Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Who have you known that you would call wise?

Why?

Four Cardinal virtues - initially derived from Plato’s Republic, “cardinal” means ‘of greatest importance’ - from the latin ‘hinge’

Prudence - the ability to judge between actions

sophia (gk.) - the capacity to understand, and hence to act wisely

hakmah (heb.) - the capacity to understand and so have skill in living

Courage (fortitude) - endurance and ability to confront fear and uncertainty

Restraint (temperance) - practice of self control

Justice - upright and fair

“Disciples are to be sheep indeed, but that does not mean that they are to be stupid… If we are to be sheep among wolves—and this IS Jesus’ intention—then we should at least be smart sheep, sheep who use our heads, sheep who don’t overestimate the benevolence of wolves.”

- unknown author

1 Kings 3

hints of coming problems / heart that loved God

Marriage alliance with Pharaoh / people sacrificing at the high places

The people were sacrificing at the high places

The Lord took the inititiave - appeared to Solomon at Gibeon (the great high place), “Ask what I shall give you?”

Solomon asks for an “understanding mind to govern [God’s] people” — to discern between good and evil.

Gibeon - location of “the great high place”

It was a dream.

Sacrifice at Jerusalem (not Gibeon) / story of two prostitutes - “wisdom of God to do Justice”

- Description of Solomon’s wisdom

surpassing wisdom and understanding

resulted in proverbs and songs

spoke of plant and animal life

- Queen of Sheba visits

heard of his fame / came to test him with hard questions

he answered all her questions, nothing that he could not explain

“no more breath in her”

“The report was true....

And behold, the half was not told to me.”

“Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom.”

1 Kings 10:9

“Blessed be the Lord your God,

Wisdom Prior to Solomon

Moses to the people, God’s statutes and rules:

-

Deut 34

Moses laid his hands on Joshua, so that he was “full of the spirit of wisdom” - resulting in obedience of the people

- of David, seeing through a woman’s hard words, discerning the source, and changing his course

- Joab and army chasing a worthless man named Sheba who was holed up in a city.

Joab was battering the wall to throw the city down, BUT a “wise woman” said “Listen! Listen!” Got a hearing with Joab, explained that she was of those who are peaceable and faithful.

Then, being practical, “in her wisdom” got the people to behead Sheba and toss his head over the wall.

- David to Solomon - “Act according to your wisdom.”

Wisdom in the Bible

Wisdom describes the practical skills associated with living a successful life.

both intellectual and practical

also theoretical knowledge, speculative wisdom (i.e.

Ecclesiastes), popular among the Greeks later

Most common for Jews - traditional wisdom (obedience to God’s teachings)

Ps

The key feature distinguishing biblical wisdom from its ancient Near Eastern conterparts is the “fear of the LORD.”

NT Wisdom

Foremost in Jesus.

Traditional wisdom is behind James’ distinction between divine wisdom and earthly wisdom.

Get Wisdom

Prov 4:4-7

Harvard College Laws (1642) - 1st American University, original purpose:

James 1:

Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, , and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge an learning.

And seeing the Lord giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer, in secret, to seek it of him.

2 Sam