Wisdom for Living
James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 3:13
[ True Wisdom Comes from God ] If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
[ True Wisdom Comes from God ] If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:15
For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
Benefits
of wisdom (from last lesson’s passages)
Wisdom protects (2:11–12),
prolongs
life and brings prosperity (3:1–2),
wins favor in the sight of God and man (3:4),
leads to riches and honor (3:16),
brings peace (3:17) blessing (3:18).
Wisdom keeps us from stumbling and from fear,
so that “when you lie down … your sleep will be sweet” (3:24).
Proverbs 4-7
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Summary
Two themes
The first theme is 1. the dangers of adultery, filled with
warnings against the seductive woman.
2.
The second theme is the praise of wisdom, personified as
a woman.
The use of this personification is partly explained by the fact
that the noun “wisdom” is feminine, but its development reflects the genius
of the author who plays off the notion of desirability, contrasting the
sensory appeal of the seductress and the total satisfaction to be found in
choosing to make one’s commitment to wisdom instead.
Personal application. Beware of moral choices that appeal just to
the senses and provide immediate gratification.
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INSIGHT
Adultery. Dict – voluntary violation of the marriage
bed.
according to Heb. law, is intercourse with or
by a married or betrothed woman and violates the sixth of the Ten Commandments
(Ex. 20:14). The Law
commanded Israel
to put adulterers and adulteresses to death (Lev. 20:10), although this severe penalty was seldom
executed. Prostitution (zanah), mentioned in Prov. 6:26, is any intercourse between a man and woman
which does not violate the marriage vow. It too is forbidden (Lev. 19:29), but only religious
prostitutes, who engaged in sex as part of pagan religious ceremonies, were to
be put to death. The N.T. also condemns sexual immorality and calls for
discipline by the church of those who practice it (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1–13). However,
Jesus’ compassionate response to the adulterous woman makes it clear that God’s
way of dealing with sexual sins, as with other sins, is the way of
forgiveness—followed by a change in the sinful way of life. The N.T. also makes
it clear that sexual immorality is characteristic of a godless lifestyle and
that those who practice it will be judged (cf. 1 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8; 22:15).
But here in Prov. the writer is primarily
concerned with the consequences of adultery. The foolish person who succumbs
finds that in the end adultery brings ruin
These proverbs also make it clear that, while
desire may spring up uninvited, committing adultery involves a choice (6:25). The wise man/woman will turn
away from opportunities for sexual adventures (5:15–20). And, a wise person will remember that his “ways
are in full view of the Lord” (5:21).
Proverbs 4-7
4:1-2. The father’s exhortation begins with the
command to listen - Pay attention to my teaching
4:3-6. Solomon spoke of his boyhood when his parents
David and Bathsheba taught him. He was then their only child
though later he had three brothers (1 Chron. 3:5). Proverbs 4:4b-9 quote Solomon’s father David. By quoting these words
Solomon was passing the instruction on to his sons. The three generations
involved here illustrate Deuteronomy 6:2. David had urged young Solomon to obey
his words wholeheartedly (with all your heart; cf. Prov. 3:5) so
that he would live (cf. 3:1-2). Keep my commands and you will live is
repeated in 7:2a.
Perhaps David’s encouragement to Solomon to get
wisdom helped influence Solomon to ask God for it (1 Kings 3:5-14) -
Discuss.
Wisdom was to be pursued (three times Solomon
said “get”) and value (love her) because she (wisdom) protects
(cf. 2:7-8, 11; 3:21-23)
and guards.
4:7-9 “nothing” can compare with wisdom.
Therefore it is supreme, well worth all the effort and cost
involved in acquiring it. As wisdom is valued and loved, she gives honor
and an attractive life, pictured as a beautiful wreath (1:9) and a crown of
splendor (used in 16:31
of gray hair, or age). The opposite is also implied: a foolish, unwise life is
dishonorable, unattractive, and shameful. Solomon experienced both wisdom and
folly and therefore both kinds of results.
- The value of
wisdom in preserving from trouble (4:10-19)
The
ways of wisdom (vv. 10-13) and of wickedness (vv. 14-17) are described and the learner
is again urged to pursue the former and avoid the latter. The lesson is
summarized in verses 18-19 by picturing the destinations of both paths. 18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of
dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
4:10-13. Once more Solomon
addressed one of his sons urging him to listen because heeding his
father’s words would give him a longer life. Straight paths are
unrestricted paths which are easier to walk in. This thought is amplified in 4:12: one’s steps are not
. . . hampered (lit., “narrowed or cramped,” that is, he is not in distress).
The crooked, devious path of sin is the way of problems and hardships
Again an eager acquiring of wisdom is
encouraged because it gives life (cf. v. 10).
4:14-17. six urgent commands are given to steer clear
of the path of the wicked, and the reason for the urgency. Wicked people
are so taken up with evil that they are unable to sleep till they
hurt someone (cf. 1:15-16).
Sin is so much a part of them that it is like their food (bread and wine).
4:18-19. The path of the
righteous, which is “the way of wisdom” is like the first rays of
light in the morning, which gradually increase to the full light of noonday.
With light on his path a believer can follow “straight paths” (v. 11) and “not
be hampered” or “stumble” (v. 12). By contrast the way or path of the wicked
(cf. v. 14) is characterized by deep darkness (intense blackness in the
middle of the night) which causes him to stumble.
- The value of wisdom in producing health (4:20-27)
4:20-22. Another exhortation to hear and pay
attention to instruction opens this section. The author’s words were to be
in his son’s view and in his heart. The major incentive was the offer of
life and health .
4:23. The heart should be guarded for out of
it (a wellspring) come one’s actions. Here the word “heart” means more
than mental or emotional capacity; it also encompasses one’s values. How do we guard our heart? (brainstorm)..
answer is found in the following verses:
4:24-27. to guard one’s heart includes guarding what
one says (v. 24), sees (v. 25), and does (vv. 26-27). The mention in 4:24 of mouth and lips
is similar to Christ’s teaching on the relationship between one’s heart and his
speech (Luke 6:45c). Perversity comes from within and is expressed
through ones speech. Corrupt or foul talk should never be on the
lips of one who trusts the Lord (cf. Eph. 4:29). – Discuss What I heard yesterday on WMUZ re:
profanity
Each believer should focus his eyes
(Prov. 4:25) on the wise
path (cf. v. 11), concentrating on it and not being distracted. And his
“Proverbs provides both a goal and route. “The goal is successful living and
the route is the way of wisdom” (Robert L. Alden, Proverbs: A Commentary on
an Ancient Book of Timeless Advice, p. 48).
- The value of wisdom in preserving from
adultery (chap.
5)
Specific
instruction is given concerning the dangers of the adulteress (vv. 1-6), the
final price of infidelity (vv. 7-14), and the delights of married love (vv.
15-20). Then a reminder is given that sin is ultimately an issue with the Lord
(vv. 21-23). As in 1:14-19,
chapter 5 portrays against the immediate pleasure of sin its long-range
consequences. If a person is wise, he sees this long-range view. 21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man
does, examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.23 He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.23 He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
5:1-6. This chapter, like other portions in Proverbs,
begins with the exhortation that the son pay attention and listen
to his father’s words, for doing so gives discretion and knowledge.
Speaking wisdom helps the son ignore the words of an adulteress Her
deceptive, seductive words are persuasive, sweet like honey, the
sweetest substance in ancient Israel,
and smoother than olive oil, the smoothest substance in ancient Israel.
But what seems attractive at first becomes bitter and sharp
later. Involvement in adultery is like tasting gall, the bitterest
substance known (from a plant), or like being cut by a double-edged sword.
The adulteress leads men to death Her sin makes her unaware that her
ways are crooked ( “staggering or unstable”), in contrast with the
“straight paths” of 4:11.
5:7-8. Again Solomon urged his sons to listen
and adhere to what he said. He urged them not to turn . .
. from his teachings, but to turn from the adulteress. They were not even
to go near . . . her house because of the danger of succumbing to her
temptations. What is the practical life application for us from this verse?
5:9-14. Failure to keep away from the adulteress can
result in many losses: loss of strength (which may mean losing one’s
health, self-respect, or both), loss of a long life (v. 9), loss of money- by
paying the adulteress, paying her husband, or paying child support—and loss of
health (5:11). Falling prey to lust also brings remorse when a person
recognizes too late that he did not heed his parents’ (here called teachers)
instructions which inevitably leads to ruin and disgrace before others.
5:15-18. The rewards of chastity are a further
encouragement to moral purity. A cistern . . . well . . . springs . . .
streams, and fountain control water, keeping it from being wasted..
it needs to have boundaries. Similarly marital love with one’s wife
(v. 18) is pictured as enjoying one’s cistern or fountain. Sexual desires
should be controlled and channeled in one’s marriage, not wasted as described
in 5:7-14
5:19-20. a husband/wife should
be captivated by their spouse and not “go astray,” it may also suggest the idea of
being captured) by her love, not the affections of an adulteress.
5:21-23. The consequences of adultery should motivate a person to avoid it. But four even higher motivations are given in verses 21-23: (1) Since God sees man’s ways -adultery committed in secret is known by the Lord. (2) God examines man’s conduct . We cannot escape God’s scrutinizing. (3) Sin ensnares and ties a person down like ropes (5:22). Though people like to talk about being “free” to sin as they wish, sin actually takes away freedom. (4) Being undisciplined in one’s moral life results in death Such living is foolish because it leads one astray from God’s standards.. Folly appears 21 times in Proverbs. To yield to sexual lust is folly. Definition of FOLLY
1
: lack of good sense or
normal prudence and foresight
2
a : criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct b obsolete : evil,
wickedness; especially : lewd behavior
3
: a foolish act or idea
4
: an excessively costly or
unprofitable undertaking
-The value of wisdom in preserving from poverty
(6:1-11)
Solomon warned against two practices that lead
to poverty: foolish financial entanglements and laziness. In a sense both
pertain to finances because the former guards against unnecessary loss of what
one has earned and the latter against the inability to earn any money at all. Discuss
1. warning against foolish financial entanglements
(6:1-5)
6:1. If a person cosigned a note involving
high interest rates for someone else’s loan, that cosigner was urged to get out
of the obligation as soon as possible (“free yourself,” vv. 3, 5). In Israel
lending was intended as a means of helping a fellow Israelite, not as a
money-making transaction as it is today. No interest was to be charged a fellow
Israelite. Interest could be applied to a loan to non-Israelites, but even then
usury (unreasonably high interest rates) was illegal.
Some say the word neighbor here means
“stranger,” and that cosigning is acceptable for one’s relatives but not for
strangers. The parallel word another suggests, however, that cosigning
is advised against altogether (“neighbor” probably means “anybody”). Does this
exhortation, then, speak against guaranteeing payments on a loan for one’s own
relatives? No. The restriction seems to be against loans with exorbitant rates
of interest.
Striking hands in pledge was a gesture
something like shaking hands. It was like “signing on the dotted line.”
6:2. The words trapped and ensnared
(cf. v. 5) indicate that by accepting responsibility for someone’s
high-interest debt, the son would be placing himself in a financial situation
over which he had no control (cf. v. 3). Agreeing by word of mouth to cosign
such a debt could lead to serious trouble.
6:3-5. In intense language Solomon urged that a
person who has agreed to be security for another’s loan should seek to get out
of that trap. To fall into your neighbor’s hands means that the outcome
of the situation is in the neighbor’s control. One should free himself from a
debt agreement, even if so doing demands great humiliation and obnoxious
pleading. Just as a gazelle or a bird, if trapped, would
immediately begin struggling for its life, so a person snared by a foolish debt
agreement should frantically fight to be free of it
2. warning against laziness (6:6-11)
6:6-8. A person can become financially destitute by
laziness as well as by foolish dealings. Solomon was probably not calling his
son a sluggard; he was speaking rhetorically to anyone who might hear or
read the message. The Hebrew word for sluggard (‘āṣēl) occurs 14 times in
Proverbs and nowhere else in the Old Testament. It refers to more than
laziness. a sluggard is contrasted with the “upright,” and the “righteous.” A
lazy, irresponsible person is challenged to learn from the ant and be
wise. Ants, known for being industrious, are commended here for their
initiative. Apparently ants have no leader—no commander to direct them, no
overseer to inspect their work, no ruler to prod them on. Yet
they work better than many people under a leader! Ants also work in anticipation of future
needs, storing and gathering while it is warm, before winter comes. Mike’s
story…
The virtue of wisdom is not in being busy but
in having a proper view of forthcoming needs that motivate one to action. Those
who act only when commanded do not possess wisdom.
6:9-11. By two questions Solomon urged the sluggard
to get out of bed and start working. Verses 10-11, point up the danger
of a person continuing to nap when he ought to be working: poverty will come
on him suddenly in the same way a robber or an armed man (a soldier)
quickly attacks an unsuspecting victim. With his time squandered the lazy
person cannot rectify his situation and has little or no money to meet his
needs. Obviously such a person is unwise.
- The value of wisdom in preserving from
dissension (6:12-19)
By describing a person who deceives and stirs
up strife and the activities such a person engages in, Solomon urged his son to
avoid disaster (v. 15) and God’s hatred (v. 16).
6:12. The scoundrel and villain refer to one
person. “Scoundrel” is literally someone who is worthless and wicked. Later the
same Hebrew word came to be used of the devil, the most worthless, wicked
person of all (2 Cor. 6:15).
A scoundrel is known by his corrupt “twisted” mouth, his false
and deceptive words.
6:13-14. By sinister body language the scoundrel’s
actions contradict what he says. By winking and gesturing in some way with
his feet and fingers he signals certain messages to his fellow
conspirators. He plans evil actions from a deceitful heart so
that people are not aware of his intentions until it is too late. Though he
feigns sincerity, underneath he is perverted and causes dissension,
drawing others into discord or strife. Dissension is caused by hatred and
uncontrolled temper, perversity greed , and anger .
6:15. Besides causing discord among people by his
deceptive words and his sinister gestures, a scoundrel brings disaster
on himself. It comes unexpectedly and quickly (in an instant and suddenly)
with no way to offset it (without remedy). Whether natural consequences
or more direct divine intervention is in view is not clear. But his downfall is
quick, complete, and certain.
6:16. The Lord’s hatred of the scoundrel’s
activities
6:17-19. A person with haughty eyes, a lying
tongue, hands that murder (shed innocent blood;), a heart
that plots wicked actions, feet that move quickly into
sin, and one who lies against someone when witnessing in court is a
person who causes discord among friends. Apparently by his lies he
causes friends to be suspicious of each other. Lying, referred to twice in this
list of things God hates is one of the many wrong uses of words that are
condemned in Proverbs.
- The value of wisdom in preserving from sexual
immorality (6:20-7:27)
Five times in chapters 1-9 Solomon spoke to the
problem of sexual immorality
1. wisdom preserves from adultery (6:20-35)
6:20-21.
6:22-23. Parental instruction provides guidance, protection
(cf. 2:11), and counsel That teaching should be given from God’s Law, for the
parents’ commands, like the Word of God, should be like a lamp
and a light, giving guidance to one’s conduct Discipline though
painful helps keep a person on the right path, leading him in the way of
life.
6:24. Wisdom, acquired from God’s Word taught by
one’s parents) helps protect from adultery
6:25. This verse gives a warning and verses 26-29,
32-35 speak of the reasons for the warning. Lusting in one’s heart
after a physically attractive and sexually promiscuous woman, whether married
or unmarried, is wrong. Jesus spoke along a similar line (Matt. 5:28). Men who have fallen into the
sin of adultery have often begun with lustful looking. If a man looks at such a
woman, she may seek to captivate him with her flirting eyes.
6:32-35. Involvement in adultery shows one’s
stupidity he goes ahead in his sin while knowing that severe consequences will
follow. He destroys himself ;adultery is a kind of “suicide.” Also he is
disgraced and shamed; in contrast with a thief (Prov. 6:30), an adulterer is despised.
2. wisdom preserves from the seductress (chap. 7)
a. The father’s
instruction (7:1-5)
7:3. In 3:3 the son was exhorted to bind his father’s
teachings around his own neck. In 7:3 he was exhorted to bind them like
rings on his fingers. Also as in 3:3 he was to write them on his
heart .
7:4-5. One’s closeness to understanding should be
like the intimate ties between relatives. Wisdom and understanding, often seen
as synonyms in Proverbs,
b. The victim’s
naiveté (7:6-9)
Verses 6-23 read like an eyewitness account.
7:6-9. As Robert L. Alden wrote, “If you want to
avoid the devil, stay away from his neighborhood. If you suspect you might be vulnerable
to a particular sin, take steps to avoid it”
c. The
seductress’ character (7:10-12)
7:10-12. The woman, who was married went out
. . . to meet the young man, sensing that he would be an easy prey. She was
(a) brazen in her attire (dressed seductively like a prostitute)
– DISCUSS – Gestalt theory – dress modestly
d. The
seductress’ tactics (7:13-20)
7:13-14. Surprising him, she
suddenly embraced and kissed him and then boldly (with a brazen
face) spoke to him. Remember the story of Joseph?
7:15-18. Building his ego up by flattery (v. 15), she then sought to
lure him by describing the sensuous nature of her bedroom.
7:19-20. The woman sought to assure the young man that
they would not be caught by her husband for he was away on a business
trip and would not be home till the full moon (at least several
days away), so she was unfaithful to him
e. The victim’s
response (7:21-23)
7:21-23. Unable to resist her persuasive, seductive,
smooth talk he suddenly (all at once) followed her to her
house and bedroom. He was like a dumb animal (an ox) being led to
slaughter while being completely unwary of his plight..
f. The father’s
closing exhortation (7:24-27)
7:24-25. He advised them to steer clear of the
adulteress, by not turning their hearts to her (in their
imaginations or fantasies) and by not physically going near her.
7:26-27. The reason for the exhortation is given in
verses 26-27. Many others had been victimized by this temptation. To be
in her house is to place oneself on a fast highway to the grave
and physical death. A young man involved in illicit sex may die from
punishment meted out by an angry husband, or from poverty, or from venereal
disease, or from spiritual and emotional anguish.
WISDOM
FOR LIVING – PROVERBS 4-7
GROUP
WORK
1.
BRIEFLY REVIEW THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM FROM LAST WEEK – SHARE THOSE
THAT YOU HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED WHEN PRACTICING WISDOM.
Wisdom protects (2:11–12),
prolongs
life and brings prosperity (3:1–2),
wins favor in the sight of God and man (3:4),
leads to riches and honor (3:16),
brings peace (3:17) blessing (3:18).
Wisdom keeps us from stumbling and from fear,
so that “when you lie down … your sleep will be sweet” (3:24).
2.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS/ REASONS WHY YOU BELIEVE ADULTERY IS DISCUSSED
SO MUCH IN PROVERBS
3.
WHAT ARE THE IMAGES THAT
COME TO MIND OF SOMEONE WALKING IN WISDOM AND ANOTHER WHO WALKS IN FOOLISHNESS…
WHAT DID WE READ IN THESE PROVERBS?
4.
HOW CAN/ HAS WISDOM PROTECTED YOU FROM POVERTY? FINANCIAL ENTANGLEMENTS? DISSENSION? SEXUAL
IMMORALITY? OR SHARE THE CONSEQUENCE IN
ANY OF THESE AREAS WHERE YOU HAD A LACK OF WISDOM.
