Proverbs 1:10-15 

¹⁰My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. ¹¹If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; ¹²let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; ¹³we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; ¹⁴cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—¹⁵my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths.

Atrocity

Many among us are disturbed by an on-going international conflict; but, domestic concerns should not be taken for granted either. Undesirable bad elements of society may expose their brutal atrocity toward others anytime, anywhere, randomly.

Few years ago somewhere in Asia, a foreigner was stabbed to death by a group of angry young businessmen. According to reports, the suspects were upset when the victim gave a hard strike at the car they were riding in; and because of that, the suspects beat him and stabbed him to death. Murder charges were filed against the suspects.

Homicide or murder is not fictional but a tragic reality to be aware of, anytime, anywhere in our city. Such concern should prompt us to regularly pray for law enforcers. It says in Jeremiah 33:7, ⁷Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

A peaceful and prosperous city would benefit residents for certain. Let’s regularly pray that God maintains peace and prosperity in our city. But of course, progress could also attract bad elements of society. What else do we pray for? We should also pray for children and young people that they won’t be influenced or swallowed by bad elements.

1.  Swallow

¹⁰My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. ¹¹If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; ¹²let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

Someone said, “Tell me who your friends are, and I tell you who you are!” Here’s another version: “Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are; tell me your company, and I’ll tell you who you are; by the company you keep I can tell what life you lead.” Someone interpreted that those sayings were also closely akin or similar to: “Birds of the same feather flock together.” Anyone can be influenced by somebody.

We can easily observe that young people delight in playing or hanging around friends; of course, older people could love such cheerful environment. If opportunity or time permits, everyone wants to have friends they can talk to. We like hanging around someone who may want to be with us, to chat with us, to laugh and cry with us.

And, online chat rooms for different groups and organizations had been very active. Who wishes to be alone and still enjoys being alone? Do you know someone?

We wish to be members of groups that may share interest, purpose or pleasure with us. Fishermen go fishing with fishermen; farmers talk about plants with fellow farmers. We love to hear stories of those who love long-driving, musicians sing song with other musicians, and high tech nerds explore about technology. Adventurism is attractive.

Fraternity

Exploration beyond boundaries or defiance to the law can be temptation that attracts adventurism. With rebellious instinct, many individuals, especially, young people would venture beyond normalcy. It’s sad to say that, fraternity groups had become infamous on breeding bad elements in the society; and most victims are young people. They are less apprehensive to schemes that may expose their carelessness.

Objectives of fraternity could be positive; groups may organize themselves in pursuit of common interest, pleasure and purpose. But, the term fraternity had earned its infamous reputation; members of fraternities use brutal hazing as initiation rite for new members and they also attack members of rival fraternities who hurt them or just insult one of their members or other people they cannot agree with.

It’s very appropriate to remember Ephesians 6:4, ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Some Bible versions used the term “parents” in place of “fathers” which signify that both parents (father and mother) have responsibility to train children. Disciplinary teaching in the home is exclusive to mothers in many cultural groups. Absence of father figure is blamed for impropriety, indecorum. Fathers: We’re responsible of training our children. It’s biblical! Of course, we need guidance from Christ to be responsible fathers.

You don’t desire children to share in the wickedness of bad elements, right?

2.  Share

¹³we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; ¹⁴cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—¹⁵my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths.

Share the loot, share the plunder,  share what they get from their victims – that is very enticing temptation for young people who are pressured by troublesome peers. We can’t ignore such reality. It’s really sad! Whenever there are rallies against authorities, bad elements take advantage of breaking in and looting establishments.

Adventurism is instinctive to humans; and, burglary, robbery, looting could thrill anyone who have no eternal purpose in life. It is possible that instinctive adventurism may have caused leaders of kingdoms to venture on invading another kingdom.

We believe that this world is not meant to stay here for all eternity. A time will come; the end of this world will eventually happen; or, it may have already begun. It is a very terrifying reality, whether we like it or not; we’ve got to accept and prepare for it. Mark your Bible about what the Lord Jesus said in Mark 13:7-8, ⁷When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

The birth pains that Jesus Christ warned had started. The second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ could be sooner than later. It could happen in our lifetime. But, who knows? Are you prepared, if Jesus comes today or in the next few years? Who can stop it, if in this generation Christ takes all believers into his heaven? Do you hope for it?

The conflict in Europe could have been prophesied biblically also. What do you think? It says in Ezekiel 39:1-8, ¹This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. ²I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel. ³Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. ⁴On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. ⁵You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken,” declares the Sovereign Lord. “⁶I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the Lord. ⁷I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel. ⁸It is coming! It will surely take place,” declares the Sovereign Lord. “This is the day I have spoken of.”

This could be terrifying interpretation to anyone: The phrase, “Gog, chief prince” can be properly translated as “Gog, Prince of Ross.” The “Prince of Ross” comes from the north. One preacher had interpreted that the “Prince of Ross” pertains to leader of Russia; or, Ross is short term for Russia which is also practically from the north.

Interestingly, the largest Jewish community center is based in Ukraine. And, many Bible scholars observe very closely the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Would it escalate aggressively toward Israel? Could this be fulfillment of the prophecy in Ezekiel? The second advent of the Lord is inevitable, unavoidable. Let’s prepare very seriously.

It teaches us in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, ¹⁵According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Are you excited about the return of our Lord Jesus Christ? Believers who died will resurrect when Jesus returns; and, believers who are alive at his return will join him in the air, to be with him for all eternity. Will you reject such wonderful experience?

Make sure that you have faith in Christ, now! He might come sooner! No more worries about gas, pandemic or wars. Maranatha!!! Glory to God forever!

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