YOUR TICKET TO REAL SUCCESS
Week of June 1, 2008
Bible Verses: Proverbs 1:1-7; 2:4-8; 3:5-6,11-12.
Biblical Truth: The Lord wants people to succeed in living right, and He instructs those
who know and trust Him in how they can do so.
Learn from Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-6.
[1] The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king
of Israel: [2] To know wisdom and instruction, to
discern the sayings of understanding, [3] to
receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; [4] to give prudence to the naive, to the youth
knowledge and discretion, [5] a wise man
will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire
wise counsel, [6] to understand a
proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. [NASU]
[1-2] Verses 2-6 present ten words that summarize
what Proverbs gives the person who heeds its instruction: wisdom,
instruction, understanding [2], instruction [3], prudence,
knowledge, discretion [4], learning, wise counsel [5], understand
[6]. Wisdom is the first promised result. The basic meaning of the word
is ‘skill’ in living. This skill brings its possessor into success. Instruction
is also guaranteed. An alternative translation is ‘discipline.’ This discipline
is education through correction. Understanding refers to the knowledge
of something and to the faculty that enables you to come to that knowledge.
Truth is not relative – there is right and wrong, truth and error,
understanding and stupidity – and it may be discovered in these proverbs.
Discernment is the path to this understanding. It is the ability to look at two
things and see what God sees. These proverbs cut through the fog of human
reasoning and throw the spotlight of God upon a given situation, revealing
God’s verdict.
[3-4] Verse 3 provides the fourth of ten benefits
delivered to the door of those who heed the proverbs of this book: instruction
in wise behavior. The Hebrew term behind wise behavior is roughly
synonymous with the word translated discernment in verse 2. However, there
is a distinction to be made. Discernment means to distinguish between two
things. Wise behavior refers to an understanding of the reason for the
distinction that is made. A good alternative translation may be ‘insight.’
Feeding on the proverbs not only helps you distinguish God’s choice in any
situation, but why it is His choice. This insight is seen as it is actively
revealed in righteousness, justice and equity. The wisest course of
action in any circumstance is bringing your life into conformity with the
character and actions of God. The fifth term is prudence. The proverbs
will make the gullible shrewd and able to avoid the pitfalls of life. The naive
person is one who is open and vulnerable to any influence that the winds may
blow upon him. The naive lack judgment. The proverbs will make them able to see
these influences for what they are and to circumvent the disaster they would
bring. The sixth benefit is seen in the knowledge derived from the proverbs.
This is offered to the immature youth, just as prudence is to the gullible.
This knowledge is something gained through the senses. The proverbs heighten
every part of a person to the truth of God. Discretion is the seventh
item listed as a benefit to the student of Proverbs. This term is used in the
proverbs to describe wisdom’s ability to protect its possessor from the harm
brought on by foolishly proceeding with an ill-advised plan. Positively,
discretion is the ability to form a practical plan of action and work it to its
end.
[5-6] Not only do the impressionable and immature
[4] benefit from the proverbs, but also the one already possessing a degree of
wisdom. We are never fully wise. Two more benefits will come to the one who
seeks and keeps on seeking wisdom from God. The eighth is that they will gain
additional learning. The root of the word means to ‘take’ or to ‘seize.’
The mature person of wisdom gains an ever increasing ability to grasp with
their mind the wisdom of God as it relates to their particular circumstances.
They will receive perception into the affairs of life. Also, they will lay hold
of wise counsel, the ninth benefit listed. The one who gets this is a
man of understanding, the participle of the word translated discern
in verse 2. The one who rightly discerns the things of God will, by continuing
to study these proverbs, be able to steer a safe and true course through life.
The tenth benefit of studying Proverbs is to understand. This is the
same word as translated discern in verse 2. Four expressions are then
used to describe what we find in this book. A proverb is the term that
heads the book. A figure refers to a saying that speaks indirectly to an
issue. To the discerning of heart a figure has a sense other than the obvious
one. The words of the wise means that the discerning does not give heed
to everyone, but only to those who have acquired God’s wisdom. The riddles
may refer to what is obscure or indirect in its statements, much like the
riddles of Samson [Judges 14:13-14]. Instead of describing four different kinds
of sayings, it seems rather that the writer is setting up a contrast of two
kinds of sayings. The path of wisdom leads not only to understanding plain
statements of truth (proverbs and the words of the wise) but also more
enigmatic, indirect statements that carry a stream of wisdom that lies beneath
the surface of the obvious (a figure and riddles) and is only tapped by the one
who meditates upon them.
Revere the Lord: Proverbs 1:7; 2:4-8.
[7] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. [2:4] If you seek her as silver and search for her
as for hidden treasures; [5] Then you
will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. [6] For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth
come knowledge and understanding. [7] He
stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in
integrity, [8] guarding the paths of
justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. [NASU]
[7] This verse expresses the substance of the
entire book of Proverbs. The fear of the Lord is a repeated theme being found
fourteen times throughout the book. Being contrasted with the fear of man
[29:25], the fear of the Lord renders countless benefits for its possessor. It
is not only the beginning of knowledge [1:7,29; 2:5] and wisdom [9:10; 15:33],
but it instills confidence [14:26] and makes rich [22:4]. The fear of the Lord
prolongs life [10:27], is a fountain of life [14:27], leads to life [19:23],
and is rewarded with life [22:4]. The fear of the Lord is to hate the evil God
hates [8:13; 16:6; 23:17]. Though you may lose all else, gain the fear of the
Lord [15:16]. This reverent awe is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom
in that it is the first and controlling principle, rather than a stage which
one leaves behind. The wise never graduate from the school of instruction and
wisdom. While the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure, the path of the
fool is to despise wisdom and instruction. For the first time, we are
introduced to the fool, a personage that will be mentioned repeatedly
throughout the book.
[2:4-5] Notice how the writer piles one intense verb
upon another in describing the quest for wisdom: receive, treasure [1], make
… attentive, incline [2], cry, lift [3]. To these six he adds two
more verbs in this verse: seek and search. These verbs speak of
the passion of the search underway. The discovery of silver and hidden
treasure is the goal. Hidden treasure refers to something of such rare
value that it is shielded from the public view. The series of conditional
clauses in verses 1-4 now culminates with then which indicates the
result of fulfilling the conditions of diligent search. The outcome is the
fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. To possess the fear of
the Lord is to embrace reality. It describes a Biblical worldview. It
defines the perspective of the person who has come to see that The earth is
the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it [Ps.
24:1]. It describes an informed and appropriate perspective of who God is and
who I am before Him. The knowledge of God describes the great desire of
God for His people [Hosea 4:1,6; 6:6]. The Hebrew word for knowledge
describes an intimate knowledge of the object involved; it is knowledge gained
through personal and experiential relationship. God desires, above all else,
that we would know Him deeply and personally, more even than He desires our
multiplied sacrifices [Hosea 6:6]. This kind of intimacy with God is the end
goal of God’s redemptive plan for man [Hab. 2:14; Isa. 11:9]. The fear of
the Lord and the knowledge of God are often found as the twin towers
of true religion, describing the poles of awe and intimacy which God desires.
This pursuit will require discernment, the ability to look at two things and
distinguish the differences. The arrival at knowing God and acquiring wisdom
requires choices, sometimes difficult choices. These choices must be based upon
the revelation of God, not personal whim.
[6-7] The reason one finds God when he seeks wisdom
is that only God can dispense true wisdom. Notice that what verse 5 describes
as being found is in fact given. Wisdom is a gift of grace. No amount of human
effort can acquire it. Our diligent search is required, but is not efficient
apart from God’s grace: the grace both to seek and the grace to discover. Not
only is God the sole source of wisdom, but He only dispenses it in one way: the
words of His mouth. Ultimately, wisdom is not a matter of discovery, but of
revelation. Not only does God dispense wisdom to the seeker, but He stores
up that wisdom for the hour in which we need it. God has laid up in store
for us His wisdom in His word [6] and, then, when we dig and search for it
[1-4], He lays it up in store within us [Ps. 119:11]. The thing hidden is
designated as sound wisdom. The term carries the idea of sound judgment
and that which flows from it, i.e. abiding success in the practical affairs of
life. But this wisdom is held in reserve only for the upright. The word
has the idea of straightness. When we are straight with God, He is straight
with us and leads us straight to His wealth of wisdom held for us. Not only
does God grant wisdom, He Himself is our shield. The word describes the
small round shield carried by the light infantry and officers. It was lighter,
more mobile and moveable than the large rectangular shield which covered the
entire body. Again God does not serve indiscriminately in this capacity, but
only for those who walk in integrity. Walk is descriptive of the
established and consistent way of life a person takes. Integrity is the
full submission and moral faultlessness which chooses God with the whole heart
and seeks good without exception. It does not denote moral perfection, but the
full-orbed and whole-hearted submission of one’s life to God.
[8] The thought begun in the last line of verse 7
is continued here. It is important to allow the three lines to interpret one
another. A shield, guarding and preserves are parallel as are walk,
paths and the way. The parallelism of integrity and justice
with His godly ones makes clear that the assurance is that, as we live
justly, God promises to be our shield and guard. There is no safety in folly
and independence, but there is security in obedience and devotion to God.
Indeed, godly ones comes from the powerful Hebrew word hesed and
connotes the loyalty of those who keep the terms of God’s covenant. God does
the keeping, but He requires us to avail ourselves of His wisdom and enabling
to stay in the paths He has promised to guard.
Live by Faith: Proverbs 3:5-6.
[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 your paths
straight. [NASU]
[5] Here we encounter an exhortation [5-6a] and,
then, a promised reward [6b]. The exhortation is given in three lines. The
first line calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. This trust
is the sense of security and safety that comes from being under the care of
another more competent than ourselves. This trust is to be total: with all
your heart. The heart represents the totality of one’s inner being: mind,
emotions and will. Everything we are and all we have must be rested upon the
Lord as our security. The second part of the exhortation is cast negatively: we
are not to lean on your own understanding. The root of the verb means to
support yourself on something, to lean with your entire weight upon something.
We are not to take our own understanding as buttressing support. Understanding
is a word that is generally given a positive spin by Solomon, but here is seen
negatively. Here it is that human wisdom worked up from our natural selves as
compared to the divine wisdom that God gives to those who seek Him. This does
not mean to imply that there is nothing to be trusted in common sense, but
simply that you don’t use it as your sole, or even primary, support in life.
Rather, we should bank our all on God and the wisdom of His ways. His ways are
above ours, and must be chosen when they seem to contradict our earthly, human
wisdom.
[6] The verb acknowledge means simply ‘to know.’ Such knowledge is more than acquainting yourself with God, but describes a deep experiential knowledge. The fact that this is to be in all your ways drives deeper still the level of intimacy intended. Finally, the reward is stated: and He will make your paths straight. The straight paths of the wise contrast with the crooked or perverse ways of the wicked. The reward is more than the promise of simple guidance. It includes the removal of obstacles from the path of the wise and the surety of arriving at one’s destination. When you abandon yourself to God in trusting obedience, finding your entire support in Him and striving in every avenue of your life to know Him more intimately, He guarantees that the path before you will be clearer and smoother than otherwise it would have been, and that He will keep you in His will.
Appreciate God’s Correction: Proverbs 3:11-12.
[11] My son, do not reject the discipline of the
LORD or loathe His reproof, [12] For
whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he
delights. [NASU]
[11-12] Wisdom is learned not only by prosperity and blessing, but also through hardship and suffering. These verses are quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6, where they are then expounded upon. Discipline points first to an exhortation with a warning of consequences for disobedience, but it also then may refer to the physical punishment applied if the counsel is not followed. Reproof points more exclusively to verbal correction, yet both terms are often found together. Both are employed by God (through His word and through His providences) and ought to be a part of every godly parent’s instruction as well. The responses warned against are reject and loathe. The former refers to the action of pushing away counsel and discipline and walking away from it, refusing to learn anything from it. The latter describes an emotional reaction to discipline. The purpose of the discipline is not perceived, so the emotions cannot abide with it and learn from it. The first is an act of a rebellious will, the second a reaction of a misguided mind and emotions. The latter believes the discipline is capricious, and misses that God’s discipline is one of the greatest evidences of His love [Heb. 12:7-11]. If these two misguided responses are avoided and the discipline embraced, rather than rejected, then afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [Heb. 12:11b]. If we do not flee the correction and discipline of God, we will discover it to be a great sign of our sonship. God disciplines us, not because He does not love us, but in order to protect us. He allows difficult things to come our way, not because He delights in pain, but because He delights in us [Heb. 12:7; Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12; 119:75; Rev. 3:19].
Questions for Discussion:
1. Proverbs 1:2-6 outlines the purpose of
studying Proverbs. What ten words summarize what Proverbs gives to the person
who heeds its instructions?
2. How does 1:7 express the substance of
the entire book of Proverbs? Why is “the fear of the Lord’ the key to the
treasure of knowledge and wisdom?
3. In 2:1-4, what eight intense verbs
describe how we are to discern the fear of the Lord? What do these verbs tell
us about our role in the search for wisdom? What does 2:6-8 tell us about God’s
role in this search?
4. In 3:5-6, describe the threefold
exhortation and the promised reward. Why are the exhortations necessary in
order to experience the promise?
5. How is God’s discipline one of the greatest evidences of His love? Do you see God’s love at work in your life when undergoing His discipline?
References:
Proverbs, John Kitchen, Mentor.
Proverbs, Tremper Longman III, Baker.