Proverbs 1 Verses 1 to 7 Becoming Wise July 7, 2024

Proverbs 1 Verses 1 to 7 Becoming Wise July 7, 2024

Lesson 1 The Search of Wisdom Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures

· Proverbs 1:20 (NKJV) 20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.

· Proverbs 1:28-29 (NKJV) 28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

Main Idea

· The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and the key that unlocks the way to wisdom (1:7)

Study Aim

· To understand that knowledge is good; but there is a vast difference between knowledge (having the facts) and wisdom (applying the facts).

Biblical Truth

· The Lord wants people to succeed in living right/Godly lives, and He instructs those who know and trust Him in how they can do so.[1]

Create interest

· The great book of Proverbsis a manual for successful living. It is a “how to” book that addresses life’s most important decisions, questions, and problems. Unlike other manuals, Proverbsis the inspired Word of God, a fact that elevates it above all other works. It is entirely true and reliable.

· Proverbs is the wisdom of God revealed to humanity. In this great book, God’s wisdom is concentrated and compiled into thirty-one chapters. This is ideal for studying one chapter of Proverbs each day of the month.

· The subjects addressed are the important ones in life. In this most practical of all Bible books, the wisdom of God is imparted to mankind through one of the wisest men of all times, King Solomon of Israel.

o The wisdom conveyed through him is timeless and therefore relevant to every age and generation.

o By God’s divine plan, the person who uses this manual as a guide will be qualified to deal with every important area of life.[2]

· Proverbs contains references to moral qualities and awe for Yahweh that make a double point.

o It can be tempting to treat questions about economics, business, education, counseling, or foreign policy as issues in their own right that should not be mixed up with questions about religion or ethics. In particular cultural contexts (such as that of the United States with its separation of church and state), people such as Jews and Christians may have no alternative to living with that assumption in some areas of life.

§ But we need to see how unnatural and unbiblical it is to consider policy questions, ethics, and God as separate spheres.

§ Proverbs begins by urging its readers to let them interweave them.

· Christians and Jews cannot adopt from the world theories or practices of business or counseling or education without setting them in the context of what we know about ethics and about God……………………

o Proverbs thus models how to go about learning from the secular world: we are open to such learning, but we set the secular world’s theories and findings into a framework that includes God and ethics.[3]

Lesson in Historical Context

· The Book of Proverbs is a book for every age. The people of Israel cherished it as a part of their religious heritage. The people of the New Testament era have loved it as a part of God’s message to them.

· The New Testament writers were influenced by it (cf. 3:7 and Rom. 12:16; 3:11–12 and Heb. 12:5–6; 13:24 and Jas. 4:6 and 1 Pet. 5:5). We find it echoed in the teachings of Jesus (cf. 14:11 and Matt. 7:24–27; 25:6–7 and Luke 14:7–11; 17:1 and Luke 12:13–21).

· The Hebrew word for proverb (mashal) is best rendered in the Greek as parable (parabole). The parabolic method so characteristic of Proverbs was a technique that Jesus used frequently in His teaching.[4]

· The biblical proverbs are unique because they are grounded in covenant relation with the LordGod:

o ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (1:7a). Solomon doesn’t merely offer clever sayings that provide useful advice on how to enjoy worldly success; rather, he teaches that true wisdom and success are rooted in having a right relationship with God, who is the source of all wisdom. How do you do that?

o Worldly wisdom, like other counterfeits, may appear at first to be similar to the genuine article, but closer examination reveals essential differences. ‘The wisdom of their wise men will perish’ (Isa. 29:14).

o The biblical book of Proverbs explicitly states that natural revelation is not sufficient.Waltke says, ‘Agur argues … that Creation teaches the impossibility of attaining wisdom apart from special revelation (30:1–6).’

o The book of Proverbs is also unique because it is divinely inspired and infallible (2 Tim. 3:16). Earthly wisdom is a fallible mix of truth and error, but God’s wisdom can be fully relied upon because it is inerrant.

§ 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture isgiven by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

· Most importantly, the book of Proverbs looks beyond Solomon to Christ, who is greater than Solomon (Matt. 12:41–42). While Solomon failed to live according to the wisdom God gave him, Jesus is Wisdom personified (8:22–31; 1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Col. 2:3).

o It is in relation to Jesus Christ that we are able to live according to the wisdom about which Solomon writes.

o One of the objectives of this commentary is to take the reader beyond mere moralistic or practical principles so that Christ can be seen on every page of the book of Proverbs.

Bible Study

What is wisdom?

· Wisdom Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life.

· Wisdom in the Bible

o Wisdom in the Old Testament describes the practical skills associated with living a successful life. These range from the ability to create highly skilled works to the intellectual capability required to make choices that result in favorable outcomes and avoid troubles (see Longman, Job, 55; Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, 3).

o In the Bible, wisdom is often associated with trust in and fear of God [5]

· The wisdom offered by the book of Proverbs is skill for living. Wisdomis not merely intellectual or academic; it is primarily moral. Solomon, as the wisest man on earth, demonstrated wisdom and skill as a naturalist, an administrator, and a judge (1 Kings 4:21–34; 3:6–28).

o The book of Proverbs teaches you how to live skillfully in every area of your life including family, finances, friendships, speech, and work.

o The goal of wisdom is that you might achieve a life of beauty and significance so that at the end of your days you will have accomplished something worthwhile and lasting.

o Jesus is the one who exemplifies wisdom, as he lived on earth with perfect skill.

§ It is through Christ that we are made wise and gain the ability to live wisely.[6]

· God is the source of all true wisdom. The Lord used wisdom in creating all things, so God’s wisdom is the foundation upon which everything in creation works.

o Wisdom should be the main pursuit of life, and when one lives according to God’s wisdom, he will be blessed and will find life, riches, honor and peace (Prov. 3:13–20; 4:7). In the pursuit of wisdom, one must realize that some things are beyond us, but nothing is beyond God’s understanding. One must look above the earthly plane of life and look to God (Ecc. 8:16f).

· Wisdom is attained through many different means. Life experience gives a certain amount of wisdom (Job 12:12), the Lord places wisdom in the heart (Job 38:36), the fear of the Lordbrings wisdom (Ps. 111:10), humility brings wisdom (Prov. 11:2, NIV), the rod of correction imparts wisdom to a child (Prov. 29:15, NIV), and those who number their days gain wisdom (Ps. 90:12). Those who are young think they will never die, but wisdom is gained when one realizes that life is finite and when one begins to evaluate life in terms of its brevity.

· To fear the Lord means to follow God’s ways. This is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10).

o Obedience, rather than reason and knowledge, is thus the foundation of true wisdom. The Lordtold the people of Israel that they would demonstrate their wisdom to the nations by following the Law of the Lord, and this would become a testimony to the nations that the Lord was near to them as no other gods are near to their worshipers, that He hears and answers prayer, and that his laws are righteous (Deut. 4:6).[7]

Proverbs 1:1(NKJV) Who wrote the Proverbs? 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

· Vs. 1: In Prov. 1:1, 10:1, and 25:1, we are told that Solomon wrote most of the proverbs in this book. First Kings 4:32 informs us that Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs, and these were undoubtedly recorded in the official records. The men of Hezekiah (a group of writers in King Hezekiah’s employ who assisted in copying out the Scriptures) copied out the material in Prov. 25–29 (see 25:1), while King Solomon himself wrote or dictated Prov. 1–24. In Prov. 30–31 we have material from other writers, although many believe that “King Lemuel” in 31:1 was really Solomon. Solomon was certainly known for his wisdom, even though later in his life he turned to idolatry and folly.[8]

· Wisdom is royal because it’s how kings rule their people. Solomon was the wisest man in Israel’s history because the Lord granted him a wish for wisdom.

o In 1 Kings 3:9 Solomon asks God for wisdom, which was for him the ability to rule well as king of Israel. He says, “So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” And in Proverbs 8:15–16, Wisdom states, “It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges.”

· Immediately Proverbs connects wisdom with the kingship and with the Messiah. “Son of David” is a messianic title. The Son of David will establish God’s eternal kingdom on earth, but he can only do it through wisdom—through justice (see 2 Sam 7; Isa 11).

· In Proverbs, Solomon is training his “son” in wisdom so that he can establish the messianic kingdom.

o As we will see, he is also instructing the youth of the nation in wisdom in hopes of producing it in them as well.

o But the king embodies the nation and represents the nation.

§ If the king is wise, the people will be wise;

§ If the king is unwise, the people will be foolish.

📷 There is a need for a wise king who can produce a wise nation—a wise kingdom.

o Throughout Israel’s history the foolishness of the kings led to the difficulties and ultimately the destruction of the kingdom. The kings were fools, so the people were fools.

§ As a result, there was death and chaos.

· What does this mean for us? We need to see that the Son of David—Jesus of Nazareth—has established the messianic kingdom by fulfilling the wisdom of Proverbs.

o He is the wise Messiah promised in Isaiah 11 who will reestablish the harmony forfeited at the fall.

o We need to submit to his loving and wise rule so that he can produce wisdom in us. That’s our only path to wisdom. Discuss and confirm.

§ Proverbs is laying out how kingdom citizens should live and what the wise King will produce in them.

§ Also, in the consummated kingdom the saints of Christ will rule the cosmos with Him by the wisdom of God.

o Therefore, we need to learn this wisdom so we can rule rightly. In the “already” of the kingdom seen in the church—the outposts of the kingdom—we are in an internship for eternity, ordered now by the wisdom of God. Read this and allow for discussion.

· So, Solomon’s purpose is to give wisdom to bring harmony to the kingdom.

o Proverbs 1:2 clearly states the purpose of the book—to impart wisdom to the reader.[9]

Proverbs 1:2-4 (NKJV) For what end were the Proverbs written? 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion--

· Proverbs were written for the use and benefit of all that in every age and place will govern themselves by these dictates and study them closely. This book will help us………………………………..

o To form right notions of things, and to possess our minds with clear and distinct ideas of them, that we may know wisdom and instruction, that wisdom, which is gotten by instruction, by divine revelation, may know both how to speak and act wisely ourselves and to give instruction to others.

o To distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil—to perceive the words of understanding, to apprehend them, to judge of them, to guard against mistakes, and to accommodate what we are taught to ourselves and our own use, that we may discern things that differand not be imposed upon, and may approve things that are excellent and not lose the benefit of them, as the apostle prays….

§ Philippians 1:9-10 (NKJV) 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

o To order our conversation right in everything: This book will give, that we may understand,

§ the instruction of wisdom,

§ that knowledge which will guide our practice in justice, judgment, and equity

§ which will dispose us to render to all their due,

§ to God the things that are God’s, in all the exercises of religion,

§ and to all men what is due to them, according to the obligations which by relation, office, contract, or upon any other account, we lie under to them.

§ Those are truly wise, and none but those, who are universally conscientious; and the design of the scripture is to teach us that wisdom, justice in the duties of the first table, judgment in those of the second table, and equity (that is sincerity) in both; so some distinguish them.[10].

Proverbs 1:4-6 (NKJV) Who will benefit from Proverbs? 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-- 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.

· The Book of Proverbs is beamed first of all to the young (4) and inexperienced, but is for all ages and stages of life. The wise man—the older and experienced person—may increase his learning (5). The Hebrew word for the simple (4) “designates the opposite of a moral man. It does not mean a simpleton in our sense of the term, but a sinner, a rascal.

· Proverbs has a message of morality for the wicked.” This message, however, is expressed somewhat indirectly by dark sayings (6), riddles or other proverbial forms requiring some interpretation, rather than by the more direct method of the forthright prophetic utterances of Israel’s prophets.[11]

· The simple need to make good decisions and judgments. Simple ones” are characterized in the Book of Psalms by a humble dependence upon God and his resources: “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7); “The Lord preserves the simple” (116:6); and especially, “The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (119:30). Such people stand diametrically opposed to haughty and double-minded people in Scripture. In Ps. 119:130, they are obviously noted for their teachability; they “keep their heart open to [the Word’s] beneficial influences” (Leupold, Psalms, 852).[12]

· They need subtlety or insight. Here is yet another aspect of wisdom. Subtlety (ormah) means shrewdness or cunning and can refer to both good and evil intentions.

o When used positively—as it is here and throughout the book of Proverbs—it means the insight or shrewd ability to see through evil intentions in order to avoid them. The simple need to be taught how to stay away from those who would deceive them and lead them astray.

· The youngare in desperate need of knowledge and discretion (discernment). Both of these express the quality of cunning perception.

o Discretion (mezimma) especially applies to protecting oneself from potential harm by seeing through wicked plots or devices.

· Solomon also had words for those who are sophisticated: “A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5).

o Example:Apollos is the classic New Testament example of such a man (Acts 18:24–28). Although he was well-versed in Scripture and a gifted orator, he was still teachable. When he first came to Corinth he only knew about John’s baptism and was ignorant of the believer’s baptism based on the Lord’s ordinance, so he was quite willing to allow Priscilla and Aquila to explain truth to him in an area where he was deficient. Apollos allowed this godly couple to teach him the way of God more perfectly.

· Often successful preachers are not very teachable. When challenged on a point, they sometimes dig in their heels and defend their beliefs, right or wrong.

o A wise man will never be too sophisticated to learn, even from someone who has not had all his educational, social, or natural advantages.

Ratifying Truth (1:6)

· Solomon had one more objective for those who are willing to heed his advice: “To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.(riddles)” The literature of the world contains much human wisdom and it is not all irrelevant. The wise man will seek out what others have learned. He will study it and put it to the test, discriminating between the good, the bad, and the mediocre.

· The word translated “understand” in Proverbs 1:6 can also be rendered “satire.” To interpret is to get the point of what is being said in an obscure saying. Solomon was well-versed in interpretation and the queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem with the express purpose of testing his skill. She arrived armed with “hard questions” (hard implies abstruse and difficult) and went away awed and amazed at Solomon’s ability to elucidate all her perplexities (1 Kings 10:1–7).[13]

Thought to Soak on about Wisdom

· In Vs. 2: Solomon teaches that wisdom is attained or known.

· In Vs. 3:, he teaches that it is received or acquired.

· In Vs. 4, he declares that wisdom is given.

o The simple and the young especially need to be givenwisdom. How is this accomplished?

· Wisdom is transferred from those who have it to those who need it. There is a generational transfer of wisdom.

o The older generation has a responsibility to share their experiences and what they have learned with the younger generation.

o Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, spiritual leaders, friends, employers, rulers—all have an obligation to impart the wisdom they have learned, experienced, acquired, and been given.

· Wisdom is given to people by God. Solomon received his great wisdom as a gift from God.[14]

o 1 Kings 3:5 (NKJV) 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?"

§ 1 Kings 3:9 (NKJV) Answer to Vs. 5 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

o James 1:5 (NKJV) 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.

Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV) Focus and intent of Proverbs 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

· The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: The Book of Proverbs focuses on practical life wisdom more than theological ideas.

· Yet it is founded on a vital theological principle—that true knowledge and wisdom flow from the fear of the Lord.

o This fear of the Lord is not a cowering, begging fear. It is the proper reverence that the creature owes to the Creator and that the redeemed owes to the Redeemer. It is the proper respect and honoring of God. Several writers give their definition of the fear of the Lord:

§ “But what is the fear of the Lord? It is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s law.” (Bridges)

§ “ ‘The fear of the Lord’ ultimately expresses reverential submission to the Lord’s will and thus characterizes a true worshiper.” (Ross)

o God should be regarded with respect, reverence, and awe. This proper attitude of the creature toward the Creator is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom cannot advance further until this starting point is established.

· If true wisdom can be simply gained by human effort, energy, and ingenuity (like the rare and precious metals of the earth), then the fear of the Lord is not essential to obtaining wisdom. But if it comes from God’s revelation, then right relationship with Him is the key to wisdom. Discuss.

· “What the alphabet is to reading, notes to reading music, and numerals to mathematics, the fear of the Lord is to attaining the revealed knowledge of this book.” (Waltke)

b. The beginning of knowledge: Solomon probably meant knowledge here mostly in the sense of wisdom. The idea that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom is also found at Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10, and Ecclesiastes 12:13.[15]

Thought shared by J. Vernon McGee in closing:

· There is an interesting contrast here: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

o They do not learn from it.

I heard a little bit of nonsense to illustrate this. A man driving down the highway had a flat tire, so he pulled over to the side of the road. It happened he was parked by an insane asylum, and one of the men from the asylum was on the other side of the fence. He was watching the man as he changed the tire. He didn’t say anything but just stood there and watched. As the man took off the wheel of the car, he placed all the nuts that he had taken off into the hubcap. Then he accidentally tilted the hubcap so all the nuts fell out and went down into a sewer, and he couldn’t retrieve them. He stood there scratching his head wondering what in the world he was to do. The man behind the fence who had been watching him said, “Why don’t you take a nut off each of the other wheels and put them on this wheel? You could drive safely down to the filling station, and there you can buy nuts so that you can fix your wheel.” The man looked at him in amazement. “Why didn’t I think of that?” he asked. “You are in the institution, and I am out, and yet you are the one who thought of it.” The onlooker answered. “I may be crazy, but I’m not stupid!”

· Well, this Book of Proverbs is attempting to get you and me out of a position of being stupidin life today. I think we shall find it to be a great help to us. This book has quite a bit to say about stupidity, as we shall see.[16]

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,

And before honor comes humility. [17]

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[1]Robert J. Dean, Bible Studies for Life, Summer 2008, Herschel Hobbs Commentary (LifeWay Christian Resources, n.d.), 7. [2]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Proverbs, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2012), 31. [3]John Goldingay, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs for Everyone, Old Testament for Everyone (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press; Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2014), 9–10. [4]Earl C. Wolf, “The Book of Proverbs,” in Job through Song of Solomon, Beacon Bible Commentary (Beacon Hill Press, 1967), Pr 1:1–9:18. [5]Martin A. Shields, “Wisdom,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). [6]Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 19–20. [7]Thoralf Gilbrant, “(1) חָכְמָה,” The Old Testament Hebrew-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1998). [8]Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), Pr. [9]Jonathan Akin, Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 8–9. [10]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 955. [11]Earl C. Wolf, “The Book of Proverbs,” in Job through Song of Solomon, Beacon Bible Commentary (Beacon Hill Press, 1967), Pr 1:2–6. [12]Thoralf Gilbrant, “(1) פֶּתִי,” The Old Testament Hebrew-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1998). [13]John Phillips, Exploring Proverbs 1–19: An Expository Commentary, vol. 1, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Pr 1:4–6. [14]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Proverbs, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2012), 36. [15]David Guzik, Proverbs, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2017), Pr 1:7. [16]J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: Poetry (Proverbs), electronic ed., vol. 20 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 21–22. [17] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Pr 15:33.