Proverbs: The Call To Wisdom

#Wisdom

The Call of Wisdom

(Wisdom is more than book learning)

Contemporary examples of wisdom proverbs, which survive because they explain simply and graphically basic principles.

Two heads are better than one; Too many cooks spoil the broth; A watched pot never boils; That’s a piece of cake; Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

What are some others?

They are generalities. Two heads may be better than one, if both heads are functioning well. A watched pot doesn’t seem to want to boil rapidly, but eventually it does. If we count our chickens before they hatch, we may find that some never hatch. Success may elude us.

Definition of a proverb: It is a (1) SHORT, (2) CONDENSED, and (3) WITTY statement of (4) GENERAL truth.

I. Wisdom is a basic theme in the book of Proverbs. Descriptions of Wisdom in Proverbs:

A. To be wise is to be DISCERNING                                                                           1:5; 16:21

B. To be wise is to be RIGHTEOUS                                                                             2:9-10; 14:8, 16; 10:8 (cf. 10:31; 4:11)

C. To be wise is to be A LEARNER                                                                              10:14; 18:15; 21:11

Summary to this point:

1. Wisdom is a JOURNEY, not a DESTINATION.

2. Wisdom is a WAY OF LIFE, not a THING (OBJECT).

D. To be wise is to FEAR THE LORD                                                                            1:7; 9:10 (15:33; Job)

What does it mean to Fear the Lord?

1.  To fear the Lord is to STAND IN AWE                                                 Mal. 2:5; Lev. 1  9:3; Ex. 20:12; Ps. 33:8

2. To fear the Lord is to LISTEN TO HIM                                                  Ex. 9:20-21

3. To fear the Lord is to HATE EVIL                                                            Prov. 8:13

4. To fear the Lord is to WALK UPRIGHTLY                                             Prov. 14:2

                                                                                                                                (cf. Ps. 128:1)

Summary: To fear the Lord means a person’s life is COMMITTED to the Lord! It is not a paralyzing fear, but a very healthy respect for and awe of God.

II. The Benefits of Wisdom (9:12; 3:13-14; 16:16; 8:11)

A. Wisdom will KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE                                         2:10-12, 16;7:4-5

B. Wisdom will BRING PROSPERITY                                                           3:2; 8:18, 21

C. Wisdom will PROLONG YOUR LIFE                                                       3:2, 16; 4:10; 9:11

D. Wisdom will GIVE YOU SECURITY                                                         3:21-24; 4:6, 11-12; 28:26

E. Wisdom will GIVE YOU HONOR                                                             4:8; 3:35

F. Wisdom will GIVE YOU GREAT POWER                                               21;22; 24:5,6; Eccl. 7:19

G. Wisdom will GIVE YOU LIFE                                                                    4:13, 20, 22; 8:35 (cf. 24:14)

H. Wisdom will MAKE YOUR PARENTS HAPPY                                      23:15; 27:11; 10:1; 15:20; 23:24; 24:3

III. How does a Person gain Wisdom?

A. One must be OPEN TO LEARNING                                                       9:9; 10:8; 13:10; 17:10 (cf. 15:31; 13:1; 12:15)

B. One must be DILIGENT/PERSISTENT                                                   8:17; 2:1-5; 22:17; 4:4-5

C. One must receive Wisdom from GOD                                                2:6-8 (Jas. 1:5-8)

D. One must be INSTRUCTED                                                                      21:11

IV. The worth of Wisdom

A. It may cost you ALL YOU HAVE                                                              4:7-10

B. It is better than GOLD or SILVER                                                           16:16

C. It is worth BUYING                                                                                     23:23

V. Conclusion

                Wisdom is far more than knowledge. It is the faithful, intelligent application of learning. It is what makes a person discerning. It comes from experience, hopefully. We have all known very bright people — very experienced people — who were also very foolish. True wisdom comes from God and should be applied to His service.