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!

Becoming a theologian: God's Wisdom

Today, as we continue looking at God's attributes, we come to wisdom. Dictionary.com defines it as "the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight." As we look at God's wisdom, we will focus on three things:

1. God is wise
2. God knows best
3. God gives us wisdom

God is wise

His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?

Job 9:4

• Job was a godly man to whom a lot of bad things happened. He struggled to figure out why the bad things were happening and yet he recognized that God was wise.
• The definition above refers to "knowledge of what is true or right." Where have we read about what is true and right?>
• From what we read in Psalm 119, many of the words in this definition are applied to God's word or coming from God Himself: true, right, just, judgment, discernment, and insight.

God knows best

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

• In all things God works for our good
• Though, like Job, we may not always see the good in what's happening to us, we know that God is working for our good.
• If God created us and created the world around us, you would certainly think He knows what is best

God gives us wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

1 Kings 3:9

• The verse in James says that God gives us wisdom and does so generously!
• The verse in 1 Kings is where Solomon asked God for wisdom. God granted him wisdom and he became known as the wisest man on earth!
• If you ever think you need wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you