The Call of Wisdom

This morning is part two of our new series Kingdom Culture where we are looking at living a life of wisdom. Last week Pastor Josh kicked off the series by sharing about the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Remember that the fear of the Lord is not being afraid of God it is reverence and respect for God and His ways. This morning I want to share with you about the Call of Wisdom. Turn with me to the book of Proverbs 1:20-33.

Proverbs 1:20–33 “Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.””

I want you to notice a few elements of this passage.

Wisdom is crying out continually. Outside, in the open squares, chief concourses, in the gates of the city.

Wisdom is crying out to correct. Those who listen dwell in safety, are secure, and live without the fear of evil.

Rejection of wisdom brings destruction. Rejecting wisdom brings calamity, terror, and destruction.

Receiving wisdom is a choice. The blessing of wisdom or the destruction of rejection are simply the fruit of our choices not the judgement of God. To often people blame God for the results of their own choices.

Proverbs instructs us to fear the Lord that we might obtain wisdom.

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Submit:

What is wisdom?

Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life. Wisdom is the quality of discerning what is true, what is ethically right, and what should be done in different situations. Wisdom involves both knowledge and the ability to make use of knowledge.

Wisdom assumes righteous behavior, kindness, faithfulness, and loyalty. Proverbs 14:6 “A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.”

Wisdom leads to proper conduct. Proverbs 7:1–5

“My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.”

Wisdom can be acquired through education. Deuteronomy 4:5–6

““Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”

Wisdom can be observed from how others live. Ecclesiastes 1:13

“And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.”

Wisdom can come from the instruction of parents. Proverbs 1:8

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;”

The call of wisdom is a call out of folly and sin. We know that sin is destructive in our lives, but folly is equally damaging. The book of proverbs contrast many times wisdom and folly. The way of wisdom is secure, and the one who walks in folly lacks good sense or judgement. They are unwise.

Wisdom preserves your life. Proverbs 2:10–13

“When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;”

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Apply:

How do we receive wisdom?

It begins with how we position ourselves. We must choose to fear of the Lord. We must live with a reverential heart towards the Lord.

We must not only study the word but treasure it. Proverbs 2:1

“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,”

We must incline our ear. Proverbs 2:2

“So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;” To incline the ear means to lean in. Paying close attention to what is being said with a willing ear to respond. There is an attentiveness attached to the listening.

Pray for and seek wisdom. Proverbs 2:3–5

“Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.”

Where does wisdom come from?

Wisdom comes from the Lord. Proverbs 2:6–9

“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.”

The Lord is the source. This is why James instructs us in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

How does wisdom come?

Through the word and Holy Spirit. The Lord is the source of wisdom. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand and apply it. John 16:13-14. Isaiah 30:21.

John 16:13–14 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

Isaiah 30:21 “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.”

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Closing:

Our knowledge and familiarity of the word helps us to recognize the voice of the Lord and receive wisdom from Him. We must not be wise in our own eyes, but walk in the fear of the Lord. His direction is what we need. As I close my message I want to leave you with final passage of scripture. Proverbs 3:1-18.

Proverbs 3:1–8 “My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem 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 acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:9–14 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.” Proverbs 3:15–18 “She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.”

This morning make the decision to trust in the Lord with all your heart. Can I also say it this way. You can trust the Lord with your heart. His wisdom far surpasses ours. He will guide and lead you, He will strengthen you if you follow His ways. We all need the wisdom of God in our lives.

Let’s Pray.

Holy Spirit help us to position our hearts in the fear of the Lord. Teach us what it means to fear God.