December 16 lesson

The House of Wisdom

Text: Proverbs 9

Introduction: With this chapter, we come to the close of the first division of instructions given in the book of Proverbs. Chapters 1 – 9 are basically written to young men. Solomon has been used of God to record wise instructions that will help a young man from the elementary years of school until he goes off to college. In chapter 8 we saw two schools trying to convince this young man to attend. These schools were the school of wisdom and the school of foolishness. In this ninth chapter it is as if the young man has arrived on the college campus and is looking at the different directions he could take during his college years. Will he live in the house of wisdom or the house of foolishness? This chapter deals with the house of wisdom.

Body:

The House of the Wise (v 1-12)

Wisdom’s house is prepared and ready for this young man. Wisdom is ready to help. Wisdom has taken care of all the things in life that we think we have to do. The house of wisdom has been built on seven pillars (the number of completion.) Bread and wine are offered to wisdom’s guests while the house of the foolish only offers her guests water (v 17.)

Wisdom warns of the scorner (v 7-9.) A scorner is on who scoffs at religious teachings about piety and morals; a frivolous and impudent person. Notice that Solomon warns about dealing with the scorner in any way. He tells this young man to not even reprove the scorner. Basically, he says to leave the scorner to himself. The scorner is best left to himself; less damage will be done. The wise man is the exact opposite.

The wise will be blessed for his wisdom, but the scorner will suffer for his foolishness (v 10-12.) Wisdom will always be there, but the scorner will have to face life alone.

The House of the Foolish (v 13-18)

This house is calling loud and clear (clamorous.) Foolishness is recruiting anyone and everyone. Her main goal is to attract the simple ones, the ones who do not know better. She tries to offer what the simple will need…water and bread. These will lead the simple following the foolish will lead to the depths of hell.

Conclusion: Choose the right house to live in. Do not be foolish. Stay away from the scorner. Leave the scorner all to himself.

December 9 lesson

The School of Wisdom

Text: Proverbs 8

Introduction: In the first few chapters of Proverbs, Solomon writes to his son, and we gather that his son was a bit younger. Chapters 5 – 7 reveal that this son is becoming a young man and thus more mature subject matter is addressed. In chapter 8, it is as if this young man is preparing to go off to college. Two different schools are sending him their literature: the School of Wisdom and the School of Foolishness. Both schools are hoping this young man will attend their particular school. There is an urgency in this chapter to enroll this young man in the School of Wisdom.



The Invitation from Wisdom (v 1-11)

Wisdom wants to be heard and followed. She is accessible and ready for this young man to learn from. (v 1-3) Wisdom is not something that is difficult to find. It may be difficult to use, but it is not difficult to find. We have a Book full of wisdom at our disposal every day.

This School of Wisdom wanted this young man to know that he was welcome. The school wanted to help him. Wisdom lists some of its benefits in these verses:
*I will speak of excellent things. (v 6)
*My mouth shall speak truth. (v 7)
*All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. (v 8)
*I am better than this world’s riches. (v 10)

Wisdom is valuable. Verse 11 tells us that “all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” That means if we desire anything in this world, we should desire wisdom more.

The Characteristics of Wisdom (v 12-21)

Wisdom describes herself in these verses. The school wanted the young man to know what he was getting into.

*I wisdom dwell with prudence, or “intelligence and understanding.” (v. 12)
*The forward mouth, do I hate. (v 13)
*Counsel is mine. (v 14)
*I am understanding. (v 14)
*I have strength. (v 14)
*I love them that love me. (v 17)
*Riches and honor are with me. (v 17)
*My fruit, or “reward,” is better than gold. (v 19)
*I lead in the way of righteousness. (v 20)
*I may cause those that love me to inherit substance. (v 21)

This young man would be foolish to enroll in the School of Foolishness after this list.

The Personification of Wisdom (v 22-36)

In these last verses, wisdom is being described as a Man. There are some interesting parallels between wisdom and Jesus Christ Himself. This School of Wisdom was pulling out all the stops now! They wanted this young man, and they let him know that righteousness and the truth found only in Jesus was there at their school.

Here are the parallels:
*The Lord possessed me in the beginning. (v 22) Jesus was with the Father in the beginning.
*I was set up from everlasting. (v 23-29) Jesus has always existed before the world was created.
*I was daily His delight. (v 30-34) Jesus always pleased the Father.
*Whoso findeth me findeth life. (v 35-36) Jesus is the giver of eternal life to all that come to Him.

Conclusion: Which school would you choose? Solomon did not even list the majority of the downfalls that the school of foolishness brings. Let us just focus on the positives of the school of wisdom. Enroll on a daily basis.

December 2 lesson

The Simple Need Wisdom

Text: Proverbs 7

Introduction: Solomon has a father/son talk about the dangers of being “simple.” He also wants his son to have a heart for the things of God. This is a great chapter that is almost like a sermon from Solomon.


The Relationship to Wisdom and the Truth (v 1-5)

Remember wisdom in our actions (v 3.) “Bind them upon thy fingers” suggests that Solomon wanted his son to remember his commandments in his actions. We ought to act the way the Lord wants us to. We ought to live what the Bible teaches to the best of our ability.

Remember wisdom in our hearts (v 3.) “Write them upon the table of thine heart” is very plain and simple. We should hold the truth dear to our hearts. If the truth is not in our hearts, pretty soon it will not be in our actions. Our heart needs to be right with God.

Guard wisdom like a little sister (v 4.) We ought to love and protect the truth (and wisdom) like an older brother guards and protects his little sister.

The Illustration of the Simple Youth (v 6-27)

For the rest of the chapter, Solomon tells his son a story of a simple youth that was deceived by a woman on the street.

This simple youth just did not have any understanding (v 7.) He was ignorant of the result of his actions. Many times, we are guilty of being simple. We do not realize the consequences of our actions.

The simple youth was not where he was supposed to be (v 8.) He was near the corner where it was known that this woman resided. Do not find yourself at the wrong place…..especially at the wrong time.

He was out late at night (v 9.) For some reason, evil loves darkness. In the world, nothing really goes on good after 10 – 11 o’clock.

This woman was defined by the way she dressed (v 10.) Notice the Bible says that she had the “attire” of a harlot. The Bible did not CALL her a harlot. She just dressed like one.

She immediately showed this simple youth physical affection (v 13.)

She made the simple youth feel important and wanted (v 15.) A man needs to feel wanted. This woman knew that, and immediately gave him what he needed.

She painted a pretty picture (v 16-18.) She told the youth of all she had prepared for him. She made him feel special.

She assured him that he would not get caught (v 19-20.) Every time the devil tempts a Christian, he makes that person feel like no one else will know. How foolish it was for this youth to believe that. We know that Solomon saw all of this happen from the window of his house.

The simple youth decides to give in (v 21-22.) He gives in to the temptation.

All of a sudden, something happens, and the simple one realizes his mistake, but it was too late (v 23.) “…and knoweth not that it is for his life.” What a statement. This youth thought he was going for a short night of fun, but he had no idea that it was for his life. We do not know how our decisions will affect the rest of our lives.

Solomon wants his son to learn from his story (v 24-27.) “It is a wise man that will learn from his own mistakes, but an even wiser man will learn from the mistakes of others.” That statement has changed the way I view life. Solomon did not want his son to go “sow his wild oats.” He wanted him to learn from this story….not from HIS living a life of sin. Where have we gotten this idea that “young people need to experience sin for themselves?” It is not in the Bible.

Conclusion: This story could be about any sin. It is not just the sexual sins that the devil uses. This could be anything. Do not be like this simple youth. Let’s be aware of the devil and the attack he throws at Christians.