Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 05/14/2006 AM Dr. Dane Boyles

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  Introduction  Solomon is saying in the Proverbs that the fundamental truths about God constitute the “basics” of knowledge.  God’s reality is the most important thing that can be known and also the most obvious (Romans 1:19,20).

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Rom 1:19-20)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  Paul is saying that in the ABCs of knowledge, we start with God.  The knowledge of God is also the “basis” of knowledge.  It is the organizing principle that unifies everything else, the framework within which all the pieces of information fit together.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  In fact, in the Proverbs we discover God’s perspective: on money on love on relationships on business on morality on government – on every aspect of life.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  In Proverbs we learn” what God wants what God thinks who God is how God responds what God respects

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  Essentially, the Proverbs contain truth about God and how we are to respond to Him in practical ways.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  The Uniqueness of the Book of Proverbs It is unique because it is the only book of the Bible that came as an answer to prayer. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. (1 Kings 3:12) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:22-24)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs Not even Solomon could have imagined the degree to which God would answer his prayer. The Book of Proverbs, along with Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Psalms 72 and 127 were written by Solomon. All together he wrote 3,000 proverbs, 1005 songs.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  Promises that Precede the Proverbs Proverbs makes numerous promises for those who will take seriously the study of proverbial truths. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:10-11)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 13 blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, (Proverbs 3:13) 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:15) 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. (Prov 3:17-18)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (Prov 24:14)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  The Purpose that Pervades the Proverbs The purpose of the Proverbs is to exhort us to get wisdom. What is wisdom? James says that wisdom comes down from heaven and is spiritual.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 17 But the wisdom that comes from hea ven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17) 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. (Eccl 3:12)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  To seek worldly ends without seeking God is to doom ourselves to eventual failure.  If we work at cross purposes with the Creator, we fight against reality, and no one can do that and win in the end. “There is no wisdom or under- standing or counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  The Purpose that Permeates the Proverbs The teaching of the book of Proverbs rests on a foundational principle. “How does one get wisdom?” (Job 28:12-28) “To fear the Lord, that is wisdom” (v. 28).

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs To “fear” the Lord is to reverence Him,  to have a sense of awe before Him,  to humble oneself before Him in all things.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs To understand that He is the final authority, the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom.  When we come to God, we come to believe that whatever He says is what we should believe, accept, and act upon.

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  Two Steps to Gaining Wisdom We must recognize at the outset that we do not possess it ourselves. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Prov 3:7)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs  Believing that we can access wisdom apart from obeying God is what got us in this situation. 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Gen 3:6)

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs We must come to God confessing our emptiness and relying on Him to give us wisdom for the needs we have. 23 “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me (Jer 9:23-24).

Principles that Permeate the Proverbs 05/14/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles