Contents. Solomon and the Temple. The Proverbs of Solomon. Solomon s Other Writings

Transcription

1 Contents Solomon and the Temple 1. David s Son Solomon Succeeds David Solomon Builds the Temple Solomon Dedicates the Temple Review and Quiz The Proverbs of Solomon 6. Solomon Makes Choices Wisdom Personified Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord Wisdom: Practical Righteousness Review and Quiz Solomon s Other Writings 11. Ecclesiastes: Life Under the Sun Ecclesiastes: Life Beyond the Sun Ecclesiastes: Life Winding Down Song of Solomon Self Check LightUnit Test Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

2 7 Wisdom Personified Search the Scriptures Read Proverbs 1:1-7. KJV Vocabulary Use the definitions to enhance your understanding of the passage as you read. equity (v. 3): fairness dark sayings (v. 6): hidden meanings subtilty (v. 4): subtlety; ability to reason wisely Complete the exercises. 1. Who can benefit from wisdom? Put a check mark beside all that apply. a. those who are simple b. fools c. young and inexperienced people d. those who are already wise e. those who despise instruction f. people of understanding 2. Read Proverbs 9:10. What is the beginning of wisdom? Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord What is a proverb? It is a succinct snippet of concentrated truth. Some proverbs stand as eternal, unchanging truths. Other proverbs present sayings that are generally true. Such generalizations are not true in every situation, and do not necessarily declare unqualified promises. To determine whether a proverb is absolute truth or generalized truth, we need to compare it first with other Scriptures and then with life itself. The first seven verses of Proverbs tell us the purpose of the book. In this book, God presents a lifestyle distinguished by the pursuit and practice of wisdom. Throughout the book, the Lord promotes wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, subtlety, knowledge, discretion, attention, learning, and counsel. He also draws distinctions between the wise person, who hears and learns, and the fool, who holds wisdom and teaching in contempt. Most importantly, Proverbs establishes the fear of the Lord as the foundation of all wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the central theme in Proverbs. The fear of the Lord is foundational both to gaining wisdom and to living by it. Wisdom and the fear of the Lord are inseparably linked. Words to Know succinct (sǝk siŋkt ): without wasted words Complete the exercise. 3. Give the definition of a proverb. 28 Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

3 How Can We Be Wise? Read Proverbs 3: Complete the sentences. 4. The benefit of getting is better than the gain of and. 5. Wisdom is more precious than. 6. Wisdom s ways are and her paths are. 7. Wisdom was with the when He created the and. 8. Wisdom is to our souls and an ornament of around our necks. Circle the letter of the best answer to the question. 9. What is the basic thought in verses 23-26? a. Living wisely will keep us from suffering accidents or physical harm. b. Living wisely will keep us from suffering insomnia. c. Living wisely will make us confident in the Lord and unafraid of sudden judgment. d. Living wisely will give us self-confidence and prevent us from sinning. In order to be wise, we need to have a right perspective of God, producing a relationship of honor, love, and reverence. That helps us understand the nature of wisdom s opposite: foolishness. Foolishness isn t a flaw of the brain but a corruption of the spirit. Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7); they hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:22). Wisdom provides direction for responding to both the good and bad experiences of life. Wisdom gives safety and peace to those who seek it. Search the Scriptures Read Proverbs 9:1-6. Circle the letter of the best ending to each statement. 10. Wisdom is like a woman who has prepared. a. a sacrifice of burnt offering to the Lord b. a lovely house and a rich feast for anyone who needs understanding c. a prophetic message to sinners d. all of the above 11. Wisdom has. a. plenty of nourishment for those hungry for instruction b. the ability to physically feed the poor and hungry c. a special liking for those devoid of understanding d. a splendid house for anyone who listens to her 12. When a simple man accepts Wisdom s invitation, he will. a. hear the message of one of the maidens c. eat bread and drink wine b. sacrifice a burnt offering to the Lord d. forsake foolishness Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. 29

4 Wisdom Personified Chapters 1-9 of Proverbs personify wisdom as a woman who cries out in various public places. She should be as close to us as a sister. 1 Proverbs 8 describes wisdom as a person who calls on people to listen to her. She assures them her instruction surpasses the value of earthly treasures. She says that she was present at Creation and before. She declares herself to be God s own delight. Though wisdom is personified as a woman in Proverbs, we can also readily see wisdom perfectly personified in Jesus, the promised One. Jesus the Word was in the beginning with God and created all things. Jesus had a relationship of glory and love with the Father, and the Father delighted in His Son. The Lord Jesus is the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ (Colossians 2:3). 1. Proverbs 7:4 The Book of Proverbs Guide book to success for both young and old. Code book of real-life ethics. Lab manual for applying God s principles to life. Training manual for skillful living. Rule book for godly behavior. Field guide with examples of wise living. Christ Jesus... is made unto us wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30 Wisdom calls on us to choose life, obedience, righteousness, and justice. She cries out, Listen to me! Choose me! In her cry, do you hear the call of the Lord Jesus? Words From Proverbs Match these words from Proverbs with their definitions. 13. wisdom a. the fear of God that makes one able to hear and learn 14. foolishness b. corruption of spirit 15. subtilty c. fairness 16. equity d. ability to reason wisely Understanding the Commentary Complete the exercises. 17. What two kinds of truth do the proverbs portray? 18. How can we distinguish between the two kinds of truth? 19. What does Proverbs use to personify wisdom? 20. Who perfectly personifies wisdom? 21. What do the Proverbs establish as the foundation of all wisdom? 30 Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

5 Interpreting Proverbs 1 Match these excerpts from Proverbs 1 with their meanings from the boxes. 22. To give... to the young man knowledge and discretion. 23. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning. 24. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 25. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 26. They shall be an ornament of grace... and chains about thy neck. a. Real wisdom begins with reverence toward God. b. Wisdom gives young folks the knowledge and good sense they need. c. Parents commands beautify the lives of children who keep them. d. The foolish have no use for advice. e. The wise aren t above listening and learning. 27. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 28. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 29. Turn you at my reproof... I will make known my words unto you. 30. They hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. 31. Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. a. Those who listen to wisdom live in peaceful security. b. Fearing God is a choice. c. If sinners offer attractive temptations, turn away. d. Accepting reproof brings wisdom. e. The obvious trap will snare no one. Memory Work Focus Complete the memory selection for this section, including the reference. 32. The fear is the : but despise and instruction. Proverbs : Complete the exercise about the memory selection. i The Hebrew word translated beginning has the meaning of first in place, time, order, or rank. In another proverb it is translated principal thing. 33. Paraphrase the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom to show this meaning of beginning. Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. 31

6 Review Answer the questions. 34. What did the queen of Sheba know about Solomon s throne? 35. What did Solomon s great wisdom NOT bring about? 36. How long was Solomon s reign? Circle T if the statement is true and F if it is false. If it is false, correct the italicized part. 37. T F In dealing with Solomon s sin, God honored David by not taking away the kingdom during Solomon s lifetime. 38. T F God told Solomon if he disobeyed, Israel would be removed from their homeland. 39. T F God s presence would abandon Solomon s temple if Solomon or his sons broke the covenant. 40. T F God had sanctioned marriage between the Israelites and foreigners. 41. T F Solomon built high places for his wives to worship their false gods. 42. T F Solomon s idolatry caused his kingdom to be torn away from his son. 43. T F Only five tribes would be left for Solomon s son to rule. 32 Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced without permission from the publisher.