FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS QUESTIONS:
“To know wisdom and instruction, 1. WHAT
to understand words of insight, - Proverbs 1:1
to receive instruction in wise dealing, The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: (NIV)
in righteousness, justice, and equity; The word “proverb” comes from the Hebrew word “mashal” and
to give prudence to the simple, means “a short, pithy saying” that’s “easy to remember.” The exact
knowledge and discretion to the youth— same word in Hebrew can also mean “to rule” or “govern” so you get
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, the idea that proverbs are short, pithy, statements we use to rule or
and the one who understands obtain guidance, govern our lives. So with that in mind I’d like to propose this definition
to understand a proverb and a saying, of what a Proverb is.
the words of the wise and their riddles. - Proverbs are brief poetic sayings meant to teach us wisdom.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; - it’s living for God. It’s living the way he designed us to live. Wisdom is
fools despise wisdom and instruction.” living a life that honors God every day in every part of our life.
(Proverbs 1:2-7) - Verse one attributes these first Proverbs to king Solomon son of
David. David was the most famous king of Israel and he made his son
INTRODUCTION:
Solomon king at an early age. When he became king Solomon offered
People who do not follow instruction precisely endanger everything and everyone a great sacrifice to the Lord, “a thousand burnt offerings” (1 Kings
around them. 3:4b). Then God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what
he could give him.
As ambassadors for Christ and we need to follow His instructions to us through - Because he was young, he asked God to give him wisdom to rule over
the Holy Ghost precisely. Otherwise, there are consequences not only for us but God’s people Israel. That pleased God so much so that he gives him
for the people around us and even the nation. Since we live in an age of grace and wisdom and discernment but also wealth and honor (1 Kings 3:1-15).
not the law, we take instructions from God through His people and the Holy Ghost And then right after this the Bible tells a story demonstrating
very lightly and end up doing what we want. Solomon’s wisdom. Two women appeared before Solomon fighting
The Church is in trouble because it does not often follow the commandments of over a baby. One woman had rolled on her own baby during the night
God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In the book of revelation, we see a simple and accidentally killed it, and she had stolen the other woman’s baby
statement of Jesus after He rebukes the seven churches and warns them. “If you to be her own. But of course, she denied the accusation. How was
have an ear, hear what the Holy Spirit is saying.” Why is Jesus saying this? He is Solomon to know which woman was right? They didn’t have DNA
saying this because He will take action on those who do not listen to Him. tests back then.
He tells his soldiers to bring him a sword and he says to cut the baby
People, particularly young people, mistakenly dismiss instruction as judgment. in half and give one half to each woman. The real mother says, “No!
One needs wisdom to be able to discern the difference between these. Don’t kill him. Give her the baby” but the fake says, “Cut him in two!”
Within the Christian life, instruction and even correction and rebuke, is a very And that’s how Solomon figured it out. The real mom would never say
important concept. Within the wise literature of the Old Testament, we see that such a thing (1 Kings 3:16-28). God had given Solomon supernatural
the book of Proverbs was written for the purpose of instruction. wisdom, and now through the book of Proverbs you and I have an
opportunity to receive supernatural wisdom for our lives too. We can willing to correct you, the outcome is going to be right, just, and fair.
learn “The skill of living (for God)” in our everyday lives. There’s a social aspect to wisdom. Wisdom helps me treat my
neighbor, coworker, and family members with respect and dignity.
2. Why? Wisdom helps me save thoughtfully but also give generously to the
- We all need wisdom—we all need to know how to live our life the way poor and homeless (Prov 11:24-25). Wisdom helps me look beyond
God designed it. myself to the needs of others. Why proverbs? It helps us get past
- Proverbs 1:2-4 surface-level knowledge to real depth and it helps us love our
a. Instruction neighbors well.
- When we think of instruction, we think of going to class, but this word 3. WHO?
has a serious tone to it. It can mean discipline, correction, or - Proverbs 1:4-6
punishment. This instruction can include verbal rebukes (Prov 12:1) or - Proverbs is for everyone.
physical punishment (Prov 13:24). Like, “My boss gave me firm 4. HOW?
instruction on how I was wrong” or “my dad instructed me with a - “the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 1:7
swift punishment.” Why Proverbs? Even though it’s never fun - So, this is fear and reverence but it’s based on relationship. It’s like the
sometimes we need correction and the book of Proverbs offers us fear a young boy has of his loving father. He knows if he does something
that correction. wrong his Father will correct him but he also knows that his same father
b. Understanding wouldn’t hesitate to lay down his life for him.
- This word “describes a depth of knowledge beyond mere - As we think about the God of the whole Bible, we remember that he too
awareness…” You perceive it. You discern it. will correct us when we need it but he has already laid down a life, the life
c. Knowledge of his Son Christ Jesus for us. That should strike fear—a reverent awe—in
- This means “to know.” Wisdom is not the exact same thing as our hearts. Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.
knowledge or intelligence. It can include those things, but you don’t
have to have a high IQ to be wise. CONCLUSION:
- As a church we can have all the Bible knowledge in the world but if we The self-training of one’s heart to listen and obey is a very valuable pursuit
don’t know how to put it into practice in our everyday lives then we’re and discipline. That kind of discipline begins in the closet with God. Once
missing the point. If we know lots of Bible trivia but aren’t we learn to hear from God, we must also learn to obey God in what we
worshipping God and developing a relationship with him or growing hear.
as disciples or if we’re not loving our neighbor or caring for the least Knowing to follow instructions is wisdom and power to win warfare.
of these then we’re missing the point. Paul warns us in the New When Israel followed the instructions of God, they won but when they
Testament “… knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1). failed to do that, they lost to their enemies. Often time, they made faith
Everything we learn about God should go right into practice. Why decisions in following instructions precisely. The hour is upon us when we
proverbs? Because we want the knowledge necessary to act wisely. must make choices to humble ourselves and follow instructions. This is
What other words describe wisdom? humility and obedience to the cross which produces the best results.
d. Righteousness, justice and fairness Phil 2:5-11
- When you understand how to live life God’s way, when you have the
knowledge to do it, and when you have friends and family who are
