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BIG IDEA:

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY INVOLVES EMBRACING THE ESSENTIAL HEART COMMITMENTS AND AVOIDING THE TRAPS THAT CONTRADICT GOD’S CHARACTER AND ENDANGER OUR PROSPERITY

I. (:1-12) SIX COMMITMENTS OF THE HEART ESSENTIAL TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND DIVINE PROSPERITY

(THE POINTED DO’S AND DON’TS)

A. (:1-2) Obey God’s Law in Your Heart

1. (:1) The Pointed Exhortation

“My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments”

2. (:2) The Promised Blessing

“For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.”

(What about Fidel Castro in Cuba?)

B. (:3-4) Preserve Kindness and Truth in Your Heart

1. (:3) The Pointed Exhortation

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.”

2. (:4) The Promised Blessing

“So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.”

C. (:5-6) Trust in the Lord’s Sovereign Guidance in Your Heart

1. (:5-6a) The Pointed Exhortation

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him”

2. (:6b) The Promised Blessing

“And He will make your paths straight.”

Goldberg: A sanctuary is found by trusting in the Lord (3:5a), and the main idea behind the word trust is “to cling to” or “lean upon.” The wise disciple is the one who, having received a word from the Lord, accepts it and acts upon it as true. He leans hard upon God; He has cast all his hopes for the present and future upon Him. Furthermore, this trust must be an experience with the whole heart, one that is completely undivided.

D. (:7-8) Fear the Lord in Your Heart

1. (:7) The Pointed Exhortation

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

2. (:8) The Promised Blessing

“It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones.”

E. (:9-10) Honor the Lord in Your Giving (in Your Heart as demonstrated with your wallet)

1. (:9) The Pointed Exhortation

“Honor the Lord from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce”

2. (:10) The Promised Blessing

“So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

F. (:11-12) Receive the Loving Discipline of Your Heavenly Father (in Your Heart as demonstrated in your attitude)

1. (:11) The Pointed Exhortation

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, Or loathe His reproof”

2. (:12) The Promised Blessing

“For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights.”

II. (:13-24) CAPSTONE OF MATURITY:

APPRECIATING THE SUPREME VALUE OF GODLY WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

A. (:13) Thesis: Consummate Value of Wisdom and Understanding

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding”

B. (:14-18) Value Preferred Over All Else

1. Nothing can compare in Value

a. Not Silver

“For its profit is better than the profit of silver”

b. Not Gold

“And its gain than fine gold”

c. Not Jewels

“She is more precious than jewels”

d. Not Anything

“And nothing you desire compares with her”

C. (:19-20) Value Proven as a Dynamic Change Agent in Creation

1. Impact on Creation of the Earth

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth”

2. Impact on Creation of the Heavens

“By understanding He established the heavens”

3. Impact on Creation of the Deeps

“By His knowledge the deeps were broken up”

4. Impact on Creation of the Heights

“And the skies drip with dew”

Ryrie: Wisdom played a dynamic part in the creation of the universe. By it God changed chaos to order. So also wisdom can have a dynamic effect on human life.

D. (:21-24) Value Promised in Practical Everyday Experience

“My son, let them not depart from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion”

1. Value of Life and Beauty

“So they will be life to your soul, And adornment to your neck.”

2. Value of Purposefulness and Security

“Then you will walk in your way securely, And your foot will not stumble.”

3. Value of Peace and Serenity

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

III. (:25-32) TESTS OF MATURITY: THE FOUR TRAPS TO AVOID THAT CONTRADICT THE CHARACTER OF GOD AND ENDANGER YOUR PROSPERITY

A. (:25-26) Don’t Panic in the Face of Calamity or Unjustified Attacks –

A Contradiction of the Faithfulness of God – Absolute Dependence upon God

“Do not be afraid of sudden fear,

Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

For the Lord will be your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.”

B. (:27-28) Don’t Procrastinate in Doing Good to Others According to Your Ability –

A Contradiction of the Generousity of God – Rejection of Materialistic Hoarding

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in your power to do it.

Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,’

When you have it with you.”

C. (:29-30) Don’t Pervert Your Neighbor’s Trust –

A Contradiction of the Goodness of God – Avoidance of Exploitation / Selfishness

“Do not devise harm against your neighbor,

While he lives in security beside you.

Do not contend with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.”

D. (:31-32) Don’t Pursue the Path of the Wicked –

A Contradiction of the Holiness of God – Desiring God and His Righteousness

“Do not envy a man of violence,

And do not choose any of his ways.

For the crooked man is an abomination to the lord;

But He is intimate with the upright.”

W. A. Rees Jones: James tells us that heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, easily intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity, and that it has a diabolical parody whose marks are envy and strife.

(:33-35) CONCLUSION: CONTRAST BETWEEN RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

A. (:33) Contrast Between Wicked and Just

“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,

But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.”

B. (:34) Contrast Between Scorners and Lowly

“Though He scoffs at the scoffers,

Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.”

C. (:35) Capstone: Contrast Between Wise and Fools

“The wise will inherit honor,

But fools display dishonor.”