Prov 4 - Models and Lessons

Introduction:

good intentions

“The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions” is a quote that I traced back at least to a sermon by John Wesley in 1741. A couple of dictionaries I found explain this aphorism as “individuals may have the intention to undertake good actions but nevertheless fail to take them.”

closely related to good intentions are...

unintended consequences

Sometimes ecosystems get overrun by non-native invasive species. We can see this in pastures that get overrun by cedars or Bruce Wells’ favorite tree - the Bradford Pear has has become so pervasive that it is now illegal to plant them in many places.

Unintended consequences are not just a plant thing. In the 1970s the Asian carp was introduce to control algae blooms, but within 10 years had escaped and spread throughout the Mississippi River system.

Someone has said that energy is wasted on the young because they rarely have the wisdom to use it to its best advantage. This awareness of youthful indiscretions prompts the earthly author of today’s chapter to challenge his own son.

TRANSITION: The pain that we risk is too great to leave our lives to chance. Solomon gives 3 pieces of sound advice to his son and to us.

Get Wisdom (Pr 4.1-9)

You do NOT need to Pioneer a Path!

Before one has the imagination to think outside the box, he first needs to learn to color within the lines. The creativity of invention is rooted in the established laws of science. Creativity may find a new application to existing principles, but Ecc 1.9 says

Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV:2016

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

If one has to walk before he can run and drive before he can fly, Solomon instructs his son to get a firm grasp on reality before wandering into theoretic ventures.

(promote confidence) notice the repeated synonyms in these verses.

get (קנה qahnah) in Pr 4.5 and Pr 4.7

wisdom (חָכְמָה hakhmah) in Pr 4.5, Pr 4.7, and Pr 4.11

insight (בִּינָה binah) in Pr 4.1, Pr 4.5, & Pr 4.7

instruction (מוּסָר moosar) in Pr 4.1 and Pr 4.13

When we get to Pr 4.7 we read something that may sound familiar. I shared 4 weeks ago that a summary of the entire book of Proverbs is found in Pr 1.7.

wisdom vs. knowledge cf. Pr 1.7 beginning of knowledge and beginning of wisdom

As a stereotypical guy who doesn’t always hear things the first time, I appreciate Pr 4.7. By the 3rd time, I think I may have heard something about an intended target.

I think wisdom may be like a fit body. My body time has always been on the well-insulated side. Ever since 5th grade when I realized me jeans were something called “husky”, I’ve known that slim fit just wasn’t my style. Later in life when I bought my first suit that came from a men’s store I was introduced to a cut that was called “portly”, which graciously has been renamed “executive fit”. I have waited for over 50 years and always welcomed toned arms and a firm abdomen, but every morning when I check the mirror, behold those characteristics have never appeared over night in my sleep.

A fit body doesn’t just happen, it must be pursued. Likewise, a wisdom and insight don’t just appear. They must be sought and learned.

TRANSITION: Wealth, fame, popularity, awards and accolades all have an appeal, but more than these, set your priorities to GET WISDOM. Wisdom will enable you to find...

Guidance on the Right Path (Pr 4.10-19)

(preserve from trouble)

stumble (כשׁל kuhshal) Pr 4.12, Pr 4.16, Pr 4.19

the way (דֶּ֫רֶךְ derekh) in Pr 4.11, Pr 4.14, Pr 4.19, & Pr 4.26

I have a Messianic Jewish friend in Skokie, IL whose synagogue hosts a youth ministry called ha derek. In their community they have chosen a preferred path.

While “the Way” may leave a bad taste in your mouth with memories of the cult that used to be headquartered near us in Emporia. The 2 ways or paths that invite your journey are very clear in these central verses. There is one path/way of righteous wisdom, and there is another way/path of the wicked.

Yes, it is true that godless people sometimes do things that are kind, considerate, or helpful. And it is also true that the people of God sometimes do things that are hurtful or mean. I mean if the Apostle Paul could admit

Romans 7:15 ESV:2016

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

I can cut a little slack for others who don’t always say things exactly the way I would. And I know I need your grace because I am absolutely certain that I’m in the same boat with Paul, and that you don’t have to look very long to find something in my life that you may think puts me on the way of the wicked rather than the path of righteous wisdom.

While none of us are cruising 100% down our path without any sputters, Jesus did divide people into 2 paths headed toward 2 destinations when he said.

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV:2016

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

We need guidance to choose the right path, because later in Proverbs we read

Proverbs 14:12 ESV:2016

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Rather than try each road personally and experience your own mistakes, a wise person will learn from the experiences of others (see PR 4.4)

When 50 was being resurfaced, I tried some other routes, I learned from my own experience that Lake Road is direct from Elmdale, but your fillings WILL get rattled if you take it too fast. I learned that “Glanville turnpike” and 240 RD run almost parallel to Highway 50, but you better have good tires and not be allergic to dust! I’ve learned that Chase St and Elm St are alternatives to the longer posted detour in Strong City, but one needs to be extra alert for school zones and respectful of residential neighborhoods. As long as you slow down for the 90 degree turns, 225 RD provides another option.

I could drive and turn, drive and turn until I eventually get back to my intended route, OR I can learn from others’ experience and be guided to the better route. Solomon wants his son, and us, to be guided to the better route.

TRANSITION: 1) Get Wisdom; 2) Accept Guidance toward the right path, and while on that path...

Guard your Heart (Pr 4.20-27)

Follow your heart or Trust your gut are common phrases in pop psychiatry when facing decisions. But their understanding of your heart/gut are very different from God’s appraisal of the human heart.

Let me dip into 3 different sections of Scripture to illustrate God’s view of the human heart.

From the Prophets:

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV:2016

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

From elsewhere in the Wisdom Literature:

Proverbs 28:26 ESV:2016

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

and from Jesus’ own words in the Gospels

Mark 7:21–23 ESV:2016

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Solomon calls for a different plan than to trust your heart. He suggest a plan that leads to life.

(producing health)

guard/keep (נצר nahtsar) in Pr 4.6, Pr 4.13, and Pr 4.23) and keep (שׁמר shamar) in Pr 4.4, Pr 4.6, and Pr 4.21

life (חַי 1 high) in Pr 4.10, Pr 4.13, Pr 4.22, & Pr 4.23

especially for males in our culture eyes are the gateway to the heart Pr 4.21, Pr 4.25 more than mouth or ears. Why else is AI and VR placing so much emphasis on what is seen?

Conclusion

Life is NOT a game of spin the bottle or throw a dart and see where it lands. Random tosses and circumstantial spins will surely lead to unintended consequences even if paved with the best of intentions.

Wisdom is an intentional choice that will depend upon good guidance and proper guarding!

Light for my Path

Confidence abounds in the disciple who follows the example of Godly models

Lamps for my Steps

Life presents distractions, GET what matters!

Others follow many paths, seek the Holy Spirit to GUIDE on in paths of righteousness.

Emotions are fickle, GUARD your affections!