Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Sunday, November 18, 2012

The Book of Proverbs Chapter 3 Prov 3:13-15 Wisdom is better than anything else of this world.

A. Exclamation: How blessed is the wise man, vs. 13

A. Exclamation: How blessed is the wise man, vs. 13 B. Reason: Wisdom is incomparable; it offers life, wealth, honor, peace, vs

A. Exclamation: How blessed is the wise man, vs. 13 B. Reason: Wisdom is incomparable; it offers life, wealth, honor, peace, vs C. Support: The Lord created and rules all things, vs

A. Exhortation: Become wise, vs. 21.

A. Exhortation: Become wise, vs. 21. B. Reason: Wisdom is valuable; it offers life, security, freedom from fear, vs

A. Exhortation: Become wise, vs. 21. B. Reason: Wisdom is valuable; it offers life, security, freedom from fear, vs C. Support: The Lord is your guardian, vs. 26.

Vs. 13, “How Happy”- ESHER Spiritual growth is part of being happy, the +H of God.

“Finds wisdom”, MATSA CHOKMAH Wisdom must be sought after and found. When it is you receive +H. Cf. Prov 2:1-4; Mat 7:7f.

Prov 24:13-14, “My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; 14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

“Gains” PUQ, “Receiving favor from the Lord”, cf. Prov 8:35; 12:2; 18:22.

Prov 8:35, “For he who finds (MATSA) me (wisdom) finds life and obtains (PUQ) favor from the LORD.”

Apart from the gracious gift of God, there is no true wisdom, knowledge or understanding.

Vs. 14, “Profit” SACHAR “Commerce or gain.” The acquisition of Bible doctrine to experience is better than the most valuable commodities of this world.

If you would be zealous in seeking silver or gold you should be much more zealous in seeking God’s Word.

Believers should seek to gain Bible doctrine the way most people seek to gain money.

Vs. 15, “Precious” YAQAR, “precious, rare, splendid, weighty, costly, something of high value.” Cf. Job 28:18; Prov 8:11; 20:15.

Job 28:18, “Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; and the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.”

Prov 8:11, “For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her.”

Prov 20:15, “There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.”

“Desire” CHEPHETS, “That which you delight or take pleasure in.” It refers to the riches of this life.

Is not wisdom worth at least the same investment of time, effort and energy, as the riches of this world since it is more valuable than them all combined? Cf. Eph 3:14-21.

Wisdom’s value does not fluctuate based on circumstances or the stock market. It does not tarnish, it cannot be stolen and it is not used up. Mat 6:19-21; cf. 1 Cor 9:25-27; James 5:1-6

These verses do not condemn wealth or property. They are normal desires in life, and if you put “wisdom” first you can enjoy these things.

And if they are wiped out you still have God’s Word in your soul with its inner happiness (+H), regardless of the details of life.

The believer must not to be misled into thinking that the pursuit of these things is more important than the pursuit of wisdom. If a choice must be made, choose wisdom, cf. Prov 4:5, 7; 8:10-11, 19; 16:16.

“Compares” - SHAWAH You cannot name anything in life that is more important than God’s Word. If you have Bible doctrine then you have everything.

Grace Offering Prov 11:24, “There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25 The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. 26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, November 18, 2012 Tape # Proverbs Chapter 3 Wisdom is the Most Valuable Thing James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2012 Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, November 18, 2012 Tape # Proverbs Chapter 3 Wisdom is the Most Valuable Thing Prov 3:13-15; 8:11, 35; 24:13-14; Mat 6:19-21 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2012