#2005-27
Title: Dr. Solomon
Text: Proverbs 1:1-19
Truth: God desires that we lovingly revere Him as we find His wisdom.
Aim: To help them know how to find God’s wisdom for living.
Life ?: How do we find God’s wisdom?
INTRODUCTION
There are many proverbs that sound like they come from the Bible but they do not. Someone has said if you don’t know who said a proverb just contribute it to Ben Franklin for he had many proverbs to live by. So, let me give a test this morning. Which of these proverbs come from the Bible and which come from Ben Franklin.
Plow deep while sluggards sleep. (Franklin)
The sluggard does not plow in autumn. (Bible)
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty. (Bible)
He that riseth late must trot all day. (F)
God helps those who help themselves (F)
He who mocks the poor insults his Maker. (B)
Wisdom is big business today. Every newspaper and magazine will have an advice column. They offer practical advice on everything from how to apply eye shadow to investments. TV shows like Dr. Phil and Oprah are capitalizing on peoples desire to know how to deal successfully with life. That’s the goal of wisdom. Dr. Phil has five #1 New York Times bestsellers. His books have been published in 37 languages and have sold 22 million copies. His one-hour TV show had the highest ratings of any new syndicated talk show since the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show 16 years prior.
People are hungry for wisdom. The good news is God desires for us to know true wisdom. He even collected a whole book of proverbs for us to have easy access to His wisdom. The first verses of chapter one make clear what is necessary for us to find true wisdom.
What is biblical wisdom? The simplest definition is “the ability or skill to properly use knowledge.” A wise person can make the best decision out of the present situation. It is used in Exodus 28:3 in regards to a weaver skillfully making the High Priest’s garment out of cloth. For example, a woodcarver whose knowledge of wood leads him to choose whether to use the wood to make a statue or a toothpick exhibits wisdom. A wise man knows whether he should speak up or be silent, love or discipline, or show mercy or justice in any given situation. With the knowledge he has he can make the best choice out of the circumstance. Biblical wisdom adds another dimension. Biblical wisdom makes the ethical choice that is most pleasing to God. It may not be politically worldly-wise, but it is in harmony with God’s character.
So let’s put that together for a biblical definition of wisdom. Biblical wisdom is the skill to use knowledge so you can follow God’s design and avoid moral pitfalls.
The main message of the Bible is how people who are alienated from God can be reconciled. The main message of the Bible is how to be saved. What does it matter if a man should gain the whole world but lose his soul? How to be saved is the main issue to answer for a human being. But the Bible also wants the saved to know how to live the best of all possible lives that please God. That takes wisdom. To live a life that is the best of all possible lives and please God, you must have wisdom. This month we want to spend some time in Proverbs.
Solomon is the author of Proverbs. King Hezekiah later had some men collect other proverbs of Solomon to be included in this book. The wise sayings of Agur (chapter 30) and King Lemuel (31) are added as well.
Here is an instructive outline for Proverbs. Purpose and theme (1:1-7). Pick Wisdom (1:8-9). This is a series of fatherly talks to his young son, which illustrate and press home the huge choice the boy must make between wisdom and folly. Practice Wisdom (10-31). Once that choice is clear, now we are ready for individual sayings and see the outworking of wisdom and folly on various topics. Proverbs Wife (31). This woman illustrates a life that has chosen to live by God’s wisdom.
Like any parent, Solomon wants the best for his child. He knows for that to happen his son will need to choose a life that is pleasing and blessed by God. So he is guiding his son in how to find wisdom.
How do we find God’s wisdom?
I. BE GUIDED TO HIS WISDOM (PROV. 1:1-6)
The prize offered is wisdom – v. 2a. The idea of discipline is to teach us that this is not easily attained. Those who see it as an extra-mural activity do not gain wisdom. It yields its treasures to those who are willing to change and live within the guidelines of a godly life. Someone has said that the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. A God-blessed life is not just handed over to us. Disciples get their name from living yielded lives in harmony with the truth.
I was asked on a Wednesday night a few weeks ago why some people who claim to be Christians forsake the church and live like unchurched people. I think Solomon provides us an insight. Some Christians live like Jesus is a hobby. They give their attention to Him when it fits their schedule. Other Christians live like Jesus is the greatest prize they will ever find. There is a difference between my golf game and Tiger Wood’s golf game. For me it is a hobby. For him it is his greatest prize. If you are going to find wisdom, God has to become your greatest prize.
To be guided to wisdom we need certain characteristics. We need “insight.” It is the ability to distinguish between what is important and what is not. How much better life would be if we knew what is important and what is not. Old men never say they wished they’d spent more time at the office. They say they wished they’d spent more time with their kids. Wisdom will give young men that insight while their kids are at home.
We need “prudence.” It means common sense. This person takes the time to look at all the facts of an issue and detect the subtle errors. When the prudent has gathered as much information as possible, then he plans a realistic course of action. Common sense leads you to treat others right and just and fair. The best advice I ever received about my relationship with my boss I received from my dad. I was a teenager and quitting one job to take another. I was anxious about telling my boss. My father told me to always quit under the best circumstances possible because one day you may need that job again. That has served as wise guidance when I resigned ministry positions. The result is I can go back to any church where I’ve served and be welcomed.
“Knowledge” refers to information that is trustworthy. You can rest your life on this information. Our government recognizes this. It spends billions to gather trustworthy knowledge on our enemies. The drug companies know this. They spend billions on research and testing to get reliable information of the effect of drugs. In the pages of this book are results of others who’ve put to the test the reliability of God’s Word and the world’s word. It’s the difference between Moses and Pharaoh, David and Goliath, Peter and Judas.
Solomon says the wise will “listen” to God’s Word. It means more than hear. In the Hebrew mentality to listen also means to obey. Those who are discerning will be guided to wisdom. The word “guidance” may be related to the word “rope.” Ropes help a tree to grow straight. It guides the tree to go in the right direction instead of being influenced by the changing winds.
God’s wisdom is the prize. Discipline, insight, prudence, and knowledge provide the boundaries that guide us to live a wise life.
Philip Howard wrote the book “The Death of Common Sense.” He said that Americans have become so reliant on rules that anything resembling common sense (wisdom) has been banished from our decision-making. The rules were supposed to create a society that is just. Instead, they’ve created one that’s just plain nuts.
An example is the good law to protect from sexual harassment in the work place. But when it is applied to a six-year-old in North Carolina kissing a girl classmate on the cheek, it is just plain nuts. When asked the school principal said, “Sexual harassment is sexual harassment regardless of the age.”
How do we find God’s wisdom?
II. BE REVERENT OF GOD (PROV. 1:7)
The word “proverb” means, “to be like.” It refers to a comparison. Verse seven is an example. It compares the wise man that fears God to the fool who despises God.
This is the foundational verse for the entire book of Proverbs. All the other verses in Proverbs reflect someone either fearing God or living foolishly by despising God.
The word “beginning” doesn’t mean something you learn and leave behind like your ABC’s or counting to ten. It means this is the most important principle and it controls everything else you learn and experience about God. This word is found in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Everything you see, hear, touch and taste today goes back to that verse as the fundamental explanation for its existence and influences everything in its existence to this very day.
What does it mean to “fear” the Lord? It does mean to reverence and respect the Lord. But the Hebrews had at their disposal a word that would have conveyed those ideas. Solomon uses a word that means his son is to understand this is a dangerous God. He should have a healthy, life altering fear of God. This is not a God that people can disregard and disobey and get away with it. There will be consequences for sin. He is not a sentimental, syrupy grandfather that winks at our peccadilloes. He is not a disinterested deity. He gave us this life for a purpose, and He means for us to use it for His purposes.
Daniel feared God more than death. Ananias and Sapphira didn’t fear God and lied about their contribution to the Lord’s work in Acts 5, and it cost them their lives. It put the fear of God into the church in Jerusalem. Yes, they respected God, but they also feared him as a God to be obeyed and not taken for granted.
Ananias and Sapphira were fools. It doesn’t mean they were mentally stupid, but it does mean they were morally sinful. To despise God is to disregard His instruction, to treat Him as of little significance in your life.
Young teenage girls that dress seductively, not beautifully, but seductively are fools. It is not wrong for them to enhance their beauty, but there is a line. You adults recognize it immediately. Sometimes they don’t have a daddy or mother with enough sense or guts to teach them the difference. But some of those girls are Christians and they know they’ve crossed the line. They don’t fear God. Instead they are fools that despise the truth. They will know heartache for consequences.
Young men who view pornography do not fear the Lord. They will face the consequences of that vulgarity.
Why do youth join in the wrong crowd? Why are some Christians spasmodic in their church attendance? When under pressure why do Christians lie, cheat or steal just like those who don’t know the Lord? Fundamentally, they don’t fear the Lord. He is not only a loving God; He is a dangerous God. Only a fool would take Him lightly.
C.S. Lewis pictured this aspect of God in “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Susan and Lucy are about to meet Aslan the lion, who represents Christ. Two talking animals, Mr. And Mrs. Bear, prepare the children for the encounter. “Ooh,” said Susan, “I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie,” said Mrs. Beaver. “and make no mistake, if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knee’s knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then isn’t he safe?” said Lucy. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course, he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king, I tell you!”
Be reverent of God and it will guide you to wisdom.
How do we find God’s wisdom?
III. BE SUBMISSIVE TO LOVING INSTRUCTION (PROV. 1:8,9)
Father’s appeal is not as flashy as that of sin’s invitation, which follows, but it is powerful because it is said with the father and mother speaking with agreement. There is nothing as powerful as a father and mother who share the teaching and are on the same page.
The word “instruction” means, “wise counsel.” The word “teaching” is the word “torah.” That word refers to the first five books of the Bible. It is a special category of teaching. It is spiritual teaching or training. They didn’t want their son to simply embrace truth. They wanted him to embrace the truth because of his own relationship with the Lord. He doesn’t go to church because his parents make him. He goes because that is a value he has chosen to guide his life.
He says to his son “do not forsake” their teaching. It is an agricultural term that described leaving the field uncultivated. In other words, it is talking about failing to do anything about the truth.
If this son will obey his father’s instruction and implement the truth into his life, then his obedience will be rewarded. The garland and chain were symbols of prosperity and health, two major signs of success.
Sir Leonard Wood once visited the King of France and the King was so pleased with him he was invited for dinner the next day. Sir Leonard went to the palace and the King meeting him in one of the halls said, “Why, Sir Leonard, I did not expect to see you. How is it that you are here?”
“Did not your majesty invite me to dine with you?” said the astonished guest.
“Yes,” replied the King, “but you did not answer my invitation.”
Then Sir Leonard Wood uttered one of the choicest sentences of his life. He replied, “A king’s invitation is never to be answered, but to be obeyed.”
Loving submission to God ties our life together. What we profess and what we practice is one. This casts hypocrisy and guilt from our life. Loving submission to God is revealed in lives that are noticeably successful and marked by joy.
Gadarene demoniac was powerful. No one could restrain him. But it wasn’t until he submitted to Jesus Christ that he was sane and he was blessed. A Christian is out of his mind not to lovingly submit to Jesus Christ.
How do we find God’s wisdom?
IV. BE WARNED AGAINST SINNERS (PROV. 1:10-19)
Solomon now turns his attention to the outside world his son is going to encounter. He speaks of three emphases. First, there is the persuasion of sin (v.10-14). Second, there is the principle of separation (15-16). Third, there is the perspective of self-destruction (17-19).
The persuasion of sin comes from sinners. We’re all sinners but this is an intensive form and refers to people who are habitual sinners. Their life is characterized by a lifestyle of sin. They are committed to bad behavior. The example he uses is thieves and murderers.
Every child is going to encounter people who are committed to living a bad life. They will be educated with sinners, play ball with sinners, and work beside sinners. You are to prepare them for this eventuality.
They appeal to something within us. They appeal to our selfishness. Here is a shortcut to riches and power. You don’t have to sacrifice. I can illustrate the strong appeal of sinners with one word—Lottery! Oklahomans and our politicians refused to listen to our heavenly Father and despised the Word of the Lord, and we will come to regret our lack of fear of the Lord.
They appeal to our need for fellowship and companionship (14). We’ll be a family. That’s the lie a young man tells a young woman when he wants her to sacrifice her purity. Let me have you like we are married and committed to one another, and you will feel loved like you are married.
Next is the principle of separation (15-16). Basically, it says watch where you go and who are your friends. It is true that Jesus associated with sinners, and so should we, but he fellowshipped and spent large amounts of time with His disciples.
A Christian professor at the University of Texas wrote How to Stay Christian in College (J. Budziszewski). He tells of how he dropped out of Christianity while at college. It was later as a professor that he returned to his faith. He has much helpful advice. But here is what he says is the great secret. Many college students go off to college thinking, “It’s just you and me, Jesus.” He said if a student goes off to college alone, he is swallowed. But if they stay joined to the body of Christ, they are more than conquerors.
Peer pressure is good if it is the right peers. Solomon tells his son to keep the fellowship of the saints his peer group.
Third, is the perspective of self-destruction. It could mean that you have to hide a trap or even birds will recognize it and stay away. I never knew how smart ducks are. I’ve been duck hunting once. You make your way to the blind when it is still dark. You wear camouflage clothing. I’ll tell you ducks are smarter than some people.
Does anybody here know what causes alcoholism? --Alcohol! Yet, every year people take up drinking. Beside bad breath, what do you get from cigarettes? --Cancer. Yet, women now rival men with lung cancer, and young women are taking up smoking faster than young men.
The number one predictor of divorce in marriage is the way a couple speaks to one another and how often they speak hurtful words. When couples talk like this to each other they are laying a trap of self-destruction for their marriage. They ambush their own lives.
CONCLUSION
This week I met with a man to talk some business about our church (Bob Shelton). We went to have lunch and he wanted to drive though he didn’t know the town. I told him where to turn and what lane to get in. You’ve done that for visitors. He followed my directions and we got to the restaurant and back safely, and had good time.
There is Someone who knows how to direct you safely through this life. It doesn’t mean that there won’t be some trials along the way, but you will know the blessing of God on your life. Be guided to His wisdom, be reverent of God, be submissive to His loving instruction and be warned against sinners. As John the apostle says repeatedly, “Let he who has ears, hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
PRAYER
Jesus, you are the One greater than Solomon. You modeled the wise Son that listened to and obeyed the heavenly Father. For those who are Christians that same Spirit of obedience lives within us. Make us wise. Give us a submissive spirit to You and fill us with your wisdom.
Holy Spirit, may those without Christ see their need and wisely embrace Him in faith. I pray they will hear You more surely than they hear my voice, and wisely they will obey.
INVITATION
Can you imagine the shock of the emergency personnel who rushed to the ambulance at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston? The fellow on the stretcher was an Egyptian that lived sometime during the days of Jeremiah in 600 B.C.
This guy had lain in quiet repose in his exquisite, gilded case in the Boston Museum since 1872. No one had seen his body since his embalmer. But this hospital would see him as no other human being saw him. It has a computerized X-ray machine.
They learned this man had strong, calcium-rich bones and a full set of solid, large teeth. He was about 30 when he died.
The muscles on his right side indicate he was right-handed. A spinal abnormality indicated he suffered from a ruptured disc.
It’s amazing what man can see from a man’s past, but imagine how much more the Lord knows about us. He knows what we truly prize. He knows if we truly fear Him. He knows if we are submissive to His loving instruction. He knows whom we are fellowshipping with.
Does that unsettle you, or does it comfort you? Let’s be honest this morning and confess we need the Lord and His wisdom. Come to receive Him as Savior. Come obeying His will that you be a part of a Christian fellowship. That will be the wisest decision you’ve made in a long time.
