Review

Proverbs: God’s Handbook for His Image Bearers

God created us to represent Him on earth and rule over creation under His authority.

This means our thoughts, actions, choices, words, and life must reflect God.

The Book of Proverbs equips us to do this.

Life’s Choices

The One Main Choice

Managing Our Choice

In the first two chapters, Solomon presented two paths his son must choose between. Each path leads to separate destinations:

Ultimately, our destination is the result of the path we choose. To end up at the destination of Life With God requires choosing to take, and remain on, the path of righteousness — (Image God)

The Vital Step — Pursue Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1–4 (KJV) — My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Take notice of the word “If” in these verses. This is a conditional word. The counterpart to that word is found in verses 5–11. Look for the word “Then” — if you do this, then you receive this.

Chapter 2:5–11 will teach us the reward of pursuing wisdom.

Proverbs 2:5–11 (KJV)

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

God & His Knowledge

Verses 5–6

God & His Protection

Verses 7–8

God & His Image

Verses 9–11

God & His Knowledge — Verses 5–6

Proverbs 2:5–6 (KJV) — Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

The Master’s Degree Illustration

When someone receives a master’s degree in a subject, it means they have mastered the subject. It does not mean they know everything there is to know about the subject. But earning a master’s degree means you have a working knowledge of the subject and can apply that information properly.

Example: the average person knows that chemicals exist. But a person who earns a master’s in chemistry knows how to use those chemicals in beneficial ways.

Solomon provided you the path to earning a master’s degree in the knowledge of God. You will not know all there is to know about God, but you will know God far beyond a surface level belief that He exists.

Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV) — And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

John 17:3 (KJV) — And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Solomon claims you will have an intimate working knowledge of God.

All the pagan nations knew and believed that the God of Israel was real. But they did not know the God of Israel in a relational way.

Discussion / Application

What is the book of Proverbs equipping us to become? Image Bearers of God.

We cannot image God if we are not intimately familiar with Him.

Proverbs 2:6 — The Source

Proverbs 2:6 (KJV) — For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

The Disciples

You and I

They spent life with Jesus and He taught them. They earned their master’s degree in God by spending life with Jesus. When He returned to Heaven they had a working knowledge of God and were able to make disciples of Jesus — they learned to image Jesus and teach others to image Him.

We must spend life with God’s word. Not merely reading a verse a day but living with a verse a day — letting the Bible shape our thoughts, desires, actions, and reactions.

Application

We learn through the Bible that God loves all people, He is honest, righteous, loving, kind, forgiving, patient, longsuffering, and just in all things. He punishes sin, and seeks to reconcile broken relationships. He restores and redeems.

Before learning about God’s character, we may feel justified in sin, vengeance, immorality, pride, selfishness, etc…

But after learning about God, we have a choice to go down the path that images God and leads to life eternal, or to go down the path that fails to image God and leads to damnation.

The first result / reward for pursuing wisdom is God and His knowledge. When we master that knowledge and follow the path of righteousness, it leads to the next result: God and His Protection.

God & His Protection — Verses 7–8

Proverbs 2:7–8 (KJV) — He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

You chose a path that will lead you to eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Wisdom keeps you on that path. You must choose both a destination and the path that leads you there.

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV) — Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

In Luke 13:24, Jesus warned us to strive to enter at the strait gate.

That word means to make every effort, to agonize, struggle, contend, work hard, exert to the fullest, and labor fervently.

Jesus is not teaching us to try to earn God’s forgiveness. The Bible is clear that forgiveness is a gift from God. But repentance is one requirement God gives to receiving God’s grace. Jesus preached that all men must repent — to change the mind, resulting in a change of action or behavior.

Compare Jesus’ word “strive” with Solomon’s teaching to work hard to pursue wisdom. Jesus is saying we must make a choice and work hard to manage that choice. Be intentional to stay on the path of righteousness.

The Buckler

David’s Example

Joseph’s Example

David mastered God’s word, kept it near him, and when temptation came he pulled out God’s word to protect him from leaving the path of righteousness.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) — Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Joseph was a servant in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar’s wife daily solicited Joseph to sleep with her. But Joseph told her he could not sin against God that way. He chose the path of righteousness because he mastered the knowledge of God.

The result was Joseph went to prison under a false charge. Yet in Gen 39:21, the LORD was with Joseph in the prison, protected him, promoted him, and used this path to provide for Joseph’s family in the future famine.

The pursuit of wisdom results in God and His knowledge; God and His protection. Next we look at God and His image.

God & His Image — Verses 9–11

Proverbs 2:9–11 (KJV) — Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Righteousness

Treating people rightly

Judgment

Judging fairly

Equity

Living honestly in every situation

Every Good Path

The practice of all virtues — a moral compass that works in every area of life

Proverbs 1:3 (KJV) — To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

Verse 10 — Wisdom Enters the Heart

Eve’s View

Joseph’s View

Satan convinced Eve that God’s law was a problem — unfair and restrictive. She chose to leave the path of righteousness to follow the influence of Satan. Many people who identify as Christians talk about God’s law as if it is unfair or hard to live by.

Joseph did not resent God because he was not allowed to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. He did not think God is keeping me from something good — rather he knew God is protecting me from something harmful.

Solomon has a different view. He says the person who pursues wisdom and masters the knowledge of God finds God’s laws precious and joyful.

Psalm 19:7–11 (KJV) — The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

1 John 5:3 (KJV) — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

When Adam and Eve knew God loved them, they saw His law as a joy to keep. But when Satan convinced them God was not acting out of love, they saw His command as grievous.

Discussion / Application

Conclusion

When we master the knowledge of God, we know He is protecting us from sin and we never justify sin.

We not only choose eternal life as our destiny — we choose the path of righteousness as our daily course.

We manage that decision by staying on the path of righteousness because we know God’s mind and character, so we choose to image Him in every action and reaction to life.