Proverbs: Wealth, Defense, and Justice

The Prudent and the Pathetic

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2012-03-14

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver contrasts the prudent man, who foresees evil and prepares, with the pathetic (simple) man, who ignores warnings and suffers punishment. Using Proverbs 22:3 as the key text, he defines prudence as biblical wisdom that leads to action, including practical preparation for economic collapse, societal decay, and loss of liberties. The simple are characterized by willful ignorance and refusal to heed God's Word. Applications emphasize that true prudence comes from knowing and walking in the ways of the Lord, and includes knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

[John Weaver] So, let's get started today. Let's open our Bibles, if we would please, to the book of Proverbs, chapter 22. Proverbs, chapter 22. There's a number of things that I've got that I believe that might be helpful for you. For those of you who have not listened to the CD that I just gave out, I would encourage you to do so. And I do have a few left if I missed you. If you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, one verse today, you'll also find this verse in Proverbs 27 and verse 12.

[John Weaver] The title of the message is the prudent and the pathetic. So if you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, the word of God says this, a prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. So the question is, are you prudent? Listen carefully because I did not ask are you prudish or prunish, but are you prudent? I could probably ask this question, are you prudent or pathetic? And we could really discover the answer to that question just simply by looking at the scripture. And I'm using the word pathetic today in the way that it should be used in the sense of eliciting or drawing forth scornful pity. According to our text, if one is not prudent, then very obvious he is pathetic. The word pathetic simply denotes one that is foolish, one that is simple, one that lacks understanding. And you're going to find as we look through scripture that oftentimes the word simple, the word scornful, and the word fool are used interchangeably. because they refer to the one and the same individual.

[John Weaver] So, look in your Bibles very quickly to begin with at the Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 22. Let me just show you several verses. Notice if you would, Proverbs 1 and verse 22. We're right now just giving some definitions of the pathetic and of the prudent. But notice Proverbs 1 and verse 22, the Word of God asks this, How long you simple ones, Would you love simplicity?

[John Weaver] And the scorners delight in their scorn, and fools hate knowledge. So notice if you would, please, the simple, the scorner, and the fool are all in the same boat. They're all identical. They're one in the same. If you look in Proverbs 7 and verse 7, and here's a young man that is about to go into a harlot. And notice what the Bible says, Proverbs 7 and verse 7. God says, and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youth a young man void of understanding. But I want you to notice the word simple, and then he explains what he means by that as someone being void of understanding. Then if you look in Proverbs 8 and verse 5, again God says this, O ye simple, understand wisdom, and you fools, be of an understanding heart. So the word simple and the word fool here are used interchangeably. So a simple man is a fool and a fool is a simple man as well. So I'm using this term pathetic then to describe the simple, the scorner, and the fool.

[John Weaver] A pathetic or simple person is one that does not wish to be bothered with facts or reality. I've talked to a number of people and tried to explain some things and I've heard people say, I don't want to hear that. I've actually seen people put their hands over their ears like, don't tell me that, I don't want to know that. I'm not interested in learning anything about that. So the simple or the pathetic individual is someone who lives in his own fantasy world and he shuns everything that would cause him consternation.

[John Weaver] He does not seek wisdom, he does not seek understanding, he does not prepare for evil because he does not see it and because he does not believe it. or at least he believes, if it is real, then it will not affect him at all. Somehow, he will escape it.

[John Weaver] Now, the word prudent on the other hand, after having given you what the word pathetic means, the word prudent refers to one who is sagacious, wise, astute, and particularly one that looks ahead and plans and prepares and one who is purposeful and deliberate. The Hebrew word for prudent is the word bene and it indicates someone with discernment, understanding, observation, intelligence, discretion, insight, and consideration. Thus an individual then who is prudent in his affairs is one that handles his affairs with understanding, insight, and deliberation.

[John Weaver] Now I want you to understand that David was such an individual even as a young man. So if you will turn back in your Bibles very quickly, hold if you would Proverbs, but turn back to 1 Samuel chapter 16, and look if you would please at verse 18, at what is said concerning David. And he's being recommended now to stand before King Saul. In 1 Samuel 16 and verse 18, after Saul had said, get him a young man that can play well and bring him to me, In verse 18, then answered one of his servants and said, Behold, I've seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, that is cunning and playing, and a mighty, valiant man,

[John Weaver] and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and is a comely person, and the Lord is with him. But notice if you would, the Bible says he is prudent in matters. So David knew how to act, he knew how to speak, and he also knew when not to speak. It should be understood, and I'm going to show you before we close today, that sometimes a prudent man just keeps his mouth shut. Sometimes he does not say anything. If you'll go back in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs chapter 10, I'm just showing you some things about prudence. And the prudent man sometimes keeps his mouth closed. So if you'll look in Proverbs 10 and verse 19, the Scripture tells us this.

[John Weaver] And the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise." So there's a time to speak and there's a time not to speak. It was David who prayed in Psalm 141 in verse 3, when he said,"'Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips.'" So he's asking for wisdom to when to keep his mouth shut. So David then, as a young man was prudent, not only knowing when to speak but when not to speak, he was also brave and valued and well.

[John Weaver] So prudence then, according to the scripture, will dictate many things. And biblical prudence is to always be acted upon and obeyed. Now let me very quickly distinguish for you between a biblical prudence and a humanistic or a worldly prudence. You have to remember that the world always has its imitation. And you can always tell basically which is which just simply by looking at the fruits. But just like human wisdom is condemned, human prudence is condemned as well. So God teaches us that there is a wisdom or prudence that is from above, and there is a wisdom and a prudence that is from beneath.

[John Weaver] For instance, look in your Bibles. to the book of James chapter 3, still whole Proverbs, but turn over to James chapter 3, Hebrews James, and look if you would beginning there with verse 13. James chapter 3 and verse 13. Watch this question. James 3 verse 13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Now watch.

[John Weaver] But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Then God says this. If you have bitter envying, strife, and lying against the truth, watch. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. And now watch this difference. Here's the contrast. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

[John Weaver] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. So there is a wisdom or a prudence that is from above. there's a wisdom and a prudence from beneath. So twice, in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, and Proverbs 27 and verse 12, we're told, a prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. So prudence then, according to the Bible, is that which allows us to see and prepare for that which is inevitable.

[John Weaver] That which we know is to come. Now, God has not allowed us to be able to look into the future and to see everything in detail. Certainly, that is not the case. But, if you and I understand the principles of the Word of God, if we understand the curses and the blessings that are taught in the Word of God, then there is a way that we can foresee the evil that is going to come.

[John Weaver] For instance, when I was a boy and I did something wrong and I got caught, I knew what was coming. I knew. And it came with power and fury, I can assure you. But this is the same principle as we look and see how a society and how a nation transgressed the law of God and how they disobey and dishonor him inevitably, invariably we know that a curse is going to come. So we're not going to be able to see in the future exactly what is going to happen in detail but we can tell generally based upon the principle of the scripture what is going to be sooner or later coming down the pike. And therefore Prudence then allows us to see the evil that is coming and either prepare for it or step out of the way or get out of the way of it.

[John Weaver] For instance In Isaiah 26 and verse 20, don't just turn there, but let me quote it. Here's what God says, So what did God say? God said, get in your chamber, get safe until my anger is passed. Until the calamities are passed.

[John Weaver] You and I cannot avert disasters. We cannot avert judgments and collapses. We cannot divert them. We cannot stop them. But if we see them, if we understand them, we can prepare for them to the best of our ability.

[John Weaver] Now, let me try to give you an illustration. If we know that conditions for a hurricane is ripe, and if we know, for instance, The Hurricane Center has not only issued hurricane warnings but said, yes, one is probably on the way and it's going to hit our coast in a day or two. So here's my question. Would it be prudent for you and I to stock up on some supplies and food in preparation for what we know is coming or should we just wait?

[John Weaver] and see if it really happens and or if it really affects us. So should we prepare or should we not prepare? Should we be prudent or should we be pathetic? Should we put something up that we know that we would need in an emergency situation or should we just walk on and say, well, it won't happen to me. I'll never be in need. By the way, Alice and I were visiting Our daughter and her family down in Tampa, Florida, one time, it was the first day we got there. It was the first day they put out hurricane warnings. We got there a little bit early during the day, and our daughter decided, well, we would wait until her husband came home, and then we would go to the store and get what we needed. By the time we got to the store at 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, guess what? The shelves were bare. And that was just the first day. So I'm just simply saying, my goodness, there is in Proverbs 22 and verse 3 a strong contrast between the prudent and the pathetic.

[John Weaver] And the contrast that is made is very clearly evident. The prudent look ahead and they see the calamity coming. In seeing it, they prepare for it. The simple, oblivious to what is going on, just walk on their way as if their head is in the clouds, they're in their own fantasy world, and they go on their merry ways and are simply punished.

[John Weaver] Now the Bible teaches in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 2 and verse 14, just listen to this, a wise man's eyes are in his head. A wise man's eyes are in his head. Then in Ecclesiastes 10 in verse 2, the Bible says this, that his heart is at his right hand. Now watch, the right hand is the hand of action. So the man sees and then the righteous man's heart is at his right hand.

[John Weaver] He then acts upon that which he does see. Did you know that in the New Testament that our Lord derided and berated the Pharisees for not discerning the signs of the time. For instance, whole Proverbs again, but look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 16. Matthew chapter 16. And notice if you would what our Lord says beginning there with verse 1. Matthew 16 and verse 1. Watch carefully. The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.

[John Weaver] He answered and said to them, when it is evening you say it will be fair weather for the skies red, and in the morning it will be foul weather today for the skies red and lowering. Now look at his application. Oh you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the time. You cannot discern the signs of the times. You know what the signs of the times really are?

[John Weaver] They are what is happening around you right now. They're what is going on in your life and in society. There are so many signs of our times today. It's like a huge billboard and a neon light. Unhappily, most people just simply ignore the signs. Would you ignore a sign as you're traveling down the highway at 70 miles an hour that said, bridge out? You know, that's exactly what is happening today. Everybody is ignoring what is happening in our society with the riots, with the economic situation, with the pending collapse, I just want you to consider two points today. I want you to consider the prudent and then I want you to consider the pathetic. So let's look at the prudent first.

[John Weaver] I want to take a moment with you and take you through the book of Proverbs very quickly and let me show you how prudence is connected with knowledge, understanding and action. You see, a prudent man is not just simply someone who sees and knows. He's one who acts. He knows how to act. So look in Proverbs chapter 13 and verse 16. Proverbs 13 verse 16. Proverbs 13 verse 16. God says, Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge, but a fool layeth open his volley. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge. So prudence then is connected to knowledge and understanding. Look in Proverbs 14 and verse 8. Proverbs 14 and verse 8. God says the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way.

[John Weaver] But the folly of fools is deceit. So the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. Look in Proverbs 14 and verse 15. Proverbs 14 and verse 15. The simple believe with every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his goings. The prudent man looketh well to his goings. Look in verse 18. Proverbs 14 verse 18. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Notice how knowledge, wisdom, understanding, action, all working together. Look in Proverbs 15 in verse 5. A fool despises his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

[John Weaver] So if you get reproved, if you get chastised and you pay attention to it and you learn from it, And you learn how to act, God says, that is prudence. Look in Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent and the sweetness of the lips increase learning. The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Then Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 15. Proverbs 18 and verse 15. Again, the heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. So the heart of the prudent then getteth knowledge, and as he gets understanding, he gets wisdom. Now, let me tell you something about the prudent man. The prudent man does not need to know every detail about the future. What's he do?

[John Weaver] He examines what is happening in the present. with understanding, with discernment, with knowledge, with wisdom that comes from above, and he prepares himself and his family for that which is coming sooner or later. The prudent man foresees the evil. He sees it coming. He knows that it's coming. By the way, the word evil in Proverbs 22 and verse 3 and Proverbs 27 verse 12 refers to that which is hurtful, disagreeable, unpleasant, distressful, malignant, bad, injurious, and that which leads to adversity. So the prudent man foreseeth all of those things. The prudent man foreseeth. Let me change it.

[John Weaver] Let me put it like this. The prudent man sees the termite damage in the house and foresees that if something is not done, the house is going to collapse. The prudent man sees the approaching storm and foresees that he needs a place of safety. The prudent man sees threatening danger around himself and foresees that he needs to protect himself and his family. The prudent man sees the temptation coming and flees from it. The prudent man sees the battle brewing. He foresees it's coming and therefore he prepares his armor because he knows and he understands.

[John Weaver] Now let me begin to try to make some very practical application all of this. Do you see any signs of our economy collapsing? Do you see any sign of joblessness and the rise of people without a means to support themselves? Have you noticed how many businesses have shut down due to the economy? The General Motors dealership in our town shut down. Shawnee's restaurant shut down. A number of other little restaurants have shut down.

[John Weaver] I don't care where you look. I was preaching in Florida. I'm not going to tell you where. But I preached there twice, one year right after the other. And one man was telling me, who was a huge contractor. He said, we're barely hanging on by the skin of our teeth. They had been doing $50 million a year business. It dropped down to $15 million. He said, we can barely keep our doors open. The next year I was there, totally gone. went from 50 million to absolutely nothing.

[John Weaver] Do you realize, and I don't know if you've been reading, I don't know if you've been listening, but do you realize men like Gerald Salente, Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Porter Stansberry, I don't care if you talk about Christian or non-Christian economists, they're all saying basically that our society, our economy, the way we know it, is either going to collapse this winter or no later the next year. I don't care which way you turn, you're looking at it left and right. Even the liberal news media are saying the same thing. Not only have you noticed a bad economy, but have you noticed an increase in food costs? Have you ever considered laying up or stocking up on the essential items that you know that you use and will need daily, weekly, or monthly?

[John Weaver] Would you not think it would be prudent to buy some things now before they rise in price. And I hope you understand that the reason that prices are rising is simply because the value of the Federal Reserve note is decreasing. And the more paper the Fed prints, the more worthless what you have becomes. And by the way, they've already announced that they are going to do a third quantitative easing with billions of dollars into the economy.

[John Weaver] I love what H.L. Mencken said. He said the government is the only entity that he knew that could take a valuable commodity like paper, slap some ink on it, and make it totally worthless. Let me just give you a quick illustration. A few years back, I started shooting a handgun. When I first started shooting, a box of 9mm at 100 rounds a box was $12 or $120,000. It went from $12,100 to $15,100 to $18,100 to $21,9700. Now it is $23,9700 at Walmart. So it went from $120,000 to basically $240,000. Now, see, if I had taken $5,000 and invested it back when it was $12, you say, boy, you would have doubled your money. Yes. Due to inflation, I would have doubled my money.

[John Weaver] But in reality, The price of ammo has not increased. The value of the paper money has gone down. If we were on a silver standard, or I was paying in silver, it would be essentially the same. All I'm trying to show you is this, and you can mark it down, the price of ammunition, I don't care what caliber, is going to continue to rise. The reason it's going to continue to rise is because the value of the money is going down. So my suggestion would be if you don't have enough, you need to get it now before it goes higher and higher and higher.

[John Weaver] And I will tell you what I told one lady. One young lady came up to me one day and she said, Pastor, how much ammunition do you really need? I looked at her and said, one more box. I don't care how much you have, just one more box. Because you can always use it, sell it, or barter it.

[John Weaver] Now, apply this same illustration to canned goods. I know that there's some canned goods that cannot be stored. However, there's a lot that can be stored. And you could save yourself a few shekels just simply by putting up that which you know that you're going to use. Because food prices are going to continue to rise just like ammo prices, just like anything else. What we do not understand is that it's not just the federal government that is broke, a lot of states and a lot of cities are absolutely bankrupt as well. I'm not going to read all of this, but I'm going to read you just a little bit of this. The new reality for United States cities, no money for street lights, roving packs of wild dogs, and open air drug markets. Let me just read just a little of this. Here's the opening paragraph. If you want to know what the early stages of an economic collapse look like, just walk around some of the downtown areas of our major cities.

[John Weaver] Today, nearly all large U.S. cities are either flat broke or are on their way to being flat broke. Yes, New York City, Washington, D.C., and a few others are still doing fairly well, but for most U.S. cities, economic reality is catching up with them very quickly. Right now, there are a number of major cities that are so broke They cannot keep the street lights operating.

[John Weaver] Down in St. Louis, parents in some areas are carrying golf clubs with them as they walk their children to school in order to fend off roving packs of wild dogs. In other major US cities, open-air drug markets conduct business without fear. All over the United States, cities that used to be clean and prosperous and full of hope are now being transformed into post-industrial wastelands. We're certainly not in Mad Max territory yet, but it doesn't take too much imagination to see where all of this is headed.

[John Weaver] Now, the article goes on to state, the war to keep the lights on in Detroit is a serious one. Thieves, antiquated equipment, and a lack of funding have made it impossible for city officials to catch up on the problems. Listen, city officials estimate 15 to 20 percent of the 88,000 lights in the Motor City are not working. And they acknowledge that figure could be as high as 50% in some neighborhoods. But it is not just Detroit that is having a major problem. Over in Highland Park, Michigan, the majority of the streetlights have been repossessed because the city was not keeping up with the electrical bill. In Fresno, California, the theft of copper wire from streetlights has become a total nightmare. At this point, the loss of copper wire and the cost of repairing the streetlights is costing Fresno about $50,000 a month. So far, approximately 25,000 streetlights have been stripped of their wiring. I'm not going to read all of this, but let me read just a couple. I'm just trying to show you.

[John Weaver] Las Vegas. But Las Vegas days as a boomtown are gone. At 14% unemployment, it is the highest in America. The national average is supposed to be 9.1. It's really higher than that. Housing prices have fallen 58.1% since their 2006 high. The biggest losses of anywhere in America, while according to the website Reality Track, which specializes in foreclosed properties, Las Vegas is the nation's foreclosure capital. Some 70% of the homes in Las Vegas are thought to be underwater or in negative equity, meaning their value is worth less than the amount owed on the mortgage. While foreclosure notices have been served on 1 in 16 properties. A survey last year by the local Las Vegas Review-Journal and Channel 8 News found that 34% of the locals would leave Las Vegas if they could find a job elsewhere or if they weren't underwater on their own home loan. Today there are hundreds of people living in tunnels under the street of Las Vegas. You can see the CNN video of some of these people and then he gives a website.

[John Weaver] I'm skipping down. Over in Los Angeles, homelessness is absolutely exploding and there are thousands of people living in the street. Now listen, in Skid Row, a grimy pocket of downtown Los Angeles, the prostrate forms of homeless people lie strewn across the pavements. The lucky ones have tents for shelters, but others make do with a sliver of cardboard for a bed and a supermarket trolley to carry their rags. At last count, 1,662 people live on the streets, twice as many as a year ago.

[John Weaver] Now, amid the drug addicts and the drunks are families who not so long ago had homes and ordinary suburban lives. I'm skipping on down. But there are cities in California that are even in worse shape than Los Angeles. If you go east of Los Angeles about a hundred miles, you'll come to the city of San Bernardino. 34.6% of the residents of San Bernardino are currently living below the poverty line Among major US cities, only Detroit has the worst poverty rate. Skipping down, in an extraordinary article entitled City of Ruins, Chris Hedges did an amazing job of documenting how bad things have gotten in Camden, that is Camden, New Jersey. Today it is estimated that the actual unemployment rate in Camden is between 30 and 40 percent. For most young people in Camden, there are very few legitimate opportunities for a better life.

[John Weaver] Selling drugs is what they're doing. Here is an excerpt. Listen to this. This is unbelievable. There are perhaps a hundred... This is Camden, New Jersey. There are perhaps a hundred open-air drug markets, most run by gangs like the Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Los Nitos, the MS-13. Lots of young men in black leather jackets and baggy sweatshirts sell weed and crack to clients, many of whom drive in from the suburbs. The drug trade is one of the city's few thriving businesses.

[John Weaver] A weapon, police say, is never more than a few feet away, usually stashed behind a trash can in the grass or on a porch. Skipping down, he said, if you can believe it, 72% of all US cities are laying off workers this year. And then the last little sentence is this. Take advantage of the relative prosperity that we're enjoying now to prepare for the lean years which are ahead.

[John Weaver] You need to read all of this document. It's absolutely astounding. We've talked about food. We've talked about society. But let me ask you, what about the federal government? Do you think, for one instant, that the federal government is going to grant or to give us more and more liberty? Or that they're going to grant and give us more and more tyranny? If you are aware of the fact that we are losing our liberties and our freedoms, are you making any preparations?

[John Weaver] Are you thinking through things? Are you planning for what you know is going to be coming down the pike? Are you prudent in this area or pathetic? Gary D. Barnett wrote an article entitled, Police State Fascism is Now Rampant, Martial Law is Next. Here's three paragraphs of that article. Listen to what he wrote. Our situation is worsening by the day, and the state apparatus is preparing to fight against its own citizens here at home. This is a precarious situation that could spiral out of control. And we're terribly close, in my opinion, to being in an uncontrollable police state environment. When this happens, the obvious next step will be martial law. Once that stage is reached, it may be too late to stop the coming onslaught of the totalitarian state.

[John Weaver] This is a serious threat and one that could result in violence and chaos in the streets of America. It's already happening. Okay? All need to be aware of this progression and all need to prepare to stop it. Anything less will result in the complete loss of what little freedom we have left and our lives may be forever harmed. Listen to what he says. The state is always and forever the enemy of the people. It has nothing. It creates nothing. It produces nothing. And it lives and survives by looting, stealing, beating, and murdering. It's time to remove the power that the state holds over us and to try liberty instead of slavery. I say it's time to abolish the state. That's what he's wrote.

[John Weaver] Did you know that Albert J. Knock, many years ago, wrote a book entitled Our Enemy, the State. There are indeed Nockean societies all over this country. Anne Ryan in her book Atlas Shrugged, and I don't recommend Anne because of her infidelity, but what she says here is dead on. Listen to what she said. When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing, When you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods but in favors, when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work, and your laws no longer protect you against them but protect them against you, you may know that your society is doomed. Wow.

[John Weaver] Let me ask you a question. Do you really believe that Obama and the Feds are genuinely interested in health care? Undoubtedly, you've read about the effects of socialized medicine in England and in other countries as well. And probably you may have heard about, or at least read about, the limitations that are planned for the elderly, for the cancer patients, and those that are considered terminally ill. Let me ask you, do you really want a bureaucrat from the federal government determining when it's your time to die?

[John Weaver] Stop and think about that. Do you want some bureaucrat to determine whether or not you receive certain medicines or medical treatment? If you've done any reading or listening at all to the news or visited any internet sites, you should know that all healthcare is going to be drastically reduced. Moreover, you've got to ask yourself this question. What are those people on the state and the federal health care going to do when there's no more subsidies? There's no money to provide such care for everyone.

[John Weaver] You probably never read this. It may have skipped your reading, but it was all over the internet. October 31st, Halloween, one article said should have been really scary for most people because October 31st, the national debt surpassed our gross national product. There is nothing like that. you could take all the goods and all the money in this country and it would never ever reach what we owe.

[John Weaver] So let me ask you, if you don't think then that Obama and the feds are genuinely interested in your health, do you not think it's your responsibility to take care of your health and provide for yourself? and prepare for what you and I would know would be the inevitable.

[John Weaver] Now, I understand that each of us has to die sooner or later. I understand that. But I got news for you. I don't want to die because of my own pathetic stubbornness and failure to prepare. There are medicines, some medicines that you can stock up on. Moreover, you can take CPR courses. You can take combat medical courses. You can take EMT courses at technical schools and colleges.

[John Weaver] You can do CERT training, community emergency response training. Most cities have that. Ours does not, where I live. But most cities, Douglas has it. Tifton has it. Probably, well, I know Waycross has it. Probably St. Simons has it. Do you realize that you can sign up for this training and they even provide you with a lot of equipment? If you will go for nine weeks of training, one night a week for nine weeks. It's CERT training, Community Emergency Response Training.

[John Weaver] I'm just simply pointing out the fact that there are classes that we can have here. There's so much to learn and so many people who can teach. You can learn alternative medicine. You don't need drugs. I don't think anybody ever really suffers from a drug deficiency. That is naturally. You may suffer from one if you've been on one for a long time. But you can learn about herbs. You can learn about homeopathic medicine.

[John Weaver] And you can buy books, and especially those books where there is no doctor and where there is no dentist. You can also purchase books. Go on the internet, read about wound care, how to cleanse wounds, how to suture wounds. There are so many things that you can learn just to take care of yourself. You can learn how to set a broken bone. It's a piece of cake. It really is. You can learn how to fix a dislocated shoulder. Have you ever wondered how our forefathers took care of themselves when there were no doctors and no hospitals on every corner? Have you ever wondered that?

[John Weaver] And my goodness, they did it and they did it well. The problem is we need to learn discipline. We need to shut off the TV set and begin to study and learn and apply and teach. We can become self-sufficient. We may never ever be able to do brain surgery, but there's a lot that we can do to take care of ourselves. We need to cease being dependent upon others and especially the state, the feds, and learn to take care of ourselves. We need to cease being serfs and slaves.

[John Weaver] Jerry Spence, in his book, From Freedom to Slavery, said this. Listen. He said, in America, we have achieved the Orwellian prediction. We are enslaved. The people have been programmed to love their bondage and are left to clutch only mirage-like images of freedom, its fables and fictions. The new slaves are linked together by vast electronic chains of television that imprison not their bodies only, but their minds as well. Their desires are programmed, their tastes manipulated, their values are set from them. And that's true. You talk to the average individual and they believe whatever they see and hear on television. The prudent man flees slavery just as quickly and readily as Joseph fled Potiphar's wife. The prudent man avoids soup lines and welfare agencies and the government dole.

[John Weaver] He prepares because he believes the Word of God and he understands that he's responsible for himself and his family. He does not look to others, he looks only to the Lord and to himself. And he believes Proverbs 6 when the wise man said, Go to the aunt thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise, who puts up in the summer that she may have in the winter. The prudent man is the man that prepares to take care of himself. Proverbs 18 and verse 10 tells us, The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe. What does that mean? It means, yes, we trust in the Lord, but we obey Him and do that which He has commanded. His tower, is His Word, and we need to learn to be obedient to that Word. So here's the prudent. The prudent, then, are those that hear, are those that understand, those who take action, those who prepare for what they know is really coming down the pike.

[John Weaver] Very quickly, let me cover the pathetic. Our text said this, a prudent man foresees the evil, and hide it themselves. But the simple pass on and are punished. I hope you're beginning to see the clear distinction and the contrast between the prudent and the pathetic. The simple pass on and are punished. They pay no heed to the warning signs. They pay no heed to what is happening around them. They refuse to listen. They refuse to be educated. They refuse to be enlightened. They refuse instruction.

[John Weaver] And the word simple, as I've already pointed out, simply means fool, foolish, one who is naive, one who is simple, one who lacks understanding and discernment. I want you to see what God says. I want you to look back to Proverbs chapter 1 very quickly. Then we'll go to Proverbs 9. But look in Proverbs chapter 1. And notice, if you would, verse 32, what God says. Proverbs 1 verse 32. Look at this. Proverbs 1 verse 32, For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. The turning away of the simple shall slay them. They won't listen.

[John Weaver] They pass on like a hog to the slaughter. They don't listen. They will not learn. Look in Proverbs 9 and verse 13. Proverbs 9 verse 13. Here's what God says about a foolish woman. He says, a foolish woman is clamorous. She is simple and knoweth nothing. Simple and knoweth nothing. What's that mean? Doesn't understand. Has no knowledge. Has no wisdom. The simple are simple because of their ignorance and unbelief. And because of their ignorance and because of their unbelief, consequently, they pass on and they're punished. They pass on without fear, without reason, without thinking. They're resolved only to have their way, to do their own thing, to enjoy the present. And God says, they're going to be punished. They don't want to have their little boat rocked. They don't want to be moved out of their fantasy world. They don't want to be upset. They don't want to have to learn. I've got my little routine and that's what I'm going to stick in. I want you to turn back to the book of Exodus chapter 9.

[John Weaver] You remember when God was sending all of His judgments upon Egypt. Moses told the Egyptian exactly what was going to happen. I want you to watch this. Look in verse 18. Exodus 9 verse 18. Moses says, Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now and gather thy cattle and all that thou hast in the field. For upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. Now watch these next verses. He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses. And he that regardeth not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field. What was that? God says, if you believe Me, if you listen to Me, you'll obey Me, you'll avoid the evil.

[John Weaver] If you don't believe Me, if you don't listen to Me, if you don't obey Me, you'll die. So he that feared the Word of the Lord, obeyed. He that did not fear the Word of the Lord, suffered. The Bible says in Proverbs 16 and verse 21, listen carefully, the wise in heart shall be called prudent and the sweetness of lips increaseth learning. The wise in heart shall be called prudent.

[John Weaver] So I want to make some applications. I've shown you the prudent from the word of God. I have shown you the pathetic from the word of God. Here we go. The first application prudence. is preferred over simplicity. It is the wisdom of God that truly makes a prudent man. Worldly wisdom or worldly prudence will come to absolutely nothing. Now I want you to listen. 1 Corinthians 1.19, don't turn there, let me quote it. God said this, for it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent, that is the worldly prudent. If you read the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 1, he's talking about destroying the wisdom and the prudence of the world. You may have all types of worldly prudence and worldly wisdom and still suffer loss. Biblical prudence. It's what God is talking about. I do want you to turn to Hosea. Look in Hosea. Daniel. Daniel, Hosea. Look in Hosea chapter Hosea 14 and verse 9. I want you to notice how Hosea ends his message.

[John Weaver] Watch this. Hosea 14 verse 9. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things. Prudent, and he shall know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them. but the transgressors shall fall therein." That's Proverbs 22 in verse 3. That's Proverbs 27 in verse 12. Explain. Who is wise? You want to know who the really wise man is? Who's the one who has understanding? Who's the one who is really prudent? The one who knows the ways of the Lord and walks in them.

[John Weaver] But the simple pass on and are punished. Read Pilgrim's Progress. You'll find out what happens to Mr. Worldly Wise Man. He never makes it. The second application is this. Prudence not only teaches us to prepare, it also teaches us when to speak and when not to speak. In Amos chapter 5 and verse 13, let me just quote it. Here's what the Bible says, Therefore the prudent shall keep silence at that time For it is an evil time. There's a time to speak, there's a time not to speak. If I were to ask you, how many in this room have ever said things they wish they had never said, every hand would be raised. I can assure you.

[John Weaver] One of my favorite verses is, He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his soul from troubles. There's a time to speak, there's a time not to speak. And sometimes we may say the right thing, but say it to the wrong person. Proverbs 25 and verse 11 says this, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold and pictures of silver. That is true. But the opposite is also true. A word that needs not be spoken and should not be spoken is equally like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

[John Weaver] We have to see the difference between the prudent and the pathetic. So I begin this message by asking you, are you prudent or pathetic? You can answer that yourself based upon what I've showed you from the Word of God. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for your grace and your mercy and your help. I pray, Father, that you'd make each of us prudent, that you'd help us, Lord, to do that which we can by thy grace and by thy mercy, and prepare, Lord, according to your wisdom and according to your Word, and we give thee praise and understanding And Father, we ask Thee, Father, that You would receive all the glory and all the praise for everything. And please, Father, give us understanding and give us discernment. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

The Prudent and the Pathetic

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	Al8N9C9zfhg
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: Wealth, Defense, and Justice
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-03-14
Dictation Name
Book	Book 083: Proverbs: Wealth, Defense, and Justice — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	71

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Definitions

Weaver introduces Proverbs 22:3 and defines 'prudent' as one who foresees evil and hides, and 'pathetic' as the simple who pass on and are punished. He explains that the simple, scorner, and fool are used interchangeably in Scripture.

So, let's get started today. Let's open our Bibles, if we would please, to the book of Proverbs, chapter 22. Proverbs, chapter 22. There's a number of things that I've got that I believe that might be helpful for you. For those of you who have not listened to the CD that I just gave out, I would encourage you to do so. And I do have a few left if I missed you. If you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, one verse today, you'll also find this verse in Proverbs 27 and verse 12.

The title of the message is "The Prudent and the Pathetic." So if you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, the word of God says this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 22:3

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished."

So the question is, are you prudent? Listen carefully because I did not ask are you prudish or prunish, but are you prudent? I could probably ask this question, are you prudent or pathetic? And we could really discover the answer to that question just simply by looking at the scripture. And I'm using the word pathetic today in the way that it should be used in the sense of eliciting or drawing forth scornful pity. According to our text, if one is not prudent, then very obviously he is pathetic. The word pathetic simply denotes one that is foolish, one that is simple, one that lacks understanding. And you're going to find as we look through scripture that oftentimes the word simple, the word scornful, and the word fool are used interchangeably, because they refer to the one and the same individual.

So, look in your Bibles very quickly to begin with at the Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 22. Let me just show you several verses. Notice if you would, Proverbs 1 and verse 22. We're right now just giving some definitions of the pathetic and of the prudent. But notice Proverbs 1 and verse 22, the Word of God asks this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 1:22

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?" "And the scorners delight in their scorn, and fools hate knowledge."

So notice if you would, please, the simple, the scorner, and the fool are all in the same boat. They're all identical. They're one and the same. If you look in Proverbs 7 and verse 7, and here's a young man that is about to go into a harlot. And notice what the Bible says, Proverbs 7 and verse 7. God says, "And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youth a young man void of understanding." But I want you to notice the word simple, and then he explains what he means by that as someone being void of understanding. Then if you look in Proverbs 8 and verse 5, again God says this: "O ye simple, understand wisdom, and ye fools, be of an understanding heart." So the word simple and the word fool here are used interchangeably. So a simple man is a fool and a fool is a simple man as well. So I'm using this term pathetic then to describe the simple, the scorner, and the fool.

A pathetic or simple person is one that does not wish to be bothered with facts or reality. I've talked to a number of people and tried to explain some things and I've heard people say, "I don't want to hear that." I've actually seen people put their hands over their ears like, "Don't tell me that, I don't want to know that. I'm not interested in learning anything about that." So the simple or the pathetic individual is someone who lives in his own fantasy world and he shuns everything that would cause him consternation.

Biblical Prudence vs. Worldly Prudence

Weaver distinguishes between wisdom from above (pure, peaceable) and wisdom from beneath (earthly, sensual, devilish) using James 3:13-18. He emphasizes that biblical prudence is to be acted upon.

For instance, look in your Bibles to the book of James chapter 3, still hold Proverbs, but turn over to James chapter 3, Hebrews, James, and look if you would beginning there with verse 13. James chapter 3 and verse 13. Watch this question. James 3 verse 13:

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."

Then God says this:

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"If you have bitter envying, strife, and lying against the truth, watch. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

And now watch this difference. Here's the contrast.

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." So there is a wisdom or a prudence that is from above, and there's a wisdom and a prudence from beneath. So twice, in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, and Proverbs 27 and verse 12, we're told, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished." So prudence then, according to the Bible, is that which allows us to see and prepare for that which is inevitable.

The Prudent Man: Seeing and Preparing

The prudent man uses knowledge and understanding to foresee evil and take action. Weaver illustrates with examples like hurricane preparation and connects prudence to knowledge, understanding, and action from Proverbs.

That which we know is to come. Now, God has not allowed us to be able to look into the future and to see everything in detail. Certainly, that is not the case. But, if you and I understand the principles of the Word of God, if we understand the curses and the blessings that are taught in the Word of God, then there is a way that we can foresee the evil that is going to come. For instance, when I was a boy and I did something wrong and I got caught, I knew what was coming. I knew. And it came with power and fury, I can assure you. But this is the same principle as we look and see how a society and how a nation transgress the law of God and how they disobey and dishonor him. Inevitably, invariably we know that a curse is going to come. So we're not going to be able to see in the future exactly what is going to happen in detail, but we can tell generally based upon the principle of the scripture what is going to be sooner or later coming down the pike. And therefore prudence then allows us to see the evil that is coming and either prepare for it or step out of the way or get out of the way of it.

For instance, in Isaiah 26 and verse 20, don't just turn there, but let me quote it. Here's what God says:

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 26:20

"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast."

So what did God say? God said, get in your chamber, get safe until my anger is passed. Until the calamities are passed.

You and I cannot avert disasters. We cannot avert judgments and collapses. We cannot divert them. We cannot stop them. But if we see them, if we understand them, we can prepare for them to the best of our ability.

Now, let me try to give you an illustration. If we know that conditions for a hurricane are ripe, and if we know, for instance, the Hurricane Center has not only issued hurricane warnings but said, yes, one is probably on the way and it's going to hit our coast in a day or two. So here's my question. Would it be prudent for you and I to stock up on some supplies and food in preparation for what we know is coming or should we just wait? and see if it really happens and or if it really affects us. So should we prepare or should we not prepare? Should we be prudent or should we be pathetic? Should we put something up that we know that we would need in an emergency situation or should we just walk on and say, "Well, it won't happen to me. I'll never be in need." By the way, Alice and I were visiting our daughter and her family down in Tampa, Florida, one time. It was the first day we got there. It was the first day they put out hurricane warnings. We got there a little bit early during the day, and our daughter decided, well, we would wait until her husband came home, and then we would go to the store and get what we needed. By the time we got to the store at 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, guess what? The shelves were bare. And that was just the first day. So I'm just simply saying, my goodness, there is in Proverbs 22 and verse 3 a strong contrast between the prudent and the pathetic.

And the contrast that is made is very clearly evident. The prudent look ahead and they see the calamity coming. In seeing it, they prepare for it. The simple, oblivious to what is going on, just walk on their way as if their head is in the clouds, they're in their own fantasy world, and they go on their merry ways and are simply punished.

Now the Bible teaches in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 2 and verse 14, just listen to this:

Scripture Reading — Ecclesiastes 2:14

"A wise man's eyes are in his head."

A wise man's eyes are in his head. Then in Ecclesiastes 10 in verse 2, the Bible says this: "A wise man's heart is at his right hand." Now watch, the right hand is the hand of action. So the man sees and then the righteous man's heart is at his right hand. He then acts upon that which he does see. Did you know that in the New Testament that our Lord derided and berated the Pharisees for not discerning the signs of the times? For instance, hold Proverbs again, but look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 16. Matthew chapter 16. And notice if you would what our Lord says beginning there with verse 1. Matthew 16 and verse 1. Watch carefully. "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven."

He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say it will be fair weather for the sky is red, and in the morning it will be foul weather today for the sky is red and lowering." Now look at his application. "O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" You cannot discern the signs of the times. You know what the signs of the times really are? They are what is happening around you right now. They're what is going on in your life and in society. There are so many signs of our times today. It's like a huge billboard and a neon light. Unhappily, most people just simply ignore the signs. Would you ignore a sign as you're traveling down the highway at 70 miles an hour that said, "Bridge out"? You know, that's exactly what is happening today. Everybody is ignoring what is happening in our society with the riots, with the economic situation, with the pending collapse. I just want you to consider two points today. I want you to consider the prudent and then I want you to consider the pathetic. So let's look at the prudent first.

I want to take a moment with you and take you through the book of Proverbs very quickly and let me show you how prudence is connected with knowledge, understanding and action. You see, a prudent man is not just simply someone who sees and knows. He's one who acts. He knows how to act. So look in Proverbs chapter 13 and verse 16. Proverbs 13 verse 16. Proverbs 13 verse 16. God says,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 13:16

"Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge, but a fool layeth open his folly."

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge. So prudence then is connected to knowledge and understanding. Look in Proverbs 14 and verse 8. Proverbs 14 and verse 8. God says, "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 14:8

"But the folly of fools is deceit."

So the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. Look in Proverbs 14 and verse 15. Proverbs 14 and verse 15. "The simple believeth every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going." The prudent man looketh well to his going. Look in verse 18. Proverbs 14 verse 18. "The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." Notice how knowledge, wisdom, understanding, action, all working together. Look in Proverbs 15 in verse 5. "A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 15:5

So if you get reproved, if you get chastised and you pay attention to it and you learn from it, and you learn how to act, God says, that is prudence. Look in Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 21. "The wise in heart shall be called prudent and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Then Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 15. Proverbs 18 and verse 15. Again, "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge." So the heart of the prudent then getteth knowledge, and as he gets understanding, he gets wisdom. Now, let me tell you something about the prudent man. The prudent man does not need to know every detail about the future. What's he do?

He examines what is happening in the present with understanding, with discernment, with knowledge, with wisdom that comes from above, and he prepares himself and his family for that which is coming sooner or later. The prudent man foresees the evil. He sees it coming. He knows that it's coming. By the way, the word evil in Proverbs 22 and verse 3 and Proverbs 27 verse 12 refers to that which is hurtful, disagreeable, unpleasant, distressful, malignant, bad, injurious, and that which leads to adversity. So the prudent man foreseeth all of those things. The prudent man foreseeth. Let me change it.

Let me put it like this. The prudent man sees the termite damage in the house and foresees that if something is not done, the house is going to collapse. The prudent man sees the approaching storm and foresees that he needs a place of safety. The prudent man sees threatening danger around himself and foresees that he needs to protect himself and his family. The prudent man sees the temptation coming and flees from it. The prudent man sees the battle brewing. He foresees it's coming and therefore he prepares his armor because he knows and he understands.

Now let me begin to try to make some very practical application of all of this. Do you see any signs of our economy collapsing? Do you see any sign of joblessness and the rise of people without a means to support themselves? Have you noticed how many businesses have shut down due to the economy? The General Motors dealership in our town shut down. Shoney's restaurant shut down. A number of other little restaurants have shut down.

Practical Applications: Economic and Societal Collapse

Weaver cites signs of economic collapse, rising food and ammo costs, and urban decay (Detroit, Las Vegas, Camden) as evidence of coming evil. He urges stocking up on essentials and learning self-sufficiency.

I don't care where you look. I was preaching in Florida. I'm not going to tell you where. But I preached there twice, one year right after the other. And one man was telling me, who was a huge contractor, he said, "We're barely hanging on by the skin of our teeth." They had been doing $50 million a year business. It dropped down to $15 million. He said, "We can barely keep our doors open." The next year I was there, totally gone. Went from 50 million to absolutely nothing.

Do you realize, and I don't know if you've been reading, I don't know if you've been listening, but do you realize men like Gerald Celente, Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Porter Stansberry, I don't care if you talk about Christian or non-Christian economists, they're all saying basically that our society, our economy, the way we know it, is either going to collapse this winter or no later than next year. I don't care which way you turn, you're looking at it left and right. Even the liberal news media are saying the same thing. Not only have you noticed a bad economy, but have you noticed an increase in food costs? Have you ever considered laying up or stocking up on the essential items that you know that you use and will need daily, weekly, or monthly?

Would you not think it would be prudent to buy some things now before they rise in price? And I hope you understand that the reason that prices are rising is simply because the value of the Federal Reserve note is decreasing. And the more paper the Fed prints, the more worthless what you have becomes. And by the way, they've already announced that they are going to do a third quantitative easing with billions of dollars into the economy. I love what H.L. Mencken said. He said the government is the only entity that he knew that could take a valuable commodity like paper, slap some ink on it, and make it totally worthless. Let me just give you a quick illustration. A few years back, I started shooting a handgun. When I first started shooting, a box of 9mm at 100 rounds a box was $12.00. It went from $12.00 to $15.00 to $18.00 to $21.97. Now it is $23.97 at Walmart. So it went from $12.00 to basically $24.00. Now, see, if I had taken $5,000 and invested it back when it was $12.00, you say, boy, you would have doubled your money. Yes. Due to inflation, I would have doubled my money.

But in reality, the price of ammo has not increased. The value of the paper money has gone down. If we were on a silver standard, or I was paying in silver, it would be essentially the same. All I'm trying to show you is this, and you can mark it down, the price of ammunition, I don't care what caliber, is going to continue to rise. The reason it's going to continue to rise is because the value of the money is going down. So my suggestion would be if you don't have enough, you need to get it now before it goes higher and higher and higher. And I will tell you what I told one lady. One young lady came up to me one day and she said, "Pastor, how much ammunition do you really need?" I looked at her and said, "One more box." I don't care how much you have, just one more box. Because you can always use it, sell it, or barter it.

Now, apply this same illustration to canned goods. I know that there's some canned goods that cannot be stored. However, there's a lot that can be stored. And you could save yourself a few shekels just simply by putting up that which you know that you're going to use. Because food prices are going to continue to rise just like ammo prices, just like anything else. What we do not understand is that it's not just the federal government that is broke, a lot of states and a lot of cities are absolutely bankrupt as well. I'm not going to read all of this, but I'm going to read you just a little bit of this. "The new reality for United States cities: no money for street lights, roving packs of wild dogs, and open air drug markets." Let me just read just a little of this. Here's the opening paragraph. "If you want to know what the early stages of an economic collapse look like, just walk around some of the downtown areas of our major cities."

"Today, nearly all large U.S. cities are either flat broke or are on their way to being flat broke. Yes, New York City, Washington, D.C., and a few others are still doing fairly well, but for most U.S. cities, economic reality is catching up with them very quickly. Right now, there are a number of major cities that are so broke they cannot keep the street lights operating." "Down in St. Louis, parents in some areas are carrying golf clubs with them as they walk their children to school in order to fend off roving packs of wild dogs. In other major US cities, open-air drug markets conduct business without fear. All over the United States, cities that used to be clean and prosperous and full of hope are now being transformed into post-industrial wastelands. We're certainly not in Mad Max territory yet, but it doesn't take too much imagination to see where all of this is headed."

Now, the article goes on to state, "The war to keep the lights on in Detroit is a serious one. Thieves, antiquated equipment, and a lack of funding have made it impossible for city officials to catch up on the problems. Listen, city officials estimate 15 to 20 percent of the 88,000 lights in the Motor City are not working. And they acknowledge that figure could be as high as 50% in some neighborhoods. But it is not just Detroit that is having a major problem. Over in Highland Park, Michigan, the majority of the streetlights have been repossessed because the city was not keeping up with the electrical bill. In Fresno, California, the theft of copper wire from streetlights has become a total nightmare. At this point, the loss of copper wire and the cost of repairing the streetlights is costing Fresno about $50,000 a month. So far, approximately 25,000 streetlights have been stripped of their wiring." I'm not going to read all of this, but let me read just a couple. I'm just trying to show you.

"Las Vegas. But Las Vegas' days as a boomtown are gone. At 14% unemployment, it is the highest in America. The national average is supposed to be 9.1. It's really higher than that. Housing prices have fallen 58.1% since their 2006 high. The biggest losses of anywhere in America, while according to the website RealtyTrac, which specializes in foreclosed properties, Las Vegas is the nation's foreclosure capital. Some 70% of the homes in Las Vegas are thought to be underwater or in negative equity, meaning their value is worth less than the amount owed on the mortgage. While foreclosure notices have been served on 1 in 16 properties. A survey last year by the local Las Vegas Review-Journal and Channel 8 News found that 34% of the locals would leave Las Vegas if they could find a job elsewhere or if they weren't underwater on their own home loan. Today there are hundreds of people living in tunnels under the streets of Las Vegas. You can see the CNN video of some of these people." And then he gives a website.

I'm skipping down. "Over in Los Angeles, homelessness is absolutely exploding and there are thousands of people living in the street. Now listen, in Skid Row, a grimy pocket of downtown Los Angeles, the prostrate forms of homeless people lie strewn across the pavements. The lucky ones have tents for shelters, but others make do with a sliver of cardboard for a bed and a supermarket trolley to carry their rags. At last count, 1,662 people live on the streets, twice as many as a year ago." "Now, amid the drug addicts and the drunks are families who not so long ago had homes and ordinary suburban lives." I'm skipping on down. "But there are cities in California that are even in worse shape than Los Angeles. If you go east of Los Angeles about a hundred miles, you'll come to the city of San Bernardino. 34.6% of the residents of San Bernardino are currently living below the poverty line. Among major US cities, only Detroit has a worse poverty rate." Skipping down, "In an extraordinary article entitled 'City of Ruins,' Chris Hedges did an amazing job of documenting how bad things have gotten in Camden, that is Camden, New Jersey. Today it is estimated that the actual unemployment rate in Camden is between 30 and 40 percent. For most young people in Camden, there are very few legitimate opportunities for a better life."

"Selling drugs is what they're doing. Here is an excerpt. Listen to this. This is unbelievable. There are perhaps a hundred..." This is Camden, New Jersey. "There are perhaps a hundred open-air drug markets, most run by gangs like the Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Los Nitos, the MS-13. Lots of young men in black leather jackets and baggy sweatshirts sell weed and crack to clients, many of whom drive in from the suburbs. The drug trade is one of the city's few thriving businesses."

"A weapon, police say, is never more than a few feet away, usually stashed behind a trash can in the grass or on a porch." Skipping down, he said, "If you can believe it, 72% of all US cities are laying off workers this year." And then the last little sentence is this: "Take advantage of the relative prosperity that we're enjoying now to prepare for the lean years which are ahead." You need to read all of this document. It's absolutely astounding. We've talked about food. We've talked about society. But let me ask you, what about the federal government? Do you think, for one instant, that the federal government is going to grant or to give us more and more liberty? Or that they're going to grant and give us more and more tyranny? If you are aware of the fact that we are losing our liberties and our freedoms, are you making any preparations?

Practical Applications: Government Tyranny and Healthcare

Weaver warns of increasing government tyranny, potential martial law, and the failures of socialized medicine. He encourages taking responsibility for one's own health and learning medical skills.

Are you thinking through things? Are you planning for what you know is going to be coming down the pike? Are you prudent in this area or pathetic? Gary D. Barnett wrote an article entitled, "Police State Fascism is Now Rampant, Martial Law is Next." Here's three paragraphs of that article. Listen to what he wrote. "Our situation is worsening by the day, and the state apparatus is preparing to fight against its own citizens here at home. This is a precarious situation that could spiral out of control. And we're terribly close, in my opinion, to being in an uncontrollable police state environment. When this happens, the obvious next step will be martial law. Once that stage is reached, it may be too late to stop the coming onslaught of the totalitarian state."

"This is a serious threat and one that could result in violence and chaos in the streets of America. It's already happening. Okay? All need to be aware of this progression and all need to prepare to stop it. Anything less will result in the complete loss of what little freedom we have left and our lives may be forever harmed." Listen to what he says. "The state is always and forever the enemy of the people. It has nothing. It creates nothing. It produces nothing. And it lives and survives by looting, stealing, beating, and murdering. It's time to remove the power that the state holds over us and to try liberty instead of slavery. I say it's time to abolish the state." That's what he wrote.

Did you know that Albert J. Nock, many years ago, wrote a book entitled "Our Enemy, the State"? There are indeed Nockean societies all over this country. Ayn Rand in her book "Atlas Shrugged," and I don't recommend Ayn because of her infidelity, but what she says here is dead on. Listen to what she said. "When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing, when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods but in favors, when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work, and your laws no longer protect you against them but protect them against you, you may know that your society is doomed." Wow. Let me ask you a question. Do you really believe that Obama and the Feds are genuinely interested in health care? Undoubtedly, you've read about the effects of socialized medicine in England and in other countries as well. And probably you may have heard about, or at least read about, the limitations that are planned for the elderly, for the cancer patients, and those that are considered terminally ill. Let me ask you, do you really want a bureaucrat from the federal government determining when it's your time to die?

Stop and think about that. Do you want some bureaucrat to determine whether or not you receive certain medicines or medical treatment? If you've done any reading or listening at all to the news or visited any internet sites, you should know that all healthcare is going to be drastically reduced. Moreover, you've got to ask yourself this question. What are those people on the state and the federal health care going to do when there's no more subsidies? There's no money to provide such care for everyone. You probably never read this. It may have skipped your reading, but it was all over the internet. October 31st, Halloween, one article said should have been really scary for most people because October 31st, the national debt surpassed our gross national product. There is nothing like that. You could take all the goods and all the money in this country and it would never ever reach what we owe.

So let me ask you, if you don't think then that Obama and the feds are genuinely interested in your health, do you not think it's your responsibility to take care of your health and provide for yourself and prepare for what you and I would know would be the inevitable? Now, I understand that each of us has to die sooner or later. I understand that. But I got news for you. I don't want to die because of my own pathetic stubbornness and failure to prepare. There are medicines, some medicines that you can stock up on. Moreover, you can take CPR courses. You can take combat medical courses. You can take EMT courses at technical schools and colleges.

You can do CERT training, community emergency response training. Most cities have that. Ours does not, where I live. But most cities, Douglas has it. Tifton has it. Probably, well, I know Waycross has it. Probably St. Simons has it. Do you realize that you can sign up for this training and they even provide you with a lot of equipment? If you will go for nine weeks of training, one night a week for nine weeks. It's CERT training, Community Emergency Response Training.

I'm just simply pointing out the fact that there are classes that we can have here. There's so much to learn and so many people who can teach. You can learn alternative medicine. You don't need drugs. I don't think anybody ever really suffers from a drug deficiency. That is naturally. You may suffer from one if you've been on one for a long time. But you can learn about herbs. You can learn about homeopathic medicine.

And you can buy books, and especially those books like "Where There Is No Doctor" and "Where There Is No Dentist." You can also purchase books. Go on the internet, read about wound care, how to cleanse wounds, how to suture wounds. There are so many things that you can learn just to take care of yourself. You can learn how to set a broken bone. It's a piece of cake. It really is. You can learn how to fix a dislocated shoulder. Have you ever wondered how our forefathers took care of themselves when there were no doctors and no hospitals on every corner? Have you ever wondered that?

And my goodness, they did it and they did it well. The problem is we need to learn discipline. We need to shut off the TV set and begin to study and learn and apply and teach. We can become self-sufficient. We may never ever be able to do brain surgery, but there's a lot that we can do to take care of ourselves. We need to cease being dependent upon others and especially the state, the feds, and learn to take care of ourselves. We need to cease being serfs and slaves.

The Pathetic Man: Ignoring Warnings

The simple refuse to listen, lack understanding, and are punished. Weaver references Proverbs 1:32 and Exodus 9:18-21 to show that those who fear God's Word obey and are spared, while those who disregard it suffer.

Very quickly, let me cover the pathetic. Our text said this, "A prudent man foresees the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." I hope you're beginning to see the clear distinction and the contrast between the prudent and the pathetic. The simple pass on and are punished. They pay no heed to the warning signs. They pay no heed to what is happening around them. They refuse to listen. They refuse to be educated. They refuse to be enlightened. They refuse instruction.

And the word simple, as I've already pointed out, simply means fool, foolish, one who is naive, one who is simple, one who lacks understanding and discernment. I want you to see what God says. I want you to look back to Proverbs chapter 1 very quickly. Then we'll go to Proverbs 9. But look in Proverbs chapter 1. And notice, if you would, verse 32, what God says. Proverbs 1 verse 32. Look at this. Proverbs 1 verse 32, "For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." The turning away of the simple shall slay them. They won't listen.

They pass on like a hog to the slaughter. They don't listen. They will not learn. Look in Proverbs 9 and verse 13. Proverbs 9 verse 13. Here's what God says about a foolish woman. He says, "A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing." Simple and knoweth nothing. What's that mean? Doesn't understand. Has no knowledge. Has no wisdom. The simple are simple because of their ignorance and unbelief. And because of their ignorance and because of their unbelief, consequently, they pass on and they're punished. They pass on without fear, without reason, without thinking. They're resolved only to have their way, to do their own thing, to enjoy the present. And God says, they're going to be punished. They don't want to have their little boat rocked. They don't want to be moved out of their fantasy world. They don't want to be upset. They don't want to have to learn. "I've got my little routine and that's what I'm going to stick in." I want you to turn back to the book of Exodus chapter 9.

You remember when God was sending all of His judgments upon Egypt. Moses told the Egyptians exactly what was going to happen. I want you to watch this. Look in verse 18. Exodus 9 verse 18. Moses says, "Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die." Now watch these next verses. "He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: and he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field." What was that? God says, if you believe Me, if you listen to Me, you'll obey Me, you'll avoid the evil.

If you don't believe Me, if you don't listen to Me, if you don't obey Me, you'll die. So he that feared the Word of the Lord, obeyed. He that did not fear the Word of the Lord, suffered. The Bible says in Proverbs 16 and verse 21, listen carefully, "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." The wise in heart shall be called prudent.

Applications: True Prudence and Silence

Weaver concludes that true prudence comes from knowing and walking in God's ways (Hosea 14:9). He also notes that prudence teaches when to speak and when to keep silent, citing Amos 5:13.

So I want to make some applications. I've shown you the prudent from the word of God. I have shown you the pathetic from the word of God. Here we go. The first application: prudence is preferred over simplicity. It is the wisdom of God that truly makes a prudent man. Worldly wisdom or worldly prudence will come to absolutely nothing. Now I want you to listen. 1 Corinthians 1:19, don't turn there, let me quote it. God said this, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent," that is the worldly prudent. If you read the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 1, he's talking about destroying the wisdom and the prudence of the world. You may have all types of worldly prudence and worldly wisdom and still suffer loss. Biblical prudence. It's what God is talking about. I do want you to turn to Hosea. Look in Hosea. Daniel, Hosea. Look in Hosea chapter 14 and verse 9. I want you to notice how Hosea ends his message.

Watch this. Hosea 14 verse 9. "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." That's Proverbs 22 and verse 3. That's Proverbs 27 and verse 12. Explain. Who is wise? You want to know who the really wise man is? Who's the one who has understanding? Who's the one who is really prudent? The one who knows the ways of the Lord and walks in them.

But the simple pass on and are punished. Read Pilgrim's Progress. You'll find out what happens to Mr. Worldly Wiseman. He never makes it. The second application is this. Prudence not only teaches us to prepare, it also teaches us when to speak and when not to speak. In Amos chapter 5 and verse 13, let me just quote it. Here's what the Bible says, "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time." There's a time to speak, there's a time not to speak. If I were to ask you, how many in this room have ever said things they wish they had never said, every hand would be raised. I can assure you.

One of my favorite verses is, "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul from troubles." There's a time to speak, there's a time not to speak. And sometimes we may say the right thing, but say it to the wrong person. Proverbs 25 and verse 11 says this, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." That is true. But the opposite is also true. A word that needs not be spoken and should not be spoken is equally like apples of gold in pictures of silver. We have to see the difference between the prudent and the pathetic. So I begin this message by asking you, are you prudent or pathetic? You can answer that yourself based upon what I've showed you from the Word of God. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for your grace and your mercy and your help. I pray, Father, that you'd make each of us prudent, that you'd help us, Lord, to do that which we can by thy grace and by thy mercy, and prepare, Lord, according to your wisdom and according to your Word, and we give thee praise and understanding. And Father, we ask Thee, Father, that You would receive all the glory and all the praise for everything. And please, Father, give us understanding and give us discernment. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Prudence as Biblical Wisdom in Action

Summary: Prudence is not merely foresight but active preparation based on God's Word. It involves knowledge, understanding, and deliberate action to avoid evil.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself' and connects prudence to knowledge and action through multiple Proverbs (13:16, 14:8, 14:15).

The Simple as Willfully Ignorant and Punished

Summary: The simple (pathetic) are characterized by refusal to heed warnings, lack of understanding, and inevitable punishment. They are synonymous with fools and scorners.

Evidence: Weaver defines the simple as those who 'pass on and are punished' and cites Proverbs 1:22, 7:7, 8:5 to show interchangeability with fools.

Distinction Between Godly and Worldly Wisdom

Summary: There is a wisdom from above that is pure and peaceable, and a wisdom from beneath that is earthly and devilish. True prudence aligns with God's wisdom.

Evidence: Weaver contrasts the two wisdoms using James 3:13-18, noting that worldly prudence leads to confusion and evil.

Practical Preparation for Impending Calamity

Summary: Believers should foresee economic collapse, societal decay, and government tyranny, and prepare by stocking supplies, learning skills, and becoming self-sufficient.

Evidence: Weaver gives examples of rising ammo prices, urban decay in Detroit and Camden, and urges stocking up on food and learning medical skills.

Responsibility to Heed God's Warnings

Summary: Those who fear God's Word obey and are spared, while those who disregard it suffer. The example of the Egyptians in Exodus 9 illustrates this principle.

Evidence: Weaver references Exodus 9:18-21, where those who feared the word of the Lord brought their cattle inside and were saved from the hail.

Prudence in Speech: Knowing When to Be Silent

Summary: Prudence includes discerning when to speak and when to keep silent, especially in evil times. This is a mark of wisdom.

Evidence: Weaver cites Amos 5:13 ('the prudent shall keep silence in that time') and Proverbs 10:19 on refraining lips.

Key Arguments

Prudence is defined by foresight and action, not just knowledge.

Summary: A prudent man not only sees coming evil but actively hides or prepares. This is contrasted with the simple who passively continue and are punished.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The prudent man foresees the evil. He sees it coming. He knows that it's coming... he prepares himself and his family.'

The simple, scorner, and fool are biblically identical.

Summary: Proverbs uses these terms interchangeably to describe those who reject wisdom and understanding, leading to their destruction.

Evidence: Weaver shows Proverbs 1:22, 7:7, and 8:5 where 'simple' is paralleled with 'fools' and 'void of understanding.'

Worldly prudence is condemned; only godly prudence saves.

Summary: Human wisdom and prudence, characterized by envy and strife, are earthly and devilish. True prudence comes from above and produces righteousness.

Evidence: Weaver cites James 3:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 1:19 to show God will destroy worldly wisdom.

Current signs demand practical preparation.

Summary: Economic indicators, urban decay, and government overreach are clear signs of coming evil. Believers must stock supplies, learn skills, and reduce dependence on the state.

Evidence: Weaver reads articles on city bankruptcies, rising ammo prices, and quotes Ayn Rand on societal doom.

Ignoring God's warnings leads to punishment.

Summary: The example of the Egyptians in Exodus 9 shows that those who disregarded Moses' warning suffered loss, while those who feared God's word were spared.

Evidence: Weaver reads Exodus 9:18-21 and applies it: 'He that feared the word of the Lord... obeyed. He that did not fear... suffered.'

True prudence is knowing and walking in God's ways.

Summary: Hosea 14:9 defines the truly prudent as those who understand and walk in the ways of the Lord, which are right.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Hosea 14:9: 'Who is wise... prudent... for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 22:3

Context: Key text: 'A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.'

Proverbs 27:12

Context: Parallel verse to Proverbs 22:3, mentioned as containing the same proverb.

Proverbs 1:22

Context: Shows the simple, scorners, and fools are grouped together as those who reject wisdom.

Proverbs 7:7

Context: A young man void of understanding is called 'simple,' illustrating the term's meaning.

Proverbs 8:5

Context: The simple and fools are addressed together, showing interchangeability.

1 Samuel 16:18

Context: David is described as 'prudent in matters,' exemplifying a prudent man.

Proverbs 10:19

Context: He that refrains his lips is wise, showing prudence in speech.

Psalm 141:3

Context: David's prayer for a guard over his mouth, illustrating prudence in silence.

James 3:13-18

Context: Contrasts wisdom from above (pure, peaceable) with earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom.

Isaiah 26:20

Context: God's call to hide until indignation passes, illustrating prudent hiding.

Ecclesiastes 2:14

Context: A wise man's eyes are in his head, indicating perception.

Ecclesiastes 10:2

Context: A wise man's heart is at his right hand, indicating action.

Matthew 16:1-3

Context: Jesus rebukes Pharisees for discerning weather but not the signs of the times.

Proverbs 13:16

Context: Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge.

Proverbs 14:8

Context: The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way.

Proverbs 14:15

Context: The prudent man looketh well to his going.

Proverbs 14:18

Context: The prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 15:5

Context: He that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 16:21

Context: The wise in heart shall be called prudent.

Proverbs 18:15

Context: The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge.

Historical References

H.L. Mencken quote on government and money

Context: Weaver quotes Mencken: 'the government is the only entity that he knew that could take a valuable commodity like paper, slap some ink on it, and make it totally worthless.'

Gerald Celente, Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Porter Stansberry

Context: Economists (Christian and non-Christian) predicting economic collapse by winter or next year.

Article on U.S. cities' economic collapse

Context: Weaver reads from an article describing street light outages, wild dogs, open-air drug markets in cities like Detroit, Highland Park, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Camden.

Gary D. Barnett article on police state and martial law

Context: Weaver reads excerpts warning of police state fascism and impending martial law.

Albert J. Nock, 'Our Enemy, the State'

Context: Weaver mentions Nock's book and Nockean societies.

Ayn Rand, 'Atlas Shrugged'

Context: Weaver quotes Rand on signs of a doomed society, noting he does not recommend her due to infidelity.

Gerry Spence, 'From Freedom to Slavery'

Context: Weaver quotes Spence on Americans being enslaved through television and programmed desires.

Pilgrim's Progress

Context: Weaver references Mr. Worldly Wiseman as an example of one who never makes it.

Important Quotes

A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.

Significance: This is the central verse of the sermon, defining the contrast between the prudent and the pathetic.

The simple, the scorner, and the fool are all in the same boat. They're all identical. They're one and the same.

Significance: Establishes the biblical basis for equating the simple with fools and scorners.

A prudent man is not just simply someone who sees and knows. He's one who acts.

Significance: Highlights that prudence requires action, not just knowledge.

The prudent man sees the termite damage in the house and foresees that if something is not done, the house is going to collapse.

Significance: Illustrates how prudence applies foresight to practical dangers.

He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: and he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Significance: Shows the consequence of heeding or ignoring God's warning, directly from Exodus 9.

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

Significance: Defines true prudence as knowing and walking in God's ways, from Hosea 14:9.

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Significance: Emphasizes that prudence includes knowing when not to speak, from Amos 5:13.

Discussion Questions

How does the biblical definition of 'simple' differ from our modern understanding of the word? Why is it equated with being a fool?

Context: Weaver explains that the simple, scorner, and fool are used interchangeably in Proverbs.

What are some practical ways we can 'foresee evil' in our personal lives and communities today?

Context: Weaver discusses seeing signs of economic collapse, societal decay, and government overreach.

How can we distinguish between godly prudence and worldly prudence in our decision-making?

Context: Weaver contrasts the two using James 3 and 1 Corinthians 1.

In what areas of life are you most tempted to be 'simple'—ignoring warnings and refusing to prepare?

Context: Weaver challenges listeners to examine whether they are prudent or pathetic.

What does it mean to 'hide yourself' in a practical sense when evil approaches?

Context: Weaver references Isaiah 26:20 and the concept of taking refuge in God's provision and wisdom.

How does the example of the Egyptians in Exodus 9 challenge our obedience to God's warnings?

Context: Weaver uses the story to show that fearing God's word leads to action and safety.

Why is silence sometimes the most prudent response, and how can we discern when to speak or not?

Context: Weaver cites Amos 5:13 and Proverbs 10:19 on the wisdom of refraining speech.

How can we cultivate a heart that 'getteth knowledge' and acts upon it, as described in Proverbs 18:15?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that the prudent actively seek knowledge and understanding.

Applications

Prepare practically for coming hardships

Summary: Stock up on essential items like food and ammunition before prices rise further, and learn skills such as first aid, CPR, and alternative medicine to reduce dependence on failing systems.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Would you not think it would be prudent to buy some things now before they rise in price?' and urges learning medical skills.

Seek godly wisdom and reject worldly prudence

Summary: Evaluate your decisions and plans against the wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, and full of good fruits, rather than earthly, self-serving strategies.

Evidence: Weaver contrasts the two wisdoms in James 3 and warns that worldly prudence will be destroyed.

Heed God's warnings in Scripture and current events

Summary: Pay attention to the signs of the times—economic, societal, and governmental—and respond with obedience, just as the Egyptians who feared God's word brought their cattle inside.

Evidence: Weaver uses Exodus 9 and Matthew 16 to show the importance of discerning signs and acting.

Practice prudence in speech

Summary: Learn when to speak and when to remain silent, especially in evil times, to avoid sin and trouble.

Evidence: Weaver cites Amos 5:13 and Proverbs 10:19, noting that 'he that refraineth his lips is wise.'

Walk in the ways of the Lord

Summary: True prudence is knowing and obeying God's commands. Make it a priority to understand His ways through Scripture and live accordingly.

Evidence: Weaver concludes with Hosea 14:9: 'the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them.'

Take personal responsibility for your family's well-being

Summary: Do not rely on the government or others for provision and protection; instead, follow the ant's example of preparing in times of plenty for times of need.

Evidence: Weaver references Proverbs 6:6-8 and states, 'He does not look to others, he looks only to the Lord and to himself.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T15:43:39Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T05:35:54Z

Clean Transcript

The Prudent and the Pathetic

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

So, let's get started today. Let's open our Bibles, if we would please, to the book of Proverbs, chapter 22. Proverbs, chapter 22. There's a number of things that I've got that I believe that might be helpful for you. For those of you who have not listened to the CD that I just gave out, I would encourage you to do so. And I do have a few left if I missed you. If you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, one verse today, you'll also find this verse in Proverbs 27 and verse 12.
#1 | 0:13 to 0:53 | cleaned
The title of the message is "The Prudent and the Pathetic." So if you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, the word of God says this: "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished." So the question is, are you prudent? Listen carefully because I did not ask are you prudish or prunish, but are you prudent? I could probably ask this question, are you prudent or pathetic? And we could really discover the answer to that question just simply by looking at the scripture. And I'm using the word pathetic today in the way that it should be used in the sense of eliciting or drawing forth scornful pity. According to our text, if one is not prudent, then very obviously he is pathetic. The word pathetic simply denotes one that is foolish, one that is simple, one that lacks understanding. And you're going to find as we look through scripture that oftentimes the word simple, the word scornful, and the word fool are used interchangeably, because they refer to the one and the same individual.
#2 | 0:53 to 2:13 | cleaned
So, look in your Bibles very quickly to begin with at the Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 22. Let me just show you several verses. Notice if you would, Proverbs 1 and verse 22. We're right now just giving some definitions of the pathetic and of the prudent. But notice Proverbs 1 and verse 22, the Word of God asks this: "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?"
#3 | 2:13 to 2:40 | cleaned
"And the scorners delight in their scorn, and fools hate knowledge." So notice if you would, please, the simple, the scorner, and the fool are all in the same boat. They're all identical. They're one and the same. If you look in Proverbs 7 and verse 7, and here's a young man that is about to go into a harlot. And notice what the Bible says, Proverbs 7 and verse 7. God says, "And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youth a young man void of understanding." But I want you to notice the word simple, and then he explains what he means by that as someone being void of understanding. Then if you look in Proverbs 8 and verse 5, again God says this: "O ye simple, understand wisdom, and ye fools, be of an understanding heart." So the word simple and the word fool here are used interchangeably. So a simple man is a fool and a fool is a simple man as well. So I'm using this term pathetic then to describe the simple, the scorner, and the fool.
#4 | 2:41 to 3:52 | cleaned
A pathetic or simple person is one that does not wish to be bothered with facts or reality. I've talked to a number of people and tried to explain some things and I've heard people say, "I don't want to hear that." I've actually seen people put their hands over their ears like, "Don't tell me that, I don't want to know that. I'm not interested in learning anything about that." So the simple or the pathetic individual is someone who lives in his own fantasy world and he shuns everything that would cause him consternation.
#5 | 3:52 to 4:24 | cleaned
He does not seek wisdom, he does not seek understanding, he does not prepare for evil because he does not see it and because he does not believe it. Or at least he believes, if it is real, then it will not affect him at all. Somehow, he will escape it.
#6 | 4:24 to 4:41 | cleaned
Now, the word prudent on the other hand, after having given you what the word pathetic means, the word prudent refers to one who is sagacious, wise, astute, and particularly one that looks ahead and plans and prepares and one who is purposeful and deliberate. The Hebrew word for prudent is the word binah and it indicates someone with discernment, understanding, observation, intelligence, discretion, insight, and consideration. Thus an individual then who is prudent in his affairs is one that handles his affairs with understanding, insight, and deliberation.
#7 | 4:42 to 5:26 | cleaned
Now I want you to understand that David was such an individual even as a young man. So if you will turn back in your Bibles very quickly, hold if you would Proverbs, but turn back to 1 Samuel chapter 16, and look if you would please at verse 18, at what is said concerning David. And he's being recommended now to stand before King Saul. In 1 Samuel 16 and verse 18, after Saul had said, "Get me a young man that can play well and bring him to me," in verse 18, then answered one of his servants and said, "Behold, I've seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man,
#8 | 5:26 to 6:10 | cleaned
and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and is a comely person, and the Lord is with him." But notice if you would, the Bible says he is prudent in matters. So David knew how to act, he knew how to speak, and he also knew when not to speak. It should be understood, and I'm going to show you before we close today, that sometimes a prudent man just keeps his mouth shut. Sometimes he does not say anything. If you'll go back in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs chapter 10, I'm just showing you some things about prudence. And the prudent man sometimes keeps his mouth closed. So if you'll look in Proverbs 10 and verse 19, the Scripture tells us this.
#9 | 6:10 to 6:58 | cleaned
"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise." So there's a time to speak and there's a time not to speak. It was David who prayed in Psalm 141 in verse 3, when he said, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips." So he's asking for wisdom as to when to keep his mouth shut. So David then, as a young man, was prudent, not only knowing when to speak but when not to speak, he was also brave and valiant as well.
#10 | 6:59 to 7:37 | cleaned
So prudence then, according to the scripture, will dictate many things. And biblical prudence is to always be acted upon and obeyed. Now let me very quickly distinguish for you between a biblical prudence and a humanistic or a worldly prudence. You have to remember that the world always has its imitation. And you can always tell basically which is which just simply by looking at the fruits. But just like human wisdom is condemned, human prudence is condemned as well. So God teaches us that there is a wisdom or prudence that is from above, and there is a wisdom and a prudence that is from beneath.
#11 | 7:37 to 8:26 | cleaned
For instance, look in your Bibles to the book of James chapter 3, still hold Proverbs, but turn over to James chapter 3, Hebrews, James, and look if you would beginning there with verse 13. James chapter 3 and verse 13. Watch this question. James 3 verse 13: "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." Now watch.
#12 | 8:26 to 9:02 | cleaned
"But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." Then God says this: "If you have bitter envying, strife, and lying against the truth, watch. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." And now watch this difference. Here's the contrast. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."
#13 | 9:03 to 9:43 | cleaned
"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." So there is a wisdom or a prudence that is from above, and there's a wisdom and a prudence from beneath. So twice, in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, and Proverbs 27 and verse 12, we're told, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished." So prudence then, according to the Bible, is that which allows us to see and prepare for that which is inevitable.
#14 | 9:44 to 10:17 | cleaned
That which we know is to come. Now, God has not allowed us to be able to look into the future and to see everything in detail. Certainly, that is not the case. But, if you and I understand the principles of the Word of God, if we understand the curses and the blessings that are taught in the Word of God, then there is a way that we can foresee the evil that is going to come.
#15 | 10:18 to 10:48 | cleaned
For instance, when I was a boy and I did something wrong and I got caught, I knew what was coming. I knew. And it came with power and fury, I can assure you. But this is the same principle as we look and see how a society and how a nation transgress the law of God and how they disobey and dishonor him. Inevitably, invariably we know that a curse is going to come. So we're not going to be able to see in the future exactly what is going to happen in detail, but we can tell generally based upon the principle of the scripture what is going to be sooner or later coming down the pike. And therefore prudence then allows us to see the evil that is coming and either prepare for it or step out of the way or get out of the way of it.
#16 | 10:49 to 11:46 | cleaned
For instance, in Isaiah 26 and verse 20, don't just turn there, but let me quote it. Here's what God says: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast." So what did God say? God said, get in your chamber, get safe until my anger is passed. Until the calamities are passed.
#17 | 11:46 to 12:00 | cleaned
You and I cannot avert disasters. We cannot avert judgments and collapses. We cannot divert them. We cannot stop them. But if we see them, if we understand them, we can prepare for them to the best of our ability.
#18 | 12:17 to 12:32 | cleaned
Now, let me try to give you an illustration. If we know that conditions for a hurricane are ripe, and if we know, for instance, the Hurricane Center has not only issued hurricane warnings but said, yes, one is probably on the way and it's going to hit our coast in a day or two. So here's my question. Would it be prudent for you and I to stock up on some supplies and food in preparation for what we know is coming or should we just wait?
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and see if it really happens and or if it really affects us. So should we prepare or should we not prepare? Should we be prudent or should we be pathetic? Should we put something up that we know that we would need in an emergency situation or should we just walk on and say, "Well, it won't happen to me. I'll never be in need." By the way, Alice and I were visiting our daughter and her family down in Tampa, Florida, one time. It was the first day we got there. It was the first day they put out hurricane warnings. We got there a little bit early during the day, and our daughter decided, well, we would wait until her husband came home, and then we would go to the store and get what we needed. By the time we got to the store at 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, guess what? The shelves were bare. And that was just the first day. So I'm just simply saying, my goodness, there is in Proverbs 22 and verse 3 a strong contrast between the prudent and the pathetic.
#20 | 13:12 to 14:33 | cleaned
And the contrast that is made is very clearly evident. The prudent look ahead and they see the calamity coming. In seeing it, they prepare for it. The simple, oblivious to what is going on, just walk on their way as if their head is in the clouds, they're in their own fantasy world, and they go on their merry ways and are simply punished.
#21 | 14:34 to 14:56 | cleaned
Now the Bible teaches in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 2 and verse 14, just listen to this: "A wise man's eyes are in his head." A wise man's eyes are in his head. Then in Ecclesiastes 10 in verse 2, the Bible says this: "A wise man's heart is at his right hand." Now watch, the right hand is the hand of action. So the man sees and then the righteous man's heart is at his right hand.
#22 | 14:57 to 15:27 | cleaned
He then acts upon that which he does see. Did you know that in the New Testament that our Lord derided and berated the Pharisees for not discerning the signs of the times? For instance, hold Proverbs again, but look in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 16. Matthew chapter 16. And notice if you would what our Lord says beginning there with verse 1. Matthew 16 and verse 1. Watch carefully. "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven."
#23 | 15:27 to 16:14 | cleaned
He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say it will be fair weather for the sky is red, and in the morning it will be foul weather today for the sky is red and lowering." Now look at his application. "O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" You cannot discern the signs of the times. You know what the signs of the times really are?
#24 | 16:15 to 16:43 | cleaned
They are what is happening around you right now. They're what is going on in your life and in society. There are so many signs of our times today. It's like a huge billboard and a neon light. Unhappily, most people just simply ignore the signs. Would you ignore a sign as you're traveling down the highway at 70 miles an hour that said, "Bridge out"? You know, that's exactly what is happening today. Everybody is ignoring what is happening in our society with the riots, with the economic situation, with the pending collapse. I just want you to consider two points today. I want you to consider the prudent and then I want you to consider the pathetic. So let's look at the prudent first.
#25 | 16:44 to 17:46 | cleaned
I want to take a moment with you and take you through the book of Proverbs very quickly and let me show you how prudence is connected with knowledge, understanding and action. You see, a prudent man is not just simply someone who sees and knows. He's one who acts. He knows how to act. So look in Proverbs chapter 13 and verse 16. Proverbs 13 verse 16. Proverbs 13 verse 16. God says, "Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge, but a fool layeth open his folly." Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge. So prudence then is connected to knowledge and understanding. Look in Proverbs 14 and verse 8. Proverbs 14 and verse 8. God says, "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way."
#26 | 17:47 to 18:48 | cleaned
"But the folly of fools is deceit." So the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. Look in Proverbs 14 and verse 15. Proverbs 14 and verse 15. "The simple believeth every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going." The prudent man looketh well to his going. Look in verse 18. Proverbs 14 verse 18. "The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." Notice how knowledge, wisdom, understanding, action, all working together. Look in Proverbs 15 in verse 5. "A fool despiseth his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent."
#27 | 18:50 to 19:46 | cleaned
So if you get reproved, if you get chastised and you pay attention to it and you learn from it, and you learn how to act, God says, that is prudence. Look in Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 21. "The wise in heart shall be called prudent and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Then Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 15. Proverbs 18 and verse 15. Again, "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge." So the heart of the prudent then getteth knowledge, and as he gets understanding, he gets wisdom. Now, let me tell you something about the prudent man. The prudent man does not need to know every detail about the future. What's he do?
#28 | 19:48 to 20:47 | cleaned
He examines what is happening in the present with understanding, with discernment, with knowledge, with wisdom that comes from above, and he prepares himself and his family for that which is coming sooner or later. The prudent man foresees the evil. He sees it coming. He knows that it's coming. By the way, the word evil in Proverbs 22 and verse 3 and Proverbs 27 verse 12 refers to that which is hurtful, disagreeable, unpleasant, distressful, malignant, bad, injurious, and that which leads to adversity. So the prudent man foreseeth all of those things. The prudent man foreseeth. Let me change it.
#29 | 20:47 to 21:38 | cleaned
Let me put it like this. The prudent man sees the termite damage in the house and foresees that if something is not done, the house is going to collapse. The prudent man sees the approaching storm and foresees that he needs a place of safety. The prudent man sees threatening danger around himself and foresees that he needs to protect himself and his family. The prudent man sees the temptation coming and flees from it. The prudent man sees the battle brewing. He foresees it's coming and therefore he prepares his armor because he knows and he understands.
#30 | 21:38 to 22:27 | cleaned
Now let me begin to try to make some very practical application of all of this. Do you see any signs of our economy collapsing? Do you see any sign of joblessness and the rise of people without a means to support themselves? Have you noticed how many businesses have shut down due to the economy? The General Motors dealership in our town shut down. Shoney's restaurant shut down. A number of other little restaurants have shut down.
#31 | 22:30 to 23:09 | cleaned
I don't care where you look. I was preaching in Florida. I'm not going to tell you where. But I preached there twice, one year right after the other. And one man was telling me, who was a huge contractor, he said, "We're barely hanging on by the skin of our teeth." They had been doing $50 million a year business. It dropped down to $15 million. He said, "We can barely keep our doors open." The next year I was there, totally gone. Went from 50 million to absolutely nothing.
#32 | 23:13 to 23:52 | cleaned
Do you realize, and I don't know if you've been reading, I don't know if you've been listening, but do you realize men like Gerald Celente, Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Porter Stansberry, I don't care if you talk about Christian or non-Christian economists, they're all saying basically that our society, our economy, the way we know it, is either going to collapse this winter or no later than next year. I don't care which way you turn, you're looking at it left and right. Even the liberal news media are saying the same thing. Not only have you noticed a bad economy, but have you noticed an increase in food costs? Have you ever considered laying up or stocking up on the essential items that you know that you use and will need daily, weekly, or monthly?
#33 | 23:53 to 24:46 | cleaned
Would you not think it would be prudent to buy some things now before they rise in price? And I hope you understand that the reason that prices are rising is simply because the value of the Federal Reserve note is decreasing. And the more paper the Fed prints, the more worthless what you have becomes. And by the way, they've already announced that they are going to do a third quantitative easing with billions of dollars into the economy.
#34 | 24:47 to 25:21 | cleaned
I love what H.L. Mencken said. He said the government is the only entity that he knew that could take a valuable commodity like paper, slap some ink on it, and make it totally worthless. Let me just give you a quick illustration. A few years back, I started shooting a handgun. When I first started shooting, a box of 9mm at 100 rounds a box was $12.00. It went from $12.00 to $15.00 to $18.00 to $21.97. Now it is $23.97 at Walmart. So it went from $12.00 to basically $24.00. Now, see, if I had taken $5,000 and invested it back when it was $12.00, you say, boy, you would have doubled your money. Yes. Due to inflation, I would have doubled my money.
#35 | 25:22 to 26:22 | cleaned
But in reality, the price of ammo has not increased. The value of the paper money has gone down. If we were on a silver standard, or I was paying in silver, it would be essentially the same. All I'm trying to show you is this, and you can mark it down, the price of ammunition, I don't care what caliber, is going to continue to rise. The reason it's going to continue to rise is because the value of the money is going down. So my suggestion would be if you don't have enough, you need to get it now before it goes higher and higher and higher.
#36 | 26:22 to 27:21 | cleaned
And I will tell you what I told one lady. One young lady came up to me one day and she said, "Pastor, how much ammunition do you really need?" I looked at her and said, "One more box." I don't care how much you have, just one more box. Because you can always use it, sell it, or barter it.
#37 | 27:22 to 27:44 | cleaned
Now, apply this same illustration to canned goods. I know that there's some canned goods that cannot be stored. However, there's a lot that can be stored. And you could save yourself a few shekels just simply by putting up that which you know that you're going to use. Because food prices are going to continue to rise just like ammo prices, just like anything else. What we do not understand is that it's not just the federal government that is broke, a lot of states and a lot of cities are absolutely bankrupt as well. I'm not going to read all of this, but I'm going to read you just a little bit of this. "The new reality for United States cities: no money for street lights, roving packs of wild dogs, and open air drug markets." Let me just read just a little of this. Here's the opening paragraph. "If you want to know what the early stages of an economic collapse look like, just walk around some of the downtown areas of our major cities."
#38 | 27:44 to 28:52 | cleaned
"Today, nearly all large U.S. cities are either flat broke or are on their way to being flat broke. Yes, New York City, Washington, D.C., and a few others are still doing fairly well, but for most U.S. cities, economic reality is catching up with them very quickly. Right now, there are a number of major cities that are so broke they cannot keep the street lights operating."
#39 | 28:53 to 29:15 | cleaned
"Down in St. Louis, parents in some areas are carrying golf clubs with them as they walk their children to school in order to fend off roving packs of wild dogs. In other major US cities, open-air drug markets conduct business without fear. All over the United States, cities that used to be clean and prosperous and full of hope are now being transformed into post-industrial wastelands. We're certainly not in Mad Max territory yet, but it doesn't take too much imagination to see where all of this is headed."
#40 | 29:16 to 29:46 | cleaned
Now, the article goes on to state, "The war to keep the lights on in Detroit is a serious one. Thieves, antiquated equipment, and a lack of funding have made it impossible for city officials to catch up on the problems. Listen, city officials estimate 15 to 20 percent of the 88,000 lights in the Motor City are not working. And they acknowledge that figure could be as high as 50% in some neighborhoods. But it is not just Detroit that is having a major problem. Over in Highland Park, Michigan, the majority of the streetlights have been repossessed because the city was not keeping up with the electrical bill. In Fresno, California, the theft of copper wire from streetlights has become a total nightmare. At this point, the loss of copper wire and the cost of repairing the streetlights is costing Fresno about $50,000 a month. So far, approximately 25,000 streetlights have been stripped of their wiring." I'm not going to read all of this, but let me read just a couple. I'm just trying to show you.
#41 | 29:46 to 30:52 | cleaned
"Las Vegas. But Las Vegas' days as a boomtown are gone. At 14% unemployment, it is the highest in America. The national average is supposed to be 9.1. It's really higher than that. Housing prices have fallen 58.1% since their 2006 high. The biggest losses of anywhere in America, while according to the website RealtyTrac, which specializes in foreclosed properties, Las Vegas is the nation's foreclosure capital. Some 70% of the homes in Las Vegas are thought to be underwater or in negative equity, meaning their value is worth less than the amount owed on the mortgage. While foreclosure notices have been served on 1 in 16 properties. A survey last year by the local Las Vegas Review-Journal and Channel 8 News found that 34% of the locals would leave Las Vegas if they could find a job elsewhere or if they weren't underwater on their own home loan. Today there are hundreds of people living in tunnels under the streets of Las Vegas. You can see the CNN video of some of these people." And then he gives a website.
#42 | 30:53 to 32:01 | cleaned
I'm skipping down. "Over in Los Angeles, homelessness is absolutely exploding and there are thousands of people living in the street. Now listen, in Skid Row, a grimy pocket of downtown Los Angeles, the prostrate forms of homeless people lie strewn across the pavements. The lucky ones have tents for shelters, but others make do with a sliver of cardboard for a bed and a supermarket trolley to carry their rags. At last count, 1,662 people live on the streets, twice as many as a year ago."
#43 | 32:01 to 32:34 | cleaned
"Now, amid the drug addicts and the drunks are families who not so long ago had homes and ordinary suburban lives." I'm skipping on down. "But there are cities in California that are even in worse shape than Los Angeles. If you go east of Los Angeles about a hundred miles, you'll come to the city of San Bernardino. 34.6% of the residents of San Bernardino are currently living below the poverty line. Among major US cities, only Detroit has a worse poverty rate." Skipping down, "In an extraordinary article entitled 'City of Ruins,' Chris Hedges did an amazing job of documenting how bad things have gotten in Camden, that is Camden, New Jersey. Today it is estimated that the actual unemployment rate in Camden is between 30 and 40 percent. For most young people in Camden, there are very few legitimate opportunities for a better life."
#44 | 32:35 to 33:33 | cleaned
"Selling drugs is what they're doing. Here is an excerpt. Listen to this. This is unbelievable. There are perhaps a hundred..." This is Camden, New Jersey. "There are perhaps a hundred open-air drug markets, most run by gangs like the Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Los Nitos, the MS-13. Lots of young men in black leather jackets and baggy sweatshirts sell weed and crack to clients, many of whom drive in from the suburbs. The drug trade is one of the city's few thriving businesses."
#45 | 33:35 to 34:09 | cleaned
"A weapon, police say, is never more than a few feet away, usually stashed behind a trash can in the grass or on a porch." Skipping down, he said, "If you can believe it, 72% of all US cities are laying off workers this year." And then the last little sentence is this: "Take advantage of the relative prosperity that we're enjoying now to prepare for the lean years which are ahead."
#46 | 34:10 to 34:36 | cleaned
You need to read all of this document. It's absolutely astounding. We've talked about food. We've talked about society. But let me ask you, what about the federal government? Do you think, for one instant, that the federal government is going to grant or to give us more and more liberty? Or that they're going to grant and give us more and more tyranny? If you are aware of the fact that we are losing our liberties and our freedoms, are you making any preparations?
#47 | 34:37 to 35:15 | cleaned
Are you thinking through things? Are you planning for what you know is going to be coming down the pike? Are you prudent in this area or pathetic? Gary D. Barnett wrote an article entitled, "Police State Fascism is Now Rampant, Martial Law is Next." Here's three paragraphs of that article. Listen to what he wrote. "Our situation is worsening by the day, and the state apparatus is preparing to fight against its own citizens here at home. This is a precarious situation that could spiral out of control. And we're terribly close, in my opinion, to being in an uncontrollable police state environment. When this happens, the obvious next step will be martial law. Once that stage is reached, it may be too late to stop the coming onslaught of the totalitarian state."
#48 | 35:16 to 36:09 | cleaned
"This is a serious threat and one that could result in violence and chaos in the streets of America. It's already happening. Okay? All need to be aware of this progression and all need to prepare to stop it. Anything less will result in the complete loss of what little freedom we have left and our lives may be forever harmed." Listen to what he says. "The state is always and forever the enemy of the people. It has nothing. It creates nothing. It produces nothing. And it lives and survives by looting, stealing, beating, and murdering. It's time to remove the power that the state holds over us and to try liberty instead of slavery. I say it's time to abolish the state." That's what he wrote.
#49 | 36:10 to 36:53 | cleaned
Did you know that Albert J. Nock, many years ago, wrote a book entitled "Our Enemy, the State"? There are indeed Nockean societies all over this country. Ayn Rand in her book "Atlas Shrugged," and I don't recommend Ayn because of her infidelity, but what she says here is dead on. Listen to what she said. "When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing, when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods but in favors, when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work, and your laws no longer protect you against them but protect them against you, you may know that your society is doomed." Wow.
#50 | 36:53 to 37:47 | cleaned
Let me ask you a question. Do you really believe that Obama and the Feds are genuinely interested in health care? Undoubtedly, you've read about the effects of socialized medicine in England and in other countries as well. And probably you may have heard about, or at least read about, the limitations that are planned for the elderly, for the cancer patients, and those that are considered terminally ill. Let me ask you, do you really want a bureaucrat from the federal government determining when it's your time to die?
#51 | 37:50 to 38:28 | cleaned
Stop and think about that. Do you want some bureaucrat to determine whether or not you receive certain medicines or medical treatment? If you've done any reading or listening at all to the news or visited any internet sites, you should know that all healthcare is going to be drastically reduced. Moreover, you've got to ask yourself this question. What are those people on the state and the federal health care going to do when there's no more subsidies? There's no money to provide such care for everyone.
#52 | 38:30 to 39:09 | cleaned
You probably never read this. It may have skipped your reading, but it was all over the internet. October 31st, Halloween, one article said should have been really scary for most people because October 31st, the national debt surpassed our gross national product. There is nothing like that. You could take all the goods and all the money in this country and it would never ever reach what we owe.
#53 | 39:11 to 39:58 | cleaned
So let me ask you, if you don't think then that Obama and the feds are genuinely interested in your health, do you not think it's your responsibility to take care of your health and provide for yourself and prepare for what you and I would know would be the inevitable?
#54 | 40:01 to 40:22 | cleaned
Now, I understand that each of us has to die sooner or later. I understand that. But I got news for you. I don't want to die because of my own pathetic stubbornness and failure to prepare. There are medicines, some medicines that you can stock up on. Moreover, you can take CPR courses. You can take combat medical courses. You can take EMT courses at technical schools and colleges.
#55 | 40:23 to 40:57 | cleaned
You can do CERT training, community emergency response training. Most cities have that. Ours does not, where I live. But most cities, Douglas has it. Tifton has it. Probably, well, I know Waycross has it. Probably St. Simons has it. Do you realize that you can sign up for this training and they even provide you with a lot of equipment? If you will go for nine weeks of training, one night a week for nine weeks. It's CERT training, Community Emergency Response Training.
#56 | 40:58 to 41:39 | cleaned
I'm just simply pointing out the fact that there are classes that we can have here. There's so much to learn and so many people who can teach. You can learn alternative medicine. You don't need drugs. I don't think anybody ever really suffers from a drug deficiency. That is naturally. You may suffer from one if you've been on one for a long time. But you can learn about herbs. You can learn about homeopathic medicine.
#57 | 41:40 to 42:07 | cleaned
And you can buy books, and especially those books like "Where There Is No Doctor" and "Where There Is No Dentist." You can also purchase books. Go on the internet, read about wound care, how to cleanse wounds, how to suture wounds. There are so many things that you can learn just to take care of yourself. You can learn how to set a broken bone. It's a piece of cake. It really is. You can learn how to fix a dislocated shoulder. Have you ever wondered how our forefathers took care of themselves when there were no doctors and no hospitals on every corner? Have you ever wondered that?
#58 | 42:08 to 42:43 | cleaned
And my goodness, they did it and they did it well. The problem is we need to learn discipline. We need to shut off the TV set and begin to study and learn and apply and teach. We can become self-sufficient. We may never ever be able to do brain surgery, but there's a lot that we can do to take care of ourselves. We need to cease being dependent upon others and especially the state, the feds, and learn to take care of ourselves. We need to cease being serfs and slaves.
#59 | 42:45 to 43:21 | cleaned
Gerry Spence, in his book, "From Freedom to Slavery," said this. Listen. He said, "In America, we have achieved the Orwellian prediction. We are enslaved. The people have been programmed to love their bondage and are left to clutch only mirage-like images of freedom, its fables and fictions. The new slaves are linked together by vast electronic chains of television that imprison not their bodies only, but their minds as well. Their desires are programmed, their tastes manipulated, their values are set for them." And that's true. You talk to the average individual and they believe whatever they see and hear on television. The prudent man flees slavery just as quickly and readily as Joseph fled Potiphar's wife. The prudent man avoids soup lines and welfare agencies and the government dole.
#60 | 43:22 to 44:32 | cleaned
He prepares because he believes the Word of God and he understands that he's responsible for himself and his family. He does not look to others, he looks only to the Lord and to himself. And he believes Proverbs 6 when the wise man said, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." The prudent man is the man that prepares to take care of himself. Proverbs 18 and verse 10 tells us, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe. What does that mean? It means, yes, we trust in the Lord, but we obey Him and do that which He has commanded. His tower is His Word, and we need to learn to be obedient to that Word. So here's the prudent. The prudent, then, are those that hear, are those that understand, those who take action, those who prepare for what they know is really coming down the pike.
#61 | 44:33 to 45:54 | cleaned
Very quickly, let me cover the pathetic. Our text said this, "A prudent man foresees the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." I hope you're beginning to see the clear distinction and the contrast between the prudent and the pathetic. The simple pass on and are punished. They pay no heed to the warning signs. They pay no heed to what is happening around them. They refuse to listen. They refuse to be educated. They refuse to be enlightened. They refuse instruction.
#62 | 45:54 to 46:31 | cleaned
And the word simple, as I've already pointed out, simply means fool, foolish, one who is naive, one who is simple, one who lacks understanding and discernment. I want you to see what God says. I want you to look back to Proverbs chapter 1 very quickly. Then we'll go to Proverbs 9. But look in Proverbs chapter 1. And notice, if you would, verse 32, what God says. Proverbs 1 verse 32. Look at this. Proverbs 1 verse 32, "For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." The turning away of the simple shall slay them. They won't listen.
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They pass on like a hog to the slaughter. They don't listen. They will not learn. Look in Proverbs 9 and verse 13. Proverbs 9 verse 13. Here's what God says about a foolish woman. He says, "A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing." Simple and knoweth nothing. What's that mean? Doesn't understand. Has no knowledge. Has no wisdom. The simple are simple because of their ignorance and unbelief. And because of their ignorance and because of their unbelief, consequently, they pass on and they're punished. They pass on without fear, without reason, without thinking. They're resolved only to have their way, to do their own thing, to enjoy the present. And God says, they're going to be punished. They don't want to have their little boat rocked. They don't want to be moved out of their fantasy world. They don't want to be upset. They don't want to have to learn. "I've got my little routine and that's what I'm going to stick in." I want you to turn back to the book of Exodus chapter 9.
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You remember when God was sending all of His judgments upon Egypt. Moses told the Egyptians exactly what was going to happen. I want you to watch this. Look in verse 18. Exodus 9 verse 18. Moses says, "Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die." Now watch these next verses. "He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: and he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field." What was that? God says, if you believe Me, if you listen to Me, you'll obey Me, you'll avoid the evil.
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If you don't believe Me, if you don't listen to Me, if you don't obey Me, you'll die. So he that feared the Word of the Lord, obeyed. He that did not fear the Word of the Lord, suffered. The Bible says in Proverbs 16 and verse 21, listen carefully, "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
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So I want to make some applications. I've shown you the prudent from the word of God. I have shown you the pathetic from the word of God. Here we go. The first application: prudence is preferred over simplicity. It is the wisdom of God that truly makes a prudent man. Worldly wisdom or worldly prudence will come to absolutely nothing. Now I want you to listen. 1 Corinthians 1:19, don't turn there, let me quote it. God said this, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent," that is the worldly prudent. If you read the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 1, he's talking about destroying the wisdom and the prudence of the world. You may have all types of worldly prudence and worldly wisdom and still suffer loss. Biblical prudence. It's what God is talking about. I do want you to turn to Hosea. Look in Hosea. Daniel, Hosea. Look in Hosea chapter 14 and verse 9. I want you to notice how Hosea ends his message.
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Watch this. Hosea 14 verse 9. "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." That's Proverbs 22 and verse 3. That's Proverbs 27 and verse 12. Explain. Who is wise? You want to know who the really wise man is? Who's the one who has understanding? Who's the one who is really prudent? The one who knows the ways of the Lord and walks in them.
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But the simple pass on and are punished. Read Pilgrim's Progress. You'll find out what happens to Mr. Worldly Wiseman. He never makes it. The second application is this. Prudence not only teaches us to prepare, it also teaches us when to speak and when not to speak. In Amos chapter 5 and verse 13, let me just quote it. Here's what the Bible says, "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time." There's a time to speak, there's a time not to speak. If I were to ask you, how many in this room have ever said things they wish they had never said, every hand would be raised. I can assure you.
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One of my favorite verses is, "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul from troubles." There's a time to speak, there's a time not to speak. And sometimes we may say the right thing, but say it to the wrong person. Proverbs 25 and verse 11 says this, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." That is true. But the opposite is also true. A word that needs not be spoken and should not be spoken is equally like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
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We have to see the difference between the prudent and the pathetic. So I begin this message by asking you, are you prudent or pathetic? You can answer that yourself based upon what I've showed you from the Word of God. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for your grace and your mercy and your help. I pray, Father, that you'd make each of us prudent, that you'd help us, Lord, to do that which we can by thy grace and by thy mercy, and prepare, Lord, according to your wisdom and according to your Word, and we give thee praise and understanding. And Father, we ask Thee, Father, that You would receive all the glory and all the praise for everything. And please, Father, give us understanding and give us discernment. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T15:43:39Z

The Prudent and the Pathetic

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver contrasts the prudent man, who foresees evil and prepares, with the pathetic (simple) man, who ignores warnings and suffers punishment. Using Proverbs 22:3 as the key text, he defines prudence as biblical wisdom that leads to action, including practical preparation for economic collapse, societal decay, and loss of liberties. The simple are characterized by willful ignorance and refusal to heed God's Word. Applications emphasize that true prudence comes from knowing and walking in the ways of the Lord, and includes knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

Introduction and Definitions

The title of the message is "The Prudent and the Pathetic." So if you look in Proverbs 22 and verse 3, the word of God says this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 22:3

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 1:22

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?" "And the scorners delight in their scorn, and fools hate knowledge."

Biblical Prudence vs. Worldly Prudence

Weaver distinguishes between wisdom from above (pure, peaceable) and wisdom from beneath (earthly, sensual, devilish) using James 3:13-18. He emphasizes that biblical prudence is to be acted upon.

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."

Now watch.

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."

Then God says this:

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"If you have bitter envying, strife, and lying against the truth, watch. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

And now watch this difference. Here's the contrast.

Scripture Reading — James 3:13-18

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The Prudent Man: Seeing and Preparing

For instance, in Isaiah 26 and verse 20, don't just turn there, but let me quote it. Here's what God says:

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 26:20

"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast."

So what did God say? God said, get in your chamber, get safe until my anger is passed. Until the calamities are passed.

Now the Bible teaches in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 2 and verse 14, just listen to this:

Scripture Reading — Ecclesiastes 2:14

"A wise man's eyes are in his head."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 13:16

"Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge, but a fool layeth open his folly."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 14:8

"But the folly of fools is deceit."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 15:5

So if you get reproved, if you get chastised and you pay attention to it and you learn from it, and you learn how to act, God says, that is prudence. Look in Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 21. "The wise in heart shall be called prudent and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning." The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Then Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 15. Proverbs 18 and verse 15. Again, "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge." So the heart of the prudent then getteth knowledge, and as he gets understanding, he gets wisdom. Now, let me tell you something about the prudent man. The prudent man does not need to know every detail about the future. What's he do?

Practical Applications: Economic and Societal Collapse

Practical Applications: Government Tyranny and Healthcare

Weaver warns of increasing government tyranny, potential martial law, and the failures of socialized medicine. He encourages taking responsibility for one's own health and learning medical skills.

The Pathetic Man: Ignoring Warnings

Applications: True Prudence and Silence

Weaver concludes that true prudence comes from knowing and walking in God's ways (Hosea 14:9). He also notes that prudence teaches when to speak and when to keep silent, citing Amos 5:13.

The Prudent and the Pathetic

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	Al8N9C9zfhg
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: Wealth, Defense, and Justice
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-03-14
Dictation Name
Book	Book 083: Proverbs: Wealth, Defense, and Justice — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	71

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Definitions: Weaver introduces Proverbs 22:3 and defines 'prudent' as one who foresees evil and hides, and 'pathetic' as the simple who pass on and are punished. He explains that the simple, scorner, and fool are used interchangeably in Scripture.
Biblical Prudence vs. Worldly Prudence: Weaver distinguishes between wisdom from above (pure, peaceable) and wisdom from beneath (earthly, sensual, devilish) using James 3:13-18. He emphasizes that biblical prudence is to be acted upon.
The Prudent Man: Seeing and Preparing: The prudent man uses knowledge and understanding to foresee evil and take action. Weaver illustrates with examples like hurricane preparation and connects prudence to knowledge, understanding, and action from Proverbs.
Practical Applications: Economic and Societal Collapse: Weaver cites signs of economic collapse, rising food and ammo costs, and urban decay (Detroit, Las Vegas, Camden) as evidence of coming evil. He urges stocking up on essentials and learning self-sufficiency.
Practical Applications: Government Tyranny and Healthcare: Weaver warns of increasing government tyranny, potential martial law, and the failures of socialized medicine. He encourages taking responsibility for one's own health and learning medical skills.
The Pathetic Man: Ignoring Warnings: The simple refuse to listen, lack understanding, and are punished. Weaver references Proverbs 1:32 and Exodus 9:18-21 to show that those who fear God's Word obey and are spared, while those who disregard it suffer.
Applications: True Prudence and Silence: Weaver concludes that true prudence comes from knowing and walking in God's ways (Hosea 14:9). He also notes that prudence teaches when to speak and when to keep silent, citing Amos 5:13.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Prudence is defined by foresight and action, not just knowledge.

A prudent man not only sees coming evil but actively hides or prepares. This is contrasted with the simple who passively continue and are punished.

Weaver states, 'The prudent man foresees the evil. He sees it coming. He knows that it's coming... he prepares himself and his family.'

The simple, scorner, and fool are biblically identical.

Proverbs uses these terms interchangeably to describe those who reject wisdom and understanding, leading to their destruction.

Weaver shows Proverbs 1:22, 7:7, and 8:5 where 'simple' is paralleled with 'fools' and 'void of understanding.'

Worldly prudence is condemned; only godly prudence saves.

Human wisdom and prudence, characterized by envy and strife, are earthly and devilish. True prudence comes from above and produces righteousness.

Weaver cites James 3:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 1:19 to show God will destroy worldly wisdom.

Current signs demand practical preparation.

Economic indicators, urban decay, and government overreach are clear signs of coming evil. Believers must stock supplies, learn skills, and reduce dependence on the state.

Weaver reads articles on city bankruptcies, rising ammo prices, and quotes Ayn Rand on societal doom.

Ignoring God's warnings leads to punishment.

The example of the Egyptians in Exodus 9 shows that those who disregarded Moses' warning suffered loss, while those who feared God's word were spared.

Weaver reads Exodus 9:18-21 and applies it: 'He that feared the word of the Lord... obeyed. He that did not fear... suffered.'

True prudence is knowing and walking in God's ways.

Hosea 14:9 defines the truly prudent as those who understand and walk in the ways of the Lord, which are right.

Weaver quotes Hosea 14:9: 'Who is wise... prudent... for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 22:3: Key text: 'A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.'
Proverbs 27:12: Parallel verse to Proverbs 22:3, mentioned as containing the same proverb.
Proverbs 1:22: Shows the simple, scorners, and fools are grouped together as those who reject wisdom.
Proverbs 7:7: A young man void of understanding is called 'simple,' illustrating the term's meaning.
Proverbs 8:5: The simple and fools are addressed together, showing interchangeability.
1 Samuel 16:18: David is described as 'prudent in matters,' exemplifying a prudent man.
Proverbs 10:19: He that refrains his lips is wise, showing prudence in speech.
Psalm 141:3: David's prayer for a guard over his mouth, illustrating prudence in silence.
James 3:13-18: Contrasts wisdom from above (pure, peaceable) with earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom.
Isaiah 26:20: God's call to hide until indignation passes, illustrating prudent hiding.
Ecclesiastes 2:14: A wise man's eyes are in his head, indicating perception.
Ecclesiastes 10:2: A wise man's heart is at his right hand, indicating action.
Matthew 16:1-3: Jesus rebukes Pharisees for discerning weather but not the signs of the times.
Proverbs 13:16: Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:8: The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way.
Proverbs 14:15: The prudent man looketh well to his going.
Proverbs 14:18: The prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 15:5: He that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 16:21: The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Proverbs 18:15: The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge.

Historical References

H.L. Mencken quote on government and money: Weaver quotes Mencken: 'the government is the only entity that he knew that could take a valuable commodity like paper, slap some ink on it, and make it totally worthless.'
Gerald Celente, Peter Schiff, Jim Rogers, Porter Stansberry: Economists (Christian and non-Christian) predicting economic collapse by winter or next year.
Article on U.S. cities' economic collapse: Weaver reads from an article describing street light outages, wild dogs, open-air drug markets in cities like Detroit, Highland Park, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Camden.
Gary D. Barnett article on police state and martial law: Weaver reads excerpts warning of police state fascism and impending martial law.
Albert J. Nock, 'Our Enemy, the State': Weaver mentions Nock's book and Nockean societies.
Ayn Rand, 'Atlas Shrugged': Weaver quotes Rand on signs of a doomed society, noting he does not recommend her due to infidelity.
Gerry Spence, 'From Freedom to Slavery': Weaver quotes Spence on Americans being enslaved through television and programmed desires.
Pilgrim's Progress: Weaver references Mr. Worldly Wiseman as an example of one who never makes it.

Important Quotes

A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.

This is the central verse of the sermon, defining the contrast between the prudent and the pathetic.

The simple, the scorner, and the fool are all in the same boat. They're all identical. They're one and the same.

Establishes the biblical basis for equating the simple with fools and scorners.

A prudent man is not just simply someone who sees and knows. He's one who acts.

Highlights that prudence requires action, not just knowledge.

The prudent man sees the termite damage in the house and foresees that if something is not done, the house is going to collapse.

Illustrates how prudence applies foresight to practical dangers.

He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: and he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Shows the consequence of heeding or ignoring God's warning, directly from Exodus 9.

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

Defines true prudence as knowing and walking in God's ways, from Hosea 14:9.

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Emphasizes that prudence includes knowing when not to speak, from Amos 5:13.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does the biblical definition of 'simple' differ from our modern understanding of the word? Why is it equated with being a fool?

[Context]

Weaver explains that the simple, scorner, and fool are used interchangeably in Proverbs.

[Question]

What are some practical ways we can 'foresee evil' in our personal lives and communities today?

[Context]

Weaver discusses seeing signs of economic collapse, societal decay, and government overreach.

[Question]

How can we distinguish between godly prudence and worldly prudence in our decision-making?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts the two using James 3 and 1 Corinthians 1.

[Question]

In what areas of life are you most tempted to be 'simple'—ignoring warnings and refusing to prepare?

[Context]

Weaver challenges listeners to examine whether they are prudent or pathetic.

[Question]

What does it mean to 'hide yourself' in a practical sense when evil approaches?

[Context]

Weaver references Isaiah 26:20 and the concept of taking refuge in God's provision and wisdom.

[Question]

How does the example of the Egyptians in Exodus 9 challenge our obedience to God's warnings?

[Context]

Weaver uses the story to show that fearing God's word leads to action and safety.

[Question]

Why is silence sometimes the most prudent response, and how can we discern when to speak or not?

[Context]

Weaver cites Amos 5:13 and Proverbs 10:19 on the wisdom of refraining speech.

[Question]

How can we cultivate a heart that 'getteth knowledge' and acts upon it, as described in Proverbs 18:15?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that the prudent actively seek knowledge and understanding.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T05:35:54Z