Wisdom’s Call – Proverbs 1:20-33; 8:1-9:12

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Pastor Scott L. Harris

Grace Bible Church, NY

February 12, 2012

Wisdom’s Call

Proverbs 1:20-33; 8:1-9:12

Introduction

I pointed out last week that we live in a nation that does not lack for knowledge or for people that are highly educated, however, we do lack greatly for people who have wisdom and understanding. As one fellow quipped, “Every American has the right to make a fool of himself if he wants to, but too many folks are abusing the privilege.” The world’s definitions of success have suppressed wisdom with the resulting tragedy that people reach the end of their lives and find it was devoid of any real meaning. Even more tragic are those who figure this out early in life, but instead of committing themselves to the quest to discover the meaning of life, they drop out through drugs, alcohol and even suicide. Sadly, all of this occurs even while wisdom shouts in the streets. Wisdom is as close as the Bible, but blinded by the god of this age, they ignore and turn their back on wisdom and suffer the consequences of being fools.

Tobias G. Smollett stated that “some folks are wise, some otherwise.” We want to be among the wise and so we will spend the next several months in the study of the book of Proverbs in the quest of growing in wisdom. When you walk in wisdom, you will both glorify God who created you and benefit yourself by having a meaningful life. To understand the book of Proverbs is to gain an advanced doctorate in wisdom for daily life. As J. Sidlow Baxter pointed out, Proverbs are “the words of the wise on the ways of the world” and “pointed precepts for practical prudence.”

And while even common sense seems to become increasingly less common in a society that has turned its back on God and is rapidly running away from Him, yet there is still great truth in Joseph Joubert’s saying that while “common sense suits itself to the ways of the world; wisdom tries to conform to the ways of heaven.” The book of Proverbs trains the mind to think and evaluate life in a moral context directing us to do what is right. This in turn shapes our character to reflect godliness. Proverbs teaches us to be wise so that we can live honestly, courageously and skillfully so that we can fulfill God’s purposes in our lives which is the only true success.

I also pointed out last week that the book of Proverbs is a compilation of wise sayings collected over a long time at the direction of the Holy Spirit. The vast majority of the book comes from Solomon and selections from among the 3,000 proverbs he spoke (1 Kings 4:32), but there is also a section from the “sayings of the wise” (Proverbs 22:17 -24:34) as well as the words of Agur the son of Jakeh (Proverbs 30) and the “words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him” (Proverbs 31). (See: Introduction to Proverbs)

This morning we are going to look at just a couple of the passages that occur within chapters 1-9 which are discourses by Solomon that make up the first section of the book. I have included in your notes a topic statement of the major passages in this section. You can see from it that this is largely the wisdom a father is handing down to his son. The phrase “my son” occurs 14 times in these chapters alone. You can also see that it covers a large range of topics which are centered on encouraging wisdom and discouraging folly.

 

Proverbs 1:8-19 – A Father’s instruction – Do not consent to the enticement of sinners

 

Proverbs 1:20-33 – Wisdom shouts in the street and warns about neglecting her

 

Proverbs 2:1-22 – A Father’s instruction: Seek out wisdom and her rewards

 

Proverbs 3:1-12 – A Father’s instruction: Pursuit & Rewards of Piety

 

Proverbs 3:13-20 – Wisdom’s Rewards

 

Proverbs 3:21-26 – A Father’s instruction: Wisdom’s Security

 

Proverbs 3:27-35 – Avoid Perversity

 

Proverbs 4:1-9 – A Father’s instruction: Acquire Wisdom

 

Proverbs 4:10-19 – A Father’s instruction concerning two paths

 

Proverbs 4:20-27 – A Father’s instruction concerning health: body and heart

 

Proverbs 5:1-23 – A Father’s instruction concerning immorality and faithfulness.

 

Proverbs 6:1-5 – A Father’s instruction concerning Surety.

 

Proverbs 6:6-11 – The Sluggard

 

Proverbs 6:12-15 – The Worthless & Wicked man

 

Proverbs 6:16-19 – Seven Abominations

 

Proverbs 6:20-7:27 – A Father’s instruction concerning the Adulteress

 

Proverbs 8:1-9:12 – Wisdom & Her Call

 

Proverbs 9:13-18 – Folly and Her Call

Wisdom Shouts – Proverbs 1:20-33

As we saw last week, Proverbs 1:1-6 is both the actu
al title of the book and its purpose statement. Proverbs 1:7 is its theme: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The rest of chapter 1 expands on that theme.

Proverbs 1:8-19 is a father’s warning to his son to not neglect the instruction and teaching he has received from his parents and to avoid the enticement of sinners. The picture is of two parents that have been faithful to the Moses command in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to diligently teach their son the commandments of the Lord and talk of Him in every situation of life. They want their son to love the Lord God with all his heart, soul and might even as they do. He will be blessed if he will heed the instruction and teaching he has received.

While we might hope that the prospect of such blessing would be enough to ensure the son will go that direction, the reality is that there must also be a warning. Fools despise wisdom and instruction and they do not want their son to end up being a fool. The pressures that come upon us from those we spend our time with can be very strong, and if they are the wrong type of people, they can lead you astray into terrible tragedy. The father gives a serious warning about such people that his son may encounter in his life. If they are bent toward evil, he will need to stay away from them or he will find himself committing the evil along with them and suffering the consequences. His father is telling him not to be a fool that despises the instruction he has received from his parents.

Proverbs 1:20-33 is a strong warning against being a fool that despises wisdom for there is a terrible price to pay when that is done. In this passage wisdom is personified as a woman who shouts her warning – “Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square.” She is not hidden, but out in the open trying to get people’s attention. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman because the Hebrew word for wisdom here, chokm” (khok-maw’), is a feminine noun. We saw this word last week. It refers to skill and ability in the entire range of human experience from technical ability and craftsmanship to battle tactics and government administration, but in the Hebrew Scriptures it is also tied to the revelation of God and His will of what is holy, righteous and just. Because wisdom resides in God, true wisdom submits the will and understanding to God’s will and revelation.

In this passage her cry is directed to three specific types of individuals. “21 At the head of the noisy [streets] she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city, she utters her sayings: 22 “How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?”

To be naive (petî / peth-ee’) is more than just to be simple or ignorant. It is also to be open minded, and the problem with an open mind is that anything can come into it. Proverbs 14:15 describes the naive as those “who believe everything.” Their gullibility makes them easy prey for the wicked who will exploit them. As Proverbs 22:3 explains, they are oblivious to the danger of evil they are facing and so proceed into it and are punished. Wisdom is crying out to the naive to keep away from what is contrary to godliness.

Scoffers (l tsôn / law’tsone’) are described by Proverbs 21:24 as those with insolent pride. Proverbs 22:10 tells us they are a source of contention. They think they know a lot more than they actually do know, and they are not shy about telling others about it. As one person observed, “the wise know more than they tell, but fools tell more than they know.” Or as another said concerning scoffers, “the people who know the least always argue the most.”

The word fool here (kesîl / kes-eel’) refers to those who are dull and obstinate in their proclivity to make wrong choices. It is not that they hate all knowledge, just that which is against what they want to do. A fool’s bent is toward sin so that he mocks at it and doing wickedness is like a sport to him (Proverbs 10:23 & 14:9). Proverbs 18:2 describes the joining of a fool and a scoffer – “A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.”

Yet wisdom shouts out even to the naive, scoffers and fools to offer them hope. 23 “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” Such reproof will put them on the path of life (Proverbs 10:17), but such people show their stupidity by hating it (Proverbs 12:1).

Proverbs 1:24-33 warns of the consequences, “Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; 25 And you neglected all my counsel, And did not want my reproof; 26 I will even laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, 27 When your dread comes like a storm, And your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, When distress [and] anguish come on you. 28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, 29 Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord. 30 “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. 31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be satiated with their own devices. 32 “For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, And the complacency of fools shall destroy them. 33 “But he who listens to me shall live securely, And shall be at ease from the dread of evil.”

Because the naive, scoffers and fools despise wisdom, they are left to their own devices which will fail them when the test comes. It will be too late then to gain what is needed for life and they will suffer. That is the warning and it is a serious one. Jesus warned in Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.'” There will come a point in time when it is too late to heed the voice of wisdom and respond to the gracious offer of our God. All that will be left is His judgment and condemnation.

There is still hope as long as wisdom still shouts to them for if they will listen and heed her reproof they can live securely and not have dread of evil. As Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.” This hope is expanded on in Proverbs 8 where wisdom is again personified as a woman calling out to the naive and to fools.

Wisdom Calls – Proverbs 8:1-36

First, notice where she calls out. Proverbs 8:1 (NASB) Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:”

Wisdom’s voice is not hidden somewhere or kept private – though that would be where fools would want to keep her. Wisdom cries out in public. She cries out from the high places so her voice will carry and be heard by the masses easily. She cries out to the public from where the roads meet, often a place where people gather and commerce occurs. She also cries out from the gates of the city which is another public place. This is often the location of both commerce and business including legal matters. She also cries out at the entrance of the doors. This is the only private location, and it indicates that if you do not search her out or come across her in public, she will search you out where you live. People cannot claim they did not have opportunity to hear her.

Her call is again directed to the naive and fools, but this time the scoffers are left out. Proverbs 13:1 & 15:12 tell us the scoffer will not listen to rebuke and will not seek wisdom and so will be left alone. The naive and fools are still of
fered hope, though this time wisdom seeks to attract them with the blessings she brings. 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 “O naive ones, discern prudence; And, O fools, discern wisdom. 6 “Listen, for I shall speak noble things; And the opening of my lips [will produce] right things. 7 “For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. 9 “They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 “Take my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold. 11 “For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things can not compare with her.”

Wisdom brings a message of truth and righteousness which is noble and straightforward. Wisdom does not speak in mysteries, dark sayings or perversions. She proclaims her message plainly so that it can be understood by all that desire to learn. It is the blindness of sin that confuses people, not the proclamation of wisdom. Instruction, knowledge and wisdom are to be valued more than the wealth men normally seek in silver, gold or jewels. There is nothing that should be more desirable than wisdom.

Wisdom is not alone. She has help in bringing about the true wealth of her blessing on those who will heed her voice. 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.”

Prudence is from ‘orm” and carries the idea of being astute, having sharp powers of judgment which come from experience and training. It is the opposite of being naive. Where you find wisdom, you will also find prudence.

Wisdom will find knowledge and discretion. Knowledge here is the feminine noun, da’at (dah’-ath), from the root word yada’ (yaw-dah’) which expresses experiential knowledge gained by the senses. This knowledge, da’at (dah’-ath) is possessed by God who teaches it to man. When used with wisdom and understanding it signifies the contemplative perception of the wise man. Discretion, mezimm” (mez-im-maw’), is the ability to plan and carry out your purpose.

Notice next in verse 13 what wisdom hates as an expression of the hatred of evil that comes with the fear of the Lord. 13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.” Each of these are contrary to godliness, and those that reverence the Lord will hate what is contrary to honoring Him. Wisdom directs people to be humble, teachable, walk in holiness and speak truth clearly.

Verses 14-16 point out why wisdom is crucial for leaders who will rule well in justice. 14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15 “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.” Without these a ruler will be corrupted by his own sinfulness and the manipulation of those around him to pervert justice.

Verse 17 points out again that wisdom is readily available to those who want her. 17 “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” What is sad is how few people will do this even though wisdom’s rewards are great as is expressed in verses 18-21. 18 “Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield than choicest silver. 20 “I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.” Wealth, riches and honor are the very things those who are worldly strive to attain through their lying, cheating, stealing and manipulating, yet those who will walk in wisdom will have these readily available to them along with righteousness and justice too. No wonder her fruit here is expressed as being better than even pure gold and silver.

The personification of wisdom continues in verses 22-31to expresses the origin of wisdom and God’s use of her in creation. 22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 “From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. 24 “When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25 “Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth; 26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world. 27 “When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, 29 When He set for the sea its boundary, So that the water should not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was beside Him, [as] a master workman; And I was daily [His] delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And [having] my delight in the sons of men.”

None of this is to set up wisdom for praise, for all praise belongs only to our Creator. It is expressed to show the value of wisdom to men because wisdom has her origin in God Himself and was used by Him as a master workman in creation. It adds to the basis for heeding what she says in verses 32-36.

32 “Now therefore, [O] sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 “Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect [it.] 34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35 “For he who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord. 36 “But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.”

These are gracious words, but they are also pointed with a strong warning. If you want blessing, life and favor from the Lord, then you will find wisdom, listen to her and heed what she says. If you fail in this, you will be the cause of your own injury. If you hate wisdom, you are someone that loves death for you will be the cause of it for others and for yourself.

Wisdom Invites – Proverbs 9:1-12

One final invitation from wisdom is expressed in Proverbs 9:1-12. The picture presented here is of wisdom preparing her home and sending out an invitation for guests to come join her for a feast.

9:1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; 3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: 4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, 5 “Come, eat of my food, And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 “Forsake [your] folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.”

Notice that wisdom sends out her maidens with her invitation. This again fits the picture of an oriental feast. The hostess prepares for her guests while sending out the servants to invite them to come. However, there is one element missing. Usually an earlier invitation is sent out announcing when and where the feast will be held which is followed up on the day of the feast that it is prepared and to come. This only has the last invitation to come immediately. The time to seek out wisdom’s table is now, not sometime in the future.

Notice as well that the invitation is only being given to the naive. Wisdom shouted a warning to the scoffers, but they refused to heed it. Wisdom called out to fools telling them how to receive her blessings, but they turned away from it. Neither scoffers nor fools are welcome to wisdom’s feast, and the naive will only partake of it if they accept the invitation, forsake their folly and turn into her house. Those who are naive that do this will gain understanding and cease to be naive.

Even from a purely logical point of view, wisdom’s invitation should be an easy one for the naive to accept. It is easy to see that what wisdom offers – truth, righteousness, prudence, knowledge, discretion, counsel,
power, justice, riches, honor, God’s favor and life – are better than what scoffers and fools offer – lies, wickedness, pride, arrogance, evil, perversion, exploitation, injustice, injury, folly and death. Yet, the reality is that it is not easy for the naive for they believe the lies of the wicked and are hesitant to turn their back in their supposed friendship.

Verses 7-9 acknowledges this point by contrasting the reactions of the wicked and the wise to correction. 7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man [gets] insults for himself. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, Reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man, and he will increase [his] learning.

It is not hard to distinguish between the wicked and the wise, scoffers and the righteous. All you have to do is observe their reaction to correction. The wicked will insult those that try, and scoffers will dishonor and hate those that attempt to reprove. The wise react in the opposite manner. They will love you for it. The wise welcome correction because they desire to understand more in order to become more wise. The righteous want to increase in their learning and so welcome those that will teach them.

The passage closes with an invitation and warning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Verse 10 goes farther than Proverbs 1:7 in which the fear of the Lord was the beginning of knowledge. Here, it is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom must begin with the fear of the Lord for without that fear man will go his own way to do what is right in his own eyes. The naive, fools and scoffers are blinded by the world, Satan and their own sin. For them, the word fear here, yir'” (yir-aw’), must be taken in the sense of terror. They should be terrified that they will face a holy and just God who will condemn them for their disobedience to His law, rebellion against His rule, hearts directed by iniquity and walking the paths of evil. That terror should cause them to search for truth and a means to be reconciled with God. That is the beginning of wisdom.

Knowledge here is personal and experiential. To know God in that manner is understanding for that is when comprehension of His character and attributes begins to take place. To understand is to perceive the person of God, have a grasp on what He has done and know what He desires. For those that know the Lord Jesus as their savior, they fear the Lord in the sense of reverence for who He is and what He has done.

There is great blessing for those that will seek and live by wisdom even to the point of an extended length of their life. There is great tragedy in store for those that reject wisdom as we have seen in these passages this morning. Even their life is shortened as is explained in the passage that follows. Verse 12 then emphasizes that the blessing of being wise or curse of being a scoffer is something you will bear alone. We can neither give that blessing away nor blame someone else. It will be dependent solely on your response to wisdom’s shout, call and invitation.

If your fear of the Lord is one of terror, then you need to get right with Him today. That is why Jesus came, died and rose again. Do not neglect so great a salvation offered to you by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

KIDS CORNER

Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down the scripture references and look them up later 2) Count how many times “wisdom” is said. 3) Discuss with your parents the importance of wisdom and the benefits being wise brings.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. How do worldly definitions of success suppress wisdom? How can someone who is intelligent and well educated still lack wisdom? How does wisdom differ from common sense? What is the purpose(s) of the book of Proverbs? What title would you give to the various discourses in Proverbs 1-9? In Proverbs 1:20-33, Wisdom shouts to the naive, the scoffers and the foolish. Explain the characteristics of each. What is the major theme of the message wisdom is shouting to them? What are the consequences of ignoring wisdom? To whom does Wisdom call in Proverbs 8 and how does that differ from Proverbs 1? From what locations does Wisdom make her calls? What is the significance of each? What is the central theme of her message in Proverbs 8? Define prudence, knowledge and discretion in Proverbs 8:12. Why does the fear of the Lord lead to a hatred of evil? Describe the particular evils that wisdom hates? Why is wisdom so important to those who would be just rulers? What are the riches that wisdom brings to those who heed her? What is the origin of wisdom? What role did wisdom play in God’s activities of Creation? What significance does that have to the value of wisdom’s instructions? Why do those who hate wisdom love death? Explain the analogy being made in Proverbs 9:1-12. Why is wisdom’s invitation only to the naive? Why is it difficult for the naive to accept her invitation? What is the time frame for the naive to accept her invitation? What danger are they in if they delay accepting her invitation? What dangers are faced by those who correct a scoffer or reprove the wicked? How do their reactions to correction and instruction differ from those who are wise and righteous? Why is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Why is knowledge of the Holy One understanding? Why does a scoffer bear the consequences of their scoffing alone? Why can’t they blame someone else? What kind of fear to you have of the Lord – terror or reverence? If it is terror, how can you be at peace with God? (See a church leader if you can’t answer that question) When will you do your part to be at peace with God?

 

Sermon Notes – 2/12/2012

Wisdom’s Call – Proverbs 1:20-33; 8:1-9:12

Introduction

The world’s definitions of success have suppressed _______________

Proverbs teaches us to be wise so that we fulfill God’s __________________in our lives

The majority of the Proverbs comes from ______________, with additional sections by others

    Proverbs 1:8-19 – A Father’s instruction – Do not consent to the enticement of sinners

    Proverbs 1:20-33 – Wisdom shouts in the street and warns about neglecting her

    Proverbs 2:1-22 – A Father’s instruction: Seek out wisdom and her rewards

    Proverbs 3:1-12 – A Father’s instruction: Pursuit & Rewards of Piety

    Proverbs 3:13-20 – Wisdom’s Rewards

    Proverbs 3:21-26 – A Father’s instruction: Wisdom’s Security

    Proverbs 3:27-35 – Avoid Perversity

    Proverbs 4:1-9 – A Father’s instruction: Acquire Wisdom

    Proverbs 4:10-19 – A Father’s instruction concerning two paths

    Proverbs 4:20-27 – A Father’s instruction concerning health: body and heart

    Proverbs 5:1-23 – A Father’s instruction concerning immorality and faithfulness.

    Proverbs 6:1-5 – A Father’s instruction concerning Surety.

    Proverbs 6:6-11 – The Sluggard

    Proverbs 6:12-15 – The Worthless & Wicked man

    Proverbs 6:16-19 – Seven Abominations

    Proverbs 6:20-7:27 – A Father’s instruction concerning the Adulteress

    Proverbs 8:1-9:12 – Wisdom & Her Call

    Proverbs 9:13-18 – Folly and Her Call

 

Wisdom Shouts – Proverbs 1:20-33

Faithful parents plead with their son to not neglect what he has been ____________

The father gives serious warning to his son about the evil _______________ that could lead him astray

Wisdom shouts to ___________ against the high price that will be paid by those who neglect her

Wisdom openly and ________________ warns the naive, the scoffer and the fool

The ___________are both simple (ignorant), gullible, and oblivious to danger – Proverbs 14:15; 22:3

Scoffers are _______________, insolent and a source of contention (Prov. 18:2; 21:4; 22:10)

Fools are dull & ___________in their proclivity to make wrong choices, mocking at sin & doing wrong

Wisdom gives strong warning – Proverbs 1:24-33 – but they __________wisdom & are left on their own

There is ____________ as long as wisdom shouts (Isaiah 55:6), but the opportunity will pass away.

Wisdom Calls – Proverbs 8:1-36

Prov. 8:1-3 – Wisdom calls in both _____________ places and at private homes

Prov. 8:4-11 – Wisdom offers hope & blessing to the naive & fools, but not to _____________

Wisdom speaks ____________ openly and clearly and should be valued above all desirable things

Prov. 8:13 – Wisdom ___________what is contrary to godliness.

Prov. 8:14-16 – Wisdom is crucial for _____________ who will rule will in justice

Prov. 8:17-21 – Those who __________ wisdom will find her and her multiple blessings

Prov. 8:22-31 – The __________ of wisdom and God’s use of her

Prov. 8:32-26 – Those who ________________to wisdom are blessed, but those who do not are cursed

Wisdom Invites – Proverbs 9:1-12

A _____________ of a hostess preparing a feast for her guests

Wisdom’s maids invite the guests – but give only the last invitation to come _______________

The invitation is given to the ___________, but not to scoffers or fools for they have rejected wisdom

Logically, the naive should easily accept Wisdom’s invitation, but they will have to ____________folly

Proverbs 9:7-9 – The contrasting _______________of the wise and the wicked easily distinguish them

Proverbs 9:10-12 – A _____________invitation and warning

The _______________ of the Lord will prod a man to turn from sin to God

A personal & ______________knowledge of God leads to a comprehension of His character and works

Those who seek out and live by wisdom will be blessed even with an ______________ life

Those who neglect wisdom will pay the consequences – _____________


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