The Value of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1–11 NLT

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

I. Wisdom Protects Our Paths (2)

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

The key idea here is that of God’s protection over His own (vv. 7–8, 11–12, 16)

Proverbs 2:7–8 NLT

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

Proverbs 2:11–12 NLT

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.

Proverbs 2:16 NLT

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

The world, the flesh, and the Devil are out to defeat us, and we need the wisdom of God to keep us out of their power.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

A. God’s commands to His own (vv. 1–9).

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

what we are to do with God’s Word: receive it, hide it in the heart, incline the heart toward it, apply it to our lives, cry out to God for wisdom, and search the Word to find God’s will.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

He insists that we live in the Word of God and allow the Word to live in us. Verse 4 compares Bible study to the mining of precious metal.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

They must be “minted” into spiritual coins that we can keep in our treasury for future use (Matt. 13:52)

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

Furthermore, this wisdom will become a shield to our lives (v. 7) so that God can protect our paths.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

When Christians deliberately turn from the wisdom of God found in the Bible, they are putting themselves (and others) in danger.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

B. God’s care for His own (vv. 10–22).

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

The evil man is known for his “big talk” (v. 12). He always has some scheme for the young man to consider. But he is walking in the paths of darkness and being controlled by the Prince of Darkness, Satan.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

Instead of walking on a straight path, the evil man walks on a crooked path; you simply cannot trace him. The evil man wants you to believe that there are “shortcuts” to wealth and success, and that you can profit by disobeying the Lord.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

“strange woman” uses flattery and appeals to the appetites of the flesh.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

How believers today (especially young men and women) need the wisdom of God from the Word to protect their paths!

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

II. Wisdom Directs Our Paths (3)

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

Proverbs 3:5–6 are precious promises to Christians who want to know and do God’s will in every area of life. God wants us to know and do His will; He is eager to reveal His will to us (Eph. 5:8–10; John 7:17). There are certain conditions that we must meet before God can direct our paths.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

A. Listen to the Word (vv. 1–4).

Proverbs 3:1–4 NLT

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

God’s will is found in God’s Word (Col. 1:9–10). It is not only the mind, but also the heart that should remember and consider the Word. We must ask the Spirit to write the Bible on our hearts

Colossians 1:9–10 NLT

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

(2 Cor. 3:1–3). We must receive the Word every opportunity we have—in class, in church services, through reading. The better you know your Bible, the better you will know God’s will for your life.

2 Corinthians 3:1–3 NLT

Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

B. Obey the Word (vv. 5–10).

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

If we really trust God, we will obey Him. We may think that our own wisdom is sufficient, but it is not; we need the wisdom of God. Verse 5 does not teach that Christians should fail to think and consider facts when making decisions, because God expects us to use our brains. Rather, it means that we should not trust our own ideas or wisdom; we must ask God to direct us (James 1:5). A willingness to obey is the first step toward knowing God’s will (John 7:17). Note that faithful giving is a part of obeying.

James 1:5 NASB95

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

John 7:17 NASB95

“If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 2–4

C. Submit to the Word (vv. 11–12).

Sometimes God has to chasten us to bring us into His perfect will; see Heb. 12:5–11. If we submit, God will turn it into blessing.