Proverbs: Closing the Book

We've been studying Proverbs for a while now and I want to draw our study to a close. I think that while studying Proverbs, we've learned a lot and gained a lot of wisdom. I want to look a little bit more at one of the topics that we started our study with.

If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the Lord. But foolish people hate wisdom and training.

Proverbs 1:7 (NIrV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

We studied this at the beginning of our study. Proverbs has other things to say about the fear of the Lord or about respect for the Lord.

Anyone who shows respect for the Lord has a strong tower. It will be a safe place for his children. Respect for the Lord is like a fountain that gives life. It turns you away from the jaws of death.

Proverbs 14:26-27 (NIrV)

Discussion

• We can see a couple more things about the fear of the Lord in this passage.
• The fear of the Lord gives us protection.
  • It is a strong tower. Towers were defensive structures that allowed you to see an enemy approaching from far off and also give you an advantage in battling the enemy
  • It is a safe place. Knowing that we have a strong tower watching over us, we can be safe.
  • Proverbs has taught us a lot about how to recognize the wickedness around us and how to avoid it. Proverbs has provided us with warnings against the enemy as well as guidance to keep us on the right, safe path.
• The fear of the Lord gives us life
  • It is a fountain of life. The fear of the Lord is something that sustains us day by day.
  • It saves us from death. It guides us in the ways of life.
  • As we've studied, we've learned a lot of things that are valuable for our daily life including
    • learning how to control our tongue
    • Learning about being kind to the poor
    • Learning about what we should find happiness in
    • Learning about goals and priorities
    • Learning about being truthful
    All of these are things that are valuable for our daily life
• What are some of the things you have learned from our study of Proverbs?
• How have you benefitted from our study of Proverbs?

Lending to the Lord

Did you know that you can lend to the Lord? Even though God created everything and it all really belongs to Him, we can still do something where we are lending to the Lord. Let's read.

Anyone who is kind to poor people lends to the Lord. God will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 19:17 (NIrV)

Discussion

• The word translated kind here is chanan which means "to be gracious, show favour, pity"
• The poor mentioned here dal are "low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low." This may include
  • People who are looked down on by most people
  • People who don't have enough money
  • People who don't have enough to eat
  • People who don't have homes to live in
  • Can you think of anyone else who might fit this category?
• What are some ways that you can be kind to the poor?
• The Hebrew word translated lend is lavah which in addition to meaning to lend can also mean "to join, be joined."
• Thus, if you are kind to the poor, you are lending to God and joining with God in being kind to the poor.
• Looking other translations of the second half, many say "repay" rather than "reward." Either way, it is clear that you won't be left lacking because you have been kind to the poor, but you will be at peace and be well taken care of.
• What are some ways that you are already blessed with more than you need? Toys, books?
• Can you think of ways that you can be kind to the poor in areas where you are rich?
• It looks like there will be many opportunities to do this through our church this holiday season. Do you think we should do one or more of these?

Don't get your eyes pecked out!

Don't get your eyes pecked out! How's that for a title for tonight's Bible study? The Proverb we look at today gives us an idea of how much God wants children to respect and obey their parents.

Some make fun of their fathers. Others laugh about obeying their mothers. The ravens of the valley will peck their eyes out. Then the vultures will eat them.

Proverbs 30:17

Discussion

• Let's kind of work this proverb backwards. Vultures are known for eating the bodies of dead animals. Not a pretty thought is it?
• Ravens pecking your eyes out... that's not a pretty thought either. I would certainly hate for that to happen to me.
• Is this really going to happen to the people described in this proverb? Maybe so, maybe not.
• If I were to tell you "the chili that I ate for dinner was so spicy that it felt like my tongue was on fire" would you know what I meant?
  • Do you think my tongue might have really been on fire?
  • Do you think my tongue has ever really been on fire?
  • Do you think that I meant that the chili was really, really, really spicy?
  • By saying "it felt like my tongue was on fire" it vividly describes how spicy I thought the chili was
• In the same way, I think the last part of this proverb describes how much God hates the actions of those described in the first part of this proverb.
• So what was it they are guilty of in the first part of the proverb?
  • making fun of their fathers
  • not obeying their mothers
• In other words, they were not honoring, respecting, and obeying their parents!
• Does God think it is important that you honor, respect, and obey your parents?
• Didn't God make honoring your parents one of the Ten Commandments?
• Do you think God likes it when you don't obey or complain or don't listen to your parents?
• Do you want to do better at honoring, respecting, and obeying your parents?
• As we pray, maybe you can ask God to help you in that.

A Gentle Answer

Today, we look at a proverb about giving a gentle answer.

A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIrV)

Discussion

• The Hebrew word translated answer here is ma`aneh which can also be translated as response. This proverb is equally true no matter which way you translate the word.
  • What might you give an answer to? a question, being asked something or asked to do something
  • What might you give a response to? Someone (a parent, boss, commander) telling you to do something, or even someone saying something to you
• The word translated gentle here rak means tender, soft, delicate, weak or gentle.
• If I were wearing a hat and asked you "Do you like my hat?" what would be a gentle answer to my question?
• The Hebrew word translated mean here is `etseb which implies that the mean words cause pain.
• If I were wearing a hat and asked you "Do you like my hat?" what would be a mean answer?
• Which answer do you think I would like better? Why?
• If you were being told to do something you didn't want to do, what would a gentle answer be?
• If you were being told to do something you didn't want to do, what would a mean answer be?
• If you were being asked to get ready for dinner and said "yes" and asked what else you could do, what kind of answer would that be?
• If you were asked to clean up your room and complained, what kind of answer would that be?
• If you don't want your parents to be upset with you when asked or told to do something, what kind of answer should you use?

You talk too much

Today, we're going to look at a Proverb about speech. Let's read.

Those who talk a lot are likely to sin. But those who control their tongues are wise.

Proverbs 10:19 (NIrV)

Discussion

• Have you ever been told you talk too much?
• Did it stop you from talking?
• This proverb says that if you talk alot you are likely to sin. Why do you think that is?
• When looking at other translations, the first part of this can read a little differently
  • Too much talk leads to sin. (New Living Translation>
  • When words are many, transgression is not lacking (ESV)
  • You will say the wrong thing if you talk too much (Contemporary English Version)
• What are some ways you can sin with your speech? Lying, saying mean things about people, provoking people to do bad things
• What do you think it means to control your tongue?
• The Hebrew word here chasak means to withhold or to restrain. Based on this, maybe we can say that controlling your tongue is withholding words (not saying something) or restraining (holding back) words.
• If say something without thinking about what you're saying, are you controlling your tongue?
• If you think before you speak, is that controlling your tongue?
• Would you agree that if you're not thinking before you speak, you are more likely to say something mean or to lie?
• Do you want to be wise and think before you speak?

A proverb about goals

Today's proverb is about goals - not soccer goals, but what you wish to accomplish.

He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

Proverbs 11:27

Discussion

• There are two things in this proverb we could be looking for "good" and "evil."
• Two different Hebrew words are represented here.
  • shachar which is translated seek in the first part of the proverb implies seeking diligently or to seek early. From reading more about the word, I would almost describe this kind of seeking as getting up early and opening things up and looking in them rather than just a casual glace around to try and find something.
  • darash the word that is translated searches means "to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require"
  • My sense of the difference between the two is darash "Have you seen where I put my iPod?" and shachar is looking under the couch, under the table, in the bedroom, in the playroom, all over the house until you find the iPod.
• The good that is diligently sought is towb which is one of the words we considered when we studied proverbs about happiness. It implies things that are good, pleasant, and agreeable.
• Diligently seeking good leads to ratsown which was the same word used to describe God's delight in those that are truthful.
• The word for evil here is ra` is sometimes translated mischief but it is best defined as bad or evil.
• We see that evil will come to you if you ask, but you have to diligently seek good.
• Which do you think it's easier to find, good or evil?
• Which do you think it's better to find?
• Do you think you should set a goal of seeking out good?
• Do you think it is a one-time search or a continuous search?

A proverb about priorities

Today, we look at a proverb about priorities. A priority is something that is highest or higher in importance, rank, privilege, etc.

Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

Proverbs 15:16

Discussion

• Before we fully consider this proverb, what are some priorities in your life?
• In this proverb, we have here another contrast, although this time the "good" part is first.
• This proverb also contrasts the priorities of wealth and fearing God.
• When we think of wealth we should consider both having lots of money and lots of possessions
• It is important to consider what this verse says as well as not what it doesn't say
  • it does say that it's good to fear God even if you're poor
  • it does not say that if you fear God you will be poor
  • it does say that it's not so good to be rich and not be at peace
  • it does not say that if you are rich you won't be at peace
  • it also does not say that if you fear God you can't be rich
  • it also does not say that if you fear God that there won't be turmoil in your life
• From all of this, we can deduce that fearing God is more important than wealth
• We can also deduce that fearing God is more important that having turmoil or trouble in your life
• Thus, the wise mas (the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) knows that proper respect for God should be a top priority

A Proverb about being truthful

Today we look at a proverb about being truthful.

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

Proverbs 12:22

Discussion

• This is another proverb with a contrast built in.
• In this proverb, what does the Lord detest?
• In this proverb, what does the Lord love?
• When we read that the Lord detests lying lips, from the Hebrew we see that they are tow`ebah to Him. This means they are "a disgusting thing" to Him.
• Have you ever tasted anything that was disgusting to you? Why didn't you like it?
• Why do you think the lying is disgusting to God?
• In the "good" part of this proverb, we find what God delights in. The Hebrew word for delight is ratsown which means something that's pleasing, acceptable, and satisfying to God
• Have you ever tasted anything that was pleasing to you? Why did you like it? How did it differ from something that was disgusting to you?
• The proverb says God delights in men who are truthful. The Hebrew word is 'emuwnah which means faithful in their promises.
• Why do you think God delights in men who are faithful?
• Which would you rather be: disgusting to God or pleasing to God?

A proverb about pride

Today, we are going to look at one verse. So let's read...

Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12

Discussion

• Like many proverbs, we see a contrast built into this verse. Many proverbs basically read this is bad, while that is good.
• Let's first look the "bad" part of this proverb.
  • The word translated downfall here is sheber which means "breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering." That sounds painful doesn't it?
  • The word translated heart here is leb (which we've seem before) which means "inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding"
  • The word translated proud here is gabahh which means "to be high, be exalted"
  • Can you restate this in your own words?
  • How does "When a man thinks he's really great by himself, he gets crushed" work for you?
  • Think of the story of David and Bathsheba. David thought he deserved a pretty wife like Bathsheba because he was a great king. So David took her as his wife even though it was wrong for him to do so. God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David of his sin and the first son born to David and Bathsheba died. Though David and Bathsheba committed the sin of adultery, it was David's pride that led him into adultery.
  • Sometimes, the result of the bad part of this proverb isn't immediate. We know that anyone who thinks so highly of themself that they don't need Jesus will get their punishment for all eternity.
• Now, let's look at the "good" part of this proverb.
  • The word translated humility is `anavah which means "humility, meekness."
  • Dictionary.com defines "humility" as "the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc."
  • Dictionary.com defines "meekness" as the state of being "humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others"
  • The word translated honor here is kabowd which means "glory, honour, glorious, abundance"
  • Can you put this part of the proverb in your own words?
  • How about "Being humble leads to honor"?
• So to summarize
  • If you're proud and don't think you need Jesus, you get crushed
  • If you're humble and recognize you need Jesus, you get honored
• Which you you rather be?

Proverbs: The Ant and the Sluggard

Today, we're going to look at passage in Proverbs dealing with the ant and the sluggard. An ant - as you know - is known as a hard working insect. A sluggard is "a person who is habitually inactive or lazy." Let's read.

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! ⁷ It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, ⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. ⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- ¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:6-11

Discussion

• Why do you think the sluggard is told to consider the ant?
• What are some of the good traits of the ant?
  • It is wise
  • It is independent - it has no leader
  • it prepares for the future
• What is the result of the hard work for the ant? It has food for the future
• What does the sluggard like to do? sleep, do nothing
• What is the ultimate result for the sluggard? poverty, not having food for the future
• Who would you rather be like?
• What can you do to be more like the ant?

Proverbs about Integrity

Today we will be studying proverbs about integrity. Integrity is defined as "adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty."

Those who do what is right are guided by their honest lives. But those who aren't faithful are destroyed by their trickery.

Proverbs 11:3 (NIrV)

• Based on this verse, what is integrity? doing what is right, living an honest life

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Proverbs 19:1 (NIV)

• Based on this verse, what is integrity? being blameless

Anyone who does what is right lives without blame. Blessed are his children after him.

Proverbs 20:7 (NIrV)

• A person of integrity does right and lives a blameless life. Who else is blessed by a man of integrity?
• Do you want me to live a life of integrity?

Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

• Who does this verse say is judged by their integrity?
• Do you think you should live a pure and right life?

Proverbs about Happiness

Today, we transition to a more topical study of Proverbs. One of the beauties of Proverbs is that there is such a diverse variety of subject matter contained in it. You can find proverbs about many different topics scattered through the pages of this book.

Today, we will be reading some proverbs about happiness. One of the Hebrew words that gets translated happy is 'esher which means "happiness, blessedness." Another of the Hebrew words translated happy is sameach which means "joyful, merry, glad." One other word that gets translated happy is towb which means "good, pleasant, agreeable." Lets look at some of the verses where Proverbs tells us about happiness.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom. Blessed is the one who gains understanding.

Proverbs 3:13 (NIrV)

• What leads to blessedness or happiness in this verse? wisdom

"My children, listen to me. Blessed are those who keep my ways.

Proverbs 8:32 (NIrV)

• What leads to happiness in this verse? Obedience

Anyone who hates his neighbor commits sin. But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.

Proverbs 14:21 (NIrV)

• What leads to happiness is this verse? Being kind to others

If anyone pays attention to what he is taught, he will succeed. Blessed is the person who puts his trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 16:20 (NIrV)

• What leads to happiness in this verse? Trusting God

Blessed is the one who always has respect for the Lord. But anyone who is stubborn will get into trouble.

Proverbs 28:14 (NIrV)

• What leads to happiness in this verse? respecting the Lord

Where there is no message from God, the people don't control themselves. But blessed are those who obey the law.

Proverbs 29:18

• What leads to happiness in this verse? Obeying God's law
• So to review, what are the things we've just looked at that lead to happiness?
• Which of these things are you already doing?
• Which of these things do you need to work on more?
• Do you think that these things will make you happy?

Wisdom as an investment.

As we continue our study of Proverbs, we find that wisdom is an investment. Dictionary.com defines investment as "the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value." In other words, an investment is something you spend money (or something else) for that you hope will be worth even more later. Let's read from Proverbs 3.

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom. Blessed is the one who gains understanding. ¹⁴ Wisdom pays better than silver does. She earns more than gold does. ¹⁵ She is worth more than rubies. Nothing you want can compare with her.

Proverbs 3:13-15 (NIrV)

Discussion

• What are some things that you have spent your own money (or gift cards) on?
• What are some things that you want to save your money for?
• People sometimes invest in precious metals such as gold and silver. Over time, they become more valuable. Which is more valuable: Wisdom or silver?
• What about wisdom or gold?
• Another valuable thing people invest in are precious gemstones like diamonds and rubies. Which is more valuable: Wisdom or rubies?
• Can you think of one thing that you really, really want?
• Which is better: Wisdom or the thing you really, really want?
• Do you think you've been learning wisdom from our study of Proverbs?
• Do you think it is a good investment?

More benefits of wisdom

As we continue our study of Proverbs, we are still learning of the benefits of wisdom.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. ⁸ This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:7-12

Discussion

• In verse 7, "Do not be wise in your own eyes" is almost a restatement of "Lean not on your own understanding." We are reminded to "fear the Lord" which we know is the "beginning of wisdom" and to "shun evil" or not to walk in the paths of sinners.
• In verse 8, we read how wisdom brings health and nourishment. This helps emphasize that we need wisdom in all areas of life including eating and excercising.
• Verses 9 and 10 show us another area of life where wisdom comes in handy - wealth and possessions.
  • When we write our tithe check, we are doing so to honor God with our wealth.
  • The "firstfruits of all your crops" were how the Israelites provided for the priests (God's servants) before providing for themselves.
  • We don't give produce to our pastors, but our giving to the church is done faithfully regardless of any other bills we have to pay.
  • Though we don't have an overflowing barn or big vats of wine, most of the material blessing I have in life (house, cars, guitars) have come after I got serious about honoring God with my money.
  What are some other ways that you can think of that we could honor God with our wealth?
• Verses 11 and 12 speak of the Lord's discipline.
  • We've seen the Hebrew word for discipline - muwcar - before. It means discipline, chastening, correction.
  • The word for rebuke is towkechah which means rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement.
  • Correction for when we do wrong is a good thing.
  • From the two words here translated discipline and rebuke, it seems to me that discipline is the more gentle of the two and rebuke is the more intense of the two.
  • Either way, we know that God does this because He loves us and that's a good thing!

Trust in the Lord

Today, in our study of Proverbs, we come to what is to me a very memorable passage. Let's read it and look at it in depth.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Discussion

• The Hebrew word translated trust is batach which means to trust or to have confidence in or to be secure in. We can trust in the Lord being confident that He will do what He says He will do. We can trust in the Lord knowing that we are secure as His children and that nothing can separate us from His love.
• The Hebrew word translated all is kol which all of, everything, the totality of. We are not to trust God just a little, but completely. After all, if we can be confident of and secure in Him, why shouldn't we trust Him completely?
• The Hebrew word translated heart is leb which means inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding. We are to trust God with all of our feelings (heart), our thoughts (mind), soul (inner man), decisions and desires (will) and our knowledge (understanding).
• The Hebrew word translated lean is sha`an which means to lean on for support or to trust.
• The Hebrew word translated understanding is biynah which means understanding, discernment, and intelligence. This Hebrew word has already popped up a number of times so far in Proverbs. We are not to lean on or trust in our own understanding but to trust in the Lord. That may seem a little strange since everything we've been reading so far is about passing wisdom and knowledge on from a father to s son. But we need to remember that wisdom comes from God and if our knowledge and understanding don't come from God, it can't be trusted.
• "In all of your ways," the Hebrew word kol pops up hear again and the Hebrew word translated ways is derek which we've seen before in Proverbs (even if I haven't pointed it out before). Derek can be translated way, road, distance, journey, manner. In other words, in every way we go, every road we travel, every distance we move, every journey we take, every manner we act in...
• The Hebrew word translated acknowledge is yada which means to know, to perceive and see, to distinguish
• "In all of your ways acknowledge Him" means that in every thing we do, every move we make, recognize that the God we can trust completely is there and act like it.
  • Do you sometimes do things when nobody is watching that you wouldn't do otherwise? Like play with something you've been told not to play with or eat a piece of candy you were told to save for later or take something that wasn't yours just because you wanted to play with it
  • If we acknowledge God in all of our ways, then we recognize that there is never a time when someone isn't watching us. Does that make you want to think different in times like what we've just discussed?
• The result of this is that He will make our paths straight
  • In Proverbs 1:15 we were told to not set foot on sinner's paths
  • In Proverbs 2:13 we saw how the wicked left the straight paths
  • In Proverbs 2:15 we saw how the wicked's paths are crooked
  • In Proverbs 2:9 we saw how wisdom leads us to what is right and just and fair - every good path
  Thus, if in all of our ways we acknowledge God, He will lead us away from sinful, wicked paths and lead us to what is right and just and fair. This sounds like a good way to go doesn't it?

Further benefits of wisdom

During our study of Proverbs, we are not going study every verse. As we continue on with the theme of a father passing on wisdom to his son, we skip to the beginning of Proverbs 3.

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, ² for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:1-4

Discussion

• Again in the passage, we see Solomon adressing his son and reminding him to pay attention to wisdom.
• When we read in verse 1 "do not forget" the Hebrew word shakach can also be translated as to ignore. Thus, this admonition to not forget does double duty. Do not ignore wisdom now and don't forget it later. It's not just a one time thing, it's a continuing thing.
• When he says "keep my commands" that implies guarding them, watching over them, preserving them. You don't just keep a command and then be done with it, you keep it with you.
• When he says in verse 2 wisdom will bring you prosperity, the Hebrew word here is shalowm which means completeness (in number), soundness (in body), welfare (including health and prosperity), peace (including contentment and friendship).
• In verse 3 "love and faithfulness" refers to God's love and faithfulness. They will beautify your life (bind them around your neck) and you are to commit them to memory (write them on your heart).
• In verse 4, we see the ultimate result of being wise, favor with God and with man.
• Tomorrow, we are going to look at a passage that we would do well to write on our hearts.

Wicked men and wisdom

¹² Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, ¹³ who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, ¹⁴ who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, ¹⁵ whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

Proverbs 2:12-15

We continue our study of Proverbs and we come to a passage which is a warning about wicked men. Though not worded as a warning against associating with wicked, we are told that wisdom will save us from such men. Let's look at what the passage says about them.

Discussion

• When it says "Wisdom will save you" it implies snatching you away from or rescuing you from these wicked men. It seems to me to be an active verb. Picture, if you will, someone pulling you out of the way of a car that would otherwise have hit you. This is what it means here in saying wisdom will save you from the ways wicked or evil men. It's not just that these men are evil, but the way they live their life is evil.
• We also see in verse 12 that what they say and promise to people is perverse or foolish or deceitful.
• they leave the straight paths or the upright paths. In other words they if there's a right thing to do and a wrong thing to do, they don't do the right thing.
• They also walk in dark ways - they like to keep what they are doing hidden from others. This makes me think of the number of times we've read about the Hardy Boys being attacked by men who were hiding in dark places.
• In verse 14, we see that these men delight in doing wrong - doing evil things make them happy!
• They rejoice in the foolishness of bad things.
• Their paths are crooked - twisted, distorted - not the right way to go.
• They are devious is their ways. Devious implies that their ways are bent or turned away from the way they should go.
• Even at your age, I'm sure you can see evidence of other people making choices like the men describe here. Can you think of any examples?
• Do you think it's good to spend time around people like this?
• If wisdom saves you from the ways of these people, do you think you should spend time around people like this?
• In light of what we've read earlier about how wisdom calls out and they have rejected, what should we do for people like this?
• How can we pray for people like this and how can we pray for wisdom to save us?

The Lord gives wisdom

We continue with our study of Proverbs and today read how the Lord gives wisdom.

⁶ The Lord gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth. ⁷ He stores up success for honest people. He is like a shield to those who live without blame. He keeps them safe. ⁸ He guards the path of those who are honest. He watches over the way of his faithful ones. ⁹ You will understand what is right and honest and fair. You will understand the right way to live. ¹⁰ Your heart will become wise. Your mind will delight in knowledge. ¹¹ Good sense will keep you safe. Understanding will guard you.

Proverbs 2:6-11 (NIrV)

Discussion

• It starts out with the obvious "The Lord gives wisdom."
• Where do knowledge and understanding come from? His mouth
• Where can we find record of what has come out of God's mouth?
• We also read of other things the Lord does for us:
  • He provides for us
  • He protects us
  • He guards us
  • He watches over us
• What does verse 9 tell we will understand?
  • what is right and honest and fair
  • the right way to live
  Are these things important to know?
• What will happen to our heart? it will become wise
• what will we delight in? knowledge
• What will keep us safe? Good sense
• What is that?
• What will guard us? understanding
• What is that? What we have learned/what we have come to understand

Wisdom: Hidden Treasure

We continue our series on Proverbs and come to a passage on asking and receiving wisdom. Let's read.

¹ My son, accept my words. Store up my commands inside you. ² Let your ears listen to wisdom. Apply your heart to understanding. ³ Call out for the ability to be wise. Cry out for understanding. ⁴ Look for it as you would look for silver. Search for it as you would search for hidden treasure. ⁵ Then you will understand how to have respect for the Lord. You will find out how to know God.

Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIRV)

Discussion

• This passage is structured like a big if - then argument. If you do this, then you this will happen.
• These are the if things mentioned here
  • accept my words - the Hebrew word translated accept means "to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away." With such a broad range of meanings, there's a variety of ways you might accept wisdom. What matters is that you make it yours!
  • Store up my commands inside you - this implies not just storing up, but hiding and treasuring God's commandments
  • Let your ears listen to wisdom - don't just listen to wisdom, but pay attention to wisdom
  • Apply your heart to understanding - means to stretch out, extend, or bend your heart. Perhaps even make changes to your heart for wisdom's sake
  • Call out for the ability to be wise - implies asking out loud for wisdom.
  • Cry out for understanding - again implies using your voice to ask for wisdom
  • Look for it as you would look for silver - silver was valuable as is wisdom. You are to look for wisdom as if it's something you require.
  • for it as you would search for hidden treasure - How would you go looking for a hidden treasure? You might use a treasure map. When you get to the spot marked "X," you might pull out your shovel and start to dig. You would dig until you found the treasure.
• If you do these things, "Then you will understand how to have respect for the Lord."
  • The fear (or proper respect) of God is the beginning of wisdom - it brings you wisdom
  • If you do all these things to seek after wisdom, you will respect God
  • which will bring you wisdom
  • which will cause you to seek more wisdom
  • which will...
  All of this goes in a circle which brings you more wisdom and more fear of God
• Which ultimately leads to knowing God better and better.
• How do you want to seek wisdom?