Real Wisdom A Look Into Proverbs

Transcription

1 Real Wisdom A Look Into Proverbs Lesson One Proverbs 1 The Way of Wisdom As we saw in the introduction, the majority of Proverbs is ascribed to the authorship of Solomon, in the 10th century B.C. Here is a simple yet helpful outline of Proverbs: 1 1. Proverbs 1 9: fatherly exhortations mainly to the young 2. Proverbs 10 24: wisdom and the fear of God contrasted with folly and sin 3. Proverbs 25 29: the men of Hezekiah select proverbs of Solomon 4. Proverbs 30 31: supplemental proverbs by Agur and Lemuel The Hebrew word proverb means, To be like; many proverbs are contrasts and comparisons. They are moral illustrations about fundamental truths for life, but aren t always inflexible laws. They are general truths and sometimes exceptions can be found to some of the statements, but in studying them and applying them, one comes to contemplate the mind of God, His character, His attributes, His works, and His blessing. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. 3 The timeless truths we ll examine in our survey of some of the topics will hit us right where we live. Reading a proverb takes only a few seconds; applying a proverb can take a lifetime! 4 The Proverbs are in the form of Hebrew poetry. In studying them, we see two main characteristics used by the authors, likeness and parallelism. 5 There are four main types of parallelism used that will be helpful to remember as you study: 1. Synonymous: The second line parallels the thoughts in the first line 2. Antithetical: The second line is the opposite or contrasts the first line 3. Emblematic: A line illustrates the previous with a simile or metaphor 4. Synthetic: The second line continues the thought of the first 6 Some have more than one type of these characteristics in them as well. Another helpful guide in reading Proverbs is that while Solomon wrote many, he collected others, like an editor; he probably collected those written in second person, and directly wrote those in third person. 7 Our studies in Proverbs will be more topical than anything else, with the exception of our first study, which defines the course of the rest of the topics in the book. We ll see a thumbnail sketch of ourselves as we go through these studies, and as we continue on into Ecclesiastes later in the Bible Fellowship year. Studying them will help us have moral skillfulness and mental discernment we need live for living. 8 Day One: The Purpose of Proverbs Please carefully read Proverbs 1:1 6 and answer the following questions Verse one confirms the author and subject of this section of the book. Solomon first lists three purposes of these proverbs. What are they (vv. 2 3)? 1. 2.

2 3. Notes: It is important for us to define various terms Solomon uses here, as they are themes throughout the rest of Proverbs. Wisdom can also be translated as knowledge, experience, intelligence, and insight; it always results from God Himself and is part of His nature. 9 Instruction can be translated as discipline, instruction, self-control, a bond, checking, and restraint in our lives. Understanding means insight, prudence, skill, something that comes from diligent study and pursuit on our behalf. The phrase instruction of wisdom means to obtain intellectual comprehension, knowing the reason for something. 2. There are two results that Solomon said will come from this. What are they according to verse 4? Notes: Prudence means cunning, craft, and discretion; The Message paraphrases verse 4 as to teach the inexperienced the ropes. The simple are those who are silly, foolish, and seducible, from the root word that means to be mentally or morally open; 10 they are undiscerning and unable to know what to keep in and out of their minds. 11 Knowledge is that which is gained through the senses, either personal know how or discernment and moral cognition. Discretion means meditation, thought, plans, device, plot, and purpose for living What are further benefits and purposes of studying through these Proverbs according to verses 5 6? Note: The phrase wise counsel interestingly means to manage and steer by ropes, like a ship through a canal or controlling the sails by ropes; it is guidance, a plan, or good advice to steer us through Discretion, or the ability to carefully navigate through our life according to the purposes of God, is something lacking for many. What are some other things that Proverbs 2:11, 3:21 26 tell us about walking in wise discretion? What is the source of the wisdom and knowledge we will need to do so (2 Timothy 2:16 17)? Scripture Memory: This week we will memorize Proverbs 1:7. Review the passage several times throughout each day. By the end of the week, you should have it memorized. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV ) Day Two: The Heart of Proverbs Please carefully read Proverbs 1:7 9 and answer the following questions. 1. What is the real heart of the message of Proverbs (v. 7a)? What does it mean to you personally? 2

3 2. The Message paraphrases the first part of verse 7 as Start with God the first step in learning is bowing down to God. It is our beginning place, our commencement, the starting but certainly not the ending point, and will give us the know how and discernment to face all God has for us. How do we take practical steps in demonstrating our fear of and respect for the Lord (Romans 12:1 2; Colossians 3:23; 1 Peter 2:17)? 3. What is true about those who don t choose to fear the Lord (v. 7b)? What type of fear of God should they expect to face (Hebrews 10:26 27, 31)? Note: A fool is one who is deliberately arrogant and self-sufficient, ordering their lives as if there is no God; 14 the Hebrew word means someone silly, perverse, and foolish What will following godly instruction and guidance also contribute to our lives (vs. 8-9)? Scripture Memory: Fill in the blanks by memory. Then review the passage several times throughout the week. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of But fools wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV ) Day Three: The Dangers of Evil Please carefully read Proverbs 1:10 19 and answer the following questions. 1. This section addresses Solomon s son, and in application, it addresses all of us. Only three children of Solomon are recorded in Scripture: his son Rehoboam (his name means enlarger ), and two daughters, Taphtah ( ornament ) and Basmath ( fragrance ). 17 What warning did Solomon give his son about the temptation and evils of peer pressure (vv )? Note: Sinners here means an offender or criminal, someone habitually sinning and subject to the consequence of their actions. Entice means to open up or try to make someone morally loose, delude, flatter, persuade in a sinister way. 18 Consent means to be willing and desirous which may lead to actions toward making the choice to sin. 2. What further admonishment did Solomon give in verses 15 16? 3. The word walk implies the characteristics of someone s lifestyle, as well as one s ongoing relationship with God. Read Psalm 1 and record here the close parallels that it has to this passage about: The walk of the wise man: The walk of the ungodly (sinners): 3

4 4. What is the ultimate end for those who foolishly and wickedly try to live this way, according to verses 17 19? Scripture Memory: Fill in the blanks by memory. Then review the passage several times throughout the week. The fear of the Lord is the of, but fools wisdom and. (Proverbs1:7 NKJV ) Day Four: The Warnings of Wisdom Please carefully read Proverbs 1:20 27 and answer the following questions. 1. How does Solomon personify Wisdom here (vv )? Note: The NASB and NLT state that Wisdom doesn t just call aloud, she shouts. The phrase means that she enunciated a message intended for a specific audience to get a specific reaction, not just a random outcry. 2. What is Wisdom s warning for those rejecting her message (vv )? Note: These simpletons love simplicity. Love in this context means an ardent and vehement inclination of the mind and tenderness of affection at the same time, while the scorners and mockers delight and long for their mocking. Delight in this context means an inordinate, ungoverned, selfish desire. Fools actually hate godly knowledge and wisdom! 3. In what further ways do these simpletons reject God s Wisdom and warnings (vv )? 4. What will happen when these people find out it s too late to seek God s wisdom (vv )? 5. Henry Morris well pointed out that these types of people sound much like these so called wise of our day who reject God and seek after evolutionary humanism instead For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to

5 be wise, they became fools. (Romans 1:20 23 NKJV) What are some other ways that Wisdom cries out to us today, whether or not we listen to her? Psalm 19:1 4 Romans 2: Corinthians 1:18 19 Scripture Memory: Fill in the blanks by memory. Then review the passage several times throughout the week. The of the is the of, but wisdom and. (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV ) Day Five: The Folly of Fearlessness Please carefully read Proverbs 1:28 33 and answer the following questions. 1. What will be the results for these who reject Wisdom s warnings (vs.28, 31)? Note: Diligently means to be up early, or at dawn, at any sort of task; taking painstaking, earnest efforts Why would they face this (vv )? 3. What will be the sad results for them (v. 32)? Note: In this context, the phrase turning away means apostasy or backsliding. 21 The Message paraphrases verse 32b as, Carelessness kills; complacency is murder. 4. What three things can the person who listens (to hear to perceive, give undivided listening attention to and as a result obeying) wisdom be sure of (v. 33)? We can dwell safely (abide permanently in a confident place of refuge)in His quiet and peace. The Message simply paraphrased this verse, First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy You re in good hands. Take some time to read and meditate on Psalm 91 today. How does this speak of safely dwelling in God s quiet and peace and how does it speak to your heart personally? 5

6 Scripture Memory: Can you write out this week s passage from memory? Give it a try and keep reviewing the passage several times throughout the day. Day Six: Wise Walking 1. Studying these proverbs will have a great benefit for all of us, whether we are young and naïve or old and seasoned in the Lord. We ll be persuaded about how we should live, to know how to gain understanding, to attain (or get, purchase, and own as our own 22 ) the wisdom we need. But we saw that having God s wisdom is a pursuit, and it takes steps of discipline. James 1:5 tells us, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (NKJV). But often as we seek His wisdom, it means waiting on His answer, or maybe even a time of trial and difficulty to teach us the things He has for us. Are you willing to pay the price this year of study in pursuing God s will and wisdom for your life? What are some changes 2. The heart of Proverbs truly is the fear of the Lord. It isn t being afraid of God really, but having an understanding really of Who God is and submitting ourselves to Him in reverent awe. The New Testament Greek word for fear has been well defined, reverential fear of God, as a controlling motive of the life, in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. 23 John MacArthur also well summarized the fear of the Lord as being a state of mind in which one s own attitude, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God s. 24 Do these definitions of the fear of God reflect your own desires and attitude toward God s will for your life? This passage clearly states that only a fool, one deliberately rejecting God s wisdom, would turn away from this, and faces a certain and fearful end with no remedy, unless they return to Him. Why don t you make a new commitment today to fear the Lord, setting Him apart as the King of your life? Perhaps you are joining us in the studies and have not yet met Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Why don t you turn to Him today, and seek the great plan He has for your life? Your group leader will be more than happy to help you in a commitment or recommitment to the Lord. 3. Sinners and habitual sins will always be out there seeking to tear us down by flattery, persuasion, in whatever way they can deceive us into falling and failing. How did looking at Psalm 1 help you personally this week to turn your back on evil and sinful desires? What are some things you see as a need for change in your life in view of these things we have been discussing? Remember, our walk will determine our way, and we will reap the things we sow depending on the path we choose. 4. Complacency and carelessness was addressed this week as well, and both of these become a theme of other aspects of Proverbs, such as when the sluggard or lazy man is destroyed by their carelessness. Rather, as you choose to seek and embrace wisdom, you ll have the ability and the peace to permanently reside in His shadow and safety, and effectively serve Him and the world around you. What are some ways you have seen God work in your life as you have trusted and waited on Him? What are some things 6

7 that you would like to trust Him for over this year as we study that your group can be praying for and encouraging you in? Scripture Memory: If you have memorized this week s passage, write it out from memory and continue reviewing it throughout the week. If not, keep at it. Be prepared to share the verse with others in your group time. Proverbs1:7 NOTES 1 C. I. Scofield, ed., The New Scofield Study Bible, New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), p John MacArthur, ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, (Nashville: Word Bibles, 1997), p Bruce Wilkerson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Through the Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983), p Louis Goldberg, The Practical Wisdom of Proverbs (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), p Sid S. Buzzell, Proverbs, in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, eds. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books/SP Publications, 1985), p J. Vernon McGee, Proverbs (Pasadena, Calif.: Thru the Bible Books, 1982), p Allen P. Ross, Proverbs, in The Expositor s Bible Commentary, vol. 5, F. E. Gaebelein, ed. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), p Except as otherwise noted, word definitions in this study are based on Spiros Zodhiates, ed., The Complete Word Study Old Testament (Chattanooga, Tenn.: AMG Publishers, 1994). Definitions used can be found in order of use on pp. 2315, 2316, 2330, 2305, 2373, 2352, 2310, 2311, 2364, 2315, 2296, 2311, 2362, 2298, 2316, 2376, 2304, 2374, and James Strong, ed., A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible with Their Renderings in the Authorized English Version, in Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville: Abingdon, 1890 Reprint), p MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, p Ibid., p Strong, A Concise Dictionary, p Scofield, The New Scofield Study Bible, p Strong, A Concise Dictionary, p Henry M. Morris, The Remarkable Wisdom of Solomon (Green Forest, Ark.: Master Books, 2001), p Strong, A Concise Dictionary, p Morris, The Remarkable Wisdom, p Strong, A Concise Dictionary, p Ibid., p Ibid., p W. E. Vine, ed., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1939), p MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, p by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved. Written by Thomas Klock 7