September 11, 2019
Wisdom’s Presentation #
Proverbs 8:12-
Intro.
Chapter 8, is all about Wisdom. Last week we looked at [Wisdom’s Plea]{.underline}, in verses 12-21, we can see clearly [Wisdom’s Presentation]{.underline}. Wisdom needs to be clearly displayed in our lives. We will see next week [Wisdom’s Person]{.underline}. Even in this section, it becomes very clear that Wisdom is equated to the very Person of God! The word’s Wisdom and God become synonymous in this chapter. As a result, we can clearly see the handiwork of God in our life.
I. Profession of Wisdom (Pro. 8:12-14) #
A. Dwelling (with prudence) (12) - Be Prudent #
Dwell is a permanent, it is a current, active dwelling, not a past tense, or future tense, but constant state of living there.
Prudence implies caution in deliberating and consulting on the most suitable means to accomplish valuable purposes.
Wisdom never abandons prudence, but rather abides with it.
The abandonment of prudence in our life, is the very abandonment of wisdom, or abandonment of God!
B. Discovery - Finding (12) - Be Learning #
‘find out knowledge of witty inventions’ -
Wisdom never stops learning. Wisdom will discover, and work to understand new inventions and devices.
God can help you understand new things to be used for His honor and glory!
When I went to the mission field, I asked God to help me learn the language. It was not for my glory, but I recognize the very fact that God is the author of languages. Language is crucial to the mission of getting the Word of God out!
God can help you accomplish anything for His honor and glory!
C. Disdain (13) - Be hateful … of sin #
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“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)
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“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6)
a) Wisdom, and the Fear of the Lord will drive man away from wickedness, and to purity!
Godly wisdom is never associated with sinfulness. Evil is identified as 1. Pride (inside) 2. Evil way (outward) 3. Froward mouth (tongue)
D. Direction “Counsel” - (14) - Be Seeking! #
Counsel - sound, wise counsel, belongs to God!
Seek God, and God’s word to get the counsel you need!
II. Permission of Wisdom (Pro. 8:15-16) #
A. Reign (Kings) - (15) #
The powers that be, are in place by the permission of God!
The President of the USA, the powers in other lands and countries. We tend to focus centrically on ourselves… there are many countries and kingdoms.
Looking at the OT helps us realize, sometimes used ’evil’ rulers as judgement for sin.
B. Rule (princes) - (16) #
Laws made, are permitted by God! - They are not always right.
Peter -
a) “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:28–29)
Midwives in Egypt - the mid-wives were commanded to kill the male
children, they didn't, and God Blessed them.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - , were commanded to bow, they
didn't, they were willing to suffer the punishment, God protected
them.
C. Role of Authority #
The point is God permits, and expects people to be in the place of authority that He has placed them.
God placed fathers over the home, God placed pastors over the churches, God placed governmental officials in their office. Respect is recognizing that God placed them there!
If you are in a place of authority: 1. Recognize it is God that put you there, 2. Ask God for the wisdom to be rule
- “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalms 75:6–7)
III. Promise of Wisdom (Pro. 8:17-19) #
A. People - Seekers Finders (17) #
Seek Wisdom, seek God (the true possessor of Wisdom, and you will get it! This is a promise.
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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
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“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The problem is not with God, the problem is with man… NOT SEEKING GOD!
B. Prosperity - Riches (18-19) #
God is not poor, never has been poor, never will be poor.
Prosperity Gospel
Righteousness does not equal worldly wealth!
Worldly wealth does not equal Righteousness.
There are plenty of examples of righteous, wise poor people.
We do have to be careful not to equate riches to wisdom, or godliness.
Durable is the key word in vs 18…
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:3–4)
C. Purity - Righteousness (18-19) #
- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
D. Do you accept these promises? Do you seek after righteousness? #
IV. Path of Wisdom (Pro 8:20-21) #
A. Righteousness - purity of heart, rectitude of life (20) #
Clearly Wisdom is Jesus Christ!
a) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Only Jesus Christ can make you pure before God!
There is no other way!
Wisdom will NEVER lead you in the path of wickedness!
b) “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” (James 1:13)
You cannot blame God for your sin, that is yours. You jumped off the
bus, and stopped walking with God at that point.
B. Reward (21) #
Inheritance!
a) “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16)
b) “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:4)
c) “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” (John 14:1–4)