1. Pearls From Proverbs
(Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (RSV)

2. Purpose of Proverbs Clearly Stated in Proverbs 1:1-6
“To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding”
“To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity”
To give to the...
Simple (naive) - “prudence”
Young man - “knowledge and discretion”
Wise man - “increased learning”
Man of understanding - “wise counsel”

3. The Purpose of Proverbs
THE BOOK IS THEREFORE DESIGNED...
To make a person wise!
To learn how:
To act wisely and righteously
To treat others with fairness
To give...
To the ignorant, common sense
To the young, sound advice
To the wise, even more wisdom

4. Defining Wisdom Wisdom: The ability to live life skillfully.
“Wisdom is insight into the underlying causes and significance or consequence of things, which insight enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has.” (Homer Hailey)
You are yelled at by your boss, wife, or brother in Christ...
You could react in different ways
You could strike back physically, or verbally
You could do nothing
You could react with a soft, kind reply - cf. Pro 15:1

5. Wisdom… WISDOM IS NORMALLY GAINED THROUGH ONE OF TWO SOURCES...
Through years of trial and error
Through the proven experience of others
THE SUPERIOR WAY OF GAINING WISDOM IS WHAT MAKES THE BOOK OF PROVERBS SO VALUABLE!

6. “a short sentence based on long experience”
What is a Proverb?
“a short sentence based
on long experience”

7. What If I Had Two Wishes…
Proverbs 30:5-9

8. If I Had Two Wishes…
(Proverbs 30:5-9) Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar. Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. (RSV)

9. Two Things: Integrity and Honesty A God Honoring Life
(1 Timothy 6:11-12) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (NKJV)

10. Sources Outline by Mark Copeland on Proverbs.
Outline by Steve Higginbotham
Halley’s Bible Handbook