CARLOW Sunday 15th June 2008 Wisdom & Folly

Proverbs 1:1-7

To continue the theme from last week – we look at the biblical encouragement for making wise
and godly choices.

Choice to walk a pathway of holiness: choices for life.

And when we look at the book of Proverbs – it is very easy to see them as a book of cleaver or
wise sayings.

Just like Chinese proverbs or the sayings of wise men etc.

Bur the Proverbs are not like that.

They are instructions and encouragements to make wise and godly choices.

Desi Maxwell shared at the weekend last march about Jewish culture –

That from a very young age Jewish boys were instructed and taught the Holy Scriptures.

And Proverbs is an example of the instruction of the teacher to his pupil.

And that has an incredible parallel in the New Testament which we will look at in a minute.

But first let the Proverbs themselves explain to you why they were written.

V2 “For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight.”

V3 “For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.”

Do you get the impression already that the writer is building a case?

V4 “For giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.”

And when Proverbs refers to the “simple” it is referring to someone lacking moral discretion.

And inclined like Lot last week to follow the judgement of his own heart, or the counsel of
others.

Proverbs intend to teach knowledge and discretion to the young – who in today’s world think
they know everything!

I’ve got a 10 year old who is an expert in the field of knowledge – which in and of itself cannot
be condemned except that –

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Most of the time – his information is highly inaccurate!!!

A fridge magnate was purchased in our home a few years ago – giving some advice to our
teenage daughters –

It Says:

TEENAGERS! Feb up with your stupid parents?

Simply leave home, get a job, pay all your own expenses, and do it now – WHILE YOU STILL
KNOW EVERYTHING!

But the writer is not just having a swipe at the young –

V5 he says to the older “let the wise listen and add to their learning.” Let the discerning get
guidance.

The advantage of being young is that you are still learning.

Many older people stop learning! – They become “set in their ways.”

And there is evidence of this happening from the early thirties.

Life has taught you all you need to know – so you establish a pattern – a routine – a way of
thinking and living that works for you – AND YOU AIN’T CHANGING!

In your own mind you’ve become “wise.” – AND YOU JUST DON’T LISTEN ANYMORE!

Well here’s what the writer says to the “wise” – LISTEN –and add to your learning.

And there is a whole theme in the scriptures about listening and learning – Jesus constantly
used terms like “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

To the churches in Revelation – it is the same theme – “he who has ears, let him hear.”

TO BOTH YOUND AND OLD – listen – listen – listen.

And if you want to gain understanding – knowledge and wisdom – here’s where you start.

V7. Start by understand “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

And “fear” in this place means ‘giving God his rightful place.’

(But again that is a message on its own) It is not fear and trembling – though we ought to fear
as such – he is still the same God approachable in Christ.

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In sharp contrast to this is the fool that “despises wisdom and discipline.”

Again “fool” in the Proverbs and in the Old Testament is one who is without moral values.

Notice how strong the language is here – Despise is a strong word. And it implies a hatred of
wisdom and knowledge – a looking down – a condemnation of wisdom.

Giving the Lord his rightful place should start the day you came to the cross.

Recognising Jesus Christ for who he really is.

That’s the beginning of wisdom in a postmodern age.

But notice how the writer puts it:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

That’s just the start – now there’s the walk.

V8 “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction.” There’s that word again “listen.”

And nine chapters are spent teaching the consequences between choosing wisdom of folly.

As you begin this walk – learn to choose wise instruction.

And for the New Testament Christian the Holy Spirit is the teacher.

John 14:26 “But when the counsellor, the Holy Spirit comes, he will teach you all things, and
will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Chapter 10 onwards of Proverbs – The teacher bases these on the assumption that the student
has made a choice in one direction or the other.

And the underlying question the teacher puts in the mind of his pupil is: “who will you take your
advice from?”

Who will dictate the path in which you choose to walk – will it be wisdom or folly?

Remember last week Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the
wicked.”

And personified as a woman – Wisdom calls you –

V20-23 “Wisdom calls aloud in the streets” (Read)

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She desires to make herself known to you! She desires to pour out her heart and her thoughts
to you –

Wisdom calls for all to listen. Calling above the noise of busy pre-occupied minds - CALING FOR
YOU TO LISTEN TO HER.

And over the next number of chapters the teacher goes over and over the importance of
hearing the voice of wisdom.

In today’s age when someone goes on and on – we end up thinking “we heard you the first
time.”

Really? Look at Proverbs 7:6-27

V7 “I saw among the simple, a youth who lacked judgement.” (No moral values).

V8 “going down the street n the direction of her house.”

V10 “and out she comes – lady folly…..

V12 Now in the street corners – now in the squares – at every corner she lurks…

Those are the same places where wisdom cries out!!

BUT SOMEONE HAS NOT BEEN LISTENING!!!

V13 Folly takes hold of him – kissed him and says: “come with me and we will have the time of
our lives.” V14-20.

What powerful imagery to describe the power of sin to steal our hearts away.

Sin is rarely blatant – v21 just persuasive – and smooth talks our hearts into the pit!

But it’s a rat trap – and you’ve been caught v22-23.

V26-27 “Many are the victims she has brought down – her slain are a mighty throng – her
house is a highway to the chambers of death.

The point is this: We can spend our lives making love with sin – it can lead us – it can counsel us
– make us stand and sit in its ways –

It can offer us a life of all things bright and beautiful –

The thing is: No matter how wonderful the night – morning always comes –

“It is appointed to men to die once – and after this the judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27).

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Blessed is the man who does not go there.

Wisdom calls again in chapter 8:1-11 raising her voice….on the heights – along the paths – by
the city gates – TAKING HER STAND.

V5 “you who lack moral values – gain prudence – you who are foolish – start understanding

V6 “LISTEN, for I have worthy things to say” don’t just listen with your ears; don’t just give
mental assent – LET YOUR HEART LISTEN TO ME”

V10 “Choose my instruction instead of silver – knowledge rather than gold”

V11 “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

WHOSE COUNSEL ARE YOU GOING TO WALK IN?

For any who have not realised it wisdom has prepared a meal – she desires you to sit at her
table (Chapter 9).

She says “leave your simple foolish ways and live.”

9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One begins
understanding.”

V12 “If you are wise – your wisdom will reward you – if you are a mocker – anyone who does
not listen to wisdom –

No time to listen and learn – YOU ALONE WILL SUFFER.”

V13 “The woman folly is loud…”

Wisdom cries our – BUT THIS WOMAN IS LOUD.

As we talk about living holy lives for God –

WHO’S VOICE DOES YOUR HEART LISTEN TO – WISDOM OR FOLLY?

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