1. The Book of Proverbs Lesson 4
The Book of Proverbs Lesson 4 * * * The Way of Wisdom or the way of folly Proverbs Chapters 8, 9
Memorize: Proverbs 9:8
“Reprove not a scorner; lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”

2. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** THEME OF CHAPTERS 8, 9 **
The time comes when we must take personal responsibility for our moral actions.
Every adult must decide their personal moral character in life.
Wisdom calls out to all to follow her way.
Worldliness calls out to follow the way of folly.
Which course will we follow in all of life’s ways:
The way of wisdom or the way of folly?
Once again we find Wisdom personified as a woman.

3. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 8 **
Proverbs 8
Wisdom cries out to fools and the simple (1-11)
Wisdom promises many gifts (12-21)
Wisdom helped create the world (22-31)
Wisdom blesses a man (32-36)
Proverbs 8 shows why the way of wisdom is the best choice.

4. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
1. Where is wisdom said to stand and cry (call out)?
Proverbs 8:1-3 –
1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?
2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.
3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:
The Lord wants all men to know wisdom.

5. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** WISDOM CALLS TO EVERYONE **
This chapter begins with a plea to listen to wisdom.
Proverbs 8:4-5 –
4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Wisdom is not hiding in secret, but openly calls out.
But, who will listen to her call?

6. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** WISDOM CALLS TO EVERYONE **
“To you, O men…the sons of men”
Mankind in general through all time – everyone!
“O you simple ones”
Naïve, gullible, no moral insight or power of self-direction
He seldom knows right from wrong.
“And you fools”
Unrestrained, obstinate and stubborn
His problem is not mental, but spiritual.
He does not choose the Lord.
Question: Is anyone left out of this call?

7. Wisdom’s words are truth, righteousness, and very plain.
The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** EXCELLENT THINGS AND RIGHT THINGS **
Proverbs 8:6-10 – 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.
Wisdom’s words are truth, righteousness, and very plain.

8. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
2. Wisdom is better than what?
Proverbs 8:11 –
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.
What on this earth is more valuable than God’s Wisdom?

9. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
3. What is the fear of the Lord? (Two passages) a. b.
Proverbs 8:13-14 –
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
Wisdom is strong and rejects evil behavior.
We must hate sin, not the people who sin.

10. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
4. Who is it that can find wisdom?
Proverbs 8:15-16 –
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.
17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.
We don’t always understand why some leaders are permitted by God to make some of the decisions they do make.
Leaders are for our own good. (Rom. 13:1-7)

11. Owning gold is not wrong.
The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** WISDOM IS SEEN IN WHAT SHE GIVES **
Proverbs 8:18-21 – 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. 20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
Owning gold is not wrong.
Question: How did we get it and how are we using it?

12. There is power in WISDOM!
The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** WISDOM WAS WITH GOD IN CREATION **
In Proverbs 8:22-31 – Wisdom is personified and is telling us that she was in the beginning.
She was established from everlasting.
She was with God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit when everything was created.
Let us read Proverbs 8:22-31, before we go further.
There is power in WISDOM!

13. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
5. When was wisdom set up (brought forth) by the Lord?
Proverbs 8:22-24 –
22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.
The Lord possessed wisdom from everlasting!
Spiritual wisdom is as eternal as God.

14. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
Wisdom was with God before the creation.
Proverbs 8:25-26 –
25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world.
God’s wisdom [spiritual wisdom] is not gained by experience as is secular knowledge.
The primal [first] dust refers to the beginnings of the world.

15. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
6. Wisdom was there when the Lord did what to: the heavens; the face of the depth; the clouds?
Proverbs 8:27-29 –
27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
Nothing was made without God’s wisdom.

16. Wisdom rejoiced and was delighted with the creation.
The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** WISDOM WAS WITH GOD IN CREATION **
Wisdom speaks of her emotions as she was with God before, during and after creation.
Proverbs 8:30-31 –
30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.
Gen 1:31 – “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”
Wisdom rejoiced and was delighted with the creation.

17. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** THE BLESSEDNESS OF WISDOM **
Wisdom is a blessing to those who chose God’s way.
Proverbs 8:32-34 –
32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
Do not reject it, neglect it, or ignore it.

18. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
7. One who finds wisdom finds and obtains what?
Proverbs 8:35 –
35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord;
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”
Once again, wisdom is contrasted to folly.
Once again, there are only two choices from which to choose.
Wisdom or Folly – There is no in-between choice.

19. God made us free moral agents – He does not force us to obey.
The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** PAUL SHOWS THE TWO CHOICES OF LIFE **
Romans 6:16-18 –
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
God made us free moral agents – He does not force us to obey.

20. End of Chapter 8 Any comments or questions?

21. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 9 **
Proverbs 9
The “lady of wisdom” has invited ALL to come to the way of wisdom (1-6)
The reaction of the foolish and the wise to correction and rebuke (7-12)
The foolish woman is described (13-18)
A picture of two women – both extending invitations.

22. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** THE INVITATION OF WISDOM **
The “lady of wisdom” is always prepared.
Proverbs 9:1-3 –
1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,
Preparations are made and invitations have been sent out.

23. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** THE INVITATION OF WISDOM **
Wisdom invites the simple and those without understanding to eat and drink of her prepared feast.
Proverbs 9:4-6 –
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.”
6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.
These need to leave foolishness and live.

24. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
8. What is the response to reproof of a scorner and of a wise man?
Proverbs 9:7-9 –
7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you…”
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Opposite reactions to the same action.

25. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
These verses may explain either –
Why the invitation is not sent to scorners, or
Why Wisdom's guests must forsake them.
If you correct a scoffer, you will be abused for it.
If you rebuke a wicked man, he will turn on you and assault you.
A scoffer hates you; a wise man will thank you and love you.
A wise man takes wisdom to heart and becomes still wiser.
How do we react to correction?

26. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** THE FEAR OF THE LORD… **
Wisdom offers promises.
Proverbs 9:10-12 –
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
It is for a man's own best advantage to be wise.
Scoffers will suffer the penalty of his choice
Again, this is the starting point for all true wisdom

27. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
9. What is a foolish woman like?
Proverbs 9:13 –
13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.
She is undisciplined, boisterous, and without morality.
She appeals to the same ones wisdom calls.
But, she is the extreme opposite in character from the lady of wisdom.
Clamorous is being loud, noisy, and turbulent.

28. She calls, without shame, to all that pass by.
The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** BEWARE OF THE GUISE OF THE ADULTERESS **
This woman is also sending out invitations.
Proverbs 9:14-15 –
14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:
Notice that both women call from the highest places of the city.
This woman makes no preparations.
She calls, without shame, to all that pass by.

29. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Question **
10. According to a foolish woman, what is sweet and pleasant?
Proverbs 9:16-18 –
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
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 hell.
Another adulteress sending her guests to hell.
The enticement is that this affair is sweet and pleasant.

30. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
A. The Woman Of Folly Prov Identification, 9: 13 a) 5:3 - Strange woman b) 6: Evil woman c) 7:5, 10 - Strange, harlot
B. The Woman Of Wisdom
Proverbs 8 - 9
1. Identification
a) 8: Has prudence, counsel, strength
b) 8: With the Lord in creation
c) 9:10 - The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

31. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
A. The Woman Of Folly Proverbs Location, 9:14 a) 7: Abides not in her house
B. The Woman Of Wisdom
Proverbs 8 - 9
2. Location
a) 8:2-3 - At every place
b) 9:1-2 - Built her house; prepared a table

32. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
A. The Woman Of Folly Proverbs Message, 9:15 a) 5:3 - Lips drop as honeycomb; mouth smoother than oil b) 6:24 - Flattery c) 7:21- Fair speech, flattery
B. The Woman Of Wisdom
Proverbs 8 - 9
3. Message
a) 8:6-8 - Excellent, right things, truth, righteousness
b) 9:3-5 - Understanding

33. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
A. The Woman Of Folly Proverbs Promises, 9:16-17 a) 7: Paid vows, prepared finest surroundings; bed ready; husband gone
B. The Woman Of Wisdom
Proverbs 8 - 9
4. Promises
a) 8: Riches, honor, better than gold
b) 9:6-9 - Life, understanding

34. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
A. The Woman Of Folly Proverbs Outcome, 9:18 a) 5:4-5 - Bitter as wormwood; sharp as two-edged sword; go down to death; take hold on hell b) 5: Personal regret; mourning
B. The Woman Of Wisdom
Proverbs 8 - 9
5. Outcome
a) 8: Blessed, favor of the Lord
b) 9: Long life

35. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
A. The Woman Of Folly Proverbs Outcome, 9:18 (cont’d) d) 6:32 - Destroys own soul e) 7: Many strong have been slain; go down to death
B. The Woman Of Wisdom
Proverbs 8 - 9
5. Outcome
a) 8: Blessed, favor of the Lord
b) 9: Long life

36. James Contrasted Wisdom and Folly in the N.T. James 3:13-18 (NKJV)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

37. The way of wisdom or the way of folly ** Study Questions **
T F The simple cannot understand wisdom. T F Those who love wisdom will have their treasures filled. T F Wisdom was with God before the mountains were settled. T F If one rebukes a scorner he brings shame to himself. T F Adulterers think they are wise when really they are simple and know nothing.

38. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
Proverbs 9:8 – “Reprove not a scorner; lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”

39. The way of wisdom or the way of folly
THOUGHT QUESTION: Why is there such a great difference between the wise man and the scorner in reaction to reproof?