June
3, 2007am The
Voice of Wisdom Proverbs
8:1-4, 22-31
By Ronald E.
George Jr. at the
There's a true story that comes from the sinking of the Titanic. A
frightened woman found her place in a lifeboat that was about to be lowered into
the raging
She ran across the deck that was already slanted at a dangerous angle.
She raced through the gambling room with all the money that had rolled to one
side, ankle deep. She came to her stateroom and quickly pushed aside her diamond
rings and expensive bracelets and necklaces as she reached to the shelf above
her bed and grabbed three small oranges. She quickly found her way back to the
lifeboat and got in.
Now that seems incredible because thirty minutes earlier she would not
have chosen a crate of oranges over even the smallest diamond. But death had
boarded the Titanic. One blast of its awful breath had transformed all values.
Instantaneously, priceless things had become worthless. Worthless things had
become priceless. And in that moment she preferred three small oranges to a
crate of diamonds.
Charles Swindoll --James S.
Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988),
p. 489.
Sam Findley decided it was time to retire from the garment business. So
he called in his son Mervyn and gave him the news and a bit of advice:
"Son, it's all yours. I've made a success of this business because of two
principles: reliability and wisdom. First, take reliability. If you promise
goods by the tenth of the month, no matter what happens, you must deliver by the
tenth. Even if it costs you overtime, double time, golden time. You deliver what
you promise."
Mervyn thought about this for a few moments and then asked. "But
what about wisdom?" His father shot back: "Wisdom is never making such
a stupid promise."
--James
S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc,
1988), p. 468.
If your mind
should go blank, don't forget to turn off the sound.
--James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 473.
Proverbs
8:1
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2
On the heights
along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3
beside the
gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4
“To you, O
men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
22
“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before
his deeds of old; 23
I was appointed
from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. 24
When there were
no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; 25
before the
mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26
before he made
the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. 27
I was there
when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of
the deep, 28
when he
established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29
when he gave
the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he
marked out the foundations of the earth. 30
Then I was the
craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always
in his presence, 31
rejoicing in
his whole world and delighting in mankind. 32
“Now then, my
sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. 33
Listen to my
instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34
Blessed is the
man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35
For whoever
finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord
. 36
But whoever
fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” [1]
1.
Wisdom/understanding is a woman who raises her voice.
Wisdom is understanding, knowledge, insight, perception,
intelligence, good judgment, and the ability to apply the knowledge you have
gained.
2.
Wisdom calls out to humankind.
But are you listening? Prov 1:7 (NIV) The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and
discipline.
3.
The Lord created wisdom first.
Why? Because without wisdom
we are empty.
4.
Be filled with the delight of the Lord.
Psalm 111:10 (NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who
follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
5.
Wisdom says to Rejoice in the Lord’s presence.
Prov 24:3 (NIV) By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is
established;
6.
Wisdom says blessed are those who keep the Lord’s ways and the
ways of wisdom.
7.
Wisdom says to listen to his instruction.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV) Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart
of wisdom.
8.
Wisdom says to be wise and don’t ignore the Lord.
Prov 2:6 (NIV) For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and
understanding.
9.
Wisdom says blessed is the man who listens to me.
Psalm 37:30 (NIV) The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue
speaks what is just. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not
slip.
10.
Wisdom says to find me is to find life.
Prov 8:11 (NIV) for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire
can compare with her. 12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I
possess knowledge and discretion.
11.
Wisdom says to find me is to receive the Lord’s favor.
12.
Wisdom says the failure to find me is to find death.
James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you
lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding
fault, and it will be given to him.