WISDOM
FOR LIVING
1 Corinthians 1:18
[ The Wisdom of God ] The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
[ The Wisdom of God ] The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:19
As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
1 Corinthians 1:20
So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:21
Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.
So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:21
Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.
Proverbs 8-11
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Chapter summary. These chapters contain proverbs on many
different topics. One of the recurrent themes introduced in these chapters
contrasts the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are assured of blessing
and of God’s protection, while the wicked, though they may flourish briefly,
are destined for death and destruction.
Key verse. 10:3: God guarantees justice for all.
Personal Life application. Wealth, education,
appearance—these aare
are not the truly important differences between people. The
important difference is whether a person is righteous or not.
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INSIGHT
8:1. Wisdom’s public invitation begins with two
rhetorical questions. The adulteress went out in the streets to seduce the
young man. But wisdom, like a virtuous woman, is seen in the streets
offering her services to all who will receive them The lack of virtue that
characterized the adulteress is contrasted with wisdom’s sterling attributes.
Whereas the seductress’ ways are secretive and deceptive, wisdom’s ways are
open and honest. One who succumbs to the adulteress finds shame and death, but
wisdom’s followers acquire prudence for wise living.
8:4-5. wisdom (I) speaks. She invites all
mankind; wisdom is available to anyone. But specifically she calls to the simple
; and the foolish; those most in need of her and more likely to
ignore her invitation.
2. wisdom’s virtues (8:6-11)
8:6-9. The idea is that wisdom’s words correspond to
reality; therefore they are right (“upright or straight”; “faultless” ),
true, and just Therefore none of wisdom’s words are crooked
(“twisted”) or perverse They also point in the right direction. People
with insight know that what wisdom offers is right “straightforward or
honest”), and people “in the know” find wisdom’s words faultless
8:10-11. Wisdom urges people to receive her instruction
and knowledge rather than silver . . . choice gold or rubies
The idea that wisdom’s value exceeds material wealth is expounded upon which
states that wisdom provides what is needed to gain and appreciate wealth. Also
wisdom contributes to a person’s integrity and peace, something silver, gold,
and rubies cannot do- those qualities are of greater value than anything one
can buy.
3. wisdom’s rewards (8:12-21)
The abundance of personal pronouns (I, mine,
me, my—16 occurrences in 10 verses) makes wisdom itself the focus and not the
rewards.
8:12-13. If a person has wisdom he also has prudence
knowledge, and discretion. One who fears the Lord and therefore is wise will hate (reject) evil,
pride . . . arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse talk.
8:14-16. Wisdom enables people to give wise counsel and sound judgment,
and to have understanding (insight) and power (i.e.,
valor). Wisdom makes a person courageous
like a soldier of valor. Kings . . . rulers . . . princes, and nobles
who rule well do so by God’s wisdom; they make laws that are just.
8:17-18. “Prosperity” is literally “righteousness”. Godly
living is the major benefit from having wisdom.
8:19-21. The form of the Hebrew verb walk conveys
the idea of walking steadily or continuously.
O. The value of
wisdom to the Lord in Creation (8:22-36)
Wisdom’s many claims are credible because of
her association with the Lord in Creation. She existed before the world was
created and she participated with the Lord in Creation, sharing His joy at its
accomplishments.
2. wisdom’s work in creation (8:27-31)
8:30-31. Wisdom is said to have been a craftsman
at God’s side when He created the world. If God involved wisdom in His creative
work, then certainly people need wisdom!
3. wisdom’s plea and promises (8:32-36)
8:32-34. This blessing comes
from following wisdom eagerly (watching and waiting).
8:35-36. Wisdom gives life and the Lord’s favor.
The word for “favor,” is used 14 times in Proverbs, and means “acceptance,
goodwill, or approval.” It comes from the Hebrew verb that means: “to be
pleased with.” Rejecting wisdom results in harm and death Wisdom is the
way of life and folly is the way of death.
The value of wisdom summarized by contrasting
her invitation with folly’s invitation (chap. 9)
This chapter summarizes 1:8-8:36 by contrasting
the invitations of wisdom and of folly. Wisdom is portrayed as a responsible
woman of character and wealth preparing a banquet, while folly is portrayed as
a harlot inviting young men to a sensual meal of stolen water and food eaten in
secret.
1. wisdom’s invitation (9:1-6)
a. Wisdom’s
preparation of her banquet (9:1-2)
9:1. “Lady Wisdom’s” activities of building her
house, including hewing out for it seven pillars, suggest the
industriousness that accompanies wisdom.
9:2. The meal that “Lady Wisdom” prepared included meat
and mixed . . . wine Mixing the wine may refer to diluting it, a custom in
ancient Israel
(The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.,
1939, 5:3087). Undiluted wine was considered distasteful by the Jews, and the
wine for the Passover consisted of three parts water and one part wine. Or
perhaps the custom of mixing spices with the wine to enhance its flavor may be
in view Or possibly both are intended.
DISCUSS
b. Wisdom’s
invitation to her banquet (9:3-6)
9:4-6). Those invited to Wisdom’s fare were the simple (“naive, gullible” and those who lack judgment. Those most needing her attention were invited to be Wisdom’s guests. They were to leave their simple ways 1 Corinthians 1:27
King James Version (KJV)
27 But God hath chosen the
foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak
things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
2. consequences of accepting the invitations
(9:7-12)
points to the consequences of accepting the two
invitations. Those who heed Wisdom respond to and learn from rebuke, add to
their knowledge and enjoy life But those who heed Folly’s call are not open to
correction so they suffer. They are mockers, unwilling to be corrected. Folly’s
invitation only hardens them in their ways.
9:7-8a. A mocker,who is wicked,
is unteachable. When someone corrects him he responds in an attitude of hatred
by lashing out with insulting verbal abuse. Abuse means a blotch or
defect. When corrected, a wicked person hurls back the rebuke by defaming his
would-be counselor. Such a mocker is hardened in his ways.
9:8b-9. On the other hand a wise person
appreciates rebuke because he learns from it. Rebukes can be helpful to
the one who is willing to learn from them, By being teachable one becomes wiser
– HUMILITY = TEACHABILITY.
9:10-11. Wisdom assures a person a long life
9:12. As stated frequently in Proverbs in different
ways, wisdom brings rewards and mocking brings suffering
3. folly’s invitation (9:13-18)
9:13. Folly’s feast is presented in contrast with
Wisdom’s feast. In similar fashion Madam Folly portrayed as a harlot,
made her wares available. She is loud, undisciplined “naive or gullible,” like her guests, and
ignorant. She is attractive but unruly. Folly offers immediate gratification
whereas Wisdom offers long-term satisfaction.
9:14-17. Unlike Lady Wisdom, Madam Folly merely sat at
the door and called out. Folly appealed to those who passed by Those
who go straight on their way could refer to those who might otherwise
pass on by without stopping or those who were leading upright lives. Folly called for guests by intentionally using
the same words as Lady Wisdom
9:18. Madam Folly is obviously a wayward woman. This
suggests that sexual immorality is the height of folly.
III. The Proverbs
of Solomon (10:1-22:16)
The frequent change of subject from one verse
to another may be intentional, to force readers to grapple with and meditate on
the thoughts in one verse before moving on to the next. However, occasionally
two or more consecutive verses are linked by a common subject or word.
A. Proverbs
contrasting righteous and wicked living (chaps. 10-15)
10:1. A wise son is contrasted here with “a
foolish son,” A son who has become wise, by heeding his parents’ teachings), brings
joy to his father, a fact stated several times in Proverbs). A foolish son, on the other hand, grieves his
mother
10:2. To say that treasures are of no
value seems like a startling, almost contradictory statement until one
remembers that the treasures are ill-gotten gained unjustly by theft or
deceit. Such treasures are no good because they dwindle away. Of course money
acquired dishonestly may provide some pleasure and be valuable for a while but
in the long run it does not satisfy.
10:3-5. Verses 3-5 discuss diligence and sloth. God
has said here that He meets all one’s needs, including the needs of his body
for food The craving of the wicked refers to their evil desires to bring
about destruction and disaster. One example of diligence and therefore of
wisdom “to be prudent or to have sound judgment”; is harvesting in the summer
while the crops are ripe. An example of laziness is a son who sleeps
rather than works during harvest In fact such a person brings shame (the
meaning of disgraceful)
10:6. Whereas a righteous person receives blessings, it is different with the wicked. “The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart” (Luke 6:45).
New Living Translation (NLT)
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,
and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
What you say flows from what is in your heart.
10:8-9. A wise person is teachable, willing to become wiser. But
a fool (a coarse, hardened fool;) does not quit chattering
long enough to learn anything. In Proverbs needless talking is often associated
with folly. Such a person comes to ruin, a phrase repeated only two
verses later
James
1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
10:10. Verses 10-12 deal with interpersonal
relations. Winking maliciously with one’s cohorts suggests sinful
intentions No wonder this leads to grief on the part of the victims of
their evil plans, or the victim’s loved ones. Yet a talkative fool will
himself eventually get into trouble
10:12. Hatred results in dissension because
people who despise each other can hardly work or live together in peace. Love
contributes toward peace because it covers or forgives the faults of
others. It does not dwell on those faults (see 1 Cor. 13:5; James 5:20; 1 Peter 4:8). A wicked one’s
words are covered over with violence, but a righteous person
covers up wrongs by forgiving the wrongdoers.
10:15-16. wealth should not be placed above honor
and should not be trusted in, it can provide a hedge against some disasters. Poverty
is a continually suppressive problem to the poor The Hebrew word here
for poor means, “feeble, weak, helpless,” translated “poor” or “helpless”
10:17. A person who learns from discipline
is an example to others of the way to a meaningful life, whereas those
who refuse to learn from discipline cause others to go astray.
One’s conduct affects not only himself but others as well, either favorably or
unfavorably. NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.. Everything we do affects others – see Apostle
Paul’s analogy of the physical body
10:18. The subject of hatred introduced, When
a person hates someone but tries not to show it he is often forced to lie. And
hatred often leads to slandering the other who is despised. The second line in
verse 18 begins with and rather than “but,” to show that the two
thoughts of hatred and slander are not opposites. Such lying and
slandering, born out of hatred, characterize a fool.
--10:19. Constant talking will eventually lead to sin
10:20. In contrast with the degrading talk of the
wicked (lying, slandering, and gabbing) the words (tongue) of
the righteous are uplifting and therefore are valued like choice silver!
Matthew
7:6
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
10:24-25. By stressing repeatedly in Proverbs
that disaster comes to the wicked and various rewards are for the
righteous, Solomon sought to convince the uninitiated and naive that the
long-range, not the immediate, fruits of wisdom and folly should be kept in
view. Many wicked people dread calamity and they receive it! And the
righteous often receive what they want, namely, blessing. God is the
ultimate Source of both.
10:26. Just as vinegar is sour tasting, and as
smoke irritates the eyes, so a sluggard aggravates his
employers, those who send him to do some work or go on an errand. He is
aggravating because he fails to carry out his responsibilities.
10:27-30. These verses mention several blessings
that come to the righteous: long life . . . joy, safety, and
security. Usually the wicked have none of these, when seen from the perspective
of eternity.
11:1. The Lord
hates dishonest scales “balances
of deceit”), but is pleased with accurate weights Dishonesty in
business was condemned and honesty commended To increase their profits many
merchants used two sets of stone weights when weighing merchandise. Lighter
stones were placed on the scales when selling (so that a lesser quantity was
sold for the stated price), and heavier ones were used when buying (so that
more was obtained for the same price). The reference to “the Lord” puts commercial matters in the
spiritual realm.
11:2. Pride leads to disgrace, its
opposite, while humility pictures a submissive, modest spirit before
both God and man, leads to or is accompanied by wisdom
11:3. Verses 3-8 refer to the value of righteousness
in guiding and protecting from hardships.
11:4. The day of wrath probably refers to death.
Wealth cannot buy long life; only righteousness can aid in that -fearing
the Lord is said to contribute to longevity.
11:5. Righteous living results in a straight way
a life with fewer obstacles and troubles but wickedness leads to a
person’s downfall.
11:6. Another benefit of righteous living is deliverance,
escape from troubles or death. But even the evil desires of an unfaithful
person get him in trouble. He is trapped for his desires lead him to
sin.
11:9. Verses 9-15 discuss community relationships:
one’s neighbor (vv. 9, 12), the city (vv. 10-11), a gossip (v. 13),
advisers for a nation (v. 14), and a cosigner (v. 15). A godless person
can defame another merely by what he says
11:10-11. These verses refer to the beneficial
effect that righteous people can have on public life. People of a
city appreciate and take delight in the prosperity of and God’s blessing
on its upright citizens because they exalt the city. That is,
such people help keep a city sound economically and morally. Conversely
citizens are glad when the wicked—who lie, slander, deceive, rob, and
murder—die because then the city is safer. Wicked people’s words not to
mention their deeds!—can destroy a city economically and morally. GET OUT AND VOTE
11:12-13. In these community
relationships -It simply makes no sense to slander one who lives or works
nearby. Since that makes for friction and dissension, it is wise to keep quiet
even if he does know something unpleasant about his neighbor. Divulging a
secret by malicious gossip is a betrayal of trust “A gossip” is literally “one who goes about in
slander.” DISCUSS WHAT GOSSIP REALLY IS
A
‘gossip’ is A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or
facts.
11:14. Guidance in this verse is a nautical
term used of steering a ship. The “steerings” or counsel of advisers can
be helpful A wise person is open to others’ opinions and counsel. Without such
counsel, he may make serious mistakes. WISE PEOPLE KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE ALL THE
ANSWERS AND NEED OTHERS
Most of the verses in 11:16-31 refer in some way to the rewards of righteous and kind
living.
Verses
17-21
all contrast the outcomes of wicked and righteous living. kindness benefits
its giver (for the kindness is returned by its recipients), and cruelty
boomerangs, harming both its recipient and its giver
sowing righteousness, leading a
righteous life, reaps rewards that are beneficial and lasting. Righteous
living is rewarded with life and wickedness is rewarded with death,
a frequent theme in Proverbs.
In
Proverbs the Lord is said
to detest many kinds of sinful attitudes and actions: crooked (perverse
or distorted) living lying, hypocrisy, wicked conduct ,wicked thoughts, pride,
injustice, and dishonesty in business
11:22. Israelite women wore nose rings for ornamental
purposes, like earrings and rings on fingers today. How incongruous to suppose
a nose ring would beautify a pig, a notoriously unclean animal!
Similarly it is incongruous to suppose that a woman’s physical beauty can
excuse her lack of discretion (moral perception). This verse has an
unusual impact by comparing a beautiful woman to an ugly pig. Outward
female beauty with indiscreet conduct is valueless and morally ugly.
11:24-26. These verses encourage
generosity. By giving freely a person has plenty, a seeming paradox. Conversely
a person who is miserly, failing to help others in obvious need, will
himself always be in need. Grain in a farming society was a major medium
of exchange; hoarding it could drastically affect prices. But a person who sold
his grain and did not hoard it was a blessing to others.
11:27-28. If a person pursues, seeks good
things in and for others he himself in turn receives goodwill - Reaping & sowing principle
11:30. Wins souls in verse 30 does not mean
soul-winning or evangelism. Since “win” is literally “attract or take,” the
idea may be that a righteous person attracts others to wisdom. This fits the
thought in the first part of the verse of a tree giving life to others by its
fruit.
11:31. If the righteous must be punished in
this life (on earth) when they do wrong, then certainly (how much
more) those who are committed to sin and evil will be punished.
WISDOM
FOR LIVING – GROUP WORK
1.
DISCUSS THE PASSAGES IN 1 CORINTHIANS – WHAT HAVE YOU GLEANED FROM
THESE SCRIPTURES ABOUT WISDOM?
2.
SHARE A TIME WHEN YOUR SILENCE WAS MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN YOUR
WORDS.
3.
HOW CAN A PERSON OF MANY WORDS – TOO MUCH TALKING –LEAD TO SIN?
4.
SHARE TIMES WHEN THE ‘REAPING WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN’ HAS BEEN EVIDENT
IN YOUR LIFE – POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE
5.
DISCUSS HOW HAVING WISDOM AND PRACTICING IT OR THE ‘LACK OF’
AFFECTS YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
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