The Book of Proverbs Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life Lesson 6: Get Wisdom! Get Understanding
Proverbs 4:1-9 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding
Outline for our lesson Definitions A wise man is a man of action The wise man the man of understanding the prudent man: Learns and is open to rebuke and wise counsel Is Careful with his words Considers his ways Is discerning Controls his emotions Knows the value of wisdom Recognizes the rewards of wisdom
Definitions Wisdom chokmah, khok-maw' wisdom; skillful A right attitude and approach to all areas of life Enables us to adapt what we know, so we can do effectively what we do. Understanding biynah understanding tabuwn intelligence; discretion, reason, skillfulness, understanding, wisdom To come to an understanding by discernment and choosing between such alternatives as good and evil, right and wrong, true and false
Definitions Knowledge da`ath knowledge; cunning; awareness Primarily means knowledge, but also includes perception, discernment, and wisdom. Covers many facets of knowledge esp. those obtained through the physical senses and experience Includes knowledge both by God and about God Prudence `aruwm cunning; crafty; prudent Using common sense and sound judgment All these overlap in meaning; sometimes used interchangeably
The wise man is a man of action Abides Acquires Acts Applies Brings forth Builds Conceals Considers Covers Disperses Draws out Fears Gains Gets Holds back Knows Loves Preserves Rebukes Receives Rejoices Scales Searches out Seeks Sifts out Spares Stores up Turns away Understands Uses Wages Walks
The wisdom proverbs Favorite proverb(s) from this group? Any interesting things you noticed about these? Any that are more difficult?
Key Lessons last week The choices we make define us. Have we chosen the way of righteousness? Do we continue to choose it each day? The way of truth should not be viewed as a burden. The positive results it yields are many and always to our good. The benefits from a life lived with the Lord are life-giving both now and in eternity.
Key Lessons Set realistic goals for yourself in your spiritual life Be open to rebuke and welcome constructive criticism, especially from our brethren Be sparing with your words and make them healthful Want to be wise? Spend time with those who are wise!
learns and is open to rebuke and wise counsel 1. The wise seeks, finds, and stores up knowledge (10:14; 12:01; 14:06; 15:14; 17:24; 18:15) 17:24 - a contrasting proverb He who has understanding vs. the fool Wisdom is in the sight vs. eyes on the ends of the earth He bit off more than he can chew Foolish man s sight is directionless; plans unrealistic; dreams too expansive A disciplined mind makes plans that work Guided by a practical, constrained approach Think about setting smart goals for your spiritual life
learns and is open to rebuke and wise counsel 2. Heeds rebuke and instruction (10:8; 15:5; 15:31-33; 19:27; 22:17-21; 23:12) 15:31-33 to get understanding, one must heed rebuke If you disdain instruction, you despise your own soul 22:17-21 - beginning of Sayings of the wise Pay attention, listen (v. 17) Learn these things by heart (v. 18) I m instructing you so you will learn to trust in the Lord Also, that you may be able to give an answer to others Let us pay attention to wisdom s instruction 19:27 - a warning: you will stray if you cease listening
learns and is open to rebuke and wise counsel 3. Effectiveness of rebuke for the wise (17:10; 19:25; 21:11) 17:10 - a relative value proverb A single rebuke for the wise is more valuable to him than 100 blows in the beating of a fool Do we welcome rebuke? Seek constructive criticism Do we do this in our relationship as brethren? 4. The wise teacher and counselor (15:7; 20:5; 21:30) 20:5 - interesting word picture A wise counselor knows the right questions to ask 21:30 - the Lord must be on your side If working at odds with Him, your counsel will be vain
is careful with his words 1. Careful of speech and calm (11:12; 12:16; 12:23; 17:27; 14:33; 15:02) 11:12 - Don t talk behind someone s back 12:16 and 12:23 very similar 17:28 - Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt (George Eliot) 14:33 - rests in the heart of him, but the fool blurts out his heart is made known
is careful with his words 1. Careful of speech and calm (11:12; 12:16; 12:23; 17:27; 14:33; 15:02) 17:27 - Speaks of sparing ones words Chasak - to restrain or refrain Are you sparing with your words? Will not react quickly and speak rashly 15:2 - The wise man speaks more infrequently, but when he does speak, he has much more to offer
is careful with his words 2. Beneficial words (12:18; 16:21-23) 12:18 - Promotes health; as opposed to the one who speaks like piercings of a sword Do you know someone like this? Always helpful; words like salve to a wound Are we like this? 16:21-23 - Sweet words increase learning v. 23 starts in the heart 3. Understanding and knowledge guides speech and produces wise words (10:13; 10:31-32; 11:9; 31:26) 10:31-32 - Wisdom will be brought forth
considers his ways 1. Walks in wise ways (10:23; 13:16; 14:08; 15:21, 24; 28:26) 15:21, 24 - Walks uprightly; chooses the better path 13:16 - only acts with knowledge 14:15 - Considers carefully his steps; is not gullible or easily drawn to the wrong path 28:26 - Does not trust his own heart; by implication, puts trust in God to wisely lead 2. Walks with wise companions and the Lord (13:20; 28:5) 13:20 - You want to be wise? Then spend time with those who are wise! 28:5 - Seeking the Lord and gaining understanding
considers his ways 3. Builds a good home (24:3-4) A beautiful picture about building and furnishing a home. Through wisdom it is built (to begin to build) By understanding it is established (lit. erect or stand up finishes it) By knowledge rooms furnished with treasures A recipe for success and what is sorely needed in so many homes today
controls his emotions 1. Slow to anger (14:29; 19:11; 29:11) 14:29 - Slow to anger - a defining characteristic 29:11 - Feelings must keep under our control The fool vents (gives full vent) to all his feelings Let us be careful about venting 2. Reacts carefully to evil and situations (14:16; 29:8; 29:9) 29:8 - How do wise men turn away wrath? Scoffers set a city on flame - do not control emotions The wise - take more measured responses Soft, wise answers can often turn away wrath 29:9 But, no reasoning or contending with a fool
is discerning 1. Discerning the wicked (20:26) 20:26 - from the viewpoint of a king Like sifting wheat, knows the wicked and their ways 2. Discerning trouble (22:03; 27:12; 14:16) 22:3 - from the viewpoint of a prudent man Recognizes danger and pulls back (see also 14:16) Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. (Alexander Pope) Courage and an adventurous spirit may be admirable at times, but only a thin line separates them from recklessness and unnecessary risk-taking. (Robert Alden)
is discerning 3. Importance of discretion (11:22) 11:22 - classify as an absurdity, also equivalence Would one ever place a ring of gold in a pig s snout? How incongruent to have a lovely woman lacking discretion Her loveliness is quickly muddied Point here - how important it is to show discretion We can quickly sully ourselves if we do not
knows the value of wisdom 1. Wisdom is better than gold and silver (16:16; 20:15; 23:23; 28:11) 16:16 a relative value proverb Better than the riches of this world 2. Wisdom is better than strength (20:29; 21:22; 24:5-6) 21:22 - Brains are better than brawn Picture is one of a city defended by mighty men; it is brought down by a wise man Reminds us of the story of Joab (2 Sam. 5:6-8) Used wise logistics to take a city thought to be impregnable
knows the value of wisdom 3. Is sweet to your soul (19:8; 24:13-14) 24:13-14 - beautiful word picture Like eating sweet honey Wisdom holds good prospects for your future hope 4. Gains you favor (13:15)
recognizes the rewards of wisdom 1. Rewards of life, riches, and knowledge (13:14; 14:18; 14:24) 13:14 - the idea of life as a reward Imagery of water the fountain of life used to convey the sustenance it brings
Key Lessons Set realistic goals for yourself in your spiritual life Be open to rebuke and welcome constructive criticism, especially from our brethren Be sparing with your words and make them healthful Want to be wise? Spend time with those who are wise!