2. The Character of Wisdom  Encouragement to pursue the teaching of the Father (vv. 1-4)  Trust in God and not our own understanding (vv. 5-6),  Fear God and not be wise in our own eyes (vv. 7-8),  Honor God and not fail to give to Him first (vv. 9-10)  Appreciate God and not misunderstand His discipline (vv. 11-12).

3. The Character of Wisdom  Loyalty –  Love & Integrity –  Faith –  Humility –  Gratitude –  Meekness - Thus The Need For:

4. Requirements: FImplies the need for continuance – John 14:21-24; Jam. 1:25; Acts 2:42; 1 Tim 4:16 FAll obedience MUST be from the heart – Rom. 6:16-18; Eph 6:6; Col. 3:23 Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV) 1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

5. Blessings: FProlongation of Life – (3:16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27; Eph 6:3) FBetter quality of life – happiness & enjoyment - (Psa 30:5; Jno 10:10) FShalom, - prosperity; health, & abundance. (Rom 14:17) Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV) 1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

6. Blessings: FTo keep God’s commandments provides the best quality of life here and now – FAnd the promise of eternal life which is to come! – (Rom 2:7) Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV) 1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

7. Requirements: FMercy – i.e. love, – Mat 5:45-48; Luke 6:35,36; Col. 3:12,13 FTruth – “a standing to one's promises, and not falsifying just expectations; thus fidelity.” (K&D) – 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Tim 2:2 Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV) 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

8. Requirements: FMercy & integrity should grace one’s life like a neck chain (3:22; 1:9;6:21; Mt 5:13-16) FTo impress on the heart both virtues so that the things we do & say comes from within - (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10). Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV) 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

9. Blessings: FObtain grace – i.e. viewed favorably by both God and men. - (Luke 2:52; Rom 14:18) FViewed as competent and worthy of honor, - has a good reputation before God and men. (Prov 22:1; Luke 10:20) Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV) 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

10. Requirements: FPlace your hope and confidence fully in God - (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2; Heb 6:17,18) FYour own under- standing will not support you! – (Prov 14:12; 28:26; Jer. 10:23; Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 4:6; 8:2) Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

11. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. FMany trust God ONLY as long as His will and instructions make sense to them. (2 King 5:11; Mark 16:16; Acts 20:7; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; Rom 14:17)-

12. FGod’s ways are far above our ways! (Isa. 55:8-9; Rom 11:33- 34; Rom 10:6-8) FTherefore we should ALWAYS focus on God and His will in every aspect of our life – (Col. 3:17) Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

13. Too many think of God ONLY: FWhen it is time to assemble with the church – FWhen we eat - FWhen tragedy strikes FAfter we get ourselves into trouble Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

14. Blessings: FGod removes the obstacles, making a smooth path or way of life, - (Psalm 25:8; James 1:5) FThose who follow wisdom have an easier, less problematic life (e.g., 3:10, 16, 24-25). Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

15. Requirements: FArrogance & Ego blinds people to both their faults & needs - (Prov 14:16; 26:12; Is. 5:21; Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 3:18) FReverence for God leads to repentance and righteousness. (1:7; Ecc 12:13; Acts 10:34,35) Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV) 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

16. Blessings: F“Healing it is to thy navel,” (YLT) - Humility & reverence is as essential to spiritual life, “and to the continual growth in grace, as the umbilical cord is to the life and growth of the fetus in the womb.” — Adam Clarke Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV) 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

17. Blessings: F“And marrow to thy bones.” (ASV) – FWhat the marrow is to the support and strength of the bones, and the bones to the body; - reverent living for God is the support and strength of the soul. Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV) 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

18. Requirements: FAs a way of expressing gratitude to God, Israel was commanded to honor the Lord with “the firstfruits” of all one’s crops and gain (Ex 22:29; 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 18:4; 26:1-3, 9-11). Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV) 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

19. We too must give to the Lord FWith “love, liberality and thankfulness” - 2 Co 8:2-9; 9:11,12 F“According to what we have” –“As we prosper” - 2 Co 8:12; 1 Co 16:2 FWhatever one can give “cheerfully” - 2 Co 9:7 Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV) 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

20. Blessing: FPromotes more blessings – (2 Cor 9:6 Acts 20:35) FA godly life promotes temporal success but does NOT guarantee it!! FWe receive spiritual blessings - & more than enough. (Ep 1:3) Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV) 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

21. Requirements: FDo NOT “reject or take lightly” the Lord’s discipline, nor “loathe or abhor” His rebuke (Deut 8:5; Job 5:17). FThrough teaching – testing – commanding – etc., God disciplines His children – (Heb 12:5,6) Proverbs 3:11-12 (NKJV) 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

22. Requirements: FToo many balk at His commands – FToo many wilt under trials – FToo many surrender to the world - FToo many reject His rebuke... Proverbs 3:11-12 (NKJV) 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

23. The Character of Wisdom  Encouragement to pursue his teaching (vv. 1-4)  Trust in God and not own understanding (vv. 5-6),  Fear God and not be wise in his own eyes (vv. 7-8),  Honor God and not fail to give to Him (vv. 9-10)  Appreciate God and not misunderstand His discipline (vv. 11-12).

24. The Character of Wisdom  Loyalty –  Love & Integrity –  Faith –  Humility –  Gratitude –  Meekness - Thus The Need For: