Lesson #2 Wisdom Shouts! Proverbs: Road Map for Living

Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

What is Wisdom? Wisdom: Thinking according to God’s Truth; knowledge applied at the right time and place.

The Voice of Wisdom 1.Shouts in public – vs 20 2.Cries out through nature – Psalm 104:24 3.Speaks through our conscience – II Corinthians 1:12 4.Expresses through reason – James 3:17 5.Is thematic throughout scripture – referred to over 200 times in the Bible 6. Is necessary for life – Proverbs 4:7,8

Wisdom’s Questions 1.How long? – vs 22 2.Why have you chosen to be simple-minded and naive? (learned helplessness) 1.Why do you delight in scoffing?

Wisdom’s Appeal 1.To the naïve 3.To the scoffers 3. To the fool.

Wisdom and the Naive Proverbs 1:32 – to remain naïve is deadly Proverbs 14:15 – the naïve believe “everything” Proverbs 14:18 – their inheritance is “foolishness” Proverbs 22:3 – the naïve push without thinking

Wisdom and the Scoffer Proverbs 9:7,8 – A scoffer hates reproof and correction. Proverbs 21:24 – A scoffer acts in insolent pride. Proverbs 22:10 – A scoffer creates contention. Proverbs 24:9 – A scoffer is an abomination to men.

Wisdom and the Fool Proverbs 10:23 – Wickedness is a sport to the fool. Proverbs 12:15 – A fool is “always” right. Proverbs 14:16 – A fool is arrogant and careless. Proverbs 27:22 – A fool is grounded in foolishness. Proverbs 29:11 – A fool does not control his temper.

Wisdom’s Advice Turn to my reproof – vs. 23 Turn from selfishness to service – Galatians 5:13 Turn from pride to humility – Proverbs 11:2 Turn from our ways to God’s ways – Isaiah 55:8 Turn from sin to Christ – Acts 3:18 (NIV)

Wisdom’s Description 1.A wise person listens. Proverbs 1:5 2.A wise person willingly receives correction. Proverbs 9:9 3.A wise person is not quick to argue and thinks before he speaks. Proverbs 29:11 4.A wise person obeys laws and fellowships with others who do. Proverbs 28:7 (KJV)

Wisdom’s Description 5. A wise child listens to and obeys his parents. Proverbs 13:1 6. A wise person is constantly seeking to learn more. Proverbs 10:14 7.A wise person desires to win others to Christ Proverbs 11:30

Wisdom’s Source 1.The Lord gives wisdom – Proverbs 2:6 2.We must ask for wisdom – James 1:5,6 3.We must seek wisdom – Proverbs 4:5-7 4.We must develop wisdom – James 3:13