We are not wise by nature. It does not come to us automatically or as we age. It takes, time, courage, humility and a desire to become wise. In our current age of “google search” and bingo, we have an answer to our question. The search for wisdom, at least for some of us seems like too much work.
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,3 To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;4 To give prudence to the naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:1-7, NIV).
Let’s start with the simple but very important step of observation. These collected proverbs that we will read in this book are:
For gaining wisdom & instruction
Proverbs 1:2: For understanding words of insight, character building.
For receiving instructions in prudent behavior which will be manifested in: doing what is right, and just and fair
Proverbs 1:3: straight thinking
For giving prudence to those who are simple, naïve, ignorant
Proverbs 1:4: straight thinking
For understanding proverbs, and parables
Proverbs 1:6
For those who are wise, they can add to their learning
Proverbs 1:5: the wise becoming wiser
What does that mean? There is a kind of fear which is based in dread, something bad and therefore, something to be avoided at all costs. This is not what Bible means by fear of the Lord.
Instead, it is an inner attitude of awe, wonder, amazement, reverence.
but with you there is forgiveness, so that you will be feared (Psalm 130:4).
Here’s our final observation from this passage:
a biblical definition of a fool, is the one who trusts in himself, who does not want to listen to or ask others for advice.
He is the one who says, “No Thanks", I got this”. He is the one who says, “God helps those who help themselves”. He does not realize or even care that God did not say that but other foolish people.
So, fathers, let me ask you,
“what are you teaching your children by your words, actions and core values? ”
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we fathers are told that one of our main family duties is not only to live by them, but to teach God’s laws, his principles to our children.
Maybe you don’t think we should follow the principles found in Old Testament. If this is the case, we can look at Paul and see what he says in Ephesians 6:4 where we read,
fathers do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the lord (Ephesians 6:4).
So dads and potential dads, 2 questions for you:
Have you taken on the biblical call to be involved in the spiritual training of your children?
Second and just as important; are you teaching your own, home brew of wisdom or God’s?
Fathers how can we prepare ourselves to be mentors, teachers, guides to our children and others that God brings across our path? Two necessary conditions:
“1. Humility
2. A teachable spirit”
Not the qualities any have naturally.
Learning wisdom in community:
Tim Keller’s devotional book on Proverbs
Men’s group like Phil Tuckey’s men’s breakfast
ICV offers a number of Life Groups at different days of the week, different make ups of people
Several years ago, the Chapel offered a men’s breakfast that was built around the study of the book entitled “The Measure of a Man”. Some men chose to join and participate on a monthly basis.
The Bible does give us hope if we are humble and teachable enough to seek it.
I want to end with another biblical story. It is the story of a man who had a direct Word from God about his future and God’s promise for a secure future in God’s purposes. But this man, being a man just like all of us, had a hard time trusting God and often tried to help God out. So,
He lied twice about his wife Sara to save himself.
When the son God had promised him didn’t come and he and his wife were way past child-bearing age, well, he did what many of us men of action did, he took matters into his own hands.
He just wanted to help God out and his wife had another option; you have relationships with my slave girl and if she conceives, we will claim the child as our own because that kind of thing was permissible in that culture. It is just the practical thing to do. The slave girl did have a child, a boy and Abraham and Sarah were happy. God wasn’t.
In God’s time, wisdom and providence, without the help of man, Sarah did conceive.
That is all background, now let’s read Genesis 22:14-19
14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.
Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
19 Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba (Genesis 22:14-19, NIV).
