Proverbs of Solomon: Introduce Wisdom for this Foolish World
I. Proverbs Structure & Meaning. Read Prov. 1:1; 10:1; 22:17; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1.
A. An outline based on chapters, instead of by topics.
Ch. 1-9 – Long wisdom speeches by Solomon. Ch. 10-22:16 – Sharply stated parables & pictures that teach clear, general realities, truths, warnings, results, and blessings for choosing wisdom. Ch. 22:17-24:34 – Solomonic “sayings of the wise.” Ch. 25-29 – Solomonic proverbs compiled by King Hezekiah’s scholars. Ch. 30 – The burden / oracle of Agur. Ch. 31 – The burden / oracles of King Lemuel & his mother. Agur & Lemuel are not elsewhere in Scripture.
B. Proverbs: mashal , parabale , analogies, object lessons, illustrations in short statements that compare, contrast, or complete truths, principles, warnings, and results of living by God’s wisdom or man’s folly. The statements reflect general realities & truths in this world. The proverbial, poetic style of writing is not meant to be interpreted as truths or promises that have no exceptions.
Application: Read Proverbs 1:10-19 & discuss which statements apply to all sinners (v. 10) all the time, & what applies to some sinners some of the time, or all sinners some times, or some sinners all of the time. What are the eternal truths, commands, & warnings here that will always be true?
II. The Purposes of Proverbs (1:2-6).
A. To learn, come to know wisdom or moral ability & skill for living through the instructive disciplines of parents, God, authority, teachers, & life experience.
B. To discern, or perceive wise sayings, words, and counsel.
C. To receive, acquire, desire & treasure life skills resulting in prudence.
D. To give, impart a shrewd, helpful plan to mature the young and naïve.
E. To dig down & think deeply to apply difficult truth to difficulties of life; to live at a deeper level of wisdom, relations, & leadership, and not just the level of God’s commands.
III. Sources for Gaining more of God’s Wisdom (1:7-33).
A. The fear of the LORD (1:7; 9:10): Fearing the LORD is dread & terror in Jonah 1:10; stand in awe in I Kings 3:28; & respectful reverence in Leviticus 19:3. How do we determine the meaning in each passage “fear” is used? This fear is the “beginning” of Knowledge, prudence (v. 4) and wisdom (9:10). The first step to obtaining, and the primary quality for maintaining, wisdom is fear. Give examples of how biblical fear results in wisdom & knowledge. Give examples of disrespect to God & the fear of mankind that results in folly.
B. Parents (1:8-19). What are the positive motivations to receive protective rules and guidelines of parents? What are the warnings that motivate children to cherish the resources of parents?
C. The Holy Spirit (1:20-33).
IV. Contrasts between Wisdom and Wickedness (1:10-18, 20-33).
A. Worldly wicked views and practices any ol’ fool can do.
Reasons to Reject Wicked worldly views (1:26-32)
B. Wisdom is God’s views; knowing them and acting obediently to apply them correctly to every circumstance, decision, action, attitude, motive, service, work, word, and relationship (1:20-21).
1. The Call
2. The Counsel (1:24-23) – Reasons & Rewards (1:23, 33)
The Big Ideas:
Wisdom is living by a biblical world-view in order to please God, represent Him more accurately, have greater impact and fruitfulness, and avoid some troubles in this world.
The fool has arrived, but a wise person is one who is continually changing and growing.
Wise people live by God’s clear commands, but they dig deeper into the Word in order to apply principles, enjoy closeness to God, and to develop more consistent worship, ways, words, and witness.
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