Whose Wisdom Will You Choose?

Introduction

Today, our passage comes from the book of Proverbs. And before jumping into the text itself there are a couple of things to be mentioned regarding the book of proverbs as a whole.

The book of Proverbs is part of a larger genre within OT Poetic Scripture known as Wisdom Literature, which has the overarching purpose of applying theology to life.

How should the covenant people of God live? That’s the questions Wisdom Literature is seeking to answer.

How should I answer in this particular situation? What wisdom principles may I apply here or there? How to live if everything seems to be going right, or if everything seems to be falling apart?

Wisdom literature is going to help us answer this questions.

2. Also, another feature we should be aware while approaching Wisdom Literature is the use of parallelism.

While in the west, the most prevalent feature of poetic literature is rhyme, in the East, at least in OT times, this feature was parallelism.

Parallelism is the use of repetition of ideas with difference in wording.

Today is a beautiful day.

There is no rain, nor clouds outside.

Today is not a sad day.

This is going to be important as we approach our text this morning for, as you’ll notice, it is the ideas behind the parallelisms, and not the unique isolated sentences per se, which will give us a better understanding of what God is teaching us through this passage.

So, two important features:

Parallelism,

Applied Theology

This is tremendously important, for we are often faced with the question, how should I live in the specific circumstance God has given me today?

And to this question there are mainly two kinds of answers:

Either we listen to God’s wisdom, or

we listen to our own.

And so, today, this is the truth I want you to take home with you:

[That] Because God is the source of Wisdom, you ought to listen to Him over yourself.

Proverbs 3:1-12, Three Main Points:

2 Options, 2 Outcomes, 2 Orders

So, let us listen to the Word of God:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

2  for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

3  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4  So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6  In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7  Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8  It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

9  Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10  then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11  My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

12  for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

This is the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God.

Let us go to the LORD in prayer and ask him to bless this time.

The first idea from this text comes in the form of two options, two different paths one could take in life...

Two Options

This options are fairly simple and straightforward:

Either you listen to God’s wisdom,

Or you listen to yourself.

Choose God’s Wisdom (3:1, 3)

1  My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

3  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

The first option is thus presented: We ought to listen to our Father’s instruction.

On a general level, this teaching and instruction about which the author is writing is a reference to the instruction a godly father gives to a young son.

The Father-son instruction theme has been present since the first Chapter of the Book.

Now, this does not mean, that it is utterly unrelated to God’s teaching and God’s commandments.

To the contrary, a godly father would take God’s teachings and commandments as the basis for the manner in which he would instruct his children.

The Hebrew terms for ‘steadfast love’ and ‘faithfulness’ are covenantal terms.

In this way here, the author is making reference to the Law of God and reminding his son to keep being faithful to the covenant with his God.

To make this clear, the poet depicts movement among this lines. (From outside to within)

Do not let them forsake you! Do what you are able to keep them close!

In fact, bind them to your neck, as if they were jewelry, a precious thing to adorn you.

Make them so close to you, that they might be part of your inner being, may they be in your heart.

In other words, the author is saying:

“Son, do not forget what I have told you, listen to the Lord, and obey his commandments.”

So the second part of the parallel, verse three, helps us understand how to keep the first part.

How should we keep ourselves from forgetting something?

I have a bad memory in general and especially when it comes to family events and things that we have scheduled as a family. So my wife and I bought a magnetic calendar for the fridge. It is not so big, so not every event make is there.

For something to get then in the fridge’s calendar it must be something important. It must be something that, if forgotten, there will be consequences. So all our RTS paper and Finals dates are there. Our anniversary is there. An appointed date with my wife MUST be there. And the common thread of all those events is that we consider them valuable. Those are valuable moments that we do not want to miss; we do not want to forget.

A similar idea is used when the author instructs us to keep the commandments. We keep that which we value.

So a twofold application quickly follows:

First, what are you keeping on your heart?

What is that which you do not want to loose?

Is it a sin, is it an idol? Is is something that rather than adorning your neck as a beautiful necklace is giving you a heave yoke of slavery?

Or are you keeping there The Sin Bearer?

Is it something that draws you away from God or closer to Him?

In second place, what are our expectations regarding those children?

Maybe, put on a different way, where do these expectations come from?

See that, though the author is here speaking to his child about his commandments, he is using language that Scripture uses elsewhere to refer to God’s law.

So, ultimately it is God’s commandments that the father in proverbs wants his child to follow.

Do not forget my commandments. That’s the negative. That’s what ought to be avoided. Forgetting God’s wisdom is the path or option to be dismissed. But, what’s the other option?

[NOT FOR PRESSLEY] Second, a direct application for Fathers and children.

Fathers, heads of household,

Upon what basis are you instructing your children?

What are the standards you are imposing to them?

Is what you are teaching them regarding their future, their success, their way of life, is that drawn from Scripture, or somewhere else?

Also remember that teaching them is not only a matter of words. Instruction is given by an example of life.

They have the responsibility to listen, to remember, to imitate. But you have the responsibility of teaching them well.

Children, young people, you need to remember that by obeying your parents here on earth, you are ultimately honoring God.

So when Dad says no you don’t go and ask mom. That’s dishonoring.

Ignoring you parent’s wisdom, that’s dishonoring.

Disobeying your parent’s commands, that is dishonoring.

So every time that a child disobeys a righteous command, every time parents use unbiblical standards to raise their children, every time we keep in our hearts that which should not be kept, we are not going with the first option. We are not choosing God’s wisdom. In fact, we are doing the very opposite. We are going for option two: we are choosing our own wisdom. [NOT FOR PRESSLEY]

Choosing Our Own Wisdom (3:5, 7)

This second option is introduced in the poem by way of antithesis:

This is what you should, THIS IS what you should NOT do.

DON’T DO THIS!, rather, do that.

5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

7  Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

And so the poem here is showing the profound contrast that exist between the two options.

The significance of this is that we cannot hold both at the same time.

I cannot say that I fear the LORD if I’m being wise in my own eyes.

I cannot say that I trust in the LORD with all my heart if I’m leaning on my own understanding.

So, which is it? In this case, we cannot have it both ways. That is contradiction.

Notice also that he who relies in himself instead of fearing the LORD is he who is identified with evil.

We live in a context in which following you heart, listening to yourself, going after the desires of your flesh is exalted by the world as not only a good thing, but the best and most desirable thing to do.

And yet, God calls it evil.

It is time to stand our ground. In issues such as abortion, homosexuality, the criminalization of godly household discipline, all which is contrary to the LORD’s will, all that is against the fear of the LORD, all that separates God’s people from trusting him alone, there is no middle ground, that which is not of God is evil.

And so, such as there are two options, there are two outcomes.

Now, before stepping into the dangerous place of absolutization, we ought to mention one things:

1) remember that outcomes in proverbs are proverbial.

And what I mean by that is that outcomes are spoken of as observations of general patterns and that though, most often, that will be the case, there are times in which God decides to overrule this general outcomes to reach greater purposes. (Job & Ecclesiastes)

[NOT FOR PRESSLEY. 2) I’ve just spoken harshly about that which is evil. How do we distinguish between what is absolute and what is a generalization in the book of Proverbs?

We allow Scripture to interpret Scripture

Scripture shows that God is unchangeable, and so his moral standards do not change. God is morally consistent throughout all revelation. That which is tied to God’s nature and moral character, because He is unchangeable, will remain true always.

On the other hand, Scripture shows that God is only compelled to fulfill a specific outcome only when he promises that outcome will take place by swearing by his Own Name.

And so, in that way, adultery is always sin even when it appears in the book of proverbs, but physical death through adultery might not always be the case. NOT FOR PRESSLEY]

With this in mind (that outcomes in Proverbs are generally true, though exceptions may apply), let us turn to the two different outcomes for each of the two options.

Two Outcomes

Blessing from the Lord (3:2, 4, 8-10)

The first outcome is for the one that Choses God’s Wisdom, and we read from Scripture:

2  for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

4  So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

8  It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

9  Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10  then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Generally, then, the outcome of Choosing God’s Wisdom is physical health, spiritual health, and even material blessings.

Other places in Scripture also mention the length of days as a result of obeying the Lord. (Ex. 20:12) [Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.]

The peace offered by God and finding good favor before him is a product of the spiritual well-being of the man who walks according to the Wisdom of the Lord. This echoes the blessed man from Psalm 1.

Material blessings have always been part of God’s covenantal promises. Regularly, covenantal material promises do not mean you are going to be rich, but that you will lack nothing (Ps. 23).

Now, this poem is not a covenantal blessing. But the author is saying that the more you walk according the the wisdom of the LORD, generally, the better you will do.

As a word of encouragement, you might be in a season on your life in which the opposite is true.

Maybe being faithful to God has translated into personal difficulty, either financial or otherwise.

If this is you, let me remind you that God is not done yet. And what is generally true in the book of Proverbs, is absolutely true in the New Heavens and New Earth.

Maybe this dark season has made you think that departing from the Lord of from his wisdom is a good exception due to your exceptional circumstance. It is not.

Remember this principle:

...there are times in which God decides to overrule this general outcomes to reach greater purposes...

Endure, then. Keep God’s wisdom. Tie it to your neck, set it in your heart. It is worth it.

Nevertheless, this is not the only outcome. As someone may choose God’s wisdom, another could choose his own. And for him, another outcome awaits: Discipline.

Discipline from the Lord (3:11-12)

We read :

11  My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

12  for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

For him who chooses to defy God’s wisdom and follow his own counsel, there is only one thing to expect: discipline.

Two things are to be mentioned about God’s discipline.

Regardless of how hard it might be to receive it, discipline is yet another form of blessing.

Discipline is here to remind He who goes astray, that he must return.

Discipline reminds us that God loves us.

Discipline reminds us that we are Children.

Learn this well, this is the only time in the book of Proverbs that God is explicitly identified as Father.

It is in the context of discipline that we see the Father’s love for his rebellious children.

The second thing to note is that if you are not receiving discipline, and you are living in sin, you should be very worried.

One of the worst ways of God’s judgement upon someone is to give them up to their dishonorable passions. (Rom. 1:26)

SO, if this is your case, ask God for mercy, repent from your sin, ask God to cleanse you through the sacrifice of Jesus.

It is infinitely better to receive God’s discipline than God’s disregard.

[NOT FOR PRESSLEY This verses also, by way of application, can elucidate the way in which we deal with our children at home.

First, reward is not unbiblical.

It is true that Children must obey regardless of if reward is offered or not.

Also, parents are under no obligation to reward children for doing good.

However, there is a biblical pattern consistent with rewarding that which is honoring to God.

At the same time, ignoring sin is not loving.

Discipline is a way to show our children love, and to remind them that there are better things for them when they trust the LORD’s instruction. NOT FOR PRESSLEY]

We have seen to options, choosing God’s wisdom or my own. This options generally have two outcomes, either blessing or discipline. Let us turn finally to the two orders herein presented.

Two Orders

Honor the Lord (3:9)

If you are the man then, who listens to the LORD, trusts in him, and is being blessed by him, then the author gives and order or a command to you:

9  Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce

In the midst of blessing, remember that it is his Wisdom that has led you there.

Remember that the blessings you are receiving are from His hand.

Let not the consequence of choosing good turn your path to one of pride and self-centeredness.

Honor him with your speech.

Honor him with your tithes and offerings.

Honor him among those who recognize your success.

Use the blessings from his hand to worship him and him alone.

Do not Despise his Discipline (3:11)

If you are then the man who has forgotten the Father’s commandments, and has chosen his own wisdom over against the Lord’s, then the author gives another order to you:

THAT WHEN DISCIPLINE COMES...

11  My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof

In the midst of discipline, remember that God is a loving Father, patient towards those who repent and return.

One of the worst thing we may do is ignoring the LORD’s discipline.

Even worse, using God’s discipline as an excuse to depart further from Him, deeper into our sin and misery.

Discipline is meant to remind you that which you have forgotten.

To remind you that God has not forgotten you,

That God has not despised you,

So do not despise HIM, by despising his discipline.

Conclusion

It is a good time to remember that outcomes in Proverbs are proverbial, and that God may decide to overrule these general outcomes to attain greater purposes.

So let me tell you about One who choose God’s wisdom. Let me tell you about one that Was God’s wisdom incarnate. Let me tell you about the one who fulfilled every Law, kept God’s commandment in his heart, was humble enough to trust his Father, and yet, he didn’t saw the blessings of Proverbs.

Rather he gave up those blessings and suffer the fate of the sinful man. Let me tell you about the one who lived perfectly and died under the Father’s wrath for you. For when he was crucified, he took upon himself the sin of his bride, so that you and I would receive upon ourselves, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Let me tell you about that One: his name is Jesus Christ.

He gave up his life so that we would come from darkness to life. So that we who were previously enslaved to sin, with no other possibility but to choosing our own folly, and damned to disgrace would now be able to choose God’s wisdom over ours.

He gave his life as the perfect sacrifice, and intercedes before the Father, so that every-time we ask for Wisdom it would be given to us. He sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in us, so that even when we receive discipline, his Spirit would testify to our spirit, that we are children of God, and if children then heir and fellow heirs with Christ Jesus.

And he did all of this in accordance to the Wisdom of God. If this gospel is not enough for us to trust God’s wisdom, then no other thing will be.

In 1773 William Cowper wrote:

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm

His purposes will ripen fast Unfolding every hour The bud may have a bitter taste But sweet will be the flower

Because God is the source of Wisdom, you ought to listen to Him over yourself.