The Value of Wisdom Lesson 1: From Freedom From Enticement Series
Lesson 1 The Fear of the Lord
Memory Pro. 1:7
Text Pro. 1:1-7
" The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:1-7, ESV)
And Illustrated by Proverbs 9:1-12
" Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it." (Proverbs 9:1-12, ESV)
[1] The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. Wheaton : Standard Bible Society, 2001
There is no wisdom except that which is given by God. The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom because only a fear of God brings a person to a place of submission.
What is submission? Submission is the yielding of ones own will to the will of another.
How do we submit to God? What is the first decision that leads to freedom from sin? We submit by repenting of sin and acknowledging that God is right and we are wrong.
Look at Pro. 1:7. Here is what it says
V1. Simple statement of the author - notice the father-son connection
V2. for gaining wisdom - that is the understanding of the righteous creation of God, the ways of life and the practical manners of ethical conduct on earth
- and for gaining insight - that is the
the power or act of seeing into a situation (Webster's) - These teachings bring this to the believer
V3. For the purposes of receiving instruction in wise (ethical and moral)
Dealings - trade, commerce, exchanges of intellect, business
Righteousness - the proper order of life and creation
Justice - judgment of right and wrong, good and evil, and the sense that these two become discernable to the man of wisdom
Equity - knowledge of the proper dignity of a person, his value of honor and the place of all things around us
V4. To elevate the intellect of those who have not knowledge - that our sin may not flow from ignorance, youth or indiscretion
V5. For those with wisdom that they may increase in learning of the world and of God and may gain greater guidance for wiser life
V6. for understanding of all the ways of the wise and take the seat of wisdom and instruct the simple - as they once were.
V7. This is the crown of all wisdom and in comparison to the fear of the Lord all other wisdom is trivial.
What do the foolish do? They fail to submit to God
Why do the foolish lack wisdom? They refuse to obey the wisdom of God, the order of nature and the prudence and insight of the scriptures.
Pro. 9:1-6 Wisdom is pictured as an established tower who calls to the simple. What is her message? To come to the established wisdom of God - the creator and yield their foolishness.
Why are they to come? That they may live and walk in the right way.
Wisdom is pictured as a woman - the primary Proverbs antithesis to wisdom is the adulteress woman who seduces the fool - enticing to the wise but reprehensible to the fool. This is the exact opposite of that which entices the fool.
Pro. 9:7-9 Fools despise wisdom and correction and reproof. Why is Pro. 1:7 the foundation of freedom? The fool rejects God and the established wisdom for the enticements of the flesh.
The flesh hates reproof and all who pursue the flesh hate God.
Repentance is the gateway to the tower of wisdom in which God begins to train our hearts away from the enticement of the flesh
Repentance is the first manner of wisdom because it responds to the word of wisdom by fearing God and loving correction.
Pro 9:9-12 Choose your burden. Why is wisdom a burden? Because it requires continued submission to teaching. It is a life long endeavor. Escaping the enticement of the flesh takes a long time. Repentance is the submission to the hand of God. When enticement brings pain the wise accept the pain as discipline, repent of their foolishness and resolve to move forward in understanding.
Memorize Proverbs 1:7
What in your life requires the correction of wisdom?
Do you lack self-control? How might you gain it?
Will wisdom be gained overnight?
Have we any excuse for being fools
If enticement rules our lives what is our first step toward wisdom?
Pro. 9:12 The wise are wise for themselves and the foolish are fools for themselves - therefore there are no victims. Choose wisdom or if not, you have chosen foolishness. Choosing to blame God for sin or painful consequences of sin is foolish. Therefore submit yourself to God through persistent repentance.