The Beginning of the Matter

Proverbs 1:1-7

There is a great need for wisdom in our society today...

Let me give you a little hypothetical situation:

You are yelled at by your boss, wife, or brother in Christ...

You could react in different ways:

Strike back defensively, matching the intensity with your own.

Do nothing.

Respond with a calm and kind, but firm reply.

Pr 15:1

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

You have a bucket of water— or a bucket of gasoline— which one do you throw on the “fire”?

Lack of wisdom is destroying the lives of many young people, and making fools out of some who are older.

Marriages are destroyed, friendships lost, souls doomed for lack of wisdom.

The walk of the Christian is to be with wisdom as we go through life... - Ep 5:15-17

Ephesians 5:15–17 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Because time is fleeting, and the days are evil, we must make the best use of our time.

Too many today are wasting both their time and their resources by failing to exercise wisdom in their daily lives. I get it—the world is broken. But Jesus came to be a model for us and a partner with us in living a holy life each day— a life set apart and a life that honors God.

What exactly is wisdom?

Homer Hailey, a respected author and pastor in the Church of Christ movement offered this definition of wisdom:

"Wisdom is insight into the underlying causes and significance or consequence of things, which insight enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has."

We gain knowledge, by learning and by living— but we “apply” that knowledge as an expression of our wisdom.

These next seven Sunday’s — I want to take a brief survey of the content of the book of Proverbs. It’s a magnificent work. A proverb usually refers to a short creative statement that imparts some lesson or understanding. It’s full of these little gems. The author gets the wisdom of God under our skins, and into our minds through colorful examples, symbolism, contrasts, and sometimes even humorous sayings---

We won’t be able to really expose all of it’s treasure in just 7 weeks— but we will give you some highlights, particularly on some special topics like Money, Work, Relationships, etc— and we also want to pair this work with a suggested reading plan for you through out the seven weeks.

Let’s move together as a church in a quest to study and grow in wisdom!

Turn there now and lets begin in chapter 1:

Proverbs 1:1–2 NIV

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;

Proverbs 1:3–4 NIV

3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—

Proverbs 1:5–6 NIV

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Verses 1-6 serve as an introduction:

Solomon is the son of David— One of the most powerful kings in the history of Israel.

Much of the book is written or gathered and assembled by Solomon.

These first 6 verses are considered the purpose of the book of Proverbs...

Purpose of Proverbs: (v.1-6)

To gain wisdom and understanding - v. 2

To learn to do what is right, just, and fair - v.3

To give knowledge and discretion to the young- v.4

To increase learning for a wise man, to give guidance to the discerning - v.5

To understand proverbs and parables, the words and riddles of the wise- v.6

A couple great examples:

Proverbs 26:14 NIV

14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

This is one of those colorful images— He could have just written “don’t be lazy”— but he does get our mind engaged on another level, by showing us that just as a door turns on its hinges, (it doesn’t actually go anywhere)— so too the lazy man turns in his bed and goes nowhere. He goes on to say in that little section that this guy is so lazy— when he puts his spoon into his bowl— he’s so lazy he can’t even pull it back out to eat from it. Now that is lazy! :-)

Proverbs 14:4 NLT

4 Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

This is often used as a saying that reminds us that when we are really working hard, there might be some mess— and if we prioritized the cleanliness over anything else, we might not have a harvest at all.

The Proverbs is really very interesting and unique scripture— it’s not Law, and it’s not Prophecy— but it’s part of a category of Bible books called the “Wisdom literature”. The wisdom literature is usually accepted to be Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job.

The purpose of the Book of Proverbs is to help us navigate and live life in God’s world, the way God wants us to live— He loves us, and wants us to thrive and serve Him.

Thus we find ourselves at the real ‘beginning’ of the matter— verse 7:

This would be considered the motto of the entire work:

It’s a pathway that starts in this verse:

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I observe just three key words in this verse— if we can really understand these three words, I think we will really grasp the essence of the verse, and of the whole of the Proverbs:

Fear,

Lord,

Understanding

The LORD...

That is all capital letters in your bible, right? All capitals meant Yahweh in Hebrew. That’s God. The intimate and personal God.

God discloses himself as “I AM”. (to be). All these other gods — are not God— I am.

Exodus 3:13–14 NIV

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

This LORD is self-existent.

He doesn’t need anyone or anything else— He is.

This LORD is the creator and sustainer of everything

In the beginning God— Genesis 1:1 “1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

This LORD is unchangeable and eternal.

We are talking about the God who enabled the whole universe— and enables us to breath. He enabled you to come here today. Everything is dependent upon this LORD.

The fear of the...

The term yira' (fear) is the common word for fear in the OT and has a basic three-fold range of meanings: Dread, Awe, Reverence and Love

It’s not used to describe ---a Dread, terror, fear— it’s not horror. That is a logical response of those who are guilty.

That is natural— this use of the word is “supernatural”— We aren’t running away from God— we in this type of fear, will want to run TO God.

This fear— which is the beginning, arises when we discover and realize God’s love for us—

“Twas grace that taught my heart to “fear”… What is John Newton (in Amazing Grace) saying? It’s the grace of God that makes me revere and be in awe of God.

Yira’: Hebrew word for reverence, awe and worship.

To stand in awe (in reference to a king)

The knowledge and trust of the Lord.

Loving the Lord— serving the Lord— knowing and having confidence in God.

To revere, be in awe, to respect.

When I realize who I am, and what God has done for me— I “fear” Him. It’s not about externals— we have a privilege to be a Child of God.

I love the Chronicles of Narnia— in this epic story by CS Lewis our three main character children are befriended by a pair of Beavers. Do you remember this? And in their conversation, the Beavers describe ASLAN the Lion— the Christ-like character of the story.

They tell the children about his sharp claws and powerful muscles and vicious teeth and piercing eyes— how big he is and how powerful he is.

The children say “Oh my— is he dangerous?”

“Why of course he’s dangerous--” the beavers reply--

“But He’s good” they add.

Think of the person who never comes to that understanding of God? Never comes to understand that type of Reverence for God? This revelation is the beginning of understanding. And that “fear” (yira) of God can and should permeate — should become the foundation for all our actions and understandings of life.

The healthy fear of God causes us to run toward Him, not away.

Understanding

What is this Knowledge?

It’s the knowledge of the relationship! Do you know that Jesus comes and sets himself up as a friend of Sinners? You could just sit back and say— man that’s great, I know some sinners who would really need to meet Jesus— NO— Have you come to the understanding that YOU are the sinner?

There are two sides to this verse— the first part—

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

7 ...but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

In my house, we used to try to discern our girls actions between “Childish” or “Foolish”.

Was what she did like innocent and just an accident— or did she do it on purpose.

Spilled milk? or milk poured out onto the floor for laughs?

Childish is often an accident— oops. Foolish is a whole different story. Foolish isn’t just that you don’t have the intellectual strength to figure something out— it’s deeper than that— you are actually choosing to despise the wisdom of God.

The book of proverbs will often set up these contrasts— the wise do this— but the fool does this. It’s sometimes also referred to as “folly”. A fool in their folly. A state of despising or denying the instructions of God.

Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom, it is the absence of the fear of God.

Psalm 14:1 NIV

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

That’s a choice. That’s a willful disrespect and disregard for God.

By nature, we will reject God. We are foolish. But because God reveals himself, we can know the Fear of the Lord— which is the beginning of Understanding!

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only son—

Proverbs 22:15 NIV

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

This isn’t the message to guide us on parenting— but it’s just an example---Something needs to deal with the folly. If it isn’t dealt with— then we carry it all the way into our adult lives and can get ourselves into some real trouble!

The rod here for me just represents however we gain a “fear of the Lord”.

We live in a time of moral and spiritual confusion and it is playing out right in front of our eyes everyday! People are not living with a Fear of God— they are living with a Love of Self and a foolishness.

Let’s be different, right?

Let’s be counter-culture— let’s foster in our homes and in our hearts a Fear of God— and begin a quest to gain wisdom and understanding --

This book is designed well to read over and over again— that’s how it works into our thought life and into our minds best---

Communion is an opportunity to ask God for wisdom through our relationship with Jesus.

How about in the months of January and February— the next 8 weeks. We read a chapter o Proverbs each day— the chapter of the corresponding day. (So tomorrow, January 1, we’ll read chapter 1)— then just offer a simple prayer:

“God, please help me to know you as LORD, fear you with reverence and respect, and live with a great understanding and wisdom today.”

We are blessed to end the year 2023 together here at church taking communion together. This is a powerful act of remembering the sacrifice and love Jesus displays for us.

Jesus is the wisdom of God. We join together to eat and drink and remember.

We will have the ushers come on up and distribute the elements to you today.

1 Corinthians 1:24 NLT

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Communion script:

Confession of Sin:Leader: "Before we partake in the Lord's Supper, let us take a moment to confess our sins and seek forgiveness. In the wisdom of God, we find grace and mercy. Let us confess together."

Silent Confession

Leader: "Almighty God, we confess that we have fallen short of your wisdom. We have not always sought your guidance, and we have made choices without consulting your Word. Forgive us, we pray, and grant us the wisdom to walk in your ways."

Scripture Reading:Leader: "Let us turn to the Word of God to meditate on the wisdom found in Jesus Christ. Today, we read from 1 Corinthians 1:24 (ESV): 'but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.'"

Reflection on Jesus as the Wisdom of God:Leader: "In Jesus, we discover the embodiment of God's wisdom. He is the one through whom all things were made, and in Him, we find the answers to life's deepest questions. The cross, seemingly foolish to the world, is the ultimate expression of God's wisdom and love. As we partake in the Communion, let us reflect on the wisdom of God manifested in the body and blood of Christ."

PASS OUT BREAD— SARAH PLAYS

Communion:Leader: "As we partake in this Communion, let us remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples. On the night He was betrayed, He took bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.'"

Take and eat the bread

PASS OUT DRINK--- SARAH PLAY

Leader: "In the same way, He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

Take and drink the cup

Prayer of Thanksgiving:Leader: "Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God. As we have partaken in this Communion, may we be filled with your wisdom, guiding our steps and shaping our lives according to your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Closing:Leader: "May the wisdom of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, guide and sustain us.

Blaise Pascal captured it well:

“Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness.”

― Blaise Pascal, Pensées