The book of Proverbs is about growing in faith. Soloman addresses his son with a pattern for growth from being a babe in faith to becoming mature. It is a narrative, not a chopped up mess of “wise” sayings. No verse can be applied out of its contex and order without missing its point and drawing false conclusions.
Proverbs Chapters 10 – The young boy is about the age of a grammar school student. He is told about his relationship with his father (1), the value of money (2), God’s righteous character (3), the importance of hard work (4), the need to practice God’s will (6), that you don’t need a good memory if you are honest (7), the importance of integrity (9), the importance of clean conversation (11), and many other things, including the importance of love (12)
Proverbs Chapter 11 – The growing child is introduced to the principles of business (1). He is also given more intense instruction about pride (2), integrity (3), wealth (4), walking uprightly (5-6), the fate of the wicked as opposed to the righteous (7-8), the importance of clean conversation (9) and many other things, including learning to be kind to others (17)
Proverbs Chapter 13 – Here the young teenager is taught about following his father’s instruction (1 – against which young teens are apt to rebel), avoiding violence (3), being industrious (4), being truthful (5), growing in integrity, being responsible with money (11), following instructions (13), gaining knowledge (16), and running with the right crowd.
Proverbs Chapter 15 – Instructions and wisdom continue to be afforded the young man as Solomon reinforces the concepts of being kind when he speaks (1-4), the omnipresence of God (3), not spurning his father’s discipline (5), teaching others (6), the persuit of righteousness (8-11), the importance of cheerfulness (15), understanding that fearing the Lord leads to knowledge and wisdom (16) and how love is better than hatred every time.
Notice the repitition of themes as the young man grows. Each time a subject is addressed, it is covered a little more thoroughly.
Proverbs Chapter 16 – Solomon goes over the same territory with his son, now a young man, this time spending a little more time on each subject and covering it more deeply. This young man is about to be ready for the MEAT of learning. He addresses love again (1, 6, & 9). He goes into more detail about wisdom coming from the Lord (16). Solomon addresses honesty and integrity (11), taking charge of one’s own conversation (21, 23, & 24). He speaks of the importance of self control. As a young man, he is going to have to exercise it more and more.
Proverbs Chapter 17 – Now Solomon begins to put the pressure on about peacefulness, wisdom, coveteousness, finances, arrogance, avoiding meaningless arguing (14, 19), being a good friend (17). He warns the young man not to be tempted with bribes (23),and once again, he tells the young man to control his mouth (28)
Proverbs Chapter 18 – The young man is schooled in the importance of selflessness and careful with his mouth (1-8), He teaches him about the strength of the Lord (10). He teaches him about humility, integrity, discernment, giving, tactfulness (19-21). He counsels him about making wise choices in a mate. He encourages him to be a friend to his friends.
Proverbs Chapters 20,22,25 & 26 – The lessons of self control are emphasized. Again Solomon speaks of honesty, riches, controlling the tongue, the character of God and His omniscience. He encourages faithfulness in love (6). Our young man is almost grown (probably in his 20s or so).
Solomon begins to realy press all of the various issues. The young man is about to be on his own. He needs to learn the lessons of knowledge and wisdom through the fear of the Lord.
Again he instructs him about choosing his friends wisely (22:24-25). By the time we get to chapter 26, Solomon’s son has become a mature man. He is still in need of instruction, because we never reach a state of perfect maturity.
So, how are you doing in your growth with the Lord? Have you learned the lessons of Proverbs? Have you come to know the one who imparts maturity and wisdom, Christ, the Lord? As a church, are we helping people grow in the Lord?
Showing posts with label Wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisdom. Show all posts
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Saturday, April 05, 2014
A Study in Proverbs Chapters 1-31
The book of Proverbs is about growing in faith. Soloman addresses his son with a pattern for growth from being a babe in faith to becoming mature. It is a narrative, not a chopped up mess of “wise” sayings. No verse can be applied out of its contex and order without missing its point and drawing false conclusions.
For instance, if you take Proverbs 16:16; 22:1-2; 23:4-5; 28:20; 30:7-9; 15:27; 21:6; 22:16;28:6, 8 and 24; 3:9010; 11:28 and 16:8 and conclude that they speak about general financial responsibility, you will being a disservice to the verses, the chapter they’re in, the book of Proverbs, the Old Testament, the Old Covenant and the Bible. Do you want to do such a disservice? All of those verses DO speak about financial matters, but they are neither designed nor intended to be dealt with apart from theit context.
Just because a Scripture verse contains a word that goes along with what the reader is trying to prove, does not mean that’s what the verse means. Without the flow of the narrative, not one single verse of Scripture can be properly understood, interpreted or applied.
Those verses are where they are because they are part of a narrative that reveals the stages of growth that occur when one fears the Lord: knowledge and Wisdom. Wisdom, in proverbs, is a picture (type) of Christ. The verses are where they are to be a part of the consecutive growth of a person’s walk of faith.
When you realize that the chapters used above (3, 11, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29), you begin to understand that they are grouped in such a way as to show the growth stages of Solomon’s son.
Does that mean that Proverbs does NOT encourage us to exercise financial responsibility? Absolutely not!
But Proverbe does so much more than that. Proverbs gives us a PROGRESSIVE look at HOW a person grows in wisdom. Proverbs starts off with the way a young boy (or young Christian) would look at the various elements of his stage of life. Then it proceeds to cover the same topics the way an older boy (perhaps a Christian with some years of Sunday School under his belt) would deal with the same issues. After that, Proverbs reveals the development level a young man (growing Christian) would deal with the temptations and issues of life. It then shows the same things for a young adult, then a maturing adult and finally an elder (mature person).
There are five indications of Christ in Proverbs: 1. Proverbs is Wisdom personified in Christ.
2. Proverbs is Wisdom fulfilled in Christ. 3. Proverbs is Wisdom exemplified in Christ.
4. Proverbs is Wisdom provided in Christ. 5. Every verse in Proverbs is about wisdom and righteousness as revealed in the life of the Lord Jesus.
Proverbs progresses like this: How someone young in the faith starts out life in the home (church). How someone young in the faith begins to grow up and moves beyond the circle of the home(church). How someone young in the faith listens to God’s law of mercy and grace, as he turns to his family in the faith (church). How someone growing in the faith remembers the instruction of his father (church family) How someone growing in the faith. is counseled to live a pure life for the sake of his home(church family). How someone growing in the faith deals with conflicting world view. The characteristics of someone maturing in the faith.
In chapter 30, we find an oracle by an unknown sage (not Solomon, Agur) who warns the person young in the faith to subscribe to sound doctrine and not to go to ridiculous extremes or to grow weary in the faith. He warns the growing young adult that the world will pull at him from all sides. He encourages the one growing in the faith to recognize God above all others.
Proverbs wraps up in chapter 31 with a mother counseling her son (a young adult in the faith) to choose a life partner after he has matured enough to recognize what’s important in choosing a mate. He does not really want her to tell him what to do (isn’t that just like us), but she persists. The mother lays out what he should look for in a wife. She also lays out the things he must do and be in order to demonstrate integrity.
For instance, if you take Proverbs 16:16; 22:1-2; 23:4-5; 28:20; 30:7-9; 15:27; 21:6; 22:16;28:6, 8 and 24; 3:9010; 11:28 and 16:8 and conclude that they speak about general financial responsibility, you will being a disservice to the verses, the chapter they’re in, the book of Proverbs, the Old Testament, the Old Covenant and the Bible. Do you want to do such a disservice? All of those verses DO speak about financial matters, but they are neither designed nor intended to be dealt with apart from theit context.
Just because a Scripture verse contains a word that goes along with what the reader is trying to prove, does not mean that’s what the verse means. Without the flow of the narrative, not one single verse of Scripture can be properly understood, interpreted or applied.
Those verses are where they are because they are part of a narrative that reveals the stages of growth that occur when one fears the Lord: knowledge and Wisdom. Wisdom, in proverbs, is a picture (type) of Christ. The verses are where they are to be a part of the consecutive growth of a person’s walk of faith.
When you realize that the chapters used above (3, 11, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29), you begin to understand that they are grouped in such a way as to show the growth stages of Solomon’s son.
Does that mean that Proverbs does NOT encourage us to exercise financial responsibility? Absolutely not!
But Proverbe does so much more than that. Proverbs gives us a PROGRESSIVE look at HOW a person grows in wisdom. Proverbs starts off with the way a young boy (or young Christian) would look at the various elements of his stage of life. Then it proceeds to cover the same topics the way an older boy (perhaps a Christian with some years of Sunday School under his belt) would deal with the same issues. After that, Proverbs reveals the development level a young man (growing Christian) would deal with the temptations and issues of life. It then shows the same things for a young adult, then a maturing adult and finally an elder (mature person).
There are five indications of Christ in Proverbs: 1. Proverbs is Wisdom personified in Christ.
2. Proverbs is Wisdom fulfilled in Christ. 3. Proverbs is Wisdom exemplified in Christ.
4. Proverbs is Wisdom provided in Christ. 5. Every verse in Proverbs is about wisdom and righteousness as revealed in the life of the Lord Jesus.
Proverbs progresses like this: How someone young in the faith starts out life in the home (church). How someone young in the faith begins to grow up and moves beyond the circle of the home(church). How someone young in the faith listens to God’s law of mercy and grace, as he turns to his family in the faith (church). How someone growing in the faith remembers the instruction of his father (church family) How someone growing in the faith. is counseled to live a pure life for the sake of his home(church family). How someone growing in the faith deals with conflicting world view. The characteristics of someone maturing in the faith.
In chapter 30, we find an oracle by an unknown sage (not Solomon, Agur) who warns the person young in the faith to subscribe to sound doctrine and not to go to ridiculous extremes or to grow weary in the faith. He warns the growing young adult that the world will pull at him from all sides. He encourages the one growing in the faith to recognize God above all others.
Proverbs wraps up in chapter 31 with a mother counseling her son (a young adult in the faith) to choose a life partner after he has matured enough to recognize what’s important in choosing a mate. He does not really want her to tell him what to do (isn’t that just like us), but she persists. The mother lays out what he should look for in a wife. She also lays out the things he must do and be in order to demonstrate integrity.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
A Study in Proverbs Chapters 10-29
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| Proverbs is all about growth |
Here is the way the story of the young man’s growth (and ours, as Christians) progresses:
I. Chapters 1-9 of Proverbs illustrates the growth in Wisdom (Christ) and contrasts it with a growth built on folly (the ways of the world – the world system).
Newborn humans and new Christians (babes in Christ) begin by learning about the world around them. Those new in the Lord learn about the basic tenants of the faith. They move beyond the circle of the home. They begin acquiring knowledge, by the fear of the Lord. (Wisdom comes later – in chapter 9).
The young man learns about God and His character, hopefully by hearing what his parents teach him. He makes friends and enters the big, bad world. He is counseled to remember what his parents taught him. He learns that there are no secrets from the Lord. He learns about relationships and the value of hard work. Morality will be a part of his learning,
The growing young man (and the growing Christian) prepares himself to the next stage of his life. He begins to understand that not only does the fear of the Lord lead to knowledge, it leads to Wisdom (Christ). Some growing up (in Christ) learn wisely, others foolishly.
II. In chapters 10 – 24, we see the growth of the young man as he learns about the order of things.
(As Christians grow, they, too, become aware of the sound doctrines of the faith). He learns more and more about the Lord. Business, commitments, what’s more important than beauty, how to choose a wife, when to speak and when to keep quiet and how to face obstacles are all part of his training.
He learns that God is always present, that he needs to learn to think correctly and how not to rationalize his conduct. He learns integrity in thought and how to think straightly. He learns about friendship and the importance of choosing friends wisely. He learns to be a friend. He learns that there are eternal consequences to his choices.
As our young man grows up, he learns how to overcome life’s obstacles and how to exercise his faith. He learns about attitudes and motives for both right and wrong. Selflessness is among the lessons he must learn. He must also learn self-control.
III. In chapters 25-29, the young man learns to study God’s precepts and examples. He learns the importance of proper study. He learns that he will be in trouble if he answers a fool. The fool is in trouble if he doesn't answer the wiser young man. The fool will think he is smart.
The young man will learn, as he grows, that the wicked live in fear, regardless of what he might claim. At the very least, he fears death. The young man does not fear death, he fears God, the source of wisdom. He will discover the importance of not just asking God for things, but of listening to God. He will know that someday God’s Word will be written on his heart.
What a tragic mistake it is to study Proverbs as a bunch of chopped up wise sayings about this or that. How much more insight into Solomon’s wisdom and the wisdom of God is gained by seeing the book as a presentation of the progression of growth.
Take note that almost all of Proverbs’ subjects are repeated at least four times. Each time each subject is brought up, Proverbs presents it in more detail and understanding. This is how we are to grow. As we mature, we should learn more and more about Wisdom. We should learn more and more about controlling our tongues and why. We should learn more and more about the importance of diligence, integrity and life.
Wisdom will ultimately lead us to Christ and His saving grace. All else is folly.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
A Study in Proverbs Chapters 08-09
In chapters 8 & 9, Solomon writes two great poems.
The poem in chapter 8 is written like a speech. The speaker is the woman called Wisdom. In this case, she represents the Bride of Christ. She has a message everyone should listen to, the message of salvation.
The final great poem is chapter 9. This poem contrasts the woman called Wisdom, against another woman, called ‘The Foolish Woman’. Both women invite the simple people to a meal. If you accept the right invitation, then you will live. If you accept the other invitation, then you will die.
Chapter 8
Verses 1-3 – Christ (Wisdom) woos us through His Holy Spirit. He, in effect, cries out to us, urgently making us aware of our need for Him.
Verses 4-7 – No matter who you are, Jew or Gentile, God’s message is for you. He is not a respecter of persons.
Verses 8-9 – Whenever we think we know more than God, we need to realize that He is right and we are wrong. If we are in Him, we know that.
Verses 10-11 – “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give to you.” What Peter had was the message of salvation. The lesson of salvation is more precious than gold or rare stones.
Verses 12-21 – Wisdom (Christ) is all knowing. He is always right. He loves us. He bestows on us the gift of salvation that will last forever. His work (the finished work at the cross of Calvary) will last forever.
Verses 22-31 – Christ was there when the world was created. He is the eternal I AM. He was there at the covenants God made (referenced here by the rainbow of the Noahaic Covenant. Christ was the one who did all of this. This is a precursor to John 1:1ff.
Verses 32-36 – Keep Christ’s commands (the New Covenant commands of proper love for God, neighbor and self), and you will be content in your soul. When you find Wisdom (Christ) you find life. If you don’t love Christ, you love death and that will be the payment for your sin.
Chapter 9:1-12
Verses 1-3 – God’s house is beyond our imaginations. He has built a place there for you.
Verses 4-6 – God’s invitation is to those who are not so arrogant that they think they have no need for Him. He invites anyone to partake of the banquet of salvation.
Verses 7-9 – The world will not easily accept God’s gift, and if they don’t want it, there is no reason to “hound” them about it. Present the gospel to a person willing to hear it, and he will love you for it and will become wiser with age.
Verse 10 – We began by learning that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Now we learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. When we come to Christ, the first thing we must recognize is the greatness and sovereignty of God. We must recognize that sin separates us from Him and that if we want His eternal life we must place our trust in His Wisdom. His Wisdom is Christ.
Once we come to Christ, we must grow in Him, just as the young man in Proverbs is growing. Wisdom (Christ) cares for us. He offers a real reward: Eternal Life in Him.
Friday, March 14, 2014
A Study in Proverbs Chapters 04-07
Chapter 4
Verses 1-6 – Although the child is now a boy who has entered the big, bad and mad world, he is still counseled to remember the instruction of his father. Basically, Solomon is saying: “Pay attention to God in Christ and stay the course of eternal life.
Verse 7 — This thought runs like a stuck record through the entire book as the total objective of life. Wisdom, for the Christian, is Christ.
Verses 8-22 – Stay faithful as the Bride of Christ to Christ. The gift you will receive is like a beautiful crown: eternal life.
God’s words will bring you life. Put them in your heart. Resist the wiles of Satan. He will flee from you
Stay true to the sound doctrine of the Bride of Christ. Don’t be swayed by false winds of doctrine and enjoy the beauty of Christ’s church.
You cannot escape God’s overseeing. He will keep you to the end. The world will try to entice you, but don’t let them do it.
Verses 23-27 – The heart is the seat of the total personality. For itsimportance, get a concordance and look up all the references to the heart. Romans tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Let God guide you in all you do.
Chapter 5
The message of chapter 5 is: The private life of the individual is always open before the Lord. You cannot excape His gaze or His leadership. In this chapter, the woman is analogus to Israel and her unfaithfulness to God.
Chapter 6
Verses 1-5 – Beware of signing a friend’s note, and never become a partner with a stranger. Be not unequally yoked, believer with unbeliever in either marriage or business.
Verses 6-9 — Don’t be lazy. Have a plan. Be organized. Let the lowly ant teach you.
Verses 10-15 – Sometimes we get lazy in our faith. Sometimes Christ’s church gets lazy and lets down its guard. That’s when we and the church begin to lose what God has had for us.
Verses 16-19 — God loves, but God also hates. Here are 7 things on His hate parade. They are an ugly brood. Pride is number 1. Pride is a tumor of the brain. Through pride, Satan fell (Isaiah 14:12-17). Contrast these 7 things with the 7 beatitudes.
Verses 27-32 — The young man is being given a full sex education. A clean life is the only thing that meets God’s standard. It is in conflict with, and actually opposite to, the “new morality.”
Chapter 7
The message of chapter 7 is: Beware of the woman of easy morals. Stay true to Christ’s church and sound doctrine.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
A Study in Proverbs Chapter 3
1. Proverbs is Wisdom personified in Christ.
2. Proverbs is Wisdom fulfilled in Christ
3. Proverbs is Wisdom exemplified in Christ
4. Proverbs is Wisdom provided in Christ
Every verse in Proverbs is about wisdom and righteousness as revealed in the life of the Lord Jesus.
The young boy (who represents young Christians) is now to listen to God, as he was advised as a child in the home to turn to his father and mother (Proverbs 1:8).
Verses 9-10 – Everything we have belongs to God. Everything. All of our money, all of our posessions, all of our hearts and all of our being. Jesus paid it all. All to Him we owe. Whatever we have is to be used to bring honor to God. When we honor Him with all we have, we receive the New Wine: salvation through Christ.
Verses 11-12 – God has many lessons about life for us to learn. We should be enthusiastic to learn them. We should learn them early, we should learn them well and we should learn them joyfully. God cares about His children. Hebrews (Paul’s commentary on Romans for the Jewish readers) 12:5-11 tells us we should take God’s lessons seriously and should realize they are evidence of His love.
Verses 13-18 – Here Solomon is likening wisdom to a woman. If we let the womsn equal the church, we find in these verses the relationship the Bride of Christ to Christ (Wisdom). The church is to make Him happy. Christ’s bride is valuable. She will never pass from the earth. She provides a vehicle through which we can draw closer to Christ.
Verses 19-20 – “God created the world by His wisdom.” This is more evidence that wisdom is Christ. John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the word. The word was with God. The word was God. He was with God in the beginning. God made everything by his word. He made nothing without the word.” John explains that ‘the word’ means Jesus. Jesus was always with God, because Jesus is God.
Verses 21-26 – We are to hold tight to Christ. He will guide us correctly. The life we receive from Christ is eternal. In Chirst is no fear, only a spirit of love. He will keep you from Satan’s snare.
Verses 27-30 – God’s love through Christ is to manafest itself in our good works. We are to help who we can, as soon as we can in the name of Jesus. Some see verses 29 and 30 as reference to Christ’s innocence before the crucifixion.
31-32 – In Christ we will keep our focus on Him. We will not associate intimately with those who are cruel (lost). We will not be unequally yoked.
33-35 – It is not a good idea to trifle with God. He is all powerful, and we should fear Him. That is the beginning of our knowledge and leads to repentance and salvation. Those who do not turn to Him will face God’s judgement and wrath. Those who turn to Him receive eternal life.
Saturday, March 08, 2014
A Study in Proverbs Week 2
Proverbs Chapter 2
Proverbs illustrates the pattern of growth for a new Christian. In Proverbs there are three main characters,the young man (whose growth is detailed), the woman called Wisdom, and Christ (who is the personification of wisdom).
In Chapter 2, The young man (still a boy) begins to grow up and moves beyond the circle of the home. He has some life lessons to learn, including Wisdom (Christ). As young Christians, we have many spiritual lessons to learn, including the wisdom to use our freedom in Christ properly.
Verses 1-5 – Here the young man is given a conditional promise: If he learns to accept the Word of the Lord (verse 1), he will understand the fear of the Lord and will receive the knowledge of the Lord (verse 5).
Verses 6-8 – Here is a description of God’s character. He is the source of wisdom, a shield to those who walk blamelessly in Christ and is a guard and protector for those whose trust is in Him.
Verses 9-15 – Wisdom will enter your heart. Jeremiah 31:31 tells us that the New Covenant will be one written on our hearts, and you will love it. This is reiterated in Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Hebrews.
The “way of the wicked men” in verses 12ff is Hell. Those who do not follow the wisdom of Christ are doomed to an eternity of dark ways, perverse evil, and deviousness.
Verses 16-19 – The adulteress (unsaved) here is sin, which is seductive. No one who follows her will be saved (attain the paths of life.
Verses 20-22 – Those who fear God and are growing in him find righteousness (Christ), uprightness, and blamelessness. Those who don’t are doomed to Hell.
Proverbs Chapter 3
Verses 1-2 – God’s commands are to be kept in our hearts. Hebrews tells us that we no longer have a law written on stone, but written in our hearts. This is another reference to the New Covenant.
Verses 3-4 – The love referenced here is the love of Christ. In Him you will find favor with God. The life it brings you is eternal life. That’s long.
Verse 5-6 – God’s standard for the Christian is not 10%. The New Covenant demands 100%. Most Christians still believe in only the 10%. They think when they have given 10% they have satisfied the Law. Not so! The Law was satisfied in Christ or else He died for nothing. Christians are to freely give everything they are and have. Do you trust Him enough to do that?
Verses 7-8 – The wisdom you receive from fearing and trusting God is not your own, it is His. In fact, none of anything is about you or me. It is all about Him.
Five indications of Christ in Proverbs
1. Proverbs is Wisdom personified in Christ.
2. Proverbs is Wisdom fulfilled in Christ
3. Proverbs is Wisdom exemplified in Christ
4. Proverbs is Wisdom provided in Christ
5. Every verse in Proverbs about wisdom and righteousness as revealed in the life of the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is said to be “Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption for us” (1 Corinthians. 1:30). This means that there is no practical wisdom, righteousness or sanctification in our lives unless we are united to Him. Paul explicitly declared that “In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Proverbs illustrates the pattern of growth for a new Christian. In Proverbs there are three main characters,the young man (whose growth is detailed), the woman called Wisdom, and Christ (who is the personification of wisdom).
In Chapter 2, The young man (still a boy) begins to grow up and moves beyond the circle of the home. He has some life lessons to learn, including Wisdom (Christ). As young Christians, we have many spiritual lessons to learn, including the wisdom to use our freedom in Christ properly.
Verses 1-5 – Here the young man is given a conditional promise: If he learns to accept the Word of the Lord (verse 1), he will understand the fear of the Lord and will receive the knowledge of the Lord (verse 5).
Verses 6-8 – Here is a description of God’s character. He is the source of wisdom, a shield to those who walk blamelessly in Christ and is a guard and protector for those whose trust is in Him.
Verses 9-15 – Wisdom will enter your heart. Jeremiah 31:31 tells us that the New Covenant will be one written on our hearts, and you will love it. This is reiterated in Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Hebrews.
The “way of the wicked men” in verses 12ff is Hell. Those who do not follow the wisdom of Christ are doomed to an eternity of dark ways, perverse evil, and deviousness.
Verses 16-19 – The adulteress (unsaved) here is sin, which is seductive. No one who follows her will be saved (attain the paths of life.
Verses 20-22 – Those who fear God and are growing in him find righteousness (Christ), uprightness, and blamelessness. Those who don’t are doomed to Hell.
Verses 1-2 – God’s commands are to be kept in our hearts. Hebrews tells us that we no longer have a law written on stone, but written in our hearts. This is another reference to the New Covenant.
Verses 3-4 – The love referenced here is the love of Christ. In Him you will find favor with God. The life it brings you is eternal life. That’s long.
Verse 5-6 – God’s standard for the Christian is not 10%. The New Covenant demands 100%. Most Christians still believe in only the 10%. They think when they have given 10% they have satisfied the Law. Not so! The Law was satisfied in Christ or else He died for nothing. Christians are to freely give everything they are and have. Do you trust Him enough to do that?
Verses 7-8 – The wisdom you receive from fearing and trusting God is not your own, it is His. In fact, none of anything is about you or me. It is all about Him.
Five indications of Christ in Proverbs
1. Proverbs is Wisdom personified in Christ.
2. Proverbs is Wisdom fulfilled in Christ
3. Proverbs is Wisdom exemplified in Christ
4. Proverbs is Wisdom provided in Christ
5. Every verse in Proverbs about wisdom and righteousness as revealed in the life of the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is said to be “Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption for us” (1 Corinthians. 1:30). This means that there is no practical wisdom, righteousness or sanctification in our lives unless we are united to Him. Paul explicitly declared that “In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Saturday, March 01, 2014
A Study in Proverbs - Week 1
A proverb is a saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed, pithy way. Proverbs are short sentences, drawn from long experience. The writer of Proverbs, Solomon, was experienced.
In Proverbs can be seen the story of a young man. Two schools bid for him. One is the school for fools, the other is the school of Wisdom. [Wisdom is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1:30)]. It covers the beginning of his life’s journey, his growing up, his teen-age years, his “college” years, his young adulthood and his maturing.
This parallels the life of a Christian from his new birth, his growth in the Lord, his developing of his wisdom in Christ and his maturing in Christ.
Proverbs Chapter 1
Verses 1-6 – Solomon was David’s son and the king of Israel. He wrote about 3,000 proverbs, some of which are recorded in this book. They are intended to help you grow in wisdom and in faith. Verse 4 says, “If you are simple, then you will learn more. Young people will learn knowledge and learn to be careful.” I Corinthians 1:27 says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame (confound) the wise…” Jesus said, “Blessed are those who recognize their need to learn more about God (the meek), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:5).
Verse 7 – This is the beginning of the theme of Proverbs. A person who does not know God may be clever. He may have many skills. We can learn many things from him. But such a person lacks something important. He has learned many lessons. But he has missed the first lesson. Real knowledge, the knowledge of God, begins when a person fears God.
Even we Christians sometimes fail to fear God. Think about Him. His right hand spans the universe (Isaiah 48:13)! He is ALL-powerful. Splitting one atom destroyed Hiroshima. Think of the explosive power contained in the trillion to the trillionth power plus of all of the atoms in the universe. God is more powerful than that! Is that not worthy of fear? Wouldn't it be stupid to think it was not?
Verses 8-19 – The young boy is taught to obey his parents and to learn from them. Ephesians 6:1 tells us, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord…” The crowd will urge him to follow them, to succumb to peer pressure. Solomon says, “Don’t do that. They will lead you wrong.” Who you hang out with makes a difference. The responsibility of the parents is to teach the their children (babes in the Lord) wisdom. We need to do the same with newborns in Christ.
Verses 20-33 – Wisdom is likened to a woman. She is astonished at how few learn wisdom and its truths. She goes to the judges to get a judgement against her children. She is calling out, but the children do not listen. They want their own way, not hers. She warns that without wisdom they will be destroyed.
The young man in our story must be taught to know God and to respect Him. If he does not accept advice or correction, he will reap the reward of destruction. If he remains an ignorant fool, he will be destroyed.
But if he learns to listen to the wisdom of God (found in the Word of God), he will be safe, can relax and need not fear either life or the future.
True wisdom comes from knowing, fearing and responding to God. That can come only through a personal relationship with Him by trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.
If you have never done so, repent of your sin. Turn away from it. Change your mind about who Christ is and place you faith in Him as your Lord (the boss of your life) and Savior. You will then receive eternal life. There is no other way.
This parallels the life of a Christian from his new birth, his growth in the Lord, his developing of his wisdom in Christ and his maturing in Christ.
Proverbs Chapter 1
Verses 1-6 – Solomon was David’s son and the king of Israel. He wrote about 3,000 proverbs, some of which are recorded in this book. They are intended to help you grow in wisdom and in faith. Verse 4 says, “If you are simple, then you will learn more. Young people will learn knowledge and learn to be careful.” I Corinthians 1:27 says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame (confound) the wise…” Jesus said, “Blessed are those who recognize their need to learn more about God (the meek), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:5).
Verse 7 – This is the beginning of the theme of Proverbs. A person who does not know God may be clever. He may have many skills. We can learn many things from him. But such a person lacks something important. He has learned many lessons. But he has missed the first lesson. Real knowledge, the knowledge of God, begins when a person fears God.
Even we Christians sometimes fail to fear God. Think about Him. His right hand spans the universe (Isaiah 48:13)! He is ALL-powerful. Splitting one atom destroyed Hiroshima. Think of the explosive power contained in the trillion to the trillionth power plus of all of the atoms in the universe. God is more powerful than that! Is that not worthy of fear? Wouldn't it be stupid to think it was not?
Verses 8-19 – The young boy is taught to obey his parents and to learn from them. Ephesians 6:1 tells us, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord…” The crowd will urge him to follow them, to succumb to peer pressure. Solomon says, “Don’t do that. They will lead you wrong.” Who you hang out with makes a difference. The responsibility of the parents is to teach the their children (babes in the Lord) wisdom. We need to do the same with newborns in Christ.
Verses 20-33 – Wisdom is likened to a woman. She is astonished at how few learn wisdom and its truths. She goes to the judges to get a judgement against her children. She is calling out, but the children do not listen. They want their own way, not hers. She warns that without wisdom they will be destroyed.
The young man in our story must be taught to know God and to respect Him. If he does not accept advice or correction, he will reap the reward of destruction. If he remains an ignorant fool, he will be destroyed.
But if he learns to listen to the wisdom of God (found in the Word of God), he will be safe, can relax and need not fear either life or the future.
True wisdom comes from knowing, fearing and responding to God. That can come only through a personal relationship with Him by trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.
If you have never done so, repent of your sin. Turn away from it. Change your mind about who Christ is and place you faith in Him as your Lord (the boss of your life) and Savior. You will then receive eternal life. There is no other way.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Proverbs 101- An Overview
Solomon is the writer of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Proverbs is the book on wisdom; Ecclesiastes is the book on folly; Song of Solomon is the book on love. Solomon is an authority on all 3 subjects.
A proverb is a truth couched in a form that is easy to remember, a philosophy based on experience, and a rule for conduct.
Proverbs bear no unscientific statement or inaccurate observation. The Proverbs are on a high moral plane. The Proverbs do not contradict one another, while man’s proverbs are often in opposition to each other. An example would be: “Look before you leap” and “He who hesitates is lost.”
The book of Proverbs is not a hodgepodge of unrelated statements, nor is it a discourse of cabbages and kings (Ecclesiastes 12:9). The book tells a story. It is a picture of a young man starting out in life. His first lesson is given in 1:7. Two schools bid for him and both send their literature. One is the school of Wisdom, the other is the school for fools. Wisdom is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). In chapter 8, the young man goes to the academy of Wisdom where he is taught in proverbs. From chapters 10 through 24, the young man is in the classroom of
Wisdom.
The literary form of these proverbs is mostly in the form of couplets. The two clauses of the couplet are generally related to each other by what has been termed parallelism. There are three kinds of parallelism have been pointed out:
1. Synonymous Parallelism. Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and stripes for the back of fools. (Proverbs 19:29)
2. Antithetic (Contrast) Parallelism. Here a truth is stated in the first clause and made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite truth. The light of the righteous rejoiceth, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. (Proverbs 13:9)
3. Synthetic Parallelism. The second clause develops the thought of the first. The fear of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. (Proverbs 20:2)
In chapters 1-9, wisdom and folly are contrasted. Chapters 10-24 were written and put in order by Solomon. Hezekiah is the one who ordered Chapters 25-29.
The Bible is about Jesus. If you can’t find Jesus, you probably are not interpreting the passage or book correctly. There are five connections between Proverbs and Jesus.
1. The earthly ministry of Jesus. During his earthly ministry Jesus revealed that he was a man of wisdom. In other words, Jesus lived out and fulfilled the book of Proverbs. He was the wise man par excellence.
2. Jesus is the embodiment and personification of wisdom as the second person of the Trinity
3. The book of Proverbs sets before its reader a choice between two different paths: the path of wisdom and the path of folly. A similar choice arises as a consequence of the gospel. In the New Testament context, the choice is between the wisdom of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and the folly offered by the world (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).
4. The fourth connection between Jesus and the book of Proverbs is that the risen Jesus provides wisdom to his people. For example, during his earthly ministry Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them wisdom after his resurrection, "For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict," (Luke 21:15).
5. There is a practical benefit to recognizing that Proverbs speaks of Jesus. Once we recognize that Jesus is the wise man of Proverbs we find a deeper impetus for embracing the life of wisdom outlined in Proverbs.
For we know that when we live wisely according to Proverbs, we are in fact living like Christ.
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