What is wisdom?
- It begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7)
- It requires listening to the right voices (Proverbs 1:8-19)
- It must be actively pursued (Proverbs 2:1-6)
- It’s peace-loving, considerate, merciful, & humble (James 3:17)
What is Proverbs?
- It’s one book composed of 8 different literary collections
- Most of the book is attributed to Solomon
- In total it contains over 500 single pieces of wisdom, most of which are self-contained couplets
Collection 1: Chapters 1-9
- Primarily a series of speeches from a father to a son
- Each speech is a much larger literary unit than those in most of the rest of Proverbs
- Repeated themes and imagery
- Relationship to God ≈ wisdom
- The way of wisdom/life vs. the way of folly/death
- Lady wisdom vs. lady Folly/adulteress
- Core message: wisdom is a posture of the heart
What is the heart?
- Modern America sees it as the seat of your rawest emotions
- Ancient jews saw it as more - lēḇ: your emotions, thoughts, will, desires, understanding, determination, soul, conscience, inner man
1. Wisdom is for YOUR heart
Proverbs 3:1-10 NIV “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Proverbs 3:15-18 NIV “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.”
Proverbs 3:21-24 NIV “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
- All of collection 1 is a father speaking to his son about his own wellbeing, inside and out
- The reader is meant to sit in the seat of the son
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11 NIV
- God is an even better father (Matthew 7:11)
2. Wisdom is for the hearts of OTHERS
Proverbs 4:14-17 NIV “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.”
- Biblical wisdom cannot be separated from morality
- When we choose the way of folly and evil, other people inherently pay for it
Proverbs 3:27-30 NIV “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.”
- It’s less often stated, but equally important: to live in line with wisdom is to experience provision, security, and peace that will spill over to others
- God’s created order is meant to breed life, not just for some, but for all
3. A heart postured to trust God and love wisdom unlocks the rest of Proverbs and a life of wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 NIV “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 2:3-10 NIV “indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 NIV “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- There’s an upward-spiraling progression: when you fear God, you find wisdom; when you seek wisdom you find God; and when you trust God, you walk in wisdom
- That cycle only works to the degree that your heart (thoughts, will, desires, understanding, determination, etc) is in it
- When it is, you will…
Proverbs 1:6 NIV “for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”
What two sons did with their father’s words
- Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and successor, did not choose wisdom, and just as promised it cost him and cost all of Israel, splitting the kingdom in two (1 Kings 12)
- Generations later, Solomon’s great-great-great-great-etc. grandson Jesus chose differently, growing in wisdom and trust in his Father, right up to his death
Luke 2:40 NIV “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
Luke 22:41-42 NIV “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.””
- His heart was locked on God and wisdom, and now we’re all beneficiaries of that
Titus 2:11-14 NIV “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
So watch your HEART
Proverbs 4:23 NIV “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
- When the spring is flowing, thank God, and when it’s not, trust Jesus to be the wise person you aren’t
1. This week I’ll spend time meditating on the love God has for me in His guidance and discipline.
2. This week I’ll find a way to share the blessings in my life with my neighbor.
3. This week I’ll read Proverbs 1-9 in preparation for the rest of the Biblical wisdom series.
