Proverbs: Wise Words Series

Proverbs: Wise Words

October 2, 2011

INTRODUCTION

Wisdom learned the hard way.

Never sleep on the job. In Malaysia, a burglar broke into an house and pocketed several hundred dollars in cash before taking a nap. He woke up the next morning when the homeowner returned and called police and placed under arrest to under arrest.

Know where you are going. A motorist in Ohio led police on a high-speed chase before abandoning his car and jumping a fence -- directly into a prison yard. It was a women's prison, so he had to be transferred to a men's facility.

Think before you act. A man in Old Saybrook, CN who burglarized three condos and then called the cops to report that his getaway car had been stolen. When the police pulled up, they saw the felonious fool with a pillowcase full of loot and arrested him.

T.S. All around us we see the examples of people who lacked wisdom. Proverbs calls them fools. And it is easy to see the mark of folly on people's lives. What is the mark for wisdom? What is the mark of wise words? And more importantly how do we begin to cultivate in our lives?

Proverbs talks about Wise Words this way.

Proverbs 25:11 NIV

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver

is a ruling rightly given.

Proverbs 25:11 NLT

New Living Translation

11 Timely advice is lovely,

like golden apples in a silver basket.

Proverbs 25:11 NASB

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver

Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

* Such words are like gold: They are inherently and universally valuable and attractive.

* Indeed, they are like apples of gold: Their value and attractiveness has been enhanced through skillful craftsmanship that has molded them into a pleasing form.

* These words are in a setting: They are presented in a way that is perfectly fitted to the circumstances.

* The setting is silver: Although attractive in itself, its very attractiveness enhances its primary purpose--to display the unique beauty of that which it holds.

So how do we pursue these apples of Gold in a silver setting?

Solomon begins his book with specific instructions on how to begin our pursuit of wisdom. The principles in those instructions form the background, the environment for our study of Wisdom.

Proverbs 3:5-18

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

NIV

 Four Marks of Seeking WISE WORDS.

I. Trust in the Lord 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

What does it mean to trust the Lord -- Actively placing confidence in his character, his teaching and his commands even when we cannot see the outcome of that decision.

Getting in the Wheel Barrow

Legend has it that Charles Blondin, a French daredevil in the 1860's, asked crowds if they believed he could traverse the falls pushing a wheelbarrow.

Yes. They knew he could. He had crossed Niagara Falls several times and several ways--backwards, blindfolded, on stilts, at night.

But would they volunteer to ride across in the wheelbarrow?

A. The Degree--all your heart.

* to the nth degree,

* nothing held back

* with no escape clause

* with no other possible plan

B. The Stumbling Block--leaning on your own understanding

* Not about God blessing your plans

* But discovering God's plan

C. The Arena--all your ways

* Not pick and choose.

* No buffet of options

* Preference menu