Prov 1:1-4 – the scope of the book
V:1 – to whom it is addressed – a king; these are truths given to royalty for royalty. 1 Peter 2:9 - We are called to be kings and priests; proverbs are essential to ruling and reigning.
V:2 – To Know: Wisdom - what – to know what to do; Instruction – how to – the how to do it;
Understanding – why – appreciate why it is so important. Note: if the conclusions we draw in life are not right our actions will not be right. Many times the conclusion one draws is because of a flaw in their character; therefore wisdom is a character issue as well (Prov 17:16 – no heart for it).
V:3 – To receive the instruction of wisdom. This is the capability to receive wisdom; able to grasp it; able to appreciate it. Prov 17:16 – “seeing he has no heart to it” – it would be of no use for the fool to buy wisdom, if it could be bought, since he has no ability to grasp it.
He cannot grasp it
He cannot appreciate its worth
We must seek God for the ability to even grasp it – Prov 1 & 8 - wisdom cries out in the streets but how many grasp it and embrace; it is because they do not have a heart to it…The inevitable end of those void of wisdom is destruction; people are destroyed for a lack of it. One can have wisdom in one area of their lives and yet be brutish (stupid) in another; we want wisdom to fill our being. Therefore desire wisdom more than gold or rubies; all things that can be compared to wisdom do not equal it! We must search for it as for hidden treasure and lift up our voice to God for it!
V:4 – Subtlety, knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil; Wisdom is the principle thing!
Principle Characters:
1. The Father
Without wisdom it is impossible to fully bring pleasure to the heart of God; he takes no delight in foolishness and stupidity. He is compassionate on the ignorant but he takes no delight in their choices. He is the Father who wishes to take delight in a wise son and a virtuous daughter and He encourages us to seek for wisdom with all our heart. It was because of the wisdom of the Son that He took such great delight in Him in Proverbs 8.
2. The Wise Son
Jesus – I do always those things, which please my Father. Prov 8-9 – wisdom personified, the father takes great delight in the wise son, He is diligent.
3. Virtuous Woman
She does always those things, which please her husband and builds up her family; Prov 31 – dedicated to this type of woman. Prov 9 – she builds her house with the 7 pillars of wisdom. She is industrious
4. The Foolish Son
He brings shame upon the father; He troubles his house – sinful man. He is easily enticed by the harlot and drawn away from the right path; he is a great waster.
5. The Harlot
She brings shame on her husband and home; She plucks down her home and does not build it up. She is not a keeper at home. Prov 9:13 – she is clamorous – no control over her mouth, no restraint; The virtuous woman builds her husband up but she is a destroyer of mens souls
V:1 – to whom it is addressed – a king; these are truths given to royalty for royalty. 1 Peter 2:9 - We are called to be kings and priests; proverbs are essential to ruling and reigning.
V:2 – To Know: Wisdom - what – to know what to do; Instruction – how to – the how to do it;
Understanding – why – appreciate why it is so important. Note: if the conclusions we draw in life are not right our actions will not be right. Many times the conclusion one draws is because of a flaw in their character; therefore wisdom is a character issue as well (Prov 17:16 – no heart for it).
V:3 – To receive the instruction of wisdom. This is the capability to receive wisdom; able to grasp it; able to appreciate it. Prov 17:16 – “seeing he has no heart to it” – it would be of no use for the fool to buy wisdom, if it could be bought, since he has no ability to grasp it.
He cannot grasp it
He cannot appreciate its worth
We must seek God for the ability to even grasp it – Prov 1 & 8 - wisdom cries out in the streets but how many grasp it and embrace; it is because they do not have a heart to it…The inevitable end of those void of wisdom is destruction; people are destroyed for a lack of it. One can have wisdom in one area of their lives and yet be brutish (stupid) in another; we want wisdom to fill our being. Therefore desire wisdom more than gold or rubies; all things that can be compared to wisdom do not equal it! We must search for it as for hidden treasure and lift up our voice to God for it!
V:4 – Subtlety, knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil; Wisdom is the principle thing!
Principle Characters:
1. The Father
Without wisdom it is impossible to fully bring pleasure to the heart of God; he takes no delight in foolishness and stupidity. He is compassionate on the ignorant but he takes no delight in their choices. He is the Father who wishes to take delight in a wise son and a virtuous daughter and He encourages us to seek for wisdom with all our heart. It was because of the wisdom of the Son that He took such great delight in Him in Proverbs 8.
2. The Wise Son
Jesus – I do always those things, which please my Father. Prov 8-9 – wisdom personified, the father takes great delight in the wise son, He is diligent.
3. Virtuous Woman
She does always those things, which please her husband and builds up her family; Prov 31 – dedicated to this type of woman. Prov 9 – she builds her house with the 7 pillars of wisdom. She is industrious
4. The Foolish Son
He brings shame upon the father; He troubles his house – sinful man. He is easily enticed by the harlot and drawn away from the right path; he is a great waster.
5. The Harlot
She brings shame on her husband and home; She plucks down her home and does not build it up. She is not a keeper at home. Prov 9:13 – she is clamorous – no control over her mouth, no restraint; The virtuous woman builds her husband up but she is a destroyer of mens souls
