Treasure Wisdom
Notes
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Introduction
Introduction
The enemy, Satan, has always been in the business of destruction. Physical deterioration is only a manifestation of his successes. But where he really wants to be effective is in the heart and mind of man. That’s where he is always lurking, waiting for an opportunity to strike. To set you up for destruction, he first will distract you.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
(SOBER - not affected or intoxicated by alcohol; not drunk)
Proverbs teaches us, as Christians, what we need to navigate through life in accordance through God’s purposes. Living a godly life in an ungodly world is not an easy task. Proverbs 4 is part and partial of a series of instructions for Christians in order to successfully deal with practical affairs of daily life. It touches on managing wisdom and knowledge handed down from parents to their children.
He has given us this ones-in-a-life-time golden opportunity to spend it. How then will we spend it? The devil not only want’s a piece of it but all of it. On the other hand God wants us to spend it righteously for His glory. Who do we listen and who do you want to spend it with? What should be our attitude to parental instructions?
What does the BIBLE stand for:
What does the BIBLE stand for:
Basic - foundational, important
Instructions - (commands)
Before - NOW
Leaving - death
Earth - temporary residence
What are God’s instructions before leaving Earth?
Today’s instructions can be outlined in THREE POINTS:
Today’s instructions can be outlined in THREE POINTS:
What is God’s instruction before leaving Earth?
Listen and pay attention to your parent’s teaching. (vv.1-9)
Know and Grow Wisdom: There is wisdom in both knowing it and doing it. (vv.10-19)
Know and Grow: There is wisdom in both knowing it and doing it.
Keep a straight path toward to God. (vv.20-27)
Leave a straight path (legacy) as you follow a straight (righteous, life of obedience) path toward your maker - God.
Leave a clean life on your way out of life here on earth.
The benefit of divine wisdom.
Rejecting it has it’s consequences, BEWARE!
Rejecting it has its consequences, BEWARE!
1. LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION TO PARENT’S TEACHING (v.1-9)
1. LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION TO PARENT’S TEACHING (v.1-9)
(Parent’s teaching should include biblical teachings)
4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
Prov
What does God think about knowledge/wisdom compared to material things?
7 In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”
10 “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king,
2 Chron
12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.”
Basic
V.1 is simple and straight to the point: Hear (listen), O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding,
Hearing is more than what it simply means, it means pay attention, take notice followed by obedience.
Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
Hearing and listening is the result of fearing. Fear is not being scared but more in the context of respect, honor and reverence.
As parents were are to hand over God’s truth’s to our children teaching them about God and His plans for their lives. Remind them along the way to do the same when it’s their time to be parents. Do not break the cycle.
And give attention that you may gain understanding,
The instruction from God are not merely suggestion but they are commands. How do we respond to a command? OBEY!!!
Despite the passing of time, Solomon had not forgotten what his father taught him (vv.4–9). He could still hear David’s voice echoing in his ears. The words his father had spoken were permanently inscribed on his tender heart. David appealed to young Solomon (vv.4-9 is a series of cause and effect):
Despite the passing of time, Solomon had not forgotten what his father taught him (vv.4–9). He could still hear David’s voice echoing in his ears. The words his father had spoken were permanently inscribed on his tender heart. David appealed to young Solomon:
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2012). Proverbs (p. 88). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.vv.4-9 is a series of cause and effect:
4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;
Hold Fast - Take to heart, take seriously.
5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
What better wisdom than to come from those who love you and tasked by God to raise you and build you up. Follow and apply wisdom given from your parents.
Prov
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
Biblical wisdom will guard you from sinning. Sin cause harm, it bring unwanted situation and predicaments in life.
7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
Acquiring wisdom is in itself wisdom.
Parents are the first to give their children wisdom, not neighbors nor classmate and not even Hollywood.
Understanding is know all aspects of wisdom.
8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
Believer’s Bible Commentary F. Wisdom as a Family Treasure (4:1–9)
If we give Wisdom first place in our priorities, she will promote us handsomely. If we embrace her lovingly, she will bring us to places of honor.
Confidence is the result of what you know. If we give Wisdom first place in our list priorities, she will build up your confidence. You need confidence in order to be productive. If we embrace her lovingly, she will bring us to places of honor.
If we give Wisdom first place in our priorities, she will promote us handsomely. If we embrace her lovingly, she will bring us to places of honor.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 801). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
“She will adorn you with charm and crown you with glory” (Moffatt). Wisdom bestow moral beauty to those who seek it. Compare it against a repulsive life given to dissipation and immorality.
“She will adorn you with charm and crown you with glory” (Moffatt). Wisdom confers a moral beauty on her children. Contrast, for instance, the repulsiveness of a life abandoned to dissipation and immorality.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 801). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
From a biblical perspective Jesus is the CHIEF SHEPHERD - shepherds lead their sheep.
At home, the parents take the role as shepherds.
God’s instructions are sound instructions and a reflection of who He is. - HOLY/RIGHTEOUS
The path to Him is straight - RIGHTEOUS.
The path to Him is narrow - There is only ONE WAY to THE ONE and TRUE LIVING GOD. Keeping it simple.
The devil being an alternative provides a distraction through temptations leading to destruction.
The ENEMY’s intent is simple: DISOBEDIENCE.
The devil’s presence taking opportunity with man’s FREE WILL makes obedience a challenge. Temptation wants our attention because it is when we are listening, the chances of sinning increases.
Our current and temporary residence does not make it easier.
DISTRACTIONS FROM FOLLOWING GOD?
a. Bible illiteracy: possessing knowledge, understanding and applying knowledge
Instructions
Before
b. Spiritual blindness = unregenerate heart
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Spiritual blindness does not need eye surgery but instead HEART SURGERY!
2 Cor
c. PRIDE
Leaving
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
PRIDE abandons the need for God let alone the teaching of God.
Lack of knowledge of God and failure to apply it leads to a fall.
2. KNOWING AND GROWING WISDOM (vv.10-19)
2. KNOWING AND GROWING WISDOM (vv.10-19)
Giving wisdom is the responsibility of the parents while accepting it is the responsibility of the children.
4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
Earth
A healthy relationship paves the way to a great reception from children when wisdom is handed to them.
That’s why the devil wants a broken home because when it is broken, communication goes with it and when there is no communication there is no restoration.
A broken fellowship eats up on each others relationships.
KEY WORDS
KEY WORDS
a.Keep or Hold fast to the knowledge
b. Keep, acquire, Don’t forget, Don’t forsake, prize her
Acquiring wisdom is like mining for precious stones.
Knowledge is precious, knowledge is powerful.
It transforms man from immaturity to maturity
Biblical knowledge shapes man’s mind to the mind of Christ.
16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Biblical knowledge is like precious stones - you need to mind them in pages of the Bible
When you dig knowledge out you have to study, process, understand before it becomes useful. Same thing with precious stones, they come out rough around the edges, dirt clinging on to it but the miner has to smoothen the edges, shake off the dirt to appreciate it’s beauty.
Mining involves digging and it requires lot of lot’s of it.
Mining involves digging deeps which requires countless days.
Miners live off based on what they mine and so is the the spirit live off base on the abundance of God’s wisdom it’s fed.
Stumbling block: LAZINESS
Newton’s first law of motion states that an object in motion tends to remain in motion, and an object at rest tends to remain at rest. This law applies to people. While some are naturally driven to complete projects, others are apathetic, requiring motivation to overcome inertia. Laziness, a lifestyle for some, is a temptation for all. But the Bible is clear that, because the Lord ordained work for man, laziness is sin.
“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.”
LESSON:
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise,
There are some who are driven to finish projects and some who are lazy to start them.
Here’s some wisdom concerning laziness:
25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;
14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
Lazy people loves sleep
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.
2
Let us not be lazy in knowing wisdom from above which is printed in the very pages of the bible.
A worn out bible is a well ready bible. Dirty bible (full of notes and and highlights) clean Christian (clean life is the absence of habitual sinful living, obedient living) and clean bible (unread), dirty Christian.
BENEFITS OF WISDOM
BENEFITS OF WISDOM
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
IMPEDE - prevent, delay
Prov 4:11
Biblical wisdom will keep you away from succumbing to temptation which will cause you to fall.
There will alway be temptations in life but how often do you avoid them, how do you avoid them.
If you have a gambling problem then it will be prudent to abstain from driving to Vegas to watch a concert or enjoy great dining.
In as much as biblical wisdom will keep you from sinning, you also need to guard them from the devil injecting his own ideas to dilute your understanding of it.
How do you guard wisdom? By consistently acquireng more wisdom. The same with loosing weight or building muscles. Consistent work out, continuous diet will yield the results you are working for.
Guard it because it is your life.
An abundant knowledge of the giver of life will preserve your life, guide your decisions, and will steer you away from making mistakes.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
Prov 4:
Biblical wisdom will direct you away from places and areas where sin is abundant. If studying the word of God and surrounding us with individuals of like mind there is also association of people or a place that further promotes sin and unholy living.
Wisdom will tell you not to come near it.
3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ”
Developing godly wisdom will help develop allergy towards temptation and sin.
We should develop a disliking to it.
We can not be in union with the devil, it goes against who God is and the values and standard that’s suppose to rule our life.
See vv 18-19 and how much they are opposite:
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Proverbs 4:
Aside from the contrast between righteousness and wickedness, we are to be patient and discipline in acquiring wisdom, they don’t come one time, God gives it to us in the same pace as we desire and know it.
3. Keep a straight path toward to God. (vv.20-27)
3. Keep a straight path toward to God. (vv.20-27)
The father again makes an impassioned plea to his son, adding in a new dimension of advice. The final discussion in this chapter’s trio of sessions is a spiritual anatomy lesson. Solomon moves from head to foot as he urges his son to follow the way of wisdom. This method also serves as a practical tool to help remember the lesson.
The father again makes an impassioned plea to his son, adding in a new dimension of advice. The final discussion in this chapter’s trio of sessions is a spiritual anatomy lesson. Solomon moves from head to foot as he urges his son to follow the way of wisdom. This method also serves as a practical tool to help remember the lesson.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2012). Proverbs (p. 94). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
vv. 20-27 are more practical commands to follow in order to acquire wisdom.
Pay attention and listen (similar to v.1)
Developing wisdom required resilience, preserving by guarding, persevering by committing. All these are required because the days are evil.
Part of keeping a straight path is keeping wholesome talk. Put away and have nothing to do with deceitful and corrupt talk.
speech is a reflection of a man’s heart and their spiritual health.
Person whose heart is spiritually sound will resist and reject evil speaking (v.24). In contrast, a person whose heart is dark will usually spew forth despicable words. Nothing reveals what is in people’s hearts—their true character—more than their speech
34 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
34 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
person whose heart is spiritually sound will resist and reject evil speaking (v.24). In contrast, a person whose heart is dark will usually spew forth despicable words. Nothing reveals what is in people’s hearts—their true character—more than their speech:
d. your EYES are the window of your soul.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2012). Proverbs (p. 94). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Keep your eyes pure - free from lust: LOOK STRAIGHT (v.25)
LESSON:
Pure eyes are critically important, perhaps more so than any other body part. The father exhorts his son to look straight ahead on the road of righteousness—not to allow the attractions and distractions of sinful, impure things to catch his eye (v.25). Why are pure, focused eyes so vital?
The eyes are the gate to the heart. This means that whatever enters the eyes goes directly into the heart.
28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Pure eyes are critically important, perhaps more so than any other body part. The father exhorts his son to look straight ahead on the road of righteousness—not to allow the attractions and distractions of sinful, impure things to catch his eye (v.25). Why are pure, focused eyes so vital?
The eyes are the gate to the heart. This means that whatever enters the eyes goes directly into the heart. Jesus plainly explained this:
Where you eye looks there you will step to.
Pure eyes are critically important, perhaps more so than any other body part. The father exhorts his son to look straight ahead on the road of righteousness—not to allow the attractions and distractions of sinful, impure things to catch his eye (v.25). Why are pure, focused eyes so vital?
Matt 5;
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2012). Proverbs (p. 95). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
LESSON:
LESSON:
Home is the primary source of moral and spiritual training.
Wisdom will have deeper roots when they are given at an early stage in life. Teach them early before the world will get to them. Early instruction is preventive instruction.
A strong Christian family heritage and legacy of righteousness are invaluable. Instill in your children biblical faith and the other biblical and moral wisdom you received and learned from previous generations and teach them to continue the cycle. Spiritual legacy starts with one person who will influence the many by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What you put in our mind will shape your mind which eventually will shape your life. You are what you do and you do what is in your mind. You are judge by your fruits!
What you put in our mind will shape your mind which eventually will shape your life. You are what you do and you do what is in your mind. You are judge by your fruits!
