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1st – Trust in God… vs. 1-12

  • 1st – Trust in God… vs. 1-12
    • 1st – Do not Forget … vs. 1-4
      • Love and Truth… vs. 1, 3
        • My son – do not forget my law – but let your heart keep my commands.
        • Let not mercy and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck.
        • Write them on the tablet of your heart.
        • Solomon knew there was only ONE way for his SON [Rehoboam] to have a blessed life…
        • PLEASE [jussive] do not forget my LAW [תּוֹרָה] and keep my COMMANDMENTS…
        • PLEASE [jussive] do not let LOVE [חֶסֶד] and TRUTH [אֱמֶת] leave you…
        • TIE [imperative] the TRUTH around your neck – like a LEASH so he could not WANDER…
        • WRITE [imperative] LOVE on your heart – carved in so it could never be ERASED!
        • It is VERY sad to read these IRONIC words of Solomon…
        • The father who pleaded with his son not to let LOVE and TRUTH leave him…
        • Is the man who ultimately turned his heart away from God – I Kings 11:4
        • Solomon KNEW the key to having a BLESSED life came from the LORD…
        • But he did not TIE the TRUTH around his NECK [guard his head] – John 17:17
        • And did not WRITE the LOVE on his HEART [guard his heart] – I John 4:8
        • Therefore – Solomon is a powerful warning of the dangers of SIN – Hebrews 3:12
      • Grace and Peace… vs. 2, 4
        • For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
        • And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man!
        • Because [כִּי] LOVE [Jesus] and TRUTH [His Word] will give you a LONG life…
        • That is filled with PEACE [שָׁלֽוֹם] and GRACE [חָנַן]
        • So that both God and Men will see that you understand where a GOOD [טֽוֹב] life comes from! 
        • When we have the WORD of God guarding our mind – and His LOVE guarding our hearts…
        • We will find GRACE and PEACE [17x used as a greeting in the New Testament]
        • Because there is NO other way to have a blessed LIFE – it can ONLY come from the LORD…
        • But it is important we do not just KNOW that [Solomon] – we need to DO it – James 1:22
    • 2nd – Who to Trust… vs. 5-6
      • In the Lord… vs. 5
        • Trust in the LORD with all your heart!
        • We must [imperative] put ALL [כָּל] of our TRUST in the LORD [יְהוָה]
        • TRUST [בָּטַח] – one of TWO words used in the OT [חָסָה] to describe FAITH [πίστις]!
        • I actually PREFER the word TRUST to the FAITH…
        • FAITH is hard for us to relate to daily life – hard to DEFINE…
        • We did not wake up this morning and ask our spouse how their FAITH was doing…
        • But it is easier to ask – where are we putting our TRUST…
        • And the ONE place we MUST [imperative] place ALL [כָּל] of our TRUST [בָּטַח] – is in Jesus!
      • Not in us… vs. 5
        • Lean not on your own understanding!
        • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT lean on your own thoughts [understanding]
        • The plea is that we do NOT fall back onto what we can figure out!
        • When the problems of life come [and they always do] – we tend to try and work them out…
        • We lay awake all night worrying about what will happen…
        • But the problem is no matter how much we THINK about it – we do NOT know!
      • Always… vs. 6
        • In all your ways acknowledge Him – and He shall direct your paths!
        • On every [כָּל] PATH we walk down – no matter WHAT decision we need to make…
        • We just need [imperative] to LOOK [יָדַע] to the LORD…
        • And then HE will continually [imperfect] show [piel] us the BEST [straight] way!
        • We would NEVER ask a BLIND man for directions – they could give us their opinion…
        • But the problem is – because they CANNOT see – they do NOT know the way!
        • We cannot see the FUTURE – we have NO idea what will happen…
        • We do not know [and neither does anyone else] if we should go LEFT – or RIGHT…
        • So rather than WORRY – we just need to LOOK to the one who does SEE…
        • If we LOOK to the LORD – He will show us the BEST way to go!
        • Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing – but in everything… let your requests be made known to God.”
    • 3rd – In Humility… vs. 7-8
      • Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
      • It will be health to your flesh – and strength to your bones!
      • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT think you are the source of WISDOM [חָכָם]
      • Instead you must [imperative] FEAR the LORD – and depart [imperative] from EVIL…
      • The EVIL is to think that we have the ANSWER [wisdom] – and do NOT need the LORD…
      • Because it is the WISDOM of the LORD – that will give us HEALTH [רָפָא]
      • HEALTH to our NAVEL – like an umbilical cord supplying life to an unborn child…
      • STRENGTH – a refreshing drink – to give us strength [bones]!
      • It has been well said – the only word that should follow I – is CANNOT [we are evil]
      • We do NOT have the answers – we do NOT have wisdom…
      • What we need is the HUMILITY to admit we NEED the LORD…
      • We need Him – as much as an unborn child relies upon his mother [umbilical] for life…
      • We need Him – as much as a we need WATER to survive!
    • 4th – In Generosity… vs. 9-10
      • Honor the LORD with your possessions – and with the first fruits of all your increase.
      • So your barns will be filled with plenty – and your vats will overflow with new wine!
      • Give HONOR [importance] to the LORD – with your wealth…
      • Give Him the FIRST [best] of your produce [crops]
      • Then your barns will be FILLED [niphal] – and your wine barrels will BURST [overflow]!
      • If I invest TEN pesos in a business – I do NOT have much trust it will succeed…
      • But if I invest TEN million pesos – I am VERY confident it will grow! 
      • This is NOT a command to give to the LORD – II Corinthians 9:7
      • This is a revelation about how we learn to TRUST in the LORD – walk in HUMILITY… 
      • Where we INVEST our TREASURES – is where we put our TRUST – Matthew 6:21
      • Therefore if we want to TRUST in the LORD – make sure we have a HEART for the LORD!
    • 5th – In Discipline … vs. 11-12
      • My son – do not despise the chastening of the LORD – nor detest His correction.
      • For whom the LORD loves He corrects. Just as a father the son in whom he delights!
      • My son PLEASE [jussive] do NOT reject – the DISCIPLINE [מוּסָר] of the LORD…
      • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT grow weary of His REBUKES…
      • Because [כִּי] whoever the LORD loves [imperfect] – He CORRECTS…
      • Just as any good Father – who wants his son to be GOOD [pleasing]!
      • I had a good friend when I was growing up – whose parents did NOT punish him…
      • He could do almost ANYTHING he wanted – without ANY consequences…
      • One night he stole a car – he had never driven before – so crashed it and almost died…
      • Someone found him – called for help – and then was never seen again [angel] …
      • He showed up at my house a year later – after he healed and spent time under house arrest…
      • He wanted to know about Jesus – his CONSEQUENCES brought him to the Lord!
      • The reality is we do NOT trust in the LORD – we are NOT humble…
      • And the ONLY way we learn to always look to Jesus – is the HARD way…
      • LOVE does not let us go our own way – because it is NOT the best way…
      • Therefore our LOVING Father disciples us – to humble us – so we instead TRUST in Him!
  • 2nd – Walk in Wisdom… vs. 13-35
    • 1st – Seek Wisdom… vs. 13-20
      • Happy Man… vs. 13-15
        • Happy is the man who finds wisdom – and the man who gains understanding.
        • For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver – and her gain than fine gold.
        • She is more precious than rubies – all the things you may desire cannot compare with her!
        • BLESSED – [אֶשֶׁר] – to be HAPPY – from the root VERB to walk STRAIGHT…
        • Is the SINNER [אָדָם] who found [perfect] WISDOM [חָכַם]
        • The SINNER [אָדָם] who is GIVEN [hiphil] understanding from God…
        • Because [כִּי] WISDOM is more valuable [טֽוֹב] than SILVER – GOLD – or GEMS…
        • NOTHING [כָּל] that we WANT from this life – can compare to WISDOM!
        • There was a poem I memorized as a young man – and it stuck with me…
        • Time is a gift of love and grace – because without time there would be not time to change…
        • Time to be born – humbled – and broken – time to hear the Words of love spoken!
        • From the moment we are born – a clock starts ticking – counting down our days…
        • The question becomes – what we DO with the TIME we are given…
        • Do we waste our TIME – pursuing things in this life [silver – gold – gems]
        • Or are we WISE sinners who have learned – the BLESSED life is just about knowing Jesus!
      • Reward of Wisdom… vs. 16-18
        • Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand riches and honor.
        • Her ways are ways of pleasantness – and all her paths are peace.
        • She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her – and happy are all who retain her!
        • WISDOM has long life in her right hand – wealth in her left hand [all the world wants]
        • Her road is NICE – and ALL [כָּל] of her paths lead to PEACE [שָׁלֽוֹם] – to heaven…
        • She is the TREE of LIFE – to those who CLING [hiphil] to her – and walk STRAIGHT [pual]!
        • The TREE of LIFE was in the Garden of Eden – Genesis 2:9
        • It was LOST when Adam [אָדָם] and Eve thought they were WISE…
        • But the tree is FOUND again in the New Jerusalem [heaven] – Revelation 22:2
        • WISDOM says rather chase after the WIND in this life – Ecclesiastes 2:11
        • We should instead CLING to Jesus – who provides all our needs [riches] – Matthew 6:33
        • Because then we will not only have a BLESSED life – we will have ETERNAL life!
      • Source of Wisdom… vs. 19-20
        • The LORD by wisdom founded the earth. By understanding He established the heavens.
        • By His knowledge the depths were broken up – and clouds drop down the dew!
        • If we want EVIDENCE that God is the source of WISDOM – look at His CREATION!
        • In a universe with 200 BILLION galaxies – each with BILLIONS of stars…
        • Our little blue green spec in the cosmos is SPECIAL – UNIQUE – nothing else like it…
        • With a 23.5° tilt – allowing for 85% of the earth to be HABITABLE…
        • Perfectly placed – 149 million km from the sun – in the GOLDILOCKS zone [liquid water]
        • Everything about the earth is perfectly DESIGNED to sustain life!
        • If God was WISE enough to make [founded] our little HOME…
        • In a universe [heavens] that He was SMART [understood] enough to create…
        • And He had enough KNOWLEDGE to bring life giving water to us [fountains – dew]
        • Then there can be any doubt – that WISDOM comes from the LORD – Romans 1:20 
    • 2nd – Hold onto Wisdom… vs. 21-26
      • Do not depart… vs. 21-22
        • My son – let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion.
        • So they will be life to your soul – and grace to your neck.
        • My SON [Rehoboam] – PLEASE [jussive] do not stop looking…
        • You must have [imperative] WISDOM [תּוּשִׁיָּה] and a PLAN [discretion]
        • They will bring [imperfect] LIFE to your soul – and GRACE [חָנַן] to your mind [neck]
        • This is NOT talking about the WISDOM [חָכָם] of God – it is speaking of COMMON sense!
        • We are coming up to the time of year when students will graduate…
        • They are looking to the FUTURE – wondering what they should do…
        • We know they do NOT have the answer – and neither do we!
        • We know we LACK wisdom [חָכָם] – we know God is a much better answer…
        • Therefore COMMON sense says that we should PLAN on looking [imperfect] to Him…
        • So that we have ETERNAL life for our SOUL – and His GRACE to guide our thoughts today!
      • Never stumble… vs. 23-24
        • Then you will walk safely in your way – and your foot will not stumble.
        • When you lie down you will not be afraid. You will lie down and your sleep will be sweet!
        • If we have COMMON sense – and PLAN to continually look to the WISDOM of the LORD…
        • Then we will be SAFE as we go through life – and NOT stumble [fall]
        • When we go to sleep – we will NOT be afraid – and [sequential] have sweet dreams!
        • I knew a Pastor of a large church – who had a stack of complaints on His desk…
        • He was stressed until he remembered – it is NOT his church…
        • He smiled knowing the LORD already knew how to answer each problem!
        • If we have a hard time getting to sleep at night – our mind racing…
        • The COMMON sense answer is to remember – God already has the solutions…
        • He will NOT let us stumble – we do NOT need to be afraid – go ahead and get some SLEEP!
      • No Fear… vs. 25-26
        • Do not be afraid of sudden terror. Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes.
        • For the LORD will be your confidence – and will keep your foot from being caught!
        • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT be afraid of some unforeseen TERROR…
        • Or of the TROUBLE [destruction] the wicked might be bring to us…
        • Because of the LORD [כִּי־יְהוָה] – He will cover our MISTAKES [כֶּסֶל] – keep us from stumbling!
        • The assumption is that we WILL make mistakes [foolish choices]
        • But we still do NOT need to be AFRAID – because of the LORD…
        • That does NOT mean we will NOT face consequences for our choices…
        • It means we have a God who works ALL things for our GOOD – Romans 8:28
    • 3rd – Lessons from Wisdom… vs. 27-35
      • Pay debts… vs. 27-28
        • Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due – when it is in the power of your hand.
        • Do not say to your neighbor: Go – and come back – and tomorrow I will give it.
        • When you have it with you!
        • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT refuse to pay a DEBT when you have the money…
        • Do NOT [jussive] tell your neighbor to come back [imperative] tomorrow!
        • When we BORROW money – we become a SLAVE to the lender – Proverbs 22:7
        • But the only thing we are to OWE anyone – is to LOVE them – Romans 13:8
        • Therefore – if we OWE someone money – WISDOM says to pay the debt today…
        • And if possible – avoid future DEBTS [if we cannot afford it – we probably do not need it]
      • Do not start a fight… vs. 29-30
        • Do not devise evil against your neighbor – for he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
        • Do not strive with a man without cause – if he has done you no harm!
        • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT dig up [plow] EVIL about your neighbor [lives next to you]
        • Do NOT [jussive] upset him [אָדָם] if he has NOT done you EVIL [רַע]
        • How we TREAT others – is how they are going to ACT towards us – Matthew 7:2
        • Therefore – if someone has NOT been mean to us – why start something!
      • Do not Envy… vs. 31-33
        • Do not envy the oppressor – and choose none of his ways.
        • The perverse is an abomination to the LORD – but His secret counsel is with the upright.
        • The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked – but He blesses the home of the just!
        • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT [piel] envy a CRUEL man – chose to walk in ANY [כָּל] of his ways…
        • Because [כִּי] the CRUEL are an ABOMINATION [despised] to the LORD…
        • Instead God gives His SECRETS [wisdom] to those who walk STRAIGHT [upright]
        • He CURSES the house of the WICKED – but BLESSED the home of the RIGHTEOUS [צַדִּיק]!
        • We all have EXAMPLES we look to – and FOLLOW after…
        • But we need to be careful – do NOT envy the WICKED [those who do NOT know Jesus]
        • It does NOT matter how SUCCESSFUL they are – they are an ABOMINATION and CURSED…
        • Therefore – WISDOM says we should instead choose to be UPRIGHT and RIGHTEOUS!
      • Grace to the Humble… vs. 34-35
        • Surely He scorns the scornful – but gives grace to the humble.
        • The wise shall inherit glory – but shame shall be the legacy of fools!
        • IF [אִם] God MOCKS those who are CRUEL [mockers]
        • But He gives [imperfect] His GRACE [חָנַן] to the HUMBLE [עָנָו] – I Peter 5:5
        • WISDOM says we should be HUMBLE – so we can inherit GLORY [heaven]
        • Rather than be FOOLS – who are left with a legacy of SHAME [hell]!
  • 3rd – Path of Wisdom… vs. 1-27
    • 1st – Listen to Instruction… vs. 1-4
      • My Children… vs. 1-2
        • Hear children the instruction of a father – and give attention to know understanding.
        • For I give you good doctrine. Do not forsake my law!
        • LISTEN [imperative] children [speaking to everyone] to the discipline [מוּסָר] of a father…
        • It will CAUSE [hiphil] you to pay attention – and give you DISCERNMENT…
        • Because he gave GOOD [טֽוֹב] teaching – therefore PLEASE [jussive] do not ignore his LAW!
        • Solomon was a man who had EXPERIENCE – he tried EVERYTHING – Ecclesiastes 2:11
        • It is far WISER to learn from his MISTAKES [father] – rather than to REPEAT them…
        • Unfortunately sometimes we are STUBBORN – and do NOT learn for others…
        • We have to go through the school of hard knocks – and learn the hard way!
      • My Father… vs. 3-4
        • When I was my father’s son – tender and the only one in the sight of my mother.
        • He also taught me and said: Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commands and live!
        • When Solomon was young [tender] – ONLY son of Bathsheba [mother] – II Samuel 12:24
        • Kings David taught him – PLEASE [jussive] hold my words in your heart…
        • Because if Solomon kept the COMMANDMENTS – He would LIVE!
        • David was a flawed king – he made mistakes – but chose to repent – II Samuel 12:13
        • It is worth noting – Solomon – was the son of Bathsheba [great sin of David]
        • But unfortunately he chose to follow his fathers sin – rather than repentance – I Kings 11:4
        • We are going to pass on a LEGACY to our children by our example…
        • Not that we are PERFECT – we are all sinners – but we point them to the God who saves…
        • Though in the END – they will have to CHOSE for themselves which example they follow!
    • 2nd – Get Wisdom… vs. 5-13
      • Do not Forget… vs. 5-7
        • Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget – nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
        • Do not forsake her – and she will preserve you. Love her – and she will keep you.
        • Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore get wisdom. In all your getting – get understanding!
        • BUY [imperative] WISDOM [חָכָם] – there is a COST – it will bring UNDERSTANDING…
        • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT forget – or reject my WORDS…
        • Do NOT [jussive] reject [wisdom] – instead LOVE [imperative] her – she will keep you safe…
        • The MOST important thing you can BUY in this life is WISDOM [חָכָם] – worth the COST…
        • THEREFORE – BUY [imperative] WISDOM [חָכָם] – before you BUY anything else!
        • Everyone has a FIRST priority in life – what we put before everything else…
        • It is the things we talk about the most – spend the most time doing…
        • The question is – do we make Jesus – our FIRST priority [before everything else]
        • Because only when we seek Him FIRST – does God promise to provide – Luke 12:31
      • Reward of Wisdom… vs. 8-9
        • Exalt her – and she will promote you. She will bring you honor – when you embrace her.
        • She will place on your head an ornament of grace. A crown of glory she will deliver to you!
        • Lift up [imperative] WISDOM – and she will LIFT [polel] you up…
        • She will being you HONOR [piel] – because you embraced her…
        • She will place a CROWN of GRACE [חָנַן] on your head!
        • The CROWN of GRACE – that WISDOM gives to us – is SALVATION…
        • Because we PRIORITIZE the WISDOM of God – we are lifted up to HEAVEN…
        • James 1:12 – “He will receive the crown of life – the Lord promised to those who love Him.”
      • Wisdom is Life… vs. 10-13
        • Hear my son – and receive my sayings – and the years of your life will be many.
        • I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in right paths.
        • When you walk – your steps will not be hindered – and when you run – you will not stumble.
        • Take firm hold of instruction – do not let go. Keep her – for she is your life!
        • LISTEN and TAKE [imperative] my WORDS – and you will have a LONG life…
        • Solomon had TAUGHT [perfect] his son the way of WISDOM [חָכָם] – the RIGHT way…
        • So when he walked it would NOT be hard – or STUMBLE when he ran…
        • Therefore – cling [jussive] to DISCIPLINE [מוּסָר] – HOLD her [imperative] for she is LIFE!
        • The heart of a father comes through powerfully here…
        • He is not DEMANDING his son follow WISDOM – he is PLEADING [jussive] with him…
        • In the same way our Heavenly Father – does not make anyone go to heaven…
        • But He never stops pleading with us to LISTEN – and TAKE His Word…
        • To walk down the NARROW path [right way] – so that we can have LIFE!
    • 3rd – Way of Wisdom… vs. 14-19
      • Do not pass… vs. 14-17
        • Do not enter the path of the wicked – and do not walk in the way of evil.
        • Avoid it – do not travel on it. Turn away from it and pass on.
        • For they do not sleep unless they have done evil.
        • And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
        • For they eat the bread of wickedness – and drink the wine of violence!
        • PLEASE [jussive] do not go down the path of the WICKED…
        • Do not walk STRAIGHT [אֶשֶׁר] down the WAY of EVIL [רַע]
        • You MUST [imperative] avoid it – NOT travel [imperative] on it – PASS by [imperative] it…
        • Because [כִּי] the WICKED cannot sleep [niphal] until they do EVIL – stumble someone…
        • Their FOOD and DRINK – what they need to survive – are EVIL and VIOLENCE [חָמָס]!
        • Meaning – unbelievers are NOT sinners – because they SIN…
        • Their very character is EVIL – they are SINNERS at their core – that is why they MUST sin!
      • Two Paths… vs. 18-19
        • The path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
        • The way of the wicked is like darkness – they do not know what makes them stumble!
        • The PATH of the RIGHTEOUS [צַדִּיק] – is LIGHT – and it is already getting BRIGHTER…
        • But the WAY of the WICKED – is DARKNESS – so they do not SEE [יָדַע] why they STUMBLE!
        • There are TWO paths we can walk down in this life – Matthew 7:13-14
        • One of them is VERY well lit – we KNOW where we are going…
        • The other is in DARKNESS – which is why all who go down it will STUMBLE…
        • People who do NOT know Jesus – walk through life BLIND…
        • They have no idea of why they are here – or where they are going…
        • Therefore – WISDOM says take the well LIT path! 
        • I John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light as He is in the light – we have fellowship with one another – and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
    • 4th – Follow Wisdom… vs. 20-27
      • Guard the heart… vs. 20-23
        • My son – give attention to my words. Incline your ear to my sayings.
        • Do not let them depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
        • For they are life to those who find them – and health to all their flesh.
        • Keep your heart with all diligence – for out of it spring the issues of life!
        • Considering there are TWO path – LIGHT and DARK…
        • My SON [Rehoboam] – listen [imperative] to my words – Proverbs 4:1
        • PLEASE [jussive] keep them before your eyes – and in your HEART…
        • Because they are LIFE to those who FIND them – will make all [כָּל] SINNERS [בָּשָׂר] healthy…
        • GUARD [imperative] your HEART – because it will dictate what you do with your LIFE!
        • WISDOM says to LISTEN to the WORD – because it bring life to SINNERS…
        • WISDOM says to put our EYES [widow to our heart] on the WORD – Matthew 6:22
        • Because we do NOT chose whether or not we will have a BLESSED life…
        • We CHOSE where we put our HEART – which is what GUIDES our life!
      • Straight Ahead… vs. 24-27
        • Put away from you a deceitful mouth – and put perverse lips far from you.
        • Let your eyes look straight ahead – and your eyelids look right before you.
        • Ponder the path of your feet – and let all your ways be established.
        • Do not turn to the right or the left. Remove your foot from evil!
        • Reject [imperative] LYING mouths – and DECEIVING lips…
        • Please [jussive] do NOT get distracted – keep your FOCUS [eyes] straight ahead…
        • Consider [imperative] the PATH of your feet – and you will be able to UNMOVABLE [niphal]
        • Please [jussive] do NOT turn to the RIGHT or LEFT – keep [imperative] your feet from EVIL!
        • There are COUNTLESS distractions in this life…
        • Things that CRY out they will make us HAPPY [all liars] – give us a blessed life…
        • But we must NOT turn aside to ANY of them – keep our PATH straight…
        • Because WISDOM says – they only things that matters is Jesus!


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