The Beginning of Knowledge
Text: Proverbs 1:1-7
The book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings primarily attributed
to Solomon, though material attributed to other wise men is also
included. For instance, Proverbs 30 is titled as the Words of Agur,
and Chapter 31 is attributed to King Lemuel. So, Solomon should
not be considered the official author of the book of Proverbs.
In fact. we are given some insight into this collection of wisdom
in Proverbs 25:1 which says, “that these also are proverbs of
Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.”
So, what we have today is a compilation of some of Solomon’s
wise sayings. The book of Proverbs is not likely an exhaustive
collection of all his Proverbs as 1 Kings 4:31 says that Solomon
spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote over 1000 songs. Clearly though
we have many wise saying recorded here, we do not have the full
collection of Solomon’s 3000 proverbs, as there is only a total of
915 verses in the book. But the book of Proverbs is a starting
place in our pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
Our first key verse to memorize and meditate on is Colossians 1:9
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not
ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the
knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
So let’s dig in.
Why compile these wise sayings?
1. To know the wisdom, instruction, and understanding they
provide.
Wisdom-skillful guidance, Instruction - correction,
understanding – beneficial insights
2. To receive beneficial instruction for behavior, righteousness,
justice and equity.
To gain intelligence for profitable behavior, to learn what
is right, and to discern issues fairly and evenly
3. To give prudence to the naïve.
To provide cautionary guidance to the inexperienced and
gullible
4. To give youth knowledge and discretion.
To educate the young, teaching them to be cautious, and
consider the consequences of their actions
5. To increase the learning of those who are wise enough to listen.
6. To equip men of understanding with words of wise counsel.
7. To help us all to understand wise sayings and puzzling
dilemmas.
Ex: If God is all powerful and God can do all things, can He make a rock so big that He cannot lift it?
God CANNOT do everything!
He cannot lie
He cannot do that which is logically impossible
(a square triangle)
He cannot act contrary to His nature.
The Starting Point:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
God is worthy to be feared
Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable
to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell.”
Read Numbers 16 “The destruction of Korah and other is rebellion”
Hebrews 10:26-31 “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving
the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for
sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire
which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside
the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or
three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he
will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has
regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was
sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him
who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord
will judge His people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:35-39 “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence,
which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that
when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was
promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will
come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith;
And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we
are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who
have faith to the preserving of the soul.”
The Reality:
Fools despise wisdom and instruction
The fool has said there is no God
The fool is slow of heart to believe
The fool makes excuses
The fool despises wisdom
Psalm 94:3-11 & 23
“How long shall the wicked, O Lord, How long shall the wicked exult? They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; All who do
wickedness vaunt themselves. They crush Your people, O Lord, And afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger And murder the orphans. They have said, “The Lord does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.” Pay heed, you senseless
among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones? He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the
eye, does He not see? He who chastens the nations, will He not
rebuke, Even He who teaches man knowledge? The Lord knows
the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath.”
23 “He has brought back their wickedness upon them And will
destroy them in their evil; The Lord our God will destroy them.”
THE FOOL BELIEVES IN THE GOD OF THEIR OWN IMAGINATION
The Decision:
HEAR and HEED
We are embarking on a study of godly wisdom canonized in
scripture for our benefit.
I urge you not to take this journey lightly. Do not be foolish.
Do not be complacent. Give sin no place in your life. Cry out
for wisdom and understanding. Seek the Lord. Do not believe
that you can continue in your sinful and apathetic ways without
facing correction or judgment.
Hebrews 10:39 “But we are not of those who shrink back to
destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the
soul.”
HEAR and HEED
Hebrews 2:1 “For this reason we must pay much closer attention
to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”
Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the
words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in
it; for the time is near.”
Psalm 103:9 “He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep
His anger forever.”