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BIG IDEA:

THE GIFT OF WISDOM FROM THE LORD

KEEPS ONE ON THE RIGHT PATH

INTRODUCTION:

Zeisler: . . .a series of lessons that a father is teaching his son. A godly father is with his young son, an early adolescent, we can well imagine, and with his arm around him, is talking to him about life. . .

Now this is clearly a son who is just beginning to face adult realities and to become responsible for himself. The sayings and commandments are offered as new, wisdom’s treasures yet to be discovered.

I. (2:1-5) THIS GIFT OF WISDOM MUST BE ACTIVELY PURSUED

A. The Pursuit

1. By Hearing and Obeying

“Every young man who listens to me and obeys my instructions . . .”

2. By Diligently and Urgently Searching

“searching for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure”

B. The Prize

1. Wisdom

a. Wisdom and Good Sense

b. Better Insight and Discernment

3. Knowledge of God Himself

a. Importance of Reverence for the Lord

b. Importance of Trusting Him

Kidner: With these two phrases (the fear of the Lord . . . the knowledge of God) verse 5 encompasses the two classic Old Testament terms for true religion – the poles of awe and intimacy.

II. (2:6-10) THIS GIFT OF WISDOM MAKES ITS HOME AT THE CENTER OF YOUR BEING

A. (:6a) The Root of This Gift of Wisdom

“For the Lord grants wisdom!”

Kidner: What you find, then (vs. 5), is what He gives (vs. 6); discovery and revelation are inseparable.

B. (:6b-7) The Riches of This Gift of Wisdom

“His every word is a treasure of:”

1. Knowledge and Understanding

2. Good Sense

C. (:7) The Recipients of This Gift of Wisdom

1. To the Godly

2. His Saints

D. (:8-9) The Resources of This Gift of Wisdom

1. Protecting Shield

“He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway.”

W. A. Rees Jones: God watches over the path His people take, both to protect them in it and to keep them in the right way.

2. Infallible Guide

“He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time.”

E. (:10) The Radiance of This Gift of Wisdom

1. Residing at the Core of Your Being

“For wisdom and truth will enter the very center of your being”

2. Resonating Throughout Your Entire Person with Joy

“filling your life with joy.”

III. (2:11-19) THIS GIFT OF WISDOM GUARDS YOUR SOUL AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE TEMPTATION

A. (:11-15) Temptation of Depraved Companions

1. Depraved Men

“You will be given the sense to stay away from evil men”

2. Depraved Manipulators

“who want you to be their partners in crime”

3. Depraved Lifestyles

“men who turn from God’s ways to walk down dark and evil paths”

4. Depraved Value Systems

“and exult in doing wrong, for they thoroughly enjoy their sins.”

5. Depraved Deeds

“Everything they do is crooked and wrong.”

Kidner: The process is that wisdom and knowledge, when they become your own way of thinking, and your acquired taste (10), will make the talk and interests of evil men alien to you (12-15).

B. (:16-19) Temptation of Seductive Prostitutes

1. Solitary Way of Escape

“Only wisdom from the Lord can save a man”

2. Seducing Solicitations

“from the flattery of prostitutes”

3. Shameless Adultery

“these girls have abandoned their husbands and flouted the laws of God.”

4. Stinking Sinkhole

“Their houses lie along the road to death and hell.”

5. Shattered Lives

“None of these men will ever be the same again.”

Illustration: some things can be glued back together and they are almost as good as new; remember the time Jenny was given a porcelain doll for her 5 year old birthday. Went outside to play; dropped it and it shattered; no putting that back together.

IV. (2:20-22) THIS GIFT OF WISDOM DIFFERENTIATES BETWEEN A GOOD AND A BAD DESTINY

A. (:20-21) The Godly Path Leads to a Life of Fulfillment

“Follow the steps of the godly instead, and stay on the right path, for only good men enjoy life to the full”

B. (:22) The Evil Path Leads to a Life of Futility

“evil men lose the good things they might have had, and they themselves shall be destroyed.”