In the first verse “instruction” is really discipline, training under the faithful and gracious hand of our God. He has set Himself to a blessed work which will not be finished until we are taken out of the world altogether. (See Titus 2:14; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 12:5-10; 1 Corinthians 11:32). All of the children of God may thus undergo a preparatory work here, for their own blessing as well as His glory. All the principles of an acceptable life before Him are set out in this book for our help and guidance.
A good man, one who learns and profits by the discipline of which verse 1 speaks, obtains favor of the Lord. Scripture affords us example of this (see Genesis 4:4; 6:8, 9; 13:14-17; 39:2, 21-23; Daniel 1:9, 17; 6:22, 28, and many other passages).
God has laid down a rule from which there is no swerving, in verse 3: A man shall not be established by wickedness, though wickedness abounds in these times, and abounded long before Solomon's day. Look back over the history of mankind, of any nation: What ruler, what government founded upon wickedness has continued very long? And looking forward, what of that approaching day when the King of Kings shall reign, putting down all authority and power that dares dispute His title?
Verse 7 is best translated, "Overthrow, the wicked and they are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand." We may link this with verse 19: "The lip of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment," and with verse 28: "In the way (or path) of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death." Upon this solid foundation of God's truth, the believer takes his stand content to wait God's time, when He will fully and finally vindicate His Word.
Sound instruction, particularly for young men and young women, setting out from the home of their childhood, abounds in the Proverbs. How marked is the distinction between the two classes of persons which they continually set forth. Truly the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel (verse 15).
May God graciously preserve our young people from the evils of today!
The coming of the Lord is most unmistakably near, and Satan is busier than ever, no doubt knowing that the time must be short.