Wisdom and the Ways of God

Pastoral Prayer:

Graduation sentiments

In May and June, countless schools around the world participated in commencement ceremonies - marking the end of one chapter of life or schooling and movement into the next. Over the years, there have been some famous and memorable commencement speeches.

Winston Churchill - “never, never, never give up”

Mia Hamm, Rihanna, and Paula Abdul all used the phrase “follow your heart” as a key theme in their speeches.

Pastor Kevin DeYoung followed that up with “Don’t Follow Your Heart” which is now one of his latest books.

Admiral William H. McRaven - “Make Your Bed” - and followed that up with numerous other “little things that will change your life.”

Robert Fulghum’s book - “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” - can be seen as a good summation of all that someone might need in life - practically speaking. Shortly after Fulghum’s first book was published,

Dr. Seuss - released the final book that would be published in his life time - “Oh the places you’ll go” - an encouragement to turn the page on this new chapter in life with vigor, realism, and hope.

Today, as we conclude our brief introduction into the wisdom found in proverbs, we are refleciting on Prov. 3:1-12. These verses could be received like a commencement message from a father to a child.

Solomon does some interesting things here in these verses.

eight positive commands - do this

keep (1)

bind (3)

write (3)

trust (5)

acknowledge (6)

fear (7)

turn (7)

honor (9)

six negative commands - don’t do...

don’t forget (1)

don’t forsake (3)

lean not (5)

be not wise (in your own eyes) (7)

do not despise (11)

do not be weary (11)

Sometimes we need both exhortations to do things and prohibitions to not do things. This passage clearly contains both.

With each of these commands, Solomon provides a positive outcome or result or benefit of heeding this advice. It would be easy to treat these verses, and really all of the proverbs, as pragmatic solutions for life. It’s really better to think of some of the individual statements as things that are generally true. But here in these verses, there is a sense in which the ways of God are seen as being bathed in wisdom. In other words, when we walk in wisdom, we walk in God’s ways - and when we walk in God’s ways, we walk in wisdom.

Because of the nature of these verses and statements, we’re going to look at each pair of verses by consolidating them down to a summarizing statement. These summary statements aren’t a replacement for Scripture, but hopefully a means of helping us encapsulate the main idea that Scripture is getting across.

This passage begins with an exhortation to...

Listen to parental figures for a long and peaceful life (1-2)

According to David Atkinson, this passage is one of 10 segments of fatherly advice found in the first several chapters of the book. It’s as though the father is trying to pass along valuable information for a life of flourishing. Each of the these paternal exhortations begins with a call to a son. In these 12 verses, Solomon seems to be talking to his son and to us about our duty to God.

Here in these first two verses of chapter three - Solomon is calling his son to heed his advice.

Proverbs 3:1–2 NLT

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.

In an ideal world, in the world that God intended at creation, fathers would a pass along godly advice to their children. And yet, in the fallen world in which we live, not all of that advice is godly or good. As we discussed last week, we observe and inherit some negative attributes and actions. But, God has given the responsibility of parents to lovingly instruct and guide children.

Elsewhere, Proverbs encourages parents:

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Recognizing the fallen tendencies of our human nature, the Apostle Paul urges fathers to be mindful regarding how they relate to their children:

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

But what happens when fathers or mothers don’t know the Lord? Or what happens when hypocrisy prevents a parent from being a godly influence? This is where the church steps in. God has given us people at a variety of stages in life and maturity. We get to be a godly influence. We see this throughout the NT epistles as Paul instructs the church and even more clearly in the pastoral epistles of 1&2 Timothy and Titus. Here is one example:

Titus 2:1–8 NLT

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

The point is that for those of us who are mature or older, we get to be the godly influence and examples for those who are younger. Our lives and our speech should teach. How are we doing? Is our teaching and living making a positive impact on the next generation?

For those who are younger, Solomon seems to be communicating that heeding the advice of parents and even parental figures, will generally result in a long and peaceful life. How are you doing in heeding the advice of your parents and godly men and women who are older than you? Are you paying attention and following or are you trying to pave your own path?

Second, Solomon exhorts his son by stating that...

A loving and faithful life will result in good favor with God and people. (3-4)

When we think about the distinction between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world - we could almost differentiate them in this way:

God’s wisdom is based on timeless principles

Worldly wisdom is based on pragmatism (or what is practical)

There are people who might seem to succeed in life by doing what is practical and expedient, but lives lived with “steadfast love and faithfulness” will not only honor God, but will make a positive impact in society.

Proverbs 3:3–4 ESV

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Solomon’s encouragement here is not just outward actions that seem to exhibit love and faithfulness, but core values that inform where we go and how we think (binding them around our necks) and even identify the core of our character (writing them on our hearts).

This week, I got to finish listening to the biography of Walter Johnson - written by his grandson Henry Johnson, with whom I had the privilege of having lunch several weeks ago. Prior to that luncheon and listening to the book - I only knew Walter Johnson’s name because it was on a high school in the area. What I learned in the book were some fabulous statistics about his pitching abilities.

played professional baseball with the Washington Nationals for 20 years

believed to be one of the fastest and most accurate pitchers of all time.

He still holds the records for the most shutouts (110). He is among the best pitchers in strikeouts, most complete games, one of the lowest earned run averages.

Many people contend that if he had played for a better team, his averages and records might have even been better - but for most of his tenure the Nationals were mediocre at best.

He did win one world series

But what’s most striking about this man - is that he seemed to be identified with “steadfast love and faithfulness” - not to mention humility. He was the faithful husband to one wife - who unfortunately died relatively young - just about 20 years into their marriage. They had six children - one of whom died as a toddler.

When Johnson would go into the ball parks of the opposition - the opposing fans would cheer for him - especially when he finally made it to the world series. Someone commented that he was the most popular person in the country - with no enemies.

He never intentionally beaned batters (like some people did).

He was honest in his dealings.

He was faithful to his team and his family.

Several Presidents noted that he was an athlete who was truly a good example for the young.

He didn’t drink, gamble, or sleep around. He spoke well of others and sought to do his best and bring out the best in others.

By all accounts he was a good man - truly favored in the sight of man.

He grew up in the midwest with biblically oriented values - but, unfortunately, never made a profession of faith as far as I could tell - though frankly his life resembled a “good” life better than some Christians (myself included).

I tell you about Johnson because I want you to see someone who lived with love and faithfulness truly did find favor and success even though he did face difficulties and tragedies - God’s timeless values were exhibited in His life.

We wouldn’t have to look outside this room to see and touch lives who exhibit love and faithfulness - who have found favor and success with God and people.

Thirdly, Solomon notes that...

Trusting in and doing things God’s way puts you on a level path. (5-6)

Proverbs 3:5–6 Tanakh

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths smooth.

These familiar verses are probably among the verses we learned first as children. Their familiarity can lead us to overlook the profound implications found within.

Trusting Yahweh with all of your heart - is challenging to do. Think about it - how often do we truly trust him? Is our trust merely lip-service? Do we rely more on our abilities, or our finances, or on politics, or on our employment than we do on God?

Wiersbe notes that trust literally means “to lie helpless, facedown.”

Relying on our own understanding implies that we think we know better than God. We think that the outcomes we expect will happen in predictable ways. It’s as though we’re choosing a certain path - only to find it riddled with potholes and stones.

And yet, Solomon here seems to imply that if we have a heart position of being facedown before the Lord and an acknowledgment of His Sovereign reign - then the path God leads us down will be smooth - or as other translations say - a straight or level path.

Next, keeping in this same theme of having our minds/hearts tuned toward God’s ways, Solomon instructs his son with the principle that...

Physical refreshment and healing come when we revere God and shun evil (7-8)

He writes...

Proverbs 3:7–8 NLT

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Again, we come back to wordly wisdom verse God’s wisdom. Our own wisdom can tend to be short sighted and even selfish. We can try to manipulate, scheme and plot in order to personally gain. The stress and anxiety that accompanies our conniving, reeks havoc on our bodies.

According to Healthline - Chronic anxiety is way more than simply mental. It can result in…

a sense of doom

panic attacks

depression

Headaches

Irritability

breathing problems

heart problems

upset stomach

fatigue

increased blood pressure

other aches and pains

and more.

We might easily assume that anxiety - which is "a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness” (Medlineplus) - is only mental. However, when our actions betray our convictions or what we know to be right/wrong, then we are forced to deal with both the mental and physical consequences.

These verses communicate that a life lived with integrity, a life that is truly lived God’s way, will be free from physical effects that can result from dishonesty and the anxiety that comes with it.

Sometimes we may be tempted to wrongly believe that our spiritual life and our physical life are detached. The Proverb clearly counters that. The Psalmist also acknowledges the physical effects of hidden sin/dishonesty/anxiety clearly in Psalm 32 where he says...

Psalm 32:1–5 NLT

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

When we fear or revere the Lord, we are then prompted to turn way from evil and shun our short-sighted wisdom. We get to live in wholeness, integrity, and joy.

So, up to this point, this chapter in proverbs has reminded us to heed the advice of our elders, to live faithfully, to trust God and to live in integrity before him.

Next, he gets to our wealth, noting that...

True prosperity comes when we honor God with our wealth first. (9-10)

Proverbs 3:9–10 NLT

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Some time ago, Danielle turned me on to the Dadville Podcast. This is a podcast by a couple of Christian musicians and dads who interview various people - some more famous than others. In recent weeks I’ve heard interviews from Kirk Cousins (former Washington Quarterback), Amy Grant, and the lead singer from the band Lady A. They all have talked about how their faith informs their work, art, and family lives. This week, they had an interview with a gentleman named Greg Baumer who has written on God and money and true riches. While at Harvard for his MBA, Baumer, who had already attained some sense of wealth, embarked on some studies regarding God’s teaching on our wealth and how Christians are doing with wealth. He found that in America, the average person gives 2.2% of their income toward charitable causes. He found that American Christians typically give only 2.3%. And yet what is the standard or the expectation that we’ve heard from scripture? a tithe or 10%. There are some who have suggested that the Old Testament view of giving might have been more like 25% - a far cry from 2.3%.

So often we think that we should be able to do what we want to with money. In order to have in the future, we need to save now. We have an obligation to care for the needs of our families. How much is enough to save? How much is enough to spend today? How much is enough to give?

The NLT talks about the “best part”. Other translations refer to the “firstfruits.” In our family, we’ve taken the mindset that we’re going to start with a tithe of our gross income to the Lord through the church. We give that immediately, first. We also support a couple of missionaries over and above the tithe. I tell you that not so that you’ll think we’re all that great, but so that you know what our pattern is. Baumer noted that so often our society has treated money as a taboo - which is unfortunate.

I still have a lot to learn about money and honoring God with our wealth. I fear that too much is taken up with frivolous things.

It seems like the biblical principle is that we should focus on doing things God’s way first and then on ourselves. Letting money and wealth be a vehicle through which we can bless others. Open-handed.

Finally, the writer of this part of proverbs notes that we should...

Embrace God’s discipline - it’s a sign of His love (11-12)

Proverbs 3:11–12 NLT

My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

It’s no secret that when God disciplines his people it can be painful. We saw that in our study of the book of Micah. Their rebellion, injustice, and idolatry prompted God to bring discipline in the form of an invasion. This discipline displaced them from their homes and forced them to make drastic changes in their lives.

When God’s convicting hand is heavy on us, it can seem overbearing and painful. And yet it’s out of love that he wants us to be the men and women that he has ordained us to be. Running from God’s correction will truly only prolong pain. Embracing his correction results in life.

Friend, if you’re not yet a follower of Christ, this may seem a bit foreign to you. But have you ever felt...

guilt for things you’ve done wrong - maybe a sense of remorse that things aren’t quite the way they should be?

Holy Spirit bringing conviction of sin

Jesus has covered/paid for your sin - and made a way for you to be right with God.

Come to him, respond, yield to his call for salvation - walk in the wisdom of his way, which is ultimately marked by salvation.

Conclusion

It’s easy to look at these statements as moralistic and even humanistic. We can view these like leadership nuggets or motivational messages to make today better than yesterday.

There is a greater reason.

Men’s breakfast - talking about purity - and examples of purity.

We are called to live as lights in the world, to make a difference. When we live our lives God’s way - not mired in political or cultural arguments, but truly lived with integrity - then we become a blessing to the people around us. We get to make a difference.

Salt of the earth - article on Fertilizer - preparing the soil of the world to bear fruit.

When we wisely walk in the ways of God - we not only gain personal benefits, but I believe we also make a difference in the world around us.

Let’s pray.

Benediction:

Matthew 5:16 ESV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Sources:

Atkinson, David. The Message of Proverbs, J.A. Moyter Series editor. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1996

Buzzell, Sid S. “Proverbs.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Henry, Matthew, and Thomas Scott. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997.

Newheiser, Jim. Opening up Proverbs. Opening Up Commentary. Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008.

Ortlund, Raymond C., Jr. Preaching the Word: Proverbs—Wisdom That Works. Edited by R. Kent Hughes. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Skillful. “Be” Commentary Series. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996.

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/effects-on-body

https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html#:~:text=Anxiety%20is%20a%20feeling%20of,before%20making%20an%20important%20decision.