Proverbs Study – Lesson 4
Read Prov. 4:1-4 Solomon begins in chapter 4 by giving advice to his children. In chapter 3 he gave council and advice to a son, so to speak. One on one instruction which was meant to be direct. Now he broadens his advice to a larger audience addressing all who will listen. He calls them his children, which could have been literal or he could have been using a term of endearment for those he loved and felt responsible for. Kings were known to have many children and were responsible for their training and upbringing. However, Solomon had a tender heart for the people of his nation and it is likely that he was referring to the people of his nation, or at least referring to those who were approaching leadership of this nation.
We had talked before about the fact that entire nations are profoundly affected by either the application and use of wisdom and understanding, or the lack of use and application of wisdom. Solomon the wise king knew the importance of a nation that embraced wisdom. We have seen over the course of history the results of nations that have done the opposite, embracing selfishness, greed and foolishness or foolish ways. Nations either stand or fall depending upon the principles that are used as their foundation.
It is not military might that makes a nation strong. Military might alone may allow a nation to rise quickly, but that nation will usually fall just as quick if the foundation of wisdom is not used. Solomon, being wise, wanted to give his nation the opportunity to build on the right foundation. He was willing to invest to instruct them. In v. 1 he uses the phrase ‘the instruction of a father’ instead of ‘your father’ giving the impression of identification and not direct relation with those being instructed. Solomon here is also addressing us asking what our personal foundation is built on and what foundation we are building our nation on.
In v. 3 he reminds them that you are never too young to begin the process of learning wisdom. Most parents wait too long. The demonstration of wisdom can be shown by example to those who are very young. Solomon says that he is a good example stating that he was tender when his instruction began. Many of the habits for life are formed during the first few years of life. Once learned habits are very hard to change or break.
V. 5-9 (READ) Solomon again builds on the foundation of wisdom and impresses his students with the importance of knowledge and understanding. These are terms that we need to understand and define. He again reminds us that they are the keys to life and cannot be overlooked if we want life to work and work well. Often our very survival depends on our application of these terms. But, are the definitions of the words knowledge and understanding the same or are they merely related to each other. And, if their meanings are related and not identical then what is the importance of each word and how do they work together and/or depend upon each other:
· What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?
· Are wisdom and understanding the same?
· Is understanding different than knowledge?
· Can you have wisdom without knowledge?
· Can you have knowledge or understanding without the presence of wisdom?
Solomon frequently uses the words wisdom, knowledge and understanding as things to acquire. He tells us to work hard and ‘pay the price’ to obtain them. These terms are frequently found together as if Solomon wanted us to know that one without the other can have little to no value, or could even have a negative effect on life. It appears that of the three terms he esteems wisdom as the most important. (Prov. 4:7) However, Solomon knew that even wisdom though highly prized was dependent upon knowledge and understanding.
There is much debate as to the exact definition of these terms. This is probably due to the fact that they are so interdependent upon each other. However, we frequently or more commonly refer to
· the facts or details as knowledge,
· the how things work or how the facts are applied making them useful as understanding
· and the discernment and insight in making a judgment as to how to apply knowledge and understanding for the most beneficial outcome as wisdom.
The balance of the use of these terms is important. Our world today tilts heavily in the direction of knowledge. The internet is not founded on wisdom at all, but instead is strongly based on knowledge often unrestrained giving the impression that knowledge, not wisdom, is the principle thing. Colleges and universities often tend to do the same. Solomon knew the importance of all of these. But, he gave wisdom as the overseer of knowledge and understanding. He also knew that wisdom could not be applied without the presence of knowledge. Knowledge is necessary to be able to apply wisdom.
This brings up several important points. In these passages Solomon is making a point of the importance of learning. Knowledge is power. Education is a powerful tool in the life and ministry of a Christian. Thus Solomon admonishes us to get knowledge and to get understanding. Solomon would have highly advocated the formal instruction in the basic and advanced sciences for any and all who aspire to be wise. In all likelihood it would have been a requirement for all up and coming young princes and leaders in his kingdom. His tone in these passages is that we should always be learning about life and how it works, collecting the facts and learning or being instructed in knowledge. He would advocate learning as an ongoing process in our life.
However, as you read through these passages he gives the impression that knowledge should be acquired in the presence of wisdom. This is a concept apparently foreign to us today. I think that he would take issue with the method and intent of how learning occurs in the current world environment. Much of education in our society includes an element of indoctrination of a world view and openly or sometimes subtly denies the wisdom of God, which Solomon set as the foundation for learning, Prov. 1:7. Many of our educational institutions began with the approach of learning that Solomon advocated, using wisdom as the underpinning or foundation of learning, what happened?
Do we consider our self a student? Learning should b e ongoing at all stages of life.
Knowledge often comes in a package that includes evil. Solomon seemed to divide it out, making it obvious what was good and what was not.
V. 11 makes mention of being taught in the way of wisdom, and being led in the right paths. The way of wisdom has a poetry and flavor about it. At times he refers to wisdom as the taste of honeycomb, giving the thought that once we acquire a taste and try it out that it has a ‘pleasant’ feel, it ‘satisfies’ a part of our inner being. I had once made the comment to a young person that they were so polite and that I appreciated that. His response to me was ”I enjoy it”. He had found a pleasure in being polite. Wisdom and its application is this way.
v. 12 Ever know someone that has gifts and talents founded on wisdom that you don’t have yet. They have our envy. They are Sure footed and solid! Stable. Traits we all want in our life.
v. 14-7 tells us not to enter into the path of those who practice evil ways. As a matter of fact it instructs us to ‘Avoid it’, Pass not by it’, ‘Turn from it’, ‘pass away’. I Thes. 5:22 tells us to avoid even the appearance of evil. It is a difficult thing to be subject to the constant influence of people who practice evil ways. Many in urban areas and work situations are trapped in an environment where evil is practiced routinely. Language, stories, drug dealers, temptations. It isn’t easy. Solomon advises us that if at all possible to stay clear of these areas and do not begin these practices.
V. 19 refers to a dark path. There is often a natural tendency to not want to know the full truth. We can play the game that ‘what we don’t know won’t hurt us’. But, is that true? So often when we are living in darkness we run into things that hurt us. Sometimes we get injured quite badly. But, it is dark and we can’t even see what caused the injury and quite often we have no perception of how badly we are hurt. It is only when we come into the light of God’s Word that we see how damaging living in the darkness really was. Jn. 3:19-21 tells us that those that want to do wrong prefer the darkness and stay clear of the light. We do not always really want to know the truth. With truth comes responsibility. One who is truly seeking wisdom will want to be in the light, knowing God’s will and plan for their life.
V. 20-2 Do you ever find parents repeat themselves? I think that we have heard this before and Solomon will tell us again. He wants his children, us, to get the point.
V. 23 Out of the heart flow the issues of life. How difficult is it to control the heart? How difficult is it to control your heart? Out of the heart flow the issues of life. James tells us that it is a mystery that out of the same fountain flows fresh water and salt water, good and evil. James actually makes his reference to the tongue in that passage, but in actuality the tongue is the heart speaking out loud. Out of our heart it flows. If we think about how our heart functions, there is no telling what will begin to flow out next. All too often I am amazed at what begins to surface in my heart having my first reaction being ‘where did that come from’. Solomon gives good advice to keep the heart and deal with what comes out of it before it gets too far down stream, grabbing what’s bad and dealing with it and cultivating and watering what’s good.
V. 25 tells us to focus on what we are dealing with. Solomon tells us to look right on not being tempted to look at the evils to the right or to the left of our goal.
V. 26 he encourages us to ponder the path of our feet. A good question to ask ourselves as we continue down the road of life is, “where will this lead me?” Solomon here seems to be advocating that we plan our life making changes and adjustments as we go. Turn not to the left hand or the right hand refers to looking straight on, giving the implication that we should have a goal that we are going toward. Also, we should be careful not to get derailed by evil as we are traveling.
Read Prov. 5:1-13 This begins instruction concerning one of the most important aspects of life. There are many areas of life where we can go wrong and cause ourselves and those we love great pain, but three or four areas of life seem to be more prominent than all the rest, and this is one of them. One mistake in this area and sometimes life will never be the same. That does not mean that there is no hope…it is just that mistakes in this area of life can cause some of the most damage and pain/regret known to man.
Solomon warns that the beginnings of these encounters can begin so innocent and are so appealing to the senses. Much of the instruction in the Proverbs deals with discretion and discernment, traits learned far in advance of the encounter. In v. 2 he also makes the point that it is important that one keeps their lips making sure that only knowledge passes out. There is a reason that he makes this point right in the very beginning. In the beginning of an encounter such as this discretion can begin to break down. One so called foolish phrase can open the door to Pandora’s Box…placing the interaction of those involved in an arena that is often impossible to stop. They call it rapping. Playing the game. Solomon would call it foolish talking. Discretion will keep you from entering into the dialog leaving it as a one sided conversation going nowhere. It is best not to ignite a fire!
This is not to say that Solomon is against proper relationships. The Bible is full of guidelines and accolades applauding and recommending proper relationships including the physical relationship of sex in marriage. Solid families are built on the foundation of love and relationship between two people in the proper biblical recommended setting. Often marriages get into trouble because of the lack of relationship and time spent together that the Bible says is necessary.
However, this is not the case here. There is a right time and a right place for everything and Solomon reminds that this is not the way to begin a relationship, especially for those that are married and committed. The song ‘the House of the Rising Son’ probably comes to mind to some of us which mentions some of the painful after effects of such an encounter. The problem in our culture is that these encounters have become much more common place and do not only refer to chance encounters on the street anymore..
I believe that Solomon is not just talking about the woman, or man, on the street, but is referring to all relationships that go down the wrong path. Common relationships have the same pitfalls as chance encounters once they begin. Our culture has built a foundation based on physical attraction and pleasure as the basis for operation. Solomon tells that that foundation has no foundation and all too often has the pain of death. Solomon directs those he is instructing to discretion. Discretion in our speech and in our actions will keep the relationship process on the right path giving God’s blessing to a relationship that is to be. Discretion will keep our lips often saying nothing.
Discretion is also used in combination with v. 8. We saw that Solomon gave this advise earlier in Proverbs where he recommended that one of the best steps that can be taken when found in this situation is to turn and remove yourself from the encounter. It is the foolish that will wait to be polite or wait till things get to the point that you think that you can’t handle. Solomon’s advises to take this step early and stay far away.
V. 8-13 tells us the end of such an encounter. Some are foolish enough to have more than one, often never recovering in life, before they learn. It tells us that the result of such an encounter often includes
· giving our honor to others
· giving our years to the cruel
· dividing what you have earned and giving it to others
· the emotional pain
V. 12-3 remind us that often we take this advice and shrug it off or don’t take it seriously. The end of v. 13 tells us that those who make this mistake, they ”did not incline their ear to them that instructed them”. You can make a bad situation better, but you can never erase it. Check out the exclamation point at the end of v. 13. Solomon himself did not always make the best choices in these areas. It is as if he spoke from experience. Like the lyrics from an old 60’s song, “son, tell your children not to do what I have done.” One additional thing to remember is that God’s mercy covers a multitude of sins.
READ V. 14-22 Where as the first part of chapter 5 tells us what not to do, the latter part of this chapter gives good advice on how to strengthen a proper relationship. V. 15-8 reminds us that our affection needs to be directed in ONE direction…toward our wife, or toward our husband, whichever the case may be. There are differing opinions as to the extent of friendship relationships with those of the opposite sex outside a marriage relationship. Some do not see any harm in them and others would say that they should not exist.
Solomon gives the instruction that we need to keep our relationships pure and the focus should be on our spouse. This is not only wise council from the standpoint of temptation, but is a healthy habit that will build a relationship with a spouse. All too often the problem in a relationship is that the relationship drifts apart due to lack of attention or focus. Solomon gives good advice that a relationship not only needs chunks of time and attention, but it also needs ‘to be romanced.’
There are competing factors for attention in life and one of the biggest is time. Time and competing demands pull a relationship apart. A relationship does not always fall apart from outside influences. It more often than not falls apart from within. Solomon advises us not to forget to give time and attention and romance to your relationship with your spouse!!! Our spouse needs to know that they are our focus and that we are and continue to be committed to them.
He goes on to tell us that the physical part of the relationship in a marriage is a very important part of that relationship and should not be neglected if you want to have a great marriage. This area is often a reflection of trust in a relationship. Not just trust that our spouse is pure, but trust that we accept and love them. Solomon gets a little open and pointed as to the extent of this relationship saying we should be satisfied physically with our spouse only and uses the term ‘Ravished’ describing the extent of the passion that should be found in a good marriage. Things are getting a little steamy… He reminds us that we can be satisfied completely in one relationship not looking further for fulfillment. We, however, may need to change our expectations and definition of fulfillment. It is not all about us. He advises that if romance is missing that it needs to be rekindled. Passionately!
In v. 20 he tells us not to go looking somewhere else for fulfillment. It will only lead to pain… Solomon reminds us about God…oh yea, God. Almost forgot. Today God does not usually come into our realm of thinking until far down stream in a situation. Solomon reminds us that we need to take God into consideration sooner in the process, considering what He thinks. God does watch over the affairs and decisions of man and it does matter to Him what decisions we make. Our ways are not hidden from Him. He does care.
Solomon ends this chapter giving a picture of the outcome of not heeding this advice. The outcome is not too pretty.
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