·         How did the Hebrews view Wisdom?

·         Andrew Hill and John H. Walton from “A Survey of the OT”: “Wisdom is basically the very practical art of being prudent, sensible and skillfully insightful so that one might prosper and have good success at life.  It is the ability to discern and achieve order.  Wisdom…harnesses…knowledge and understanding for the purpose of safety, long life, right behavior, sound moral character, happiness, material prosperity and integrity.

·         What is a Proverb? 

·         A short memorable statement of analogy that teaches a guideline, precept or principle of practical wisdom for obtaining a disciplined, ordered, God-fearing and God-honoring lifestyle.

·         Proverbs are GUIDELINES NOT GUARANTEES

·         Proverbs are PRECEPTS AND PRINCIPLES NOT PROMISES

Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs ascribed mostly to Solomon

1 Kings 3:5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

1 Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 4:29-34 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.”

·         POINT 1:  Only God can give you godly wisdom.

·         POINT 2:  The Proverbs provide direction, correction and statements of reflection to produce a disciplined, ordered, God-fearing & God-honoring lifestyle.

·         Andrew Hill and John H. Walton from “A Survey of the OT”: “Foolish ones are characterized by disdain for wisdom and instruction, the rejection of discipline and correction, and insolence and irreverence before the Lord God.” 

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

·         THE FEAR OF THE LORD is to recognize His Holiness and Majesty in light of our own unholiness and frailty, leading to a humble and correctable spirit, demonstrated by genuine worship and obedience to His commands in AWE and REVERENCE. 

·         THE FEAR OF THE LORD leads one to neither trifle with the things of God nor God Himself. 

·         THE FEAR OF THE LORD is a healthy reverence of God as Creator, Father, King and Judge.  This reverence honors His discipline and has trepidation of His divine judgement. 

·         The FEAR OF THE LORD is the hate and avoid evil.”

·         POINT 4:  How we Honor / Dishonor Human Authority is a DIRECT REFLECTION of how we Honor / Dishonor God.

·         POINT 5:  WHEN WISDOM calls to you will you heed her voice?

·         Call 321.574.6970 if you have chosen to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.