Probing Proverbs Lesson 2 Conditional Rewards of Wisdom

Lesson 2:  The Conditional Rewards of Wisdom 2:1-9

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Section Outline - Ryrie

The Precepts of Wisdom (1:8-9:18)

Avoid Bad Company (1:8-19)

Heed Wisdom's Advice (1:20-33)

Avoid the Adulteress (2:1-22)

Trust and Honor God (3:1-12)

Consider the Value of Wisdom (3:13-20)

Be Kind and Generous to Others (3:21-35)

Acquire Wisdom (4:1-9)

Avoid Bad Company (4:10-19)

Watch Yourself (4:20-27)

Forsake Lust (5:1-23)

Avoid Surety (6:1-5)

Shun Laziness (6:6-19)

Avoid Adultery (6:20-35)

Avoid the Adulteress (7:1-27)

Wisdom and Folly Contrasted (8:1-9:18)

“My Son” 13 times in this section the proverbs are addressed to a child. This section is a teaching session, the proverbs have a life instruction sense to them.

The Big If      - Condition Proverbs 2:1-4

What word is used most often in this passage?

If. The word if means dependent upon, or conditional upon. 

Who are what is the acquiring of wisdom dependent on?

If is depend on you. Wisdom depends on us if we are the readers and the seekers of God’s wisdom

What are the conditions?

Vs. 1 If the son would accept and internalize his father’s words and commands

Vs. 2 If the son was disposed toward wisdom.  He was always to be looking for wisdom and learning.

Vs. 3 If the child would show effort and had a visible desire for knowledge.

Vs. 4   If they would search for wisdom as one seeking precious metal and treasure.  It would not be easy but in the end it would bring great reward.

The way of wisdom.

The verses apply to any and all learning but here they primarily deal with God's wisdom, the moral wisdom of life lived under the direction and guidance of God.

In order to have this wisdom we must:

1. Accept and internalize God's word, as a son listens, trusts and obey a father.

2.  Develop an attitude of watchfulness for wisdom. 

3. Have an intense desire for wisdom.

4.  Take action in order to find it.

What are some practical ways Christians should use to find  wisdom?

Bible reading, Bible study, Sunday School, Church, Mentors, Counselors, Bible college, etc.

What else is required in order to gain wisdom?

It requires effort!  I must search for it as I would search for treasure.

What are some shortcuts we can take in order to gain wisdom faster?

There are no shortcuts, nor no divine illumination just hard work and deep desire.

Hebrews 5:12-14
 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We must not allow ourselves to stay on the milk (basic truths) but move on to the meat (deeper, harder truths), in order to continue to grow in wisdom.

The Big Then   Result Proverbs 2:5-9

What are the rewards or rewards of finding wisdom in this passage?

Understanding the fear of the Lord, finding the knowledge of God.

What is source of true wisdom then?

God is the source and the search for more of Him in my life is true wisdom.

In other words, to know wisdom I must know the Omniscient God, to know love I must know the all loving God, and to know strength I must know the Almighty God.

According to vs. 6 what is wisdom’s source?

God. He gives wisdom to us.

James 1:4-8
 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.   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. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

How does James 1:4-9 compare to Proverbs 2?

Both tell us that wisdom can only be obtained from God and must be sought in faith.

In vs. 7, what is a buckler? 

It is a small round shield used for one on one, close fighting. 

How then does God and His wisdom protect us?

God's wisdom give protection to the one using it. God's wisdom allows God to protect us in our one on one, intimate battles of life.

Illustration: Teaching a small child about crossing the street.  The child is protected as long as he uses that wisdom.

Vs. 9 As I use this wisdom and experience God’s protection, what is the result in verse 9?

Then shalt thou understand righteousness (what is right) , and judgment (justice, a just verdict), and equity (fairness); yea, every good path.

The Big When    Proverbs 2:10-22

What is the time frame in verse 10?

After wisdom has entered us. The blessing and protection of wisdom after we have completed of the conditions of wisdom and by experiencing her rewards.

Vs. 11 How does wisdom protect us?

Wisdom's protection is mostly by prevention, keeping from evil, more than delivering us after we have fallen into evil. It is always wiser to avoid sin and its consequences than to experience it and then try to out.

Matthew 7:24-26
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

How is this passage related to the wisdom of protection in Proverbs.

Jesus is teaching that there was protection in heeding and learning from Him, before the crisis comes. The wisdom of Proverbs operates in the same way.

Vs 12-15 Warnings against Evil

What are we protected from?

When we have wisdom it will protect us from the way of evil men, and their wickedness.

How does the Bible describe these men?

They are forward (perverse). They willfully determine not to do what is expected or desired.

Leave the paths of uprightness to walk in darkness.

They rejoice in evil. They choose it, they enjoy it, they delight in it.

Their paths are crooked (tortuous, unprincipled) and forward.

Vs. 15 Why are their ways crooked?

Evil never walk a straight path. It never show its destination. If it did few would walk it for it ends in destruction, pain and sorrow.

Vs. 16-19 What does wisdom protect us from.

Protection from Evil Women

In vs. 17 Who might be the guide of her youth?

Probably refers to her husband.

What covenant is God particularly concerned about in regard to women?

The marriage covenant.

In vs. 18  God uses the word inclineth.  What does this word suggest?

A slow but slippery slope, once started it is hard to regain your footing and turn back.

In vs.19  What kind of death does sexual impurity bring?

It leads to both a spiritual and physical death.

What kind of protection does wisdom give in vs 20? 

Protects us with good men.

How do we find protection with good men (& women)?

By walking with them and keeping the paths of the righteous they keep.  In other words follow those who follow God. 

Vs. 20- 22 The Way of the Wise, the Righteous

Vs. 21-22 What are the only choices that can be made?

The choices of the upright, which shall dwell in the promises of God, or the choices of the wicked, which shall be cut off.

Conclusion

As wisdom begins to work in us, we see God working in our life, feel his presence and experience his wisdom working in and for us, Now we can trust God in even greater and harder things.  We begin to grow and understand more and more as we go forward in God's wisdom.

Trusting God and choosing God's way of wisdom always results in blessings in our life.  It's worth every effort to find and possess the wisdom that make the blessings possible.