Sunday School 5-7-06 Proverbs 2(1-5), 3(1-6), (13-18)
Proverbs, Book of (from
Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
The title of this book
in Hebrew is taken from its first word,
mashal , which originally
meant "a comparison." It is sometimes translated parable, sometimes proverb as
here. The superscriptions which are affixed to several
portions of the book, in chs. (Proverbs
1:1;
10:1;
25:1) attribute the
authorship of those portions to Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. With
the exception of the last two chapters, which are distinctly assigned to other
author it is probable that the statement of the superscriptions is in the main
correct, and that the majority of the proverbs contained in the book were
uttered or collected by Solomon.
Proverbs, Book of (from Eaton’s Bible
Dictionary)
a collection of moral and philosophical maxims
of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth
the "philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does
not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most
forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and of a good
education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of the sacred
authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths. It deals, too, in
that refined, discriminating, careful view of the finer shades of human
character so often overlooked by theologians, but so necessary to any true
estimate of human life" (Stanley's Jewish Church).
Book of Proverbs (opinion of Pastor Rick Barcus)
I have often said the Book of Proverbs should be required reading for all students in our high schools today. Although it is written by a believer in Jehovah God, these words are good instructions for anyone desiring to live a successful, peaceful life. The teachings of the Book instruct us on a wide range of everyday topics for living including marital relations, bad moral choices, sexual indiscretion, finances, citizenship, seeking wisdom, and the danger of evil companions. Solomon was given great wisdom as a gift from God; we would save a lot of marriages and prevent some disastrous personal choices from being made by young people, if we would put the proper emphasis on these wonderful directives. Listen to the words of Solomon himself as he tells us why he wrote this book: Proverbs 1:1-5 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
1:4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:”
Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Hide my commandments
The phrase means to “lay them up in thy heart with care, as men do their choicest treasures.” We need to understand one thing about wisdom to get the Book of Proverbs. Wisdom is the most precious possession a man can have. It is more important than money. A wise man can start broke, but if he applies the wise principles of Godly money management to his life, he can overcome poverty. A rich man who is a fool will not be rich very long. The old saying is that a fool and his money are soon parted.
2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Wisdom, Understanding and knowledge
I am going to try to define these 3 words to give us a better understanding of this Scripture. These three words are very close in meaning, but there are subtle differences. These differences will help us understand what God is trying to tell us here. Wisdom means possessing and having the ability to apply good judgment. Knowledge means the body of facts capable of being known by mankind or the ability to learn facts. Understanding means the power to think and learn. One can possess knowledge without having the ability to understand the importance and relevance of these facts or be able to discern how to apply them to one’s life. One who is wise can apply knowledge in day to day activity. One who understands has the ability to know what the knowledge means in the correct context. I have known many folks who were very smart or knowledgeable, but were not wise or understanding. This is why many folks with advanced degrees file bankruptcy and some people with 8th grade educations become millionaires. It is more important to understand what you know and have the wisdom when to use that knowledge, than to possess knowledge in the first place. They made bad choices in their conduct and never understood the point of many things. The best way to success is to get knowledge, understand what that knowledge means, and then apply that knowledge wisely to life.
2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
How do we seek knowledge, wisdom, and understanding?
Knowledge is easy to acquire; we just have to find facts and study them. Books are full of knowledge and it is readily available. Understanding and wisdom are a little more challenging. Let me give you a few hints of where these important facets of life can be found. The first way to find wisdom is to ask the one who possesses all wisdom to help you out. Listen to the words of the Holy Scripture from James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” I firmly believe the best resource for wisdom is through prayer to our loving and faithful God. He will hear our prayer and increase our wisdom. We must sincerely desire this wisdom, but if we do, He will provide. Paul the Apostle gives us another source for wisdom in Titus 2:2-8 “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” The implication here is for the elder brothers and sisters to teach the younger folks how they should live according to God. When the young folks ignore the wisdom of their elders, they will suffer for it. I have often marveled at young preachers who refuse to heed the words of their senior brothers. They should always try to glean knowledge, wisdom, and understanding from those who have been farther down the road than they themselves. Another teacher we have is experience. Listen to this Scripture: Romans 5:3-4 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” The idea is that hard times, or tribulation, teaches us patience. After we have obtained some patience we can then have experience. Experience gives us hope because we know what we are capable of and what God will do for us because we have seen it all before. Experience is a wonderful, if somewhat painful, teacher. To sum up my thoughts: my advice to young men and women is to pray to God for wisdom, learn all we can from our elders, and then take the time to learn from our own journey. All of these things will help us increase in wisdom and understanding. Just one more thing; once you have begun to obtain some wisdom, be sure to pass it on to the next generation!
2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Fear of the Lord
One who does not fear, (respect) the Lord is not wise. I don’t care how many degrees he owns or how many awards he has been given by his fellow human beings, anyone who ignores the sure destiny of lost souls at their own peril is not wise. If I told you that certain death and unending torture awaited you somewhere in your future, but that you could avoid that destiny by calling on someone for help; only a fool would refuse to ask for aid. Those who deny God are foolish in their darkened heart and are “playing the fool” to their own demise. Destruction awaits! Don’t let that happen to you!
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Length of days
I dwelt on this some last week so I won’t overdue it today, but we need to understand the importance of obedience. This verse is Solomon telling his son to remember what he has been taught by Solomon, but I think we can apply this to us listening to the commandments given to by our heavenly Father. It is so ironic that Solomon is talking about obeying commandments when he didn’t obey himself. God commanded through His prophet Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy that the King of Israel not multiply horse from Egypt unto himself and not to marry multiple wives who would turn his heart from God unto idols. Solomon didn’t listen and had to pay a terrible price for his disobedience. Sometimes we desire to figure out all the dark mysteries of God and we fail to do the easy thing; obey. When God in His word says “thou shalt;” then we better. When He says “thou shalt not;” we had better not. Don’t try to justify yourself or outthink God; obey! Obedience has a promise attached; it will increase our days, and peace shall be added to those days. I have often thought of Jacob when I see these words. Jacob was one who believed in God, but lived a much compromised life. When he was old and asked by Pharaoh about his life Jacob replied: Genesis 47:9 “And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” Compare these words to those spoken about Abraham who lived close to God and is called faithful even today. Genesis 25:7-8 “And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 25:8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.” Obedience pays!
3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Mercy and Truth
We would not know mercy without Jesus Christ. When you envision the life and character of Christ, only then can you understand mercy. Solomon is saying to seek out the Word of God and apply it to your life. Notice the inward and outward applying we need to do. He said to bind them upon thy neck, in other words, we should have the Word of God somewhere handy where we can easily read it. The children of Israel were commanded to write the law upon their door posts and to have it conspicuously placed in their homes. These are the outward places to apply the word. The “table of thine heart” is the inward place to apply the Word. We need to read, and then remember and apply, the Word to our life. If we are a hearer and not a doer of the Word our efforts are in vain. If we are a forgetful hearer we will suffer for our lack of application. Mercy is God and truth is the word of God. Let me show you three verses to prove Christ is who we need to understand today. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. This verse tells me that Jesus is the truth. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth. This tells us that His Word is truth. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This tells us that Jesus is the Word. So then Jesus is truth. Truth is the Word. Jesus is the Word. The recommendation is to be Christ-like. If you want to know the proper response to a life situation I recommend you see what Christ did when faced with a similar occasion. Remember the bracelet a lot of folks wear: WWJD; what would Jesus do?
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Two great verses
I love these two verses. We truly need to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean upon our own understanding. I am subject to error. When I follow my best judgment, I still am treading upon dangerous ground. When I lean upon the understanding given to me by the Word of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit, I am safe and on the road to prosperity. The next verse is on a plaque my wife gave to me for my office and how true those words are. If we apply all of our ways to acknowledge Him, He has promised to direct our paths. The problem is most folks want only to give Jesus part of their lives. They want to reserve part of it for themselves. This cant be! We must follow Christ and put Him first in order to receive His blessings completely. When I acknowledge Him and give Him credit for my success, He directs me to bigger and better goals.
3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
How important is wisdom and understanding
I touched on this in the commentary on the first verse of our lesson so I will limit the commentary here, but I want to inform you of an article I read in a worldly publication once. The article said if all the wealth in the world was divided up evenly among every man, woman, and child today so that all had exactly the same amount, in 6 months everything would revert back to the exact same way it is today. The folks who possess the ability and wisdom to handle and make money would again gain wealth and those who are foolish with money would fritter it all away. Many folks say “if I only had a break” but truly it is not a break they need, but wisdom. Silver, gold, and rubies will make you wealthy only temporarily. Wisdom will provide for you for an entire lifetime. Wisdom is also not known only monetarily. Some folks today are very wealthy and are wise financially, but are foolish towards God. We should respect wealth, but not let it rule us. Christian people are seeking a mansion to live in, but not in this world. We want to live comfortably here, and then live fabulously over there. Wisdom teaches that there is more to life than just what we can see with our human eyes. Spiritual things have great value, as a matter of fact; they are more valuable than mere earthly gain.
New Living Translation (recommended as a commentary only)
1 My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight and understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, 2 for they will give you a long and satisfying life. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
13 Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. 14 For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 She offers you life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. 17 She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. 18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
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PASTOR RICK BARCUS
