of this Teaching
word of wisdom and understanding
D. Form of Communication
“a proverb”
“a riddle”
I. (:5) FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION: WHY SHOULD I LET THE APPARENT PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED BOTHER ME?
“Why should I fear?”
II. HOPE OF THE RIGHTEOUS
A. Redemption is Costly:
“God will redeem my soul” (:15)
B. Eternal Fellowship with God is Secure
“God will receive me” (:15)
III. FALSE SECURITY OF THE FOOLISH
A. (:6-9) Redemption is Costly:
No amount of money can buy Redemption
You cannot trust in your wealth
B. (:10-12) Death is Universal
The Wise to the Stupid — they all die and leave their wealth behind
The Proud try to ignore this harsh reality
they imagine that their wealth will enable them to live forever
But in the end all die — just like animals
IV. (:16-20) ANSWER TO THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION
“Do not be afraid !”