Prov 3 - Piety & Wisdom

Intro

Correcting a misconception

People have faith in a lot of different objects and several concepts of God. Some think of God as a cosmic bookkeeper who tracts every single thought and action and on earth rewards or punishes each action. Others think of God more like a Genie whom one turns to in order to make a wish, regardless of the lifestyle of the person.

God is neither tit for tat, nor is grace blind to the errors of man.

Posing a probing question.

“Evangelical” has several different definitions. To some “evangelical” means a religious political conservative who is neither Jewish, nor Muslim, but does include Catholics and Mormons.

This misunderstanding is behind a church that I know personally in Wichita that is removing “Evangelical” from their name, because they do not match this definition.

To others the evangel is information to believe and share.

In my mind, the difference between an evangelist and an evangelical is “not how much do you have the gospel, but how much does the gospel have you?” Is the fact that Jesus died for sin just a membership card you carry in your wallet next to your gym membership or your driver’s license, or is it an obligation that has authority over some or all of your decisions?

Over the last 11 days there has been a resurgence in America of what it means to be a person of faith or a person with a Christian faith. I’m told that just as churches experienced a bump in attendance after the 9/11 tragedies in 2001, that many churches of many denominations experienced a similar bump last Sunday across our country.

I have a personal story from 40 years ago that perfectly illustrates, “How much does the Gospel control me?” When I was 20 and in my second year of college I came home for Christmas vacation and for about 3 weeks I was invited to work in the restaurant chain that I had worked in High School.

In that time I met a 17 year old fellow employee girl who did not have a vibrant faith. While I was in KC I invited her to join me at a Christian music night at a local skating rink. At the end of the evening I faced the battle between self and Christ. Part of me knew that the most important thing I could do for this young lady was to represent Christ honorably. Part of me, as a re-blooded 20 year-old straight male, thought kissing this young lady would feel very good. But something inside of me said, if you go in for a kiss, you will be seen as a predatory dog taking advantage of a younger lady, which would undo all of your witness the previous 2 weeks.

I had to ask myself, “Do I have the Gospel, or does the Gospel have me?” Now, 4 decades later I don’t even remember her name, but I can gratefully say, I did nothing on her porch that could undermine the Gospel of Christ. Honestly, I wasn’t always that noble, but in that situation the Holy Spirit was in control.

TRANSITION: Without slipping into tit for tat thinking, or an ambivalent grandfather view of God, join me in Proverbs 3 where we find that lifestyle consistent with God’s wisdom DOES bring about blessed rewards.

The Seesaw of Wisdom in Real Life (Pr 3.1-12)

All one has to do is read Job or Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” to disprove the “prosperity gospel” that if you follow God then life will absent of troubles. Sometimes God calms the storms of life, and sometimes He calms His child THROUGH the storms of life.

But Solomon does provide a list of commands that each are connected to a tangible reward. Over time the life that is characterized by obedience to the commands, also experiences the 7 enumerated rewards.

The Rewards of Wisdom”

Longevity (Pr 3.2a) [something seems amiss when a child gets cancer, or a young adult is taken away]

Peace (Pr 3.2b) [but longevity for length’s sake, is frustrating without God’s shalom]

Favor (Pr 3.4) [both God and man]

Reduced Obstacles (Pr 3.6b)

health (Pr 3.8) [healing and refreshment are only needed after illness or fatigue]

abundance (Pr 3.10) [barns and vats are only filled following hard work, this is not a reward for laziness]

Awareness of God’s Love (Pr 3.12)

The Commands of Wisdom:

both attitudes and behaviors

remember (do not forget)

let your heart keep

let not...forsake

bind them [as in the pendant on a necklace]

write them (on inner man) [not a command for a chest tattoo!]

Trust

acknowledge

humility

turn away from evil

honor the Lord

do not despise discipline or reproof.

God (thru Solomon) promises the rewarded life.

Wisdom is Rewarded (Pr 3:13-18)

Wisdom’s ROI (Pr 3.13-15)

The words profitable and yields better returns are the language of a trader or investor. What wisdom returns to her possessor is of greater value than anything gold or silver can purchase.[i]

Vv.14-15 may sound familiar from a 1982 praise chorus written by Lynn DeShazo. In that song, she goes to the source of wisdom by stating it is the Lord himself who is more precious.

2. This exemplifies a general rule that can help in your understanding of the Bible. In the OT Hebrew context, the thoughts of God which are an expression of the person of God are valued as wisdom. In the NT Greek context, the ideas of God which are an expression of who He really is are valued as words. As we saw last week in Pr 2:1-6, the words of the sage come from the mouth of God who is the source of all wisdom and truth.

Wisdom Personified (Pr 3.16-18)

Wisdom, personified as a woman, gives with both hands, that is, generously. Her right hand gives longevity (cf. Pr 3. 2) and from her left hand she gives riches (what silver and gold can purchase) and honor. Besides giving a long life (Pr 3.16), wisdom also provides a quality life: pleasantness and peace.[ii]

Wisdom’s Role in Creation (Pr 3.19-20)

Source (founded & established)

Humanity did not just appear.

Planets, moons & stars did not just form spontaneously.

We believe based upon the Genesis record, and explicitly state in our statement of doctrine, that everything that exists was created by a perfect and personal God.

Order (wisdom, understanding, & knowledge)

The longer that scientists study the minutia of sub atomic particles and the outer boundaries of astronomy, the more we see the order and the intelligence of Creation.

The very complexity of creation yells that it is not random, but ordered.

If it is ordered, it has a source. And if it has a source, He has a say in its use.

If He creates humanity as diverse, we must respect all races.

If He stamps each human with His image, we must respect all life.

If He genetically codes each embryo with xx or xy, we have no basis to substitute 33 different feelings and call it Gender.

If He brings male and female together and blesses the union, we have no right to impose other combinations and call them marriage.

If you think I am picking and choosing issues based upon my politics, I suggest you reread the doctrinal statement of this church that was written before I came to Chase County that includes each of these subjects.

TRANSITION: We’ve seen that God’s way of doing life has benefit to the individual, it describes the blessed life, and that it makes sense out of natural science, finally God, thru Solomon, states...

Wisdom’s Role in Community (Pr 3.21-35)

Confidence (Pr 3.21-26)

1. No need for hate or fear (Pr 3.23-25).

2. If we hate others, we degrade them so that we do not have to consider their ideas. If one has the confidence of vv.21-22 and 26, there is no need to erect barriers of hate. We have tolerance and liberty to disagree, agreeably.

3. If we fear others, we are silenced or threatened by their power, rather than confidently presenting a different way.

Years ago I learned from Biblical counselor Larry Crabb that humanity has 2 core needs: security and significance. If I find my security and my significance in the way that God views me, I have the confidence of this chapter and have no need for hate or fear.

A friend of mine who does church consulting challenges leaders to adopt a “nothing to prove, nothing to lose” mindset.

     If I believe that I have nothing to prove because God has already accepted me, then I can avoid hate and conflict. If I believe I have nothing to lose because God holds me securely and His perfect will is my ultimate outcome, then I have no reason to fear others.

5 maxims (do not Pr 3.27-31)

1. Do not withhold good and do not delay to help

2. Do not plan evil and do not contend.

3. Do not envy a violent man

5 reasons

a. The Lord is against this kind of man

b. The Lord curses and blesses

c. God scorns the scorners

d. The wise receive honor

e. Fools receive disgrace.

Conclusion:

Sometimes a list does not need explanation; simply hearing it carries the persuasion necessary.

Light & Lamp Application:

Light for my Path

God’s Wisdom provides a path to the blessed (rewarded) life.

Lamps for my Steps

Knowing the confidence God intends, when you feel fear, ask what that person or situation can do that God cannot overcome.

Knowing the confidence God intends, when you feel animosity, ask yourself “How does God view this person?”

In light of the 7 rewards, determine now to obey Scripture.

Response Song #486.................................................................................................... “Faith is the Victory”

Benediction: (reference) - text

[i] Buzzell, Sid S. 1985. “Proverbs.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 1:912. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[ii] Ibid.