Proverbial Wisdom – 3:1-6

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:1-6 (KJV)

Dear Friends, I apologize for the tardiness of this week’s lesson. This has been a difficult week for me. First, I had a toothache and as a result, I found myself sitting in a dentist chair. Then Thursday, September 22, was the anniversary of my first husband’s death.

It has been eight years since my husband’s death, but it was such a life-changing event that I will never forget the details of that horrible day. Although I will never forget my husband, I did learn how to adjust to the change, continue forward with my life, and wait patiently upon God. I am still waiting to discover all the wonderful plans that God has in store for my future.

God has a good plan for all of His children. He sees into our hearts—He sees our strengths and He sees our weaknesses. The astounding part is that God loves us in spite of all of our weaknesses!

Life-changing events can transform our weaknesses into strengths. When we are suddenly plunged into the angry waves of despair, from a sickness or death of a loved one or maybe even from our own sickness, we may flounder around for a bit, barely keeping our heads above water. However, while we are floundering in despair, we gently hear God calling, “Hang on My child. Hold tight to My hand and I will lead you out.”

After floundering for a bit, I hope that we wise up, reach out, and take hold of God’s outstretched hand. I know I had to.

There was no way that I could make it through the valley of death without God. I surrendered myself to God, I rehearsed His Word (Bible) in my mind, and I held tight to my faith in Him. God did not disappoint me.

God was my strength while I underwent a painful transformation process. Through my faith in Him, I survived my walk through the valley of death. It was in that valley of death that some of my weaknesses were transformed into my strengths. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4).

Unfortunately, many times we have to undergo painful trials before we willingly surrender ourselves to God’s transforming hand. It is in the midst of those trials that we finally begin to understand and appreciate God’s faithfulness.   

All of us will go through life-changing events at some point in time. Some of those events will be good and some of those events will be bad. Nevertheless, by faith we can victoriously endure all life-changing events IF we depend on God. God is working on our behalf to transform us into pure, strong, holy vessels. “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalms 37:23, NLT).

If you are personally going through a life-changing event, perhaps God is birthing a new ministry within you. God may be transforming some of your weaknesses into strengths so He can use you to help His children. Therefore, while you are going through the transformation process, do not become overwhelmed. Instead, look at the process as an exercise in your faith. By faith, you know that God is right there beside you, lovingly planning every detail of your transformation.

But while you are being transformed, make sure that you follow ALL of God’s commands. God’s Word promises that if you remember His laws and obey His commands, you will have length added to your days and peace added to your life (verses 1 and 2). But you can’t stop there!

Your outward behavior must reflect God’s mercy and God’s truth (verse 3 – “bind them about thy neck”). The only way that you can outwardly reflect mercy and truth, is to have these same principles written internally within your heart (“write them upon the table of thine heart”). Therefore, let mercy and truth rule your days, both in your heart and in your behavior. When you do this, you will find favor and understanding in the sight of God (verse 4).

Finding favor with God is my goal. More than anything, I want to hear God say, “Well done My good and faithful child.”

In this life, you will go through many spiritual battles. You may not see your attacker and you may not understand your attacker’s strategy. However, you can still be victorious when you learn to trust in God, lean on Him, and acknowledge Him as your sole source of strength. God will protect you through the battles and after they are complete, you will have been transformed.

…Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:32-34 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  Life-changing events can be the beginning of a spiritual transformation.

2.  God will sustain you through all life-changing events.

3.  God knows what you need and He will provide all that you need.

Proverbial Wisdom – 2:10-22

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.  But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 2:10-22 (KJV)

Last week, I said that God would liberally give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding if we would earnestly seek Him and were willing to pay the price. Sometimes, the price is high. However, no matter how high it is, friends, it is worth it. So let’s jump right into the fire and begin crying, “More, Lord. Give us more—take us deeper.”

The man (or woman), who invites wisdom into his (or her) heart and delights in knowledge will be able to stand strong against evil. Refer back to our August 12, 2011 lesson, Proverbial Wisdom – Part 2, in which I introduced that Jesus Christ is wisdom. If you truly have been reborn by His Spirit, then you have His Spirit inside of you. Moreover, since Jesus is wisdom and He abides within you, then in order to be wise you just need to walk by His Spirit and follow His guide. (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Now skip down to Verse 20 of Proverbs chapter 2. This tells us that if we have accepted wisdom into our hearts and joyfully applied knowledge in our lives (verse 10), then we will walk and remain in the good path of righteousness. Verse 21 stresses how important it is to remain in the path of the righteous, “...the upright shall dwell in the land and the perfect shall remain in it.”

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Many people will follow the wide, broad pathway to destruction. In their foolishness, they will succumb to the perverse man, who speaks great lies and entices them into his world of darkness.  Once entangled in the darkness, their hearts, minds, and souls change, until eventually, they begin to take pleasure in their crooked paths.

“…they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without UNDERSTANDING, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, BUT HAVE PLEASURE in them that do them” (Romans 1:28-32, emphasis added).

Please, heed this warning! When a person knowingly rejects God’s commands and follows the perverse man, his soul becomes wrapped in darkness. Once in darkness, it is difficult to pull the rebellious man out into the light. Therefore, be wise, stay on the path of righteousness, and avoid the perverse man.

Verses 12 – 15 give us a brief description of the perverse man. Know this description so that you can avoid him. The perverse man speaks great falsehoods, he forsakes the way of righteousness, and his actions are destructive. He takes pleasure in harming others, he derives his fun from evil words or actions, and he views things in a crooked or distorted manner. Ultimately, his evil ways will lead him to death, because he will reap what he has sown. He chose to sow lies, hate, and destruction, and thus, he chose to reap death.

 

On to our next section, verse 16—this warns about the strange woman. The strange woman flatters with her words, appealing to both pride and lust. Sweetly she beckons, forsaking her covenant with God. She is on a mission, and that mission is to get us to share in her destruction. She is on the pathway of the dead and she is determined to take people with her.

Some commentaries liken the strange woman to a strange religion. These false religions appeal to people’s sinful pride and lustful thoughts. They offer people a false ideology that allows them to say that they are a Christian while, at the same time, their deceived soul remains in habitual sin. These false ideologies give out a license for continual sin because they know not, and teach not, the true Word of the Lord.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

You, my dear friend, can avoid falling victim to both the perverse man and the strange woman. To do this, you must fill your heart, mind, and soul with wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. His Word will protect you from these wicked forces if you will take it, know it, and live it.

Throughout our journey in Proverbs, we will consistently read that wrong actions result in dire consequences.  In order for you to avoid wrong actions, you need a Savior. Jesus is that Savior if you will invite Him into your heart and make Him Lord of your life.

Today, you are walking through the valley of decision, which way will you go? Will you choose life and follow Jesus, or will you choose death and follow Satan? What is your choice?

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

Joel 3:14 (Amplified)

Three Key Concepts:

1.   Wisdom, knowledge, discretion and understanding protects you from evil.

2.   Willful rejection of God will lead to death.

3.   Everyone must make a decision about Jesus.

Proverbial Wisdom – 2:1-9

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 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. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Proverbs 2:1-9

This week’s lesson is valuable. Please take this lesson, print it out, and prayerfully study it throughout the week, because the key to understanding the whole Bible is found within these nine short verses (Proverbs 2:1-9). I know that is a bold statement, but bear with me as I explain.

Although King Solomon may have written these verses as instructions to his son, it is important that you understand that God’s Spirit inspired all Scriptures. Therefore, I want you to envision God personally speaking verses 1 through 9 to you.

Imagine God saying, “My child, let My words become a part of you. Do not consider these words empty and without meaning. Take My words, meditate on them, and incorporate them into every thought and intent of your heart. Breathe in these words just as you breathe in air. Allow these words to flow through every fiber of your being because they will bring you life.”

If you earnestly seek and desire God, you will find Him. But in order to find God, you must seek Him for who He really is—not simply for whom you want Him to be. This requires that you set aside ALL of your preconceived ideas about God. Further, you must desire to know more about Him in order to serve and obey Him. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

God liberally gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to anyone who is willing to pay the price. Many people say that they want to know God at any cost, but once the refining fires begin to burn, they quickly want out. The price was steeper than they were willing to pay! Thus, they stay satisfied with just a little drop of wisdom.

However, a few individuals have a deep hunger and thirst for more of God and they are willing to pay the price…no matter how steep. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matthew 13:44).

God never gives wisdom for anyone’s personal pride, riches, or power. On the contrary, when God gives wisdom it must be shared with the world. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere” (James 3:17, NLT).

In the first paragraph, I said that these nine short verses hold the key to understanding the Bible. Now I want to explain that bold statement. When you willingly seek God, with all your heart, mind and soul, you will find Him. Seeking God means that you are willing to spend the time and make the effort to pour through His Word, searching for God’s truths. God will reward your effort and reveal His Truth.

Furthermore, when you hunger and thirst for more of God, you begin to fellowship with Him through prayer and obedience. You also begin to look at life adversities as learning opportunities. You know that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalms 37:23-24). Enduring life’s trials, temptations, and persecutions through God’s power, helps you grow in faith and grow in dependence on the Lord. You begin to grow up.

As you begin to grow and increase in wisdom, you also begin to hunger and thirst for more of God. You hunger, thirst, and pay the price—you are rewarded with more wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You ask, you receive, you seek, and you find (Matthew 7:7-8). And repeatedly the cycle continues, because God has an endless supply of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering….” (James 1:5-6).

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

Rather than discussing God’s blessings that He showers upon His children (verses 7-9), purposely, I am going to leave you with a different thought.

All around us, we are seeing financial turmoil, earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, wars, and other disasters (Matthew 24). We are living in a time of great upheaval and we desperately need wise leadership. However, as we have already discovered in our journey through Proverbs, God is the giver of true wisdom. If our leaders that we elect to government offices do not have a true relationship with God, then we are electing the wrong people to lead our nation at this critical time.

There has never been a time like this before in America’s history. Many of our government leaders have sold themselves to the highest paying lobbyist. Legally innocent babies are murdered within their mothers’ wombs. Abominable practices are committed inside our courts and inside our churches. This is a time that we need God to hear our cries for help. This is the time that we need to humble ourselves, pray, seek God, and turn from our wickedness.

Everyone, please cry out to God. If we earnestly seek God, we will find Him.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:8-10

Three Key Concepts:

1.  God liberally gives wisdom to those who hunger and thirst after Him.

2.  God has an endless supply of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

3.  This is a time that our country needs godly leadership.

Proverbial Wisdom – 1:24-33

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Proverbs 1:24-33

Last week, we discovered that wisdom calls out to everyone in all places, “Come and taste.” God willingly pours out His Spirit upon mankind—we just have to accept Him. But as we know, some people will be wise and accept God, while others will be foolish and reject Him. This week we are going to discuss the fate of the foolish.

When a man stubbornly rejects God’s offer of salvation, he seals his own fate (hell). God does not send him to hell: rather, God honors the man’s own choice (hell). This may sound harsh, but it is not. God created people with free will; thus, people can freely choose between heaven and hell. If they reject God’s gift, they knowingly choose hell.

In Verse 24 (restated in my own words), God says, “I called. I stretched out my hand to you, but you refused.” “I tried to help you through sound teaching and purifying discipline, but still you would not heed My instructions” (Verse 25).

Recklessly, the simple, the scorners, and the fools fail to hear and obey God’s voice. “I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them…but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me” (Jeremiah 35:15). (Jeremiah 26:4-6; Jeremiah 7:13-19).

Dear readers, this is serious stuff! Never reject the Word of the Lord!

God still speaks through His Holy Word (the Bible) and He still speaks through His servants. But sometimes we allow pride to obscure God’s voice because we may not like His chosen vessels. This is a grave mistake. The Pharisees refused to hear the voice of Jesus because He came as a humble servant rather than a prideful king. Since Jesus did not meet the Pharisees’ expectations, they simply refused to heed His warnings.

Today, God still speaks…are you listening? “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was NO remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:16, emphasis added).

“Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not” (Isaiah 65:12).

Pay attention to the Word of the Lord! If you do not heed His call, you will be destroyed! Your destruction may come today, tomorrow, next week, or the next month. Destruction could come quickly or it might be delayed. But no matter when it comes, destruction is guaranteed. God says it—so it is True.

If you continually reject the voice of the Lord, there will come a time when He will turn away. He will not hear your cry when you begin reaping the consequences of the evil that you have sown (Isaiah 1:15-17).  “Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them” (Jeremiah 11:11). Alternatively, strong delusions may bombard your mind. With these delusions, you might not even be wise enough to CALL out to God (See May 27, 2011, Do-Over to Delusional).

Imagine for a moment that you are walking up to a tall fence. Behind the fence, on the other side, you see a hungry mangy lion, his fangs dripping with the anticipation of a mid-morning snack. On the fence there is a large sign that says, “**Warning! Stay Out! For Your Own Safety, Do Not Climb the Fence!**”

If you choose to ignore the sign and foolishly climb up over the fence, will it be the sign’s fault when the hungry lion devours you? Likewise, Satan prowls about like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour. God is flashing a sign of warning. Will you heed God’s warning?

Those that are wise will trust in the Lord. They will listen when He calls them and they will heed His warnings. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7).

As for me, I choose to be wise. How about you?

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

Isaiah 66:4

Three Key Concepts:

1.  When God calls, the wise will hear and obey His voice.

2.  The foolish will scoff at God’s servants and obey not the Lord.

3.   Eventually, God will close His ears when the foolish meet their destruction and cry for help.