Lesson 1: The Value of Wisdom
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get
wisdom…" --Prov. 4:7
Christians are to "walk in wisdom" as we live out our
lives (Eph. 5:15-17). Too many are wasting their time and their lives by failing to
exercise God’s wisdom in everyday life. Proverbs is a great storehouse of Divine
wisdom. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth
cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a
buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the
way of his saints" (Prov.
2:6-8; note 3:19-20). The theme of the Book is "Wisdom"
(mentioned at least 104 times).
Please read: Prov. 8:1-36.
What is Wisdom:
Generally speaking, wisdom is that insight which helps you look at life’s
situations realistically. It helps you to think about the consequences or rewards of a
certain action or attitude, and on that basis decide what is the best thing to do. "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise
in thy latter end" (19:20). As you study Proverbs notice how it uses
other words as synonyms of "wisdom":
Knowledge – Applied knowledge or knowledge in action. Many have academic knowledge, but little knowledge of God. Others have knowledge of the scriptures, but without practicing them. "Wise men store up knowledge" (10:14). "A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth." (14:6). "Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good" 19:2
Understanding – The ability to grasp the truth. "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" (1: 5) "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard." (13:15)
Judgment – Insight, discernment, the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding. "To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity." (1:3)
Prudence – Shrewdness, wily, guile, "Wise as serpents, innocents as doves" "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." (14:15)
Discretion -- a plan, witty invention, thought, purpose, a plot. "To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion." (1:4) "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee" (2:11)
What are the Benefits of Wisdom:The first nine chapters of Proverbs are actually a series of discourses extolling the value of wisdom. Other individual verses thereafter bring out its benefits as well. Repeatedly, Proverbs tells us that wisdom is to be valued above jewels, gold and riches (2:4,5); (3:13-15); (4:7-9);( 8.11, 18-21); (16:16);( 20:15).
Immediate rewards and long-term effects:
1.Long and peaceful life – (3.1-2,16)
2.Favor with God and man – (3.4)
3.Healing to your body – (3.8)
4.Prosperity – (3.9-10, 13-17)
5.Life and happiness – (3.18,22)
6.Protection against pitfalls – (2:11-12); (3:21-26); (14:27)
7.Honor – (3.35)
How Wisdom is Gained: Wisdom is usually gained through one of two sources:
(1) Through years of "trial and error". But there are disadvantages to gaining wisdom this way: Much of one’s lifetime can be wasted trying to learn through trial and error. Also, one is forced to live with the consequences of their "errors".
(2) Through the proven experience of others. This is possible only if one is willing to heed the advice of others. The clear advantage of this is that you can avoid wasting years of your life through trial and error and you experience life unburdened with the consequences of earlier mistakes. In Proverbs we can find wisdom that is Divinely inspired by God and proven to be true by generations of righteous men and women.
Fear of the Lord (1:7; 9:10) Reverence, respect, healthy fear. It describes a wholesome awe and respect for God which expresses itself in obedience and reliance on God. – but more: A fear of offending God, A fear of the consequences of sin. This is the motto for the rest of the book. Rest consists mostly of examples of how this is true. The key thought in the Book is "the fear of the Lord" (14 times). Such reverence should lead us to seek God’s Wisdom (2:1-5).
Not Trusting Our Own Ways (3:7).
Keep Company With the Wise (10:8; 12:15; 13:20)
Cultivating Humility (11-2)
Listen to Reproof (15:31,32)
THE DANGER OF REJECTING WISDOM Prov. 1:20-33, V20: "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: V21: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, V22: How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? V23: Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. V24: Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; V25: But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: V26: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; V27: When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. V28: Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: V29: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: V30: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. V31: Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. V32: For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. V33: But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."
God’s people should cherish the wisdom of God’s Word. "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding." (23:23)
Remember, true wisdom comes from God. "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (22:17-20)
Wisdom comes from God. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col. 1:9).
Of course, no discussion concerning wisdom can be complete without mentioning Jesus Christ... "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:3).
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Page last updated: March 03, 2003