Lesson for March 1-2, 2014 Charles Lyons, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION:
Proverbs 1:1-4 (KJV)
1
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
What is a “Proverb?” It comes from the Hebrew word, which is pronounced maw-shawl, and means a parable or sentences of ethical wisdom. So the very word “wisdom” becomes a great way to describe the book of Proverbs.
The authorship is accepted to be predominantly by Solomon. In 1 Kings 4:32 we see that Solomon was a busy writer, “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.” Given the opportunity Solomon asked of God for wisdom and God honored his request as noted in 1 Kings 4:29-31:
29
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 30And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
Our passage, in Hebrew, is written in couplets. You can for the most part see this in the English Bible. We will have two parts to the sentences we read. The second half of the couplet
compares or confirms or contrasts the first part. For example, when we read Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” we see the contrast between those who fear or reverence God and those who despise God’s wisdom. We will see this pattern repeated throughout the Proverbs.
The purpose of the passage can be found in the opening sentence, or verses 2, 3 and 4. Now we will continue through the passage in the following outline:
I. THE BENEFIT OF SEEKING WISDOM
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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
The word “wise” used here means to be wise, skillful and prudent. In some places in Scripture the same word is translated “cunning.” The first comparison is that a wise man will hear and increase learning. Yet that is not all, when we hear we should hear from wise counsel. The phrase “dark sayings,” comes from a Hebrew word that means a perplexing saying or question. So what is the benefit of seeking wisdom? That we will increase in learning, acquire wise counsel and obtain understanding.
II. THE BEGINNING OF SEEKING WISDOM
7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The expression “fear of the LORD,” implies that we have an awesome reverence and respect for the LORD. The “LORD” used here is the word, “Jehovah,” which is the proper name of the one true God, literally, “the existing one.” In other words, when we respect and have reverence for God we are in a position to learn from Him.
The word used for “fools” here is a good description of many evil people we encounter today. Why, because it means one who mocks when guilty, quarrels and who despises wisdom. It is the person who wants to be free to do what they want without any correction or direction. The contrast of this couplet is that a person who is reverent and willing to learn from God will begin to learn while those who mock such an opportunity will miss out.
III.THE SPARKLE OF SEEKING WISDOM
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My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
A great picture of the learning process in the home is given here along with the roles of the home. The “instruction of the father,” literally means the discipline or correction from the person’s father. The “law of thy mother,” refers to the instruction and body of teaching that is given from the mother to their child.
The “ornament” that is described is a wreath and the “grace” referred to is favor or grace. It implies that by our submission to the correction of our father and instruction of our mother that we will be seen to have the symbols of accomplishment and approval of God as we go through life.
IV.THE STRENGTH OF SEEKING WISDOM
10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
“Sinners” comes from a Hebrew word that describes someone who has been identified as an offender. It is who they are. As for the word, “entice,” this is a very interesting word. From a Hebrew word that does mean to persuade, seduce or deceive. However, it also refers to being spacious, open and wide. Contrast this to Matthew 7:13, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:.”
We are cautioned that just because we are “enticed” to go to the “broad way,” we are not to go there. As an example:
Benedict Arnold was considered an American hero in the fight for independence. He led the American troops to victory in the Battle of Saratoga. Yet felt he was not getting the recognition that he deserved. His pride caused him to sell out to the British. In America he is remembered as a traitor. He spent the rest of his life in England. At the end of his life, Benedict Arnold regretted having betrayed his own country during the war. Although no military honor was offered to him during his funeral, the procession had 4 state carriages and 7 mourning coaches. He was initially buried on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church, Battersea, London, England. But, as legend has it, his remains interred in an unmarked grave hundred years later, during the Church renovations. The wide path of pride had a price.
V. OPPOSITION OF SEEKING WISDOM
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If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Separate from the meaning or application of this passage, we have a great opportunity to help those in our class to see an important lesson in Bible Study. Sometimes a single or even several verses can be difficult to understand. Encourage the class to look at verses 11 through 16 and look for the period. These individual verses together compose one sentence. Any of the verses taken independently has us out of context of the meaning of the sentence. When we study the Bible read the whole sentence, even when that means more than one verse.
The couplet here teaches us that trying to fit in with a group outside of God’s “Winning Walk” for us will be taking us from God and into evil and often danger. We are admonished to separate ourselves from them. Consider 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
VI.THE PROTECTION OF SEEKING WISDOM
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Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
Here we have a simple but powerful illustration about the person who is walking in wisdom. Laying a trap in plain sight can be spotted and avoided. The person walking in safety has a powerful element of safety because God’s wisdom can enlighten us to danger to avoid. For example, consider when the Apostle Paul was taken prisoner by the Romans. He was ordered to be bound and taken off. Yet Paul in a tense and dangerous moment had the
“wisdom of God” to ask a simple question that resulted in his protection. Consider the passage in Acts 22:25-29:
25And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it
lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? 26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. 27Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. 28And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. 29Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
VII. THE OPPOSITE SEEKING WISDOM
18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19So are the
ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
This passage reminds us of such verses as:
James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
[the first person to contact Scott gets a gift card to the bookstore] Both passages and certainly others would remind us that those who reject wisdom and God, choosing to walk in sin are risking their lives both in the short term and eternally.
THE CONCLUSION:
In a message that Dr. Young preached from the book of Job, he related an event from his youth. He explained that his dad didn’t become a Christian until he was in his forties. In contrast, Dr. Young’s mother required that he and his brothers had family altar, reading the Scriptures every night. Dr. Young recalled very clearly that, “I didn’t like it.” Apparently that didn’t stop his mother.
Dr. Young remembered that after his dad became a Christian that they were waiting to see what he would do. After they had read the Bible they began to pray. His dad had entered the room and at the right moment, his father prayed. Dr. Young described it by saying, “It was just a person talking to a friend.” He continued to say that, “it was not churchy, but it was real, no performance.”
You see when wisdom from God comes into our lives we can truly connect with God. It is us communicating with a friend. Dr. Young’s mother had taught her son’s well. After his salvation, Dr. Young’s dad demonstrated not only the faithfulness to the family altar time that had been established, but the ease of prayer when it is two friends sharing what is on their hearts. Seeking wisdom is, after all, the best way to honor God and walk with Him.
