This material has also been published in paperback by Gospel Armory. Check it out here: My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.
A list of all of the articles in this series is available here – Proverbs Study (Index)
Now that we have considered the appeal of wisdom and can now appreciate the reasons why we should pursue wisdom, we turn our attention to acquiring wisdom. Once we know we need wisdom, how do we obtain it? The book of Proverbs addresses this question for us as well.
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While much of Proverbs deals with matters that pertain to activities of this life and our physical well-being, there are also instructions and principles that extend to our spiritual activities and well-being. We will consider these passages here.
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To further emphasize the need for us to appreciate wisdom, we will turn our attention now to various passages in the book of Proverbs that highlight the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. We can divide these into two categories: physical consequences and spiritual consequences. As we consider the following passages, there will be a few that may have application to both physical and spiritual consequences, but for our study they will be placed in one category or the other.
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After considering the value of wisdom, the rewards of wisdom, and the deliverance from evil that wisdom provides, we will next consider the perils of wickedness to further reinforce what we have already learned: embracing and following the wisdom that comes from above is for our good.
The perils of wickedness can be divided into three categories: hardship in life, lack of hope for the future, and the inevitability of judgment.
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We have already considered passages discussing the appeal of wisdom, calling us to gain the instruction and insight necessary to acquire wisdom. But why should we answer this call? There are many invitations that may be offered that are disregarded by those who are invited. Why should we listen to the appeal of wisdom? It is because of the great value of wisdom, the rewards that come from following wisdom, and the perils that we face when we reject wisdom.
All of these are pointed out to us in the book of Proverbs. When God offers His wisdom which was with Him from the beginning (8:22), He does not expect us to accept it without explaining why we should accept it. So let us consider the reasons why we should appreciate wisdom so we will heed the appeal of wisdom.
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After considering the appeal of wisdom – both from a father and from wisdom itself – it is important to consider whether or not this same wisdom is good for us today. The wisdom we are considering in the book of Proverbs is not worldly wisdom but wisdom that comes from above. As Solomon explains in the following passage, godly wisdom will never become obsolete or irrelevant. For this reason, wisdom also appeals to us.
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The invitation to take hold of the wisdom that comes from above is universal. It is expressed in two ways in the book of Proverbs. First, we read of a father inviting his son to take heed to his words: “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings” (4:20). Second, we read of wisdom personified extending the invitation for all to come, learn, and become wise: “Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice? […] ‘To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O naive ones, understand prudence; and, O fools, understand wisdom. Listen, for I will speak noble things…” (8:1, 4-6).
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What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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