Sunday October 13th
The Book of Proverbs - Week 1 ​

Welcome to The Journey Church. I'm Pastor Ben Tims.

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Today is the kickoff of a five-week series on the book of Proverbs. We aren’t going to do a chapter by chapter or a verse-by-verse approach, but rather we are going to pull out some of the most notable parts of the book of Proverbs. A proverb is a short sentence that people often quote, which gives advice or tells you something about life. For example, `A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. ' An old proverb says, `The enemy of my enemy is my friend'.

Theologians and scholars attribute most of the writing in Proverbs to Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. Solomon is often referred to as the wisest (and wealthiest) man who ever lived.

The essence of the Book of Proverbs is the teaching of moral and ethical principles. A large portion of this book is given to teaching by contrasts. Some of Solomon’s most common sayings were two line reflections that compared or contrasted two things (such as wisdom and foolishness), or where the second line is a consequence (positive or negative) of the first.

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Solomon used:

Comparison : Proverbs 26:11 NIV “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”  

Contrast :   Proverbs 1:7 NIV “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  

Consequence : Proverbs 22:6 NIV “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” 

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There are 31 chapters, 915 verses, and 15,043 words in the book of Proverbs. In the first section of this book, chapters 1-9, there is a contrast between good and evil. The good in these chapters are depicted by words like – wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, knowledge, discretion and learning – but especially wisdom. Wisdom occurs seventeen times in these nine chapters and only 21 times in the remaining 32 chapters. Wisdom will be the main focus of my message today.

The wisdom we are talking about is a moral quality, not mere skill or intelligence. Proverbs adds to the concept of mental sharpness of the mind and perception.  What is added? Moral uprightness, being correct in judgment and procedure. This moral addition is what makes intelligence worthwhile. The Bible is our moral compass!

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In Proverbs 1:1-6 NIV we find the purpose of the book of Proverbs.  “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”

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Right after Solomon gives us the purpose of Proverbs he immediately issues a warning : Proverbs 1:7 NIV “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

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After his warning, he jumps into nine chapters discussing wisdom. How did Solomon get his wisdom? He asked God for wisdom.

2 Chronicles 1:7-10 NIV 7 “That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

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Did God answer Solomon’s prayer? Let’s read verses 11-12 “God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

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Yes, God gave Solomon wisdom, but wisdom isn’t necessarily associated with brains or common sense. Why would I say that? Well who else would think that having 700 wives and 300 concubines is a good idea?

As you read about wisdom in Proverbs chapters 1-9, you will pick up on the fact that wisdom is referred to as a woman. Wisdom in Hebrew is a feminine noun.

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Proverbs 3:15-18 NIV “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 take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.”

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You can have all of the wisdom in the world, but if you aren’t obedient to what wisdom teaches you, you will never grow in wisdom. I want to kind of focus in on Proverbs 3 this morning. The first 26 verses are full of exhortations to obedience.

As a young person, I had a great Sunday School teacher at our church. He happened to be my uncle, Willard Paulson, his son Gary (my cousin) and his wife Shirley are with us this morning. Uncle Bill summed up what the life of a Christ follower should look like in one word : Obedience. Obey God and His Word and you will succeed. It’s been well over 55 years since I sat in that Sunday School class, but I will never forget what he taught me.

As we start, keep in mind that when Solomon uses the word “son” in his teachings, we don’t know if he was referring to one of his biological sons or if it was one of his students. We are all sons and daughters when it comes to the teaching of God’s Word.

Proverbs 3:1-4 NIV “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

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Solomon’s advice to his son in these verses begins with a warning to never forget God’s Word. Solomon said “don’t forget my teaching”, but he wasn’t talking about his own personal decrees but rather it was God’s Word that he had internalized and made personal.

Let your heart keep my commands: deciding to not forget God’s Word is more than a mental exercise of memory. It’s connected to a life of obedience, in which one does keep the commands of God, not out of conformity, but with a heart that loves and obeys Him.  Will obedience really prolong your life and give you peace? In principle, life and heart obedience bring long life and peace. A long life could be a curse and not a blessing without peace.

I’m sure you know someone who truly was given to obedience in both conduct and heart and have died relatively young. We should look at the book of Proverbs as a book of true principles, not absolute promises. Solomon told his son to keep God’s love (mercy) and truth close. They should be so close that it would be as if they were a necklace on him at all times.

Write His Words on the tablet of your heart, they need to become part of your nature. Meditate on these principles and act them out for others to see. If you do these things, you will find favor. The blessed, obedient life is like a magnet. It enjoys the favor of the God it honors and also attracts the favor of man.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Contains one of my favorite passages of scripture. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

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Most people will quote this verse and use the word “path”. He will make your path straight, but it’s plural, He will make your “paths” straight. There are some who think the life of a Christ follower is a boring one-lane road. I love the fact that over my life so far I have taken several paths (detours), but He will make all of our paths straight. If you get off the road, He has a way of getting you back on the straight path. You have to trust Him with ALL of your heart, you can’t rely on your own understanding and you must submit to Him.

There are many people who are afraid to have God direct their paths. They would much rather direct themselves! Fundamentally, this is the heart that doesn’t trust in the Lord with ALL their heart. One of the most frequently asked questions among believers is, “How can I know the will of God?” In principle, Solomon gave us the answer in Proverbs 3:5-6.

When we: 1) Decide to put our trust in the Lord. 2) Decide to not trust in our own understanding, but give attention and priority to God’s revealed Word. 3) Decide to acknowledge and honor God in all that we do.

When you do those things, you can trust that God will direct all of your paths in life. You will come to see that even when you didn’t understand the paths you were on, that you were on the paths God intended all along.

We live in a world that is full of fear, anxiety and depression. Who’s going to win the election? What’s the next strain of covid? Are we going to have World War III? Is Putin the “anti-Christ”? Who do you trust for the “news”? FOX, politicians, other media sources like the newspaper and internet. I would rather get the “Good News” from my Bible than listen to someone give me their interpretation of the “news”. Do I trust that God has everything under control?

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Proverbs 3:21-26 NIV “ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”

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Wisdom, as used in the book of Proverbs, is a moral quality. In most of the Old Testament, wisdom is merely human intelligence or skill, but in Proverbs, wisdom is the ability to act according to Godly knowledge.

The Bible tells us to “get” wisdom, meaning that we are not born with it. Where do we “get” it? I’ve never heard of a school that offers a course on wisdom. The place that believers get wisdom is from the Bible.

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I want to close with the last verse of Proverbs 3, verse 35 NIV

“The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.”

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The wise are those who trust in God and do His will. They will receive honor. Wisdom leads to honor. In contrast, fools are close-minded, stubborn, and arrogant. They ridicule Godly perspectives. “Foolishness” does not mean stupidity, or a lack of information. Foolishness is simply rejecting what God and His Word have spoken to us. Fools have nothing to gain but everything to lose, whereas the wise have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The consequences of Godliness versus foolishness are generally true in earthly life, but they are absolutely the case in eternity.

Once again you have a choice to make, will you get wisdom or  will you be a fool?

My son-in-law shared a little quote with me recently: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” Life is not a game to just be played for fun, it’s serious. The choices we make while we are alive have eternal consequences or rewards, choose wisely.

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Closing thought: Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents “wisdom” based on observation and experience. Job represents “wisdom” based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the same conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow Him.

Listen to a few words from an old hymn: I’ll read them as a tribute to my Uncle Bill, Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way
While we do His good will, He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But His smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet
Or we'll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

Trust and obey for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

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Next week Pastor Paris continues in The Book of Proverbs

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      Message Questions

1. Can you list the three forms of proverbs?

2. How does the Bible describe wisdom?

3. What is the reason for the book of Proverbs?

4. Why is it so important to read, understand and even memorize scripture?

5. Talk about how God views foolishness.