1^st – Trust in God… vs. 1-12

• 1^st – Trust in God… vs. 1-12
  • 1^st – 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
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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!
  • 4^th – 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!
  • 5^th – 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!

• 2^nd – Walk in Wisdom… vs. 13-35
  • 1^st – 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 
  • 2^nd – 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
  • 3^rd – 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]!

• 3^rd – Path of Wisdom… vs. 1-27
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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.”
  • 4^th – 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!