Proverbs 1-7: Sanctions and Ethics

"Discuss the relationship between ethics and sanctions in Proverbs 1-7." 

       Today we will be focusing on the ethics and  sanctions in Proverbs 1-7.  
     One of the first ethical sanctions  in Proverbs is in chapter 1 verses 8-9 

  "My sonne, heare the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

 For they shall be an ornament of grace vnto thy head, and chaines about thy necke."

      Here is a positive sanction.  He will have an "ornament" of grace and "chaines" around his neck.  (This doesn't mean chains in a bad sense.  In those times, people of wealth would sometimes wear chains around their necks.)  It is saying that listening to the parents is an ethical thing to do.  It will bring about good sanctions.  

     Here are some more verses that use ethical sanctions. Chapter 6: verses 9-11. 

     "How long wilt thou sleepe, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleepe?

 Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleepe.

 So shall thy pouertie come as one that trauaileth, and thy want as an armed man."

     These sanctions are negative.  These verses say that if we are lazy and do not work, we will descend into poverty. Poverty is obviously a negative sanction.  

     Ethics and sanctions go hand in hand.  We have no need for sanctions if the sanction is not ethical.  

     Thank you so much for reading, and please let me know what you think!