“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get
wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
(Proverbs 4:7)
Solomon shared the teaching on wisdom that he
received from his father (v. 4). He considered this
teaching to be a precious gift (v. 2). He wrote it as a
secret for happiness and success.
In order to be wise, we must listen to others
(v. 1), to study and to put that wisdom into
practice (v. 5)
We have been invited to seek wisdom with all
our intellectual faculties (hearing, v. 10) and
feelings (loving her, v. 4 and 6).
An “immoral woman” or
“strange woman” is a person
who is not the lawful spouse
(either husband or wife). He or
she may urge us to commit
adultery. We must follow the
next three pieces of advice from
this chapter:
Watch your
words. If you
share details on
your intimate life
with a “strange”
person, you may
be exposed to
temptation.
“That you
may
preserve
discretion,
and your lips
may keep
knowledge.”
(v. 2)
Getting away
from temptation
as soon as
possible.
“Remove
your way far
from her,
and do not
go near the
door of her
house.” (v. 8)
Rejoice in your
spouse (1
Corinthians 7:5).
Loving our
spouse is the
best protection
against the
temptation of
loving another
man or woman.
“Let your
fountain be
blessed, and
rejoice with
the wife of
your youth.”
(v. 18)
“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is
smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp
as a two-edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:3-4)
“My son, if you become surety for
your friend, if you have shaken hands
in pledge for a stranger, you are
snared by the words of your mouth;
you are taken by the words of your
mouth. So do this, my son, and deliver
yourself; for you have come into the
hand of your friend: go and humble
yourself; plead with your friend.”
(Proverbs 6:1-3)
Your friend got into debt with a
person. Since you are his friend, you
stood security for him without much
thought. That way you pawned your
word to a stranger (your friend’s
creditor).
What if your friend does not pay his
debt? What if you don’t have enough
money to pay that debt?
Humble yourself, be persistent and
make sure your friend pays his debt.
Next time… don’t promise more
money to your friend than you already
have. Keep that money as long as
necessary, so the creditor couldn’t ask
for more money than you already
have.
“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which,
having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer,
and gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
What can we learn from
the way ants work?
Each ant has its position and work.
They show amazing teamwork.
There is no lazy ant.
They trust one another.
They get ready for winter.
They are diligent, hard-working
and focused.
Each ant bears its own burden.
They help each other if necessary.
They come together to plan and to
receive instructions.
They communicate in various ways.
They can regroup.
They need community. They die if
isolated.
“How long will you slumber, O
sluggard? When will you rise from
your sleep? A little sleep, a little
slumber, a little folding of the
hands to sleep—so shall your
poverty come on you like a
prowler, and your need like an
armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)
How can we learn from the
indolence of the sluggard?
“At the creation, labor was appointed as a blessing. It meant development,
power, happiness. The changed condition of the earth through the curse of
sin has brought a change in the conditions of labor; yet though now
attended with anxiety, weariness, and pain, it is still a source of happiness
and development. And it is a safeguard against temptation. Its discipline
places a check on self-indulgence, and promotes industry, purity, and
firmness. Thus it becomes a part of God’s great plan for our recovery from
the Fall.”
E.G.W. (Education, cp. 24, pg. 214)
Seven things define a wicked man
(v. 12-14)
He walks with a perverse
mouth.
He winks with his eyes.
He shuffles his feet.
He points with his fingers.
Perversity is in his heart.
He devises evil continually.
He sows discord.
These seven things the Lord hates
(v. 16-19)
A proud look.
A lying tongue.
Hands that shed innocent
blood.
A heart that devises wicked
plans.
Feet that are swift in
running to evil.
A false witness who speaks
lies.
One who sows discord
among brethren.
Wisdom protect us from foolishness.
The foolish man lacks long-term vision. He is not aware that «his calamity shall come
suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.” (v. 15).
The wise man is careful to not to do something God hates.
It’s not enough just to know about right and wrong; we need to know how to
choose right and not wrong. Training in wisdom consists in hearing proper
instruction and in following and obeying what we have learned so that we
don’t end up walking in the wrong direction.
Jacques B. Doukhan, Bible Study Guide; Saturday January 3, 2015.