Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

“The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.”

It has been surmised that Plato summarized some of Socrates teaching in this phrase.

This is hard to know for sure, likely impossible to find an original source for the quote, and irrelevant to my point this morning.

Regardless of whether Socrates taught this concept, there is a certain level of earthly wisdom in the statement.

Ironically, now into our fifth message of Proverbs, we have yet to offer much of a definition of wisdom.

It is to that task we will proceed.

Before we do, let’s wrap our heads once more around the immediate concept – the if/then clauses of chapter 2. The first 4 verses establish the “if.”

IF we receive wisdom – and by that we mean an active pursuit of grabbing hold of, storing, meditating on, and inclining our hearts in submission to wisdom – and IF we request wisdom from God and IF we pursue wisdom like we would pursue precious and hidden treasure; THEN we will gain a couple of things.

We will be gifted wisdom and we will be delivered from the devastation of evil relationships.

Purpose Statement.

A Pursuit of wisdom results in (1) the acquiring of godly wisdom and (2) deliverance from evil.

Pursue wisdom and you will acquire it (2:5-11)

So then, the first benefit of pursuing wisdom is that we will acquire wisdom.

What then is wisdom?

Wisdom.

When we started our study in Proverbs we took just a moment to define wisdom.

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament defines hakam, the root word used here, as “godly cleverness and skill, which results in practical action.”[1]

Those that obtain this wisdom or knowledge can practically discern what path to take in particular decisions.

Of course, the concept for wisdom can have a broad meaning that would include the ability to apply any given principles to a specific task, such as craftsmen in his work or a soldier in the use of their battle tactics or an employee in the administration of her duties.

These would all fall under what Solomon calls “wisdom under the sun.”[2]

The wisdom spoken of in and typically the wisdom spoken of throughout the Old Testament is fundamentally different in that its’ source is God.

Therefore, we define biblical wisdom as “godly cleverness and skill, which results in practical action.”

This definition for wisdom can be filled out a bit more by understanding the other words Solomon uses here in .

Knowledge: The ability to distinguish between good and evil, usually gained through experience.

This is more than the gathering or possession of data.

This word is used in the context of young children on a few occasions.

Isaiah speaks of a time “before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good” ( ESV).

As well God confronts Jonah, as he wines about the death of his plant but doesn’t pity Nineveh in which “120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle” were destroyed.

( ESV).

When Moses speaks to the people of Israel and tells them that they won’t enter the Promised Land because of their rebellion, but their little ones and “your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there.

And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it” ( ESV).

Understanding: The ability to practically use knowledge.

This type of understanding requires someone to know how to use the knowledge they possess.

“While understanding is a gift of God, it does not come automatically.

The possession of it requires a persistent diligence.

It is more than IQ; it connotes character. . . .

When one acts on the objective presentations of God’s revelation, he will attain the ideal of the significance of understanding.”[3]

Discretion.

Discretion is the ability to see ahead.

It is most often use in a negative sense.

The evil plotted and schemed against God.

Human scheming resulted in the Tower of Babel.

But, in the singular form, it is used 5 times in Proverbs in a positive manner.

Its meaning is close to understanding or wisdom, but it seems to add a nuance of dimension.

I think it would be fair to say that discretion, in the context of wisdom, is the ability to look ahead and think through how certain decisions and responses would work out.

Illustration.

For sake of illustration let’s consider a few of the one another verses.

There are around 50 of them in the New Testament, but let me pick a couple that are somewhat related.

· Love one another

· Forgive one another

· Bear one another’s burdens

· Encourage one another

· Don’t provoke one another

At this point, all we have are random statement or commands.

This is simply the gathering of data.

This is not wisdom.

Throughout my life I am going to have a lot of circumstances in which these verses can be practiced.

So then, let’s imagine that I have either done something offensive or have been offended.

I now have an opportunity to apply these one another verses.

Knowledge is the ability to discern between right and wrong.

Knowledge would be the ability to know that a certain response is going to be gracious or ungracious.

Knowledge would be the ability to know that a certain facial expression or body posture or vocal tone is going to either provoke or not provoke, either encourage or discourage, either lead to restoration or further division.

This still must be taken a step further.

We can have knowledge and yet stumble through the implementation of that knowledge.

Understanding is the ability to practically use knowledge.

Knowledge is going to help me discern the right and wrong response, but understanding is going to assist me in knowing when and how to best implement that appropriate and gracious response.

Have you ever thought, “I didn’t mean to say it that way” or “I shouldn’t have said it right then” or “Social media was not the right avenue in which to communicate?”

This is where understanding comes in.

Understanding guides you in how and where and when to respond.

Discretion seems to be the ability to have a good sense of how different responses and timing and intonation may be received.

For instance, if you do something to offend me, I can imagine that if I were to immediately grab you by the shoulders, point my finger in your face, and yell at you that that would be an ungracious manner by which to deal with the offense.

Yes, that is a bit dramatic – although we’ve probably all seen it.

I can also know that if I furrow my brow, parse my lips, and offer some passive aggressive statement, I can effectively communicate that I think you’re an idiot.

On the other hand, if I were to remain calm, pray that God will help me respond appropriately, and at a later time, not in a public venue, graciously discuss the offense with you – I know that there is a much better chance that the conversation will go well, and we may be able to deal with the problem.

In that moment, verses may come to mind that direct your behavior.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” ( ESV).

“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention” ( ESV).

That is discretion.

The awareness of those truths and the ability and willingness to apply those truths in a given moment would be an example of wisdom.

Pursue wisdom and you will be delivered from evil company

How often, as a child, do you recall feeling like all the rules your parents imposed on you were keeping you from having fun.

“They just don’t want me to have any fun!”

As children we can often feel like that which is intended to protect us is a burden to us.

As adults are we that much different?

Do you ever look at scripture (Truth) and feel like it is a burden, like it is keeping you from having fun?

That thought runs contrary to this passage.

In this passage we find that wisdom delivers us from the destruction that inevitably comes from following after evil.

Delivered from the evil man (2:12-15)

They leave the righteous path.

Uprightness refers to that which is straight, level, lawful, right, and just.

In this context, path refers to a manner of living or one’s lifestyle.

Therefore, the evil individual’s lifestyle and manner of living does not abide by God’s law and standards.

It is not righteous and just.

The Psalmist request of the Lord, “teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path” ().

In Proverbs we read, “Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men” ().

“In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death” ().