Wednesday, August 12, 2009

08/05/09 Rev. Steven Hedgecoth Proverbs

Outline of Proverbs

1. Intro 1:1-7 – he was taught

2. Principles of Wisdom 1:8 - 9:18 Solomon’s own knowledge/wisdom

3. Contrasting Righteous and Wicked 10:1 - 24:34 Solomon’s own knowledge/wisdom

4. Hezekiah's Men 25:1- 29:27 Written after Solomon, about things remembered

5. Words of Agur

6. Words of Lemuel


Kingdom success is about what everyone can do.


Good link: Bibletab.com

Good book: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness by Steven K. Scott


To Study The Word Of God You Need:

1. Openness to the Holy Spirit

2. Willingness to apply it (aka change)


We can all benefit from wisdom.


Why Study Proverbs? (see Prov 1:2 “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;”)

1. Wisdom

2. Instruction


Suggestion: read a chapter of Proverbs a day for a month, if there are only 30 days in that month then read two on the last day. Then do it every month. Apply the principles of Proverbs. God does not play favorites: Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:” If you apply the principles of Proverbs then it sets in motion the grace/favor of God.


Proverbs 2:4 “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;” If you hunger you will be filled.


“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” Proverbs 1:24-31

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:1-7


Who Proverbs is written for:

1. The naïve – v.4 the simple easily influenced

2. The young people – v.4

3. The wise man – v.5


A Proverb: A short well know saying that expresses truth. A short sentence based on long experience.


Biblical proverbs are not the same as Chinese proverbs. Some may be the same but ours have the approval stamp of the Holy Spirit.


How the book of Proverbs is different from man’s proverbs.

1. There is nothing unscientific about them. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 - 2700 years before they knew that the heart pumps the blood this was written.

2. There are no contradictions

3. Have high morals

4. Stand the test of time


I Kings 4:29-30, 5:7

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.” 1 Kings 4:29-30


“And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.” 1 Kings 5:7


Solomon’s Wisdom was:

1. Great - 1 Kings 4:29-30

2. Well-Known - 1 Kings 4:29-30

3. Honored - 1 Kings 5:7


2 Chronicles 1:1-2, 6-10

“And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.” 2 Chronicles 1:1-2


“And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” 2 Chronicles 1:6-10


God says to Solomon, what do you want? Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to do what he is called to do. He got God’s attention through sacrifice (1000 burnt offerings).


1 Kings 10:14, 21, 25

“Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,” 1 Kings 10:14


“And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.” 1 Kings 10:21


“And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.” 1 Kings 10:25


666 talents of gold/year translates to $760 million/year

2 Kings 11 – Solomon’s downfall

Proverbs 30 is written by Agur

Proverbs 31 is written by Lemuel


Keyword-wisdom

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10


“My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:” Proverbs 3:21 KJV


Key verses

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7


“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10


Fear of the Lord is beginning of knowledge and wisdom


Fear of the Lord: “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13

Hate evil, pride, arrogance, evil way & forward mouth.


Am I hating evil or partaking in it?


What does God hate?

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19


1. Proud look

2. Lying tongue

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

4. Heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief

6. False witness that speaketh lies

7. He that soweth discord among brethren


“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:33

Must be teachable


Being able to receive correction and He rebukes those He loves.


Fear of the Lord gives:



  1. Long Life “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:27 & “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” Proverbs 10:27
  2. Confidence – Protection To Family “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” Proverbs 14:26
  3. Sleep Well – Satisfaction “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” Proverbs 19:23
  4. Riches, Honor & Life “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:4

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