Link
to David's Home Page
PROVERBS AND GODLY WISDOM
Lesson Twelve
Godly Wisdom Has Incredible Objectives!
Text: Proverbs 8:1-21
What good does the “best” of anything do if it is inaccessible? Whether it is the “best solution” to a specific problem, the “best direction” to staying healthy, the “best insight” for a specific sickness, the “best route“ in the challenges of being successful, or the “best guidance” for relationship challenges -- the “best” is of no benefit (no matter how good it is) if it is inaccessible or a mystery. Can you imagine someone shouting, “Good news! THE solution exists!” yet the person does not know what “THE solution” is or where it can be found?
Godly wisdom is not hidden! It is not inaccessible! True, it requires choices and decisions (as does everything). True, those choices and decisions involve prices (as does everything). However, the choices and decisions are known, and it is possible for anyone to pay the prices. The choices and prices primarily involve self without threatening others. Following godly wisdom is “doable” for the person who chooses to follow and will pay the price. Our challenges do not lie in godly wisdom being unknowable or inaccessible.
Some things you are challenged to note in Proverbs 8:1-5. First, you should note that godly wisdom took the initiative. It did not wait to be discovered—instead, it called. In the situation of the writer and those in need, godly wisdom was aggressive as it sought to benefit people.
Second, note that this godly wisdom not only called (took the initiative), but it did so in high-profile places. It was obvious and where people were! The heights beside the routes people traveled, intersections where routes crossed, the gates leading into fortified cities, and entrances to homes were common places that heard godly wisdom’s call. Remember that then people walked or (a few) rode donkeys; thus they had time and opportunity to hear.
Third, note that wisdom’s call was not restricted. It targeted everyone, not just a narrow audience. It called to the mature who should understand “what is what” in physical existence. Godly wisdom even called to those of simple thinking who were naïve about the realities of physical life.
What did godly wisdom say as it called out (Proverbs 8:6-11)?
a) Godly wisdom spoke noble things that were concerned with what was right, and it did not deceive.
b) It spoke truth, thus it was dependable.
c) It spoke righteousness in the concern to direct people in a trustworthy direction.
d) Its instruction was more valuable than the highest symbols of wealth—it offered a wealth that surpassed any form of earthly treasures.
Note some things that are fundamental to yielding to the instructions of godly wisdom.
a) The person must believe there is a good and right way to live.
b) The person must believe that life without deception or wicked behavior is possible.
c) The person must believe that a straight, trustworthy direction exists.
d) The person must believe that knowing and understanding this straight direction is possible.
e) The person must believe that something more valuable than physical wealth exists.
What are the credentials of this godly wisdom?
a) It lives continually with the ability to govern one’s self.
b) It understands that respecting God means despising evil (God and evil are opposites).
c) It hates deception.
d) Its ability to guide is based on realizing that understanding is power.
e) “I am essential to the ability to reign in the greatest political authorities.”
f) “I return the love of those who love me.” (It is not consumed with self.)
g) “I grant enduring wealth.” (Wickedness is not the route to enduring wealth.)
h) “I possess a wealth that exceeds what is considered physically valuable.”
i) “Righteousness and justice form the direction I take.”
j) “Those who love me are endowed with treasures.”
The values of these credentials are to be seen in the realization of how blessed we would be and feel if our lives were significantly touched by these values.
For Thought and Discussion
1. What good does the “best” do if what is true?
2. Godly wisdom is not what two things?
3. What two things does godly wisdom require?
4. Who can respond in those two ways?
5. In Proverbs 8:1-5, list the three things you are asked to note.
6. What four things did godly wisdom say as it called out?
7. List five fundamental beliefs a person must have to yield to the instructions of godly wisdom.
8. List the ten credentials of godly wisdom.
9. How is the value of these credentials seen?
10. How would you benefit from the presence of this force in your life?
11. How would you explain these benefits to someone who had never seen or experienced them?
Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 12
Copyright © 2010
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ