Link
to David's Home Page
PROVERBS AND GODLY WISDOM
Lesson Two
“There Must Be a Starting Point”
Text: Proverbs 1:7
Everyone faces the same problem. The answers will be different, but the problem is the same. The person from a very primitive society faces the problem. The person from an advanced society faces the problem. If the person is part of the poverty sector, a part of the business sector, a part of the academic sector, a part of any age group, or a part of any economic group, the person faces the problem. What is this problem? It is the necessary challenge of determining the line that separates what is wise behavior from what is foolish behavior.
Everyone—no matter what their circumstance—must decide what are wise and foolish behaviors. To fail or to refuse to make that decision is to invite disaster to attack one’s life.
To be certain, that decision involves many things: survival, economics, coping with others, defining advancement, defining reality, goals, personal ambitions, etc. It demands the person ask and answer some challenging questions such as: “What is the objective of physical existence?” or, “Is there an existence after death?”
We must be careful not to oversimplify that decision. Many criteria factor into that decision. Recognize that what might be a foolish decision by one set of criteria might be a wise decision by another set of criteria. A person must choose his/her set of criteria with great care. He/she needs to know why, basically, that set of criteria is his/her set.
Commonly, the answers one gives to such challenging questions determine the basis for deciding what is wise and what is foolish. There are two difficulties with such challenging questions. (1) Few, very few, people answer those questions “once and for all time.” (2) The answers given with conviction and determination are still subject to being changed.
Our view of life and the world after physical existence forms the basis of the set of criteria we choose for determining wise and foolish behavior. Change constantly will question our decision. Realize there is a true difference between ignoring information and being committed.
Why do the answers to such challenging questions have to be given more than once? Why are those answers subject to change? The experience of physical existence changes, and each person must cope with the changes. Illustrations: (1) When I was 21 and married for less than one year, I bought our first insurance policy. The amount was the incredible sum of $10,000 which then would provide for Joyce for much of her life. Today, that amount would not take care of a person for a year—that is less than $1,000 a month now if the entire amount was spent in one year! (2) Life is radically different in being married with no children, being married with three children at home, and being married for almost 50 years when all our children are over 40 years old. (3) Life in the 20s and life in the 60s differs in numerous basic ways.
Life constantly changes, and our situations in life change. If change honestly can question our values, we need to honestly examine our values. Change does not mean our values are wrong or right. However, we need a better reason for holding a value than “just because.”
Change often attacks and alters our answers to the basic questions concerning physical existence. If you doubt it, consider that one of the rapidly-escalating age groups in which AIDS is relentlessly advancing in America is this--older people above retirement age who are widows and widowers, who live promiscuous lives. If you asked these men and women 30 years ago to predict seriously when they would be promiscuous, how many of them do you think would have predicted they EVER would be promiscuous in ANY circumstance?
Changing situations can demand that we deal with circumstances we never previously considered. It is simple to cling to an unchallenged value.
Regardless of age or economic circumstance, the values of the person who believes in and trusts God will differ from the values of the person who does not believe in nor trust the concept of God. The nature of that belief and the depth of that trust commonly determine the basis of the answers to the challenging questions.
Commitment to the God of the Bible powerfully impacts the values that guide our life. Commitment to God and commitment to physical “success” often engage in a “head-to-head” confrontation.
Proverbs was delivered to the Israelite people as a part of their scripture. It is composed of insights into the behavior of a godly person. It directs readers and listeners into an understanding of wise and foolish behavior for those who place their trusting faith in God. Those facts suggest two things: (1) The readers/hearers believed in God. At least some who read or heard did not understand the connection between a person’s behavior and his/her faith in God. (2) That faith in God does not automatically produce wisdom and wise behavior. In order for one generation to pass to another generation an understanding of wise behavior, there must be learning. Just because a person has faith in God does not mean the person automatically understands what is wise and foolish.
We need to know when our behavior is in conflict with our values and our commitment. Right behavior is not always obvious or simple (convenient, easy).
Proverbs 1:7 said knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord. This fear is not the fear of terror, nor is it the conviction that the Lord is a teddy bear who creates a buddy-buddy relationship with all who place their faith in Him. It is a profound reverence that honestly sees self “for whom I am” and honestly sees God “for Whom He is.”
Knowledge that is dependable and solid has a beginning point. For the person who has a trusting faith in God, God is the beginning point.
If you wish to see the kind of fear the writer speaks about, consider Isaiah 6:1-8. The sight of the Lord filled Isaiah with a sense of unworthiness prior to his awareness of forgiveness. Notice the awareness of forgiveness produced the desire to serve. Note two things: (1) The fear was not a terror that wanted to get as far away from God as possible. (2) The reverence expressed itself by a desire to serve.
Stress the point that the “the fear of the Lord” for the believer is not terror, but a profound respect. Such fear seeks nearness, not as much distance as possible.
Fools do not want to acquire wisdom; they do not wish to be taught. Why? Acquiring wisdom and being taught would require changes in personal behavior, and they do not wish to change in any way.
A person has to be willing to change in necessary ways if he/she seeks wisdom and the lessons wisdom teaches.
The beginning (ground zero) of knowledge is holding an honest, profound reverence that changes though learning and results in service. People governed by foolishness want nothing to do with such knowledge.
For the person who seeks to walk with God throughout physical life, the beginning point of knowledge is God Himself. Knowledge of God is basic to having faith in God. We can know lots of things religiously and not know God.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Everyone faces what? What is the problem?
Everyone faces the same problem. The problem is determining the line that separates wise behavior from foolish behavior.
2. Some challenging questions to be asked and answered are what? They determine what?
Some challenging questions: “What is the objective of physical existence? Is there an existence after death?” They determine the basis for deciding what is wise and what is foolish.
3 What are two difficulties with such questions?
a) Few people find “once and for all time” answers.
b) The answers are subject to change.
4. Change often attacks and alters what? Why?
Change often attacks and alters our answers. The nature and depth of belief of the person who places trusting faith in God determines the basis of the answers.
5. The values of a believer who trusts God will differ from what?
His/her values will differ from the values of the person who places no faith in God.
6. Proverbs directs readers/listeners into what understanding? What two facts does that understanding suggest?
It directs the person who places trusting faith in God to realize what is wise behavior and what is foolish behavior. (l) It suggests the reader/hearer believed in God. (2) It suggests faith in God does not automatically produce wisdom and wise behavior.
7. Discuss the “fear” in Proverbs 1:7. Include Isaiah 6:1-8 in your discussion.
The discussion should include that this fear is not terror but profound respect.
8. Why do fools not wish to acquire understanding or be taught?
It would require change in personal behavior, and such people do not wish to change personal behavior.
Link to Student Guide Lesson 2
Copyright © 2010
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ