2. The Beginning of Wisdom Reflections on Psalms & Proverbs Series, Part 4 Proverbs 9:1-10:32 January 12, 2014 Pastor Paul K. Kim

3. PROVERBS: SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS AND OVERVIEW It is a book about wisdom. What is wisdom? It is “the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.” – Eugene Peterson

4. PROVERBS: SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS AND OVERVIEW It is a book about wisdom. It is often referred to collections of short wise sayings that are generalized truths—but not promises per se.

5. PROVERBS: SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS AND OVERVIEW It is a book about wisdom. It is often referred to collections of short wise sayings. It has mainly two sections: (1) chaps 1-9 (father’s teaching to son/Introduction) and (2) chaps 10-31 (wise sayings).

6. PROVERBS: SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS AND OVERVIEW It is a book about wisdom. It is often referred to collections of short wise sayings. It has mainly two sections: (1) chaps 1-9 and (2) chaps 10-31. It uses a few key terms for character types: (1) the “simple” – undecided/easily influenced by folly as well as by wisdom. (2) the “fool” – willfully go against God’s way recklessly. (3) the “scoffer” – wise in his own eyes, prideful/unteachable. (4) the “wise” – embraces God’s will (fearing God), eager and teachable to “learn and live” wisely in all situations.

7. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM [PROVERBS 9] Its Reasons: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7  If the LORD is indeed the Creator and the Originator of all things and all truths, the source of wisdom is GOD.  In light of this, to fear the LORD means to have “right recognition of God” [Sinclair Ferguson] on who God really is.  Hence, when have right recognition of God, it leads us to the right view of the world and life, which leads to all wisdom.

8. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM [PROVERBS 9] Its Invitation: 1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight... 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (9:1-6, 11-12)  Lady Wisdom’s invitation is not hidden and open to all.  It promises wisdom’s bread and wine (satisfaction).  It requires us repentance from our simple ways.  It offers life (physical & spiritual) and other benefits from wisdom.

9. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM [PROVERBS 9] Its Distraction: 13 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, 15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, 16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, 17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (9:13-18)  Lady Folly’s invitation is LOUD and also open to all.  It promises immediate gratification and openly enticing pleasures, luring the simple to crooked ways.  It requires being blind (denial) to the end result of folly.  It offers the illusive way to death (physical & spiritual).

10. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM [PROVERBS 9] Its Requirement: 7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (9:7-9)  We must give heed to the invitation of Wisdom.  We must be vigilant against the seductive invitation of Folly.  We must humbly accept reproof and instruction of Wisdom.  We must fear the LORD by rightly recognizing God humbly.

11. The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else. Oswald Chambers

12. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WISE VS. THE FOOL [PROVERBS 10] 1)A wise person is a joy and blessing to others (10:1, 5, 12). 1 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. 5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

13. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WISE VS. THE FOOL [PROVERBS 10] 2)A wise person is teachable and welcomes correction and instruction (10:8, 14, 17, 23). 8 The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. 14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. 17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. 23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

14. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WISE VS. THE FOOL [PROVERBS 10] 3)A wise person is marked by integrity and righteous character (10:2, 3, 6, 7, 24, 25, 27-30). 2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. 3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

15. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WISE VS. THE FOOL [PROVERBS 10] 3)A wise person is marked by integrity and righteous character (10:2, 3, 6, 7, 24, 25, 27-30). 27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. 28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.. 29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. 30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

16. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WISE VS. THE FOOL [PROVERBS 10] 4)A wise person is able to control one’s speech to edify others (10:11, 13, 19-21, 31-32). 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. 19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

17. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WISE VS. THE FOOL [PROVERBS 10] 5)A wise person is diligent and hardworking (10:4, 5, 15, 26). 4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. 15 A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. 26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

18. Fear and Tremble! Fearing God means that God is, in your mind and heart, so powerful, so holy, and so awesome that you would not dare to run away from him, but only run to him. In other words, fearing God is not another requirement. It’s the way you do covenant- keeping. It’s the way you receive Jesus. It’s the way you come to Jesus. You come reverently, you come humbly, you come without any presumption that you deserve anything or he owes you anything. You come trembling, or as we saw in Psalm 51, you come with a heart that is broken and contrite. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Tremble if you ever feel any inclination to leave this God. There is only destruction away from him. Oh, how we should fear to leave the Lord and tremble in his presence that he would so graciously receive us, forgive all our sins and make an everlasting future! So many people do not fear their carnal departures. They don’t tremble. ― John Piper

19. THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways, are you more convinced that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of the wisdom? How will you fear God this week? 2.What are some practical decisions that you need to make to become wiser in God’s eyes? What is your first step? 3.Which one of the five characteristics of the wise do you need to apply in your life most? What will you do about it?