PRACTICAL WISDOM IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

1 PRACTICAL WISDOM IN THE book OF PROVERBS by Paul G. Apple, April 2005 THE PATHWAY TO SUCCESS IN EVERYDAY LIVING REQUIRES PURSUING THE PRACTICAL WISDOM OF THE LORD AMIDST THE DISTRACTIONS OF A SEDUCTIVE WORLD The fear of the Lord is the beginning of WISDOM , and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ( PROVERBS 9:10) For each section in the book of PROVERBS : - Thesis statement .. to focus on the big idea - Analytical outline .. to guide the understanding - Devotional questions .. to encourage life application - Representative quotations .. to stimulate deeper insight This data file is the sole property of the author Paul Apple.

2 However, permission is granted for others to use and distribute these materials for the edification of others under two simple conditions: 1) The contents must be faithfully represented including credit to the author where appropriate. 2) The material must be distributed freely without any financial remuneration. This data file may not be copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Paul Apple. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to: Paul Apple, 304 N. Beechwood Ave., Baltimore MD 21228. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul majored in English at Princeton University and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN in 1979.

3 He lives in the Baltimore area with his wife. His family is actively involved in local Christian ministries. THE PATHWAY TO SUCCESS IN EVERYDAY LIVING REQUIRES PURSUING THE PRACTICAL WISDOM OF THE LORD AMIDST THE DISTRACTIONS OF A SEDUCTIVE WORLD TEXT: PROVERBS 1: 1-33 TITLE: THE FUNDAMENTALS: STEP ONE ON THE PATHWAY TO WISDOM BIG IDEA: THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM I. (:1-7) INTRODUCTION: NUGGETS OF TRUTH FOR WISE LIVING A. (:1a) Catchy Genre of PROVERBS These are the PROVERBS = nuggets of truth Definition: B. (:1b) Consummate Author of King Solomon of Israel, David s son C. (:2-6) Comprehensive Purpose Statement 1.

4 Overall Purpose: Wise Living He wrote them to teach his people how to live how to act in every circumstance, for he wanted them to be understanding, just and fair in everything they did. Swindoll: WISDOM is the ability to view life as God perceives it Kolkebec: Instruction (Education enforced by Loving Discipline) 1. In Wise Behavior - Prosper concept, WISDOM bringing success. 2. In Righteousness - God's ethical Moral Standard. Form of - to be straight. 3. In Justice - Proper Government: Process of God 2. Specific Emphasis for Different Groups a. Protection for the Na ve I want to make the simple-minded wise!

5 B. Tips for Teenagers I want to warn young men about some problems they will face. c. Leadership Training for the Mature I want those already wise to become the wiser and become leaders by exploring the depths of meaning in these nuggets of truth. D. (:7a) Complex Fundamental Question How does a man become wise? E. (:7b) Fundamental Step One: Complete Submission to Divine Instruction The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught. Fundamental Problem: Refusal to be taught Kidner: The beginning ( the first and controlling principle, rather than a stage which one leaves behind; cf. Ec. 12:13) is not merely a right method of thought but a right relation; a worshipping submission (fear) to the God of the covenant, who has revealed Himself by name (the Lord, Yahweh: Ex.)

6 3:13-15). Knowledge, then, in its full sense, is a relationship, dependent on revelation and inseparable from character. Olford: In this context, it ( the fear of the Lord ) means a penitential turning from sin. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil (8:13). The Bible calls this repentance. We can never know God and hang on to our sins at one and the same time. But to know God, we must also trust Him. This calls for a reverential trusting in God.. The second part of our text reveals the barrier to the knowledge of God. The word fools describes the unrepentant mindset that despises divine WISDOM and synonymous with a wicked person. He or she aggressively flouts personal independence from God and His commandments.

7 II. (:8-19) DISCERNING BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD INFLUENCES A. (:8-9) Fundamental Training Ground: Follow the Good Influence of Parents Listen to your father and mother. What you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many honors. Piper: God ordained the family not just to be fruitful and fill the earth with people, but to fill the earth with instructed people and taught people. The family is the place where the next generation is born and where the next generation learns how to live. B. (:10-19) Avoid the Bad Influence of Wayward Peer Group 1, (:10-14) Their Lawless Enticement If young toughs tell you, Come and join us turn your back on them!

8 We ll hide and rob and kill, they say. Good or bad; we ll treat them all alike. And the loot we ll get! All kinds of stuff! Come on, throw in your lot with us; we ll split with you in equal shares. Deffinbaugh: What evil men offer: - Group acceptance and identity - Promise of material gain - Excitement and sense of power 2. (:15-17) Their Na ve Expectations Don t do it son! Stay far from men like that, for crime is their way of life, and murder is their specialty. When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away 3. (:18-19) Their Violent End but not these men; they trap themselves! They lay a booby trap for their own lives.

9 Such is the fate of all who live by violence and murder. They will die a violent death. Deffinbaugh: Regarding Violence - Natural inclination towards violence - Violence is Attractive - Violence is a Way of Live III. (:20-33) FOLLY OF REJECTING THE PATH OF WISDOM A. (:20-28) WISDOM Spurned Despite Its Availability 1. (:20-21) Access to WISDOM Available to All a. Available to the General Public WISDOM shouts in the streets for a hearing. She calls out to the crowds along Main Street b. Available to the Political and Judicial Leaders and to the judges in their courts c. Available Nationally and to everyone in all the land 2.

10 (:22-25) Foolishness Closes Its Eyes to WISDOM Until It is Too Late a. ( 22) Failure to Face Reality You simpletons! she cries. How long will you go on being fools? How long will you scoff at WISDOM and fight the facts. Plaut: Three types of people are exhorted by WISDOM : 1) The thoughtless .. a character weakness is involved. 2) The scorners. The letz lives by tearing others down; he is derisive because derision builds up his ego. 3) The fools.. morally deficient. Intellectually, he is capable of understanding right and wrong, but he hates to learn how to make right decisions and manages to get himself into trouble. b. (:23-24) Failure to Respond to Importunity (persistent solicitation) Come here and listen to me!