Saturday, September 21, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 8:12-16


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Wisdom’s Appeal: Her Authority: Prov 8:12-16
12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13) The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14) Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
15) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16) By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.

INTRODUCTION:
A subject very rarely considered in the study of wisdom is the great authority and influence that it possesses in the world around us.  Solomon, faithfully, reveals to us this aspect of wisdom…

EXPOSITION:

12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
1. Wisdom is said to make permanent residence with prudence.
Why are the two so closely linked?  
When we possess prudence (discretion or understanding), we are able to discern the true nature of the teachings we receive.  We are able to see what teachings are Godly and beneficial for us and what teachings are evil and harmful to us.
Once we have properly discerned the true nature of these teachings, we are motivated to live lives that apply the teachings of God, and set aside the untruthful, harmful teachings of this world.  This is true wisdom.
Truly, without prudence, we would find it very hard to possess wisdom in our lives!
2. Wisdom is said to step forward and meet the sinful plans of men. 
In other words, by applying His Word to our day to day life, we will be able to stand up and face the worldy dealings that this sinful world holds for us.  We will be able to faithfully get through times of trials and temptations as we apply God’s Word to each situation we may face. 

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”   (Ephesians 1:7-9)


13) The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
1.  The fear of the Lord is described in God’s Word as the “beginning of wisdom” (Psa 111:10).  The beginning of wisdom is coming to an understanding of the greatness of God’s strength, authority and person, and our response to that greatness.  When we understand these things, we will become enemies to anything that goes against His will and ways.
2. The main aspects of evil in this world can be summarized as:
“Pride” – an internal sin… from a word for “height”… it is believing we are higher (better positionally) than others. This includes pride based upon possessions like wealth, authority etc. 
“Arrogency” – an internal sin ….from a word for “ornament” … it is believing we are more beautiful or desirable than others.  This includes pride based upon personal attributes like beauty, knowledge, wit etc.
Please note:  Together, these two types of “pride” teach us that pride is not limited to the rich or those in authority, or those who are beautiful or extremely intelligent.  Pride takes many shapes and forms but any type of pride is still very sinful and leads to outward acts of sin.

“Evil Way” – an external sin… paths (actions taken) that oppose and displease God
“Froward Mouth” – an external sin… words that defraud, mislead, deceive.

Wisdom is an enemy of these inward attitudes and external actions.  Not only is she “displeased” and “grieved” with them, but she actively opposes them and will bring proper retribution against those who are guilty of these things.  

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”   (Psalms 119:103-105)

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”   (1 Peter 5:5)


 14) Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
Wisdom has a tremendous influence in this world because of its effects on a wide variety of areas of decision making and practical living…
Counsel – Advice that facilitates a Godly decision
Sound Wisdom – Wisdom based upon the Word
Understanding – Ability to separate, examine and distinguish the facts
Strength – Ability to make the proper decision and then follow it up with the proper actions.

“With whom took he counsel, and [who] instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?”  (Isaiah 40:14)


15) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  16) By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.

Wisdom’s role in the life of authority holders over us…
Those with the ultimate authority (kings) will normally have a prosperous, long reign when they use Godly wisdom to influence the decisions they make.
Wise men who hold lesser authority over us (princes) will make just and right decisions that work justice.

Wisdom not only has a role in the highest levels of authority (kings and princes), but wisdom is a tremendous asset for all authority holders in the world.  Even the nobles (wealthy/philanthropists) and the judges (magistrates) will greatly benefit from the application of wisdom to their lives.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:   He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast [now] made known unto us the king's matter.”   (Daniel 2:20-23)


SUMMARY:

Clearly, we can see the great influence that wisdom wields in many different areas in the world around us; but it does not stop there…
In the above verses we have undeniable proof that all beneficial wisdom comes from the Lord (James 3:17).  If you notice that the claims made by wisdom in the above verses can be easily be claimed by Christ (the living Word) instead:
1.  “Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
2.  “Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.”
3.  “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.”
The Lord’s claims are wisdom’s claims, the Lord’s workings are the workings of wisdom as well.  This gives us absolute proof that wisdom originates from the Lord, is empowered by the Lord, and is a tool that is used by the Lord to bring about His will on the earth.  

“O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”   (Psalms 104:24)


By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

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