《Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures – Proverbs (Vol. 1)》

Pride is an attitude of the heart. It is the very reason that Solomon fell into idolatry. It is the root cause of every man"s failure. It comes clothed in many forms, such as false humility and it clothes itself in Prayer of Manasseh -made titles of honour, such as "honorable, his lordship, his excellence, his grace, cardinal, pope, etc." For example, the Pope in Rome carries the title of "His Holiness". These nine chapters open and close with Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10, which reveal the secret of avoiding failure, which is caused by pride. We are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ( Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10). This fear keeps us from falling off the path of wisdom.

This introduction material in Proverbs 1-9 makes up almost one third of the book. Why is this introduction to Proverbs so lengthy relative to the overall length of the book? It is because the preparation for our journey in life is also lengthy. Solomon was taught for many years before he took the throne as king of Israel. Good training takes time and a good education does not come quickly. The degree that a person receives a secular education usually determines the height of his career. In comparison, the degree that a person becomes rooted and grounded in the Word of God will determine the height of that person"s ministry. You must take the time to receive this introductory training in the first nine chapters of Proverbs before you are ready for the journey. The better we are able to understand the introduction of the book of Proverbs , the better we will be able to understand the rest of its teachings.

For hundreds of years in western civilization, a theological education was a part of a well-rounded education. All students learned the classical languages of Hebrew, Greek and Latin in order to study theological literature. The children of Israel were also to give each child a theological education. Solomon received such an education. Therefore, we can see this introduction to Proverbs as the theological training that everyone should go through in preparation for the journey in life.

One further note is worth mentioning about chapters 1-9. Upon reading we must ask the question as to why this lengthy introduction in Proverbs spends so much time describing and warning the readers about the harlot. Perhaps because this is the one area that trapped and deceived Song of Solomon , the wisest man that ever lived. It is in this area that Solomon knows many of the young men he is training for leadership positions in the kingdom will be tempted. In addition, in a figurative sense, such spiritual adultery represents a believer who chooses to love the things of this world above his love for God.

Now that we have some insight into these first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs , let us look at a brief summary of this great book of wisdom.

The opening statement in this passage ( Proverbs 1:7 a) tells us that it is the fear of the Lord that will guide us along our journey to rest. These verses on the fear of the Lord will serve as signposts that are posted throughout the journey in order to show to us that we are on the right path; for the way is narrow, and many are the deceptions along the way. As the list of virtues in Proverbs 1:2-6 gives us a brief introduction to characteristics of the wise Prayer of Manasseh , the following verse ( Proverbs 1:7 b) contrasts this passage with a brief introduction to the fool.

Our divine calling from God begins at home as a child learns to obey his parents. Reverence for parents ( Proverbs 1:8) naturally follows Proverbs 1:7, for learning to obey our parents becomes our first lesson in reverence for God. When a child develops a genuine devotion to his parents, he naturally will learn this same devotion to the Lord. His loyal and gentle spirit serves as an ornament of grace that make this person stand out in a crowd above others of less character ( Proverbs 1:9).

Although the heart of every believer knows that God"s wisdom is higher, he cannot help but hear the voice of the wicked ringing in his ears ( Proverbs 1:10-19). These verses tell us that the wicked seek to exploit others for their own greedy gain, not knowing that they are actually destroying their own souls.

In the midst of the voices of this world, the believer hears the call of wisdom ( Proverbs 1:20-33). This call cries loudly from within the heart of each believer. For those who choose this path, there is safety without fear ( Proverbs 1:33). Those who scorn this voice will find distress ( Proverbs 1:27). If the voice of wisdom is not heeded, she will not answer on the day of their calamity ( Proverbs 1:28).

1. Exhortation to Fear God and Parents: The Key of Life Revealed ( Proverbs 1:7-9) - The first key that Solomon gives to us to enable us to unlock the secrets to life's journey is the instruction that we are to fear the Lord by initially respecting our parents in the home ( Proverbs 1:7-9). This is where a person's journey into fellowship with God begins in a life of godliness. God gave every human being parents and a home where discipline is taught as a way of starting us on our journey that will take us to Heaven's gates and into God's eternal presence. Our salvation experience is our decision to fear God and honor our parents. All other journeys lead to destruction. This journey will bring us into adornment and honor, which is referred to in Proverbs 1:9. So we see that the fear of the Lord opens the door of our hearts to receive the anointing. Thus, Proverbs 1:7-9 can be understood to be a summary of the entire book of Proverbs. It can be compared to the introduction of a thesis in which the issues and message of the document is summarized in the opening paragraph.

2. The Call of the Wicked ( Proverbs 1:10-19) - On this journey there are always two voices pulling at our ears, the voice of the fool and the voice of wisdom. As Christians, we can describe these two voices as the outward voice of Prayer of Manasseh , and the inward voice of our conscience and the Holy Spirit. Even from a child, as we are learning to obey our parents ( Proverbs 1:8-9), there are foolish children clinging to us with enticements to follow them.

In contrast to the call of wisdom to pursue its virtues ( Proverbs 1:20-33), the call of the fool is greedy for gain, "So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain"( Proverbs 1:19). This passage is a warning against greed, or covetousness. The sinner's goal is not to benefit those who answer his call. Rather, his goal is for personal gain. Out of the abundance of his mouth the sinner speaks and reveals his objective, that of personal gain.

The Tempter himself, Satan, enticed Jesus with these same words ( Luke 4:6-7).

Luke 4:6-7, "And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine."

Peter tells us in his second epistle that the world has been made corrupt through the lust that dwells within the heart of a fallen humanity.

James writes in his epistle that the spirit that dwells within man "lusts to envy."

Thus, the voice of the wicked can be recognized by its vices that are manifestations of manipulation ( Proverbs 1:10), cruelty ( Proverbs 1:11-12) and a greedy heart ( Proverbs 1:13-14):

1. He entices and manipulates ( Proverbs 1:10)

2. He wants to do things his way ( Proverbs 1:11)

3. He wants secrecy and not openness ( Proverbs 1:11)

4. He pursues injustice ( Proverbs 1:11)

5. He speaks of taking and not giving, of death and not life ( Proverbs 1:12)

6. He pursues earthly things rather than Godly virtues ( Proverbs 1:13)

7. They make promises of which they have no intent to deliver ( Proverbs 1:14)

When someone yields to the enticing voice of the sinner, we would say today, "He got in with the wrong crowd!" Why would a sinner be interested in befriending someone? Remember that even a sinner cannot succeed in this life without relationships with others. Although these relationships are short-term and much abused by the sinner, he still must pursue them in order to reach his greedy desires. Therefore, he is out hunting for someone to entice and in the end to simply for his own selfish gain.

Now such a corrupt person lacks the ability to sustain a relationship with someone else over a long period of time. Once this relationship requires that they give and submit on their part, once it requires a sacrifice and a loss, they are compelled to end this relationship and seek a new one; for their purpose is personal gain and not the well-being of others. They may give a little up front to make you think that this is a giving relationship, but it is all for show to manipulate others. The owner of the nightclubs does not care about your well-being. The tobacco companies do not want you to know that cigarettes cause cancer and kill their victims. They simply want your substance, and they laugh all of the way to the bank while destroying the lives of their victims.

Today, I am amused by the many voices of the enticer. I used to be confused before I renewed my mind with the Word of God. This was because this voice of enticement lured me, it attracted me and grabbed my interest, and my unrenewed mind thought that there was some truth and relevance to those words. Now, I can discern between the voice of wisdom and the words of enticement much better, and it now amuses me to see how foolish the world is to yield to such messages.

The very tone of Proverbs 1:20-33 reveals God's love and patience to a disobedient people. God takes every opportunity to speak openly to His people ( Proverbs 1:20-21). This is because it is not His desire to bring judgment ( Proverbs 1:22-23), so He gives people an opportunity and time to repent ( Proverbs 1:25). When He does bring judgment, as upon Sodom and Gomorrah, it was not without prior warnings ( Proverbs 1:25-33). When this divine judgment comes, it then serves as an example so others will not follow the same rebellious path.

Therefore, God pronounces the crime ( Proverbs 1:24-25 and Proverbs 1:30) twice. Then He declares the judgment twice ( Proverbs 1:26-27 and Proverbs 1:31-32). He states that this judgment will be sure and without mercy ( Proverbs 1:28).

In Proverbs 1:24-33 the voice of wisdom changes from a tone of a plea to a warning. How often have we spoken to our children in love by pleading with them to do right and following this with a warning to them if they do wrong.

But thank God, this chapter which tells us of the call of wisdom does not leave us struggling to understand how to discern the voice of wisdom. In chapter two, we are told how to gain discernment by studying the Word of God ( Proverbs 2:1-5) so that we are better able to distinguish between the voice of the Holy Spirit ( Proverbs 2:6-11) and the voice of the evil man ( Proverbs 2:12-15) and the strange woman ( Proverbs 2:16-19). In the following chapters, wisdom tells us how the Word of God transforms our hearts, minds and bodies so that the voice of wisdom shines brighter and brighter as the noonday sun.

B. Answering God the Father's Call ( Proverbs 2:1-22) - As a believer, we must learn how to obtain wisdom. Wisdom calls, but we must learn how to answer that call. We answer the call of wisdom by applying ourselves to the study of the Holy Bible ( Proverbs 2:1), by meditating on His Word ( Proverbs 2:2), by praying for understand ( Proverbs 2:3) and by making this search more important than the pursuits of this world ( Proverbs 2:4). Only then will we find wisdom ( Proverbs 2:5-6). God chooses this method of giving a man wisdom so that the wicked will not be able to find it, and in rejecting it, they increase their own judgment from Almighty God ( Luke 8:10). This is because God"s ways are merciful, even to the wicked. This method of finding the hidden treasures of wisdom will deliver us from the wicked man ( Proverbs 2:12-15) and from the immoral woman ( Proverbs 2:16-20).

Luke 8:10, "And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

Here is a proposed outline:

This desire to know the voice of the Lord was Solomon's prayer as a young king.

Therefore, we find in this passage, as well as chapter 4, the process by which a person can develop his spirit in order to better hear the voice of God. For this was Solomon's passion as a young king.

In chapter 2, we learn that wisdom is found by humbling our hearts to receive God"s Word ( Proverbs 2:1), by meditating on His Word ( Proverbs 2:2), by praying for understand ( Proverbs 2:3) and by making this search more important than the cares of this world ( Proverbs 2:4). As we spend time in God's Word with an open heart ( Proverbs 2:1), it strengthens our spiritual desire for the things of God. As we continue in his Word ( Proverbs 2:2), the desire for wisdom grows ( Proverbs 2:3) until it becomes the passion of our lives ( Proverbs 2:4). It is only when we follow this guideline that we will find wisdom for our lives ( Proverbs 2:5), which only proceeds from God ( Proverbs 2:6). Wisdom will then protect us along life's journey.

a) How We Develop an Ear to Hear the Call of Wisdom (This Passage Parallel's Solomon's Prayer for a Hearing Heart) ( Proverbs 2:1-5) - Chapter one tells us that wisdom calls both to the simple and to the wise, to guide them daily in the path of blessing and protection. But thank God that chapter one does not leave us struggling to understand how we are to discern the voice of wisdom. In chapter two we are told how to develop a hearing ear so that we can hear wisdom's voice and gain discernment by studying the Word of God ( Proverbs 2:1-5); for wisdom proceeds from God ( Proverbs 2:6), and it is God's way of protecting His children ( Proverbs 2:7-9). When we learn how to obtain it, we find ourselves protected from the calamities that befall the wicked ( Proverbs 2:10-20), from the voice of the evil man ( Proverbs 2:12-15) and the strange woman ( Proverbs 2:16-19) so that we can dwell in the land and not be cut off ( Proverbs 2:21-22).

We may ask, "How does reading God's Word help us to be more aware of the Holy Spirit speaking to us?" In answer to such a question, it has been my experience that when the Word of God is dwelling richly in my heart and mind, the Holy Spirit easily reminds me of a particular verse or passage of Scripture in a way that applies to a situation I am facing. Thus, the logos word we have memorized is turned into a living, rhema word as the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking unto us.

If we find a parallel to this passage in the life of Song of Solomon , we find it in his prayer for wisdom. We remember Solomon's prayer to God, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." ( 1 Kings 3:9) This is the theme of Proverbs chapter 2. Solomon wants to lead us through the same journey that he had to take in order to hear from God. I believe that God answered Solomon's prayer, not by speaking to him audibly on a regular basis, or by imparting unto him a spiritual heart to hear from God, but rather, by revealing to him that secret to developing a hearing heart through spending time meditating in God's Word. It was up to Solomon to work this divine truth out in his life. The anointing is imparted. But in order to be led by the Spirit of God we must develop our spirit man.

We find another parallel to Proverbs 2:1-5 in the epistle of Hebrews where the author say, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." ( Hebrews 5:14) In other words, we must exercise our senses so that we can hear the voice of God and distinguish between the good and the bad decisions in our life.

As a believer, we must learn how to obtain wisdom. Wisdom calls, but we must learn how to answer that call. We answer the call of wisdom by applying ourselves to the study of the Holy Bible ( Proverbs 2:1), by meditating on His Word ( Proverbs 2:2), by praying for understand ( Proverbs 2:3) and by making this search more important than the pursuits of this world ( Proverbs 2:4). Only then will we find wisdom ( Proverbs 2:5), which proceeds from no other source but God ( Proverbs 2:6).

Now God chooses this method of giving a man wisdom so that the wicked will not be able to find it, and in rejecting it, they increase their own judgment from Almighty God ( Luke 8:10). This is because God"s ways are merciful, even to the wicked. He wants to reduce their judgment if possible.

This method of finding the hidden treasures of wisdom will deliver us from the wicked man ( Proverbs 2:10-15) and from the immoral woman ( Proverbs 2:16-20).

In the following chapters, wisdom tells us how the Word of God transforms our hearts, minds and bodies so that the voice of wisdom shines brighter and brighter as the noonday sun. Thus, chapter two reveals that we can learn to discern the voice of wisdom so that we can avoid being deceived by the voices of this world, and thus avoid falling into calamities as the world experiences.

b) Wisdom Protects Our Path ( Proverbs 2:6-9) - We see in Proverbs 2:6-9 the divine protection of God. After years of serving the Lord and following His plan for my life, I have noticed that I do not have to frequent the altar calls for my deliverance during every church service. My life is peaceful and things are well with my soul because of God's daily deliverance in my life. The Lord has delivered me from the counsels of the wicked one, so that I do not have to be in bondage and cry out for deliverance.

2. Wisdom Always Provides a Path of Escape for Us ( Proverbs 2:10-22) - Proverbs 2:10-22 tells us that wisdom will deliver us from the paths of the evil man and the strange woman. Proverbs 2:10-11 gives us the method of escaping from the devices of the wicked. The lifestyle of allowing wisdom to enter through our minds, our eyes and ears, and into our hearts allows us to avoid the snares that trap other people. For the words of the wicked man ( Proverbs 2:12-15) and strange woman (16-19) are the methods of trapping the fool. These words are carefully placed before their victims in order to gain entrance into their hearts. Once these words have been received into the heart of a Prayer of Manasseh , they ensnare him. But for the man of Wisdom of Solomon , he only receives words of wisdom into his heart. Wisdom will soon tell us to guard our hearts with all diligence ( Proverbs 4:23). Thus, he protects his eyes and ears, which are the entrance into his heart.

Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

One way that wisdom protects us is that it allows us to foresee problems ahead and avoid them. However, the simple continues on that course and is punished ( Proverbs 22:3).

For those who do not need wisdom's call will give their labour and wealth to others and mourn at last when their bodies are consumed and they will say, "How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!" ( Proverbs 5:12-13)