Instead of Many Words - Group Discussion Proverbs 1-5
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My dog ate all the letters from our scrabble game…we took her to the vet…no word yet.
I’m writing a book about reverse psychology…don’t but it.
We are going to jump into the first five chapters of Proverbs this week, but first let’s go over the Title, Author, Theme, and How to Interpret this incredible book of the Bible.
Pastor Ron said there would be a test so let me ask some questions:
Title: Proverbs
Title: Proverbs
What does the word Proverb mean?
What does the word Proverb mean?
Our English word “proverb” is made up of two Latin words: pro (instead of) and verba (words).
So, a proverb is a sentence that is given “instead of many words”; it is a short statement that summarizes a wise principle. The Hebrew word translated “proverb” means “a comparison.” As we shall see, many of the proverbs of Solomon are comparisons and contrasts. Like most Oriental peoples, the Jews did much teaching through proverbs. These short, “catchy” sentences were easy to remember, and they condensed much wisdom in a small space
Who was the Author of the Book of Proverbs?
Who was the Author of the Book of Proverbs?
How do we know?
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
and
1 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
Solomon wrote most of the proverbs in this book.
and
32 Solomon wrote three thousand wise sayings and composed more than one thousand songs.
The book of Proverbs that we have today are most likely these thousands of proverbs recorded as the official records.
King Solomon himself wrote or dictated Prov. 1–24.
But, not all the proverbs in this book were physically written or dictated by Solomon. The men of Hezekiah (a group of writers employed by King Hezekiah) copied out the material in Prov. 25–29.
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
In Prov. 30–31 we have material from other writers, although many believe that “King Lemuel” in 31:1 was really Solomon.
All the wisdom in Proverbs came from Solomon even if he wasn’t the person physically writing the words on paper.
What is the Theme of Proverbs?
What is the Theme of Proverbs?
Wisdom. The ability to use KNOWLEDGE in the right way.
In the Bible wisdom is more than how we use what we know. True wisdom is a matter of the heart and not just the mind. It’s a spiritual issue.
James 3:13–18 (CEV)
13 Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do. 14 But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don’t brag or lie to cover up the truth. 15 That kind of wisdom doesn’t come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself. 16 Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.
In Proverbs, wisdom is actually pictured as a lovely woman who calls people to follow her into a life of blessing and success. Foolishness is pictured as a wicked woman who tempts and leads them to hell.
Through our relationship with Jesus we find true wisdom. When you read Proverbs 8 you can’t help but to see Jesus. Wisdom is described as eternal, the creator of all things, and the beloved of God. The words in that proverb remind me of John 1:1-2
1 In the beginning was the one
who is called the Word.
The Word was with God
and was truly God.
2 From the very beginning
the Word was with God.
The book of proverbs is about wisdom. True wisdom is found in Christ because He is the only way to blessing, peace, and eternal life.
How we do Interpret the book Proverbs?
How we do Interpret the book Proverbs?
Proverbs are generalizations about life and not promises for us to claim. There are SOME great promises found in the Book of Proverbs but that’s not the point of the book. It is dangerous to lay hold of one or two statements in Proverbs but ignore the total message of the book.
For example:
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
Not all all godly people will live long live. That’s not a promise to claim, it’s a generalization about life.
Or this one:
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
I’ve heard some people stand on this as a promise of this scripture as the basis for how to become wealthy.
In some parts of the world, believers are dying from famine and poverty. It’s a generality not a promise.
Generally speaking, those who obey God and His wisdom are more healthy and wealthy, but it’s not a promise or guarantee.
The book of Proverbs communicates practical wisdom. It focuses on everyday issues teaching ways to live.
We read these scriptures with something in the back of our mind. It’s all about the fear of the Lord (Worship) and obedience or submission to God. The basic requirement for understanding, interpreting, and applying these proverbs is our willingness to surrender and obey.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
In the new testament John 7:17 Jesus tells us the key to understanding and wisdom:
17 If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me.
Obedience is the result of understanding the wisdom of God. In other words, once you really know what is right then you’ll want to do what is right!
This is proverbs. Practical wisdom for daily living. The book of proverbs is there to help us understand and apply God’s reveled wisdom for life. We do that by worshipping and obedience.
To recap before we get starting with chapters 1-5:
What is a Proverb? Short way of saying something big.
Who was the Author? King Solomon the Son of David
What’s the Theme? Wisdom with Focus on Spiritual Wisdom
How do we Interpret? With Worship of God and Obedience.
With all that in mind, let’s get going on the first 5 chapters.
Proverbs Chapter One
Proverbs Chapter One
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The fear of the LORD occurs 11 times in Proverbs, seems to me that it’s essential to understanding the wisdom contained in this book.
What is the “Fear of the Lord”?
What is the “Fear of the Lord”?
To recognize God’s character and respond by revering, trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him. The essence of true knowledge is fearing God. Apart from Him a person is ignorant of spiritual things.
22 They claim to be wise, but they are fools.
Fools are people who reject God. Those who fear God and have knowledge, fools despise wisdom and discipline. “Despise” translates the Hebrew which means, “to hold in contempt, to belittle, to ridicule”.
The “fools” in 1:7 are those who are arrogant, they reject God and wisdom.
We can find many people in our world today who reject God. We are living in a world with messed up beliefs.
God and His wisdom are the only truth that leads to knowledge.
Who is the “Woman” Mentioned in 1:20?
Who is the “Woman” Mentioned in 1:20?
Wisdom.
20 Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
Wisdom is personified like a woman. She calls out to everyone, but fools ignore her. She is offering Salvation.
Salvation is a free gift calling to everyone, but many reject the truth of the Gospel.
Why will wisdom Laugh at the Fool when Troubles come?
Why will wisdom Laugh at the Fool when Troubles come?
27 or when trouble and distress
surround you like a whirlwind,
I will laugh and make fun.
When troubles come, as they inevitably do to everyone, wisdom mockingly refuses to help sinners. Wisdom’s laughing at disaster and calamity seems cruel. But this simply means that spurned advice will haunt its rejecter when calamity comes. She had called them and they had refused.
In chapter 2 we are given lots of benefits of wisdom.
What are some of the Benefits of Wisdom?
What are some of the Benefits of Wisdom?
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
8 He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.
10 When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
When you know Jesus as your Savior then you know TRUE wisdom. Through His word, you receive wisdom for daily living that will help you each and every day.
24 Our message is God’s power and wisdom for the Jews and the Greeks that he has chosen.
Later in the same chapter Paul tells us:
30 You are God’s children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy.
Our true benefit of wisdom comes in our knowledge of Christ as our Lord. The path of life is not an easy one, and the older we get, the more dangers we face. The world, the flesh, and the Devil are out to defeat us, and we need the wisdom of God to keep us out of their power.
The Christian who knows the Bible and seeks to obey it will be kept safe from their power.
What are we supposed to DO with God’s Wisdom?
What are we supposed to DO with God’s Wisdom?
Proverbs 2:1–9 (NKJV)
1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
8 He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.
Receive it, hide it in the heart, turn the heart toward it, apply it to our lives, cry out to God for wisdom, and search the Word to find God’s will.
Solomon is not talking about simply “reading a chapter a day” and letting it go at that. He insists that we live in the Word of God and allow the Word to live in us. Verse 4 compares Bible study to the mining of precious metal. The truths of the Word must be “dug out” and put through the furnace of personal experience.
52 So he told them, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”
We are finding the treasures that will help us to live as God intended.
I especially like the result of doing all these things.
Verse 7 says the wisdom we find in the Word will become a shield to our lives so that God can protect our paths.
If we turn from the word we are turning to danger.
Chapter 3 tells us how God will direct our path.
One of the most quoted scriptures of proverbs and maybe even the bible is from chapter 3.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
God wants us to know and do His will; He is eager to reveal His will to us. There are certain conditions that we must meet before God can direct our paths.
How does God direct our paths?
How does God direct our paths?
Listen to the Word: 1-4
God’s will is found in God’s Word. We must receive the Word every opportunity we have—in class, in church services, through reading. The better you know your Bible, the better you will know God’s will for your life.
Obey the Word: 5-10
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
If we really trust God, we will obey Him. We may think that our own wisdom is sufficient, but it is not; we need the wisdom of God. Verse 5 does not teach that Christians should fail to think and consider facts when making decisions, because God expects us to use our brains. Rather, it means that we should not trust our own ideas or wisdom; we must ask God to direct us James 1:5
5 If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.
A willingness to obey is the first step toward knowing God’s will John 7:17
17 If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me.
Submit to the Word: 11-12
These verses tell us that the Lord corrects those He loves.
Treasure the Word: 13-26
33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
This is a companion to verse 13-26 which remind us that wisdom is worth more than anything else in life.
Chapter 3 outlines how to allow God to direct our paths. Listen, Obey, Submit, and Treasure.
Let’s move into Chapter 4; in verses 14-19 it tells us of the path of the wicked and the path of the righteous. We know from the last chapter how to ALLOW God to direct out paths, now we find truth on how to STAY on God’s path in our life.
God has a path for each person.
10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.
He has a path for you.
How do you stay on God’s path for your life?
How do you stay on God’s path for your life?
I find three things in chapter 4 that we can do to STAY on God’s path for our life.
Seek after wisdom: 1-13
Solomon seems to be saying, “I recall when I was a young man and my father tried to teach me the right way. Now that I’m older and a father myself, I know that he was right.”
It is not enough only to get wisdom; we must also keep it and not allow it to slip away. “Take fast hold of instruction.” Get your hands on it. Verse 12 promises that the path of the wise person will not be “hindered”. The believer who obeys the Bible will avoid the pitfalls and obstacles that others encounter on their detours away from the will of God.
Avoid temptation and sin: 14-19
Solomon is teaching separation from sin and evil. We as Christians cannot be isolated from the world, because we must live with people and seek to win them to Christ, but we must not be infected by their sins or led into their ways.
The old illustration is still good: it is fine for the boat to be in the water, but not for the water to be in the boat.
The Christian must be in the world, but the world must not get into the heart of the Christian. There are wicked people in this world just waiting to take advantage of foolish young people who ignore the warnings of the Bible.
Guard your life: 20-27
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
The heart is the “master-control” of the life; a wrong heart always produces a wrong life. To allow sin into the heart is to pollute the entire life. Solomon also warns us to guard our lips (v. 24) because they can get us into sin.
The heart controls the tongue Luke 6:45
45 Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts. Bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.
So a guarded heart should result in guarded lips.
A Christian’s words must always be spoken in love (Eph. 4:15, 31), seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6).
We must guard our eyes (v. 25) to be sure that we are keeping them on Jesus Christ and the goal He has for us (Heb. 12:1–2; Phil. 3:12–16).
Eve permitted her eyes to wander and it led to sin (Gen. 3:6), and John warns about the “lust of the eyes” (1 John 2:15–17).
Look at verse Prov 4:26
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Solomon says to ponder our path, to examine our lives, to see where we are going.
“The unexamined life is not worth living,” said Socrates.
Who else is examining our lives?
Who else is examining our lives?
21 The Lord sees everything,
and he watches us closely.
Chapter 5 deals with sin and the results of sin.
God examines man’s conduct. Man cannot escape God’s scrutinizing.
Sin ties a person down like ropes Prov 5:22
22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man,
And he is caught in the cords of his sin.
People like to talk about being “free” to sin as they wish, sin actually takes away freedom.
What is the result of unbridled Sin in Life?
What is the result of unbridled Sin in Life?
Being undisciplined in one’s moral life results in death.
5 If you follow her,
she will lead you down
to the world of the dead.