Seek and Listen to Wisdom

Some have suggested that Proverbs is a book for save and unsaved people. I believe that for the unsaved the advice given from scripture is just a band aid. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The teaching applies in general and not primarily to the problems of the of the religious community or to major theological themes such as election, redemption, and covenant. Rather the teacher of wisdom “concerns himself with people as plain, ordinary individuals who live in the world, and with the wisdom and folly of their attitudes and actions in the common things of life.

Warren W. Wiersbe writes “My wife, Betty, is the navigator in our household. For more than forty years, I’ve depended on her to plan our ministry trips and our occasional holidays and to direct me when I’m driving. She knows that I don’t have a good sense of direction and have even been known to get lost just a few miles from home. The Lord gave her built in radar”.

I need a similar “spiritual radar” to guide me when I’m embarking on a study journey through a book of the Bible. That radar is provided by the Holy Spirit who guides us into God’s truth, if we allow the Holly Spirit to keep us from going on unprofitable detours.

I. The Beginning of Wisdom

A. Verse one introduced himself and his literary form.

1. A proverb may then be described as an object lesson based on or using some comparison or analogy.

a. A proverb may then be described as an object lesson based on or using some comparison or analogy.

2. It may be a short saying that provides a general truth, a lesson drawn from experience, a common example, or a pattern of future blessing or cursing.

3. The purpose of a proverb is to help one choose the best course of action.

B. Verses 2-7 explain why this book was put together.

1. The Proverbs were written to encourage others to:

a. Acquire a disciplined skill in right living

1. The word wisdom basically means “skill”.

a. This word describes the skill of the craftsmen who worked in the tabernacle, the “wits” of seasoned mariners, administrative abilities, and the wise advice of a counselor.

b. In Proverbs this word signifies skillful living the ability to make wise choices and to live successfully according to moral standards.

2. The object to be acquired is discipline.

a. Discipline is necessary for correcting of waywardness and development reverence to the Lord and personal integrity

b. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. (27) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

c. While our culture praises open-mindedness, it is not good to be open-minded when it comes to evil and error.

1. While our culture praises open-mindedness, it is not good to be open-minded when it comes to evil and error.

d. Wisdom will enable you to discern between good and bad companions. You will be able to identify false values and beliefs.

Opening Up Proverbs Wisdom Benefits the Young and the Simple (v. 4)

Wisdom will enable you to discern between good and bad companions. You will be able to identify false values and beliefs.

2. Proverbs will impart mental discernment

a. The proverbs will make the gullible shrewd and able to avoid the pitfalls of life.

1. The ‘naïve’ person is one who is open and vulnerable to any influence that the winds may blow upon him.

2. The ‘naïve’ lack judgment. The proverbs will make them able to see these influences for what they are and to circumvent the disaster they would bring.

b. Knowledge offered to the immature youth, just as prudence is to the gullible.

1. Knowledge’ is something gained through the senses

2. Those who are young and simple may by them be made wise

3. Here is not only milk for babes, but strong meat for strong men.

4. This book will not only make the foolish and bad wise and good, but the wise and good wiser and better; and though the simple and the young man may perhaps slight those instructions, and not be the better for them, yet the wise man will hear.

3.

3. Verse 6 ends the litany of benefits that come to the person who absorbs the content of this book.

a. Biblical wisdom seeks to resolve or at least adjust to the ambiguities of life.

b. It affirms that the believer can understand mysteries that outsiders cannot and so may couch its teaching in enigma.

4. Verse 7 ties the fundamental principle of biblical wisdom to recognition that many will reject wisdom and God.

Garrett, D. A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs (Vol. 14, p. 68). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

3.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 955). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Proverbs 1:1–6

This book will not only make the foolish and bad wise and good, but the wise and good wiser and better; and though the simple and the young man may perhaps slight those instructions, and not be the better for them, yet the wise man will hear.

a. A principle that believers must teach their children is that in their pursuit of wisdom they will be surrounded by others going the opposite direction who will be encouraging them to do likewise.

b. We must remember that a person that fears God come out of a parent teaching not demanding.

Garrett, D. A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs (Vol. 14, p. 68). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Garrett, D. A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs (Vol. 14, p. 68). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.