PROVERBS 3:5-8 “TRUST IN THE LORD” - OLD YEARS EVE MESSAGE

 

It is fitting that the last day of this year today falls on a Sunday, or as we prefer to call it – the Lord’s Day. We are bidding 2023 goodbye and look forward into 2024, comforted by the fact that despite a globally chaotic 2023 we may know that this world remains in God’s hands. For me personally it is also fitting to end my labours as a pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church among you on the Lord’s day. 

I do so solemnly and yet gratefully.

I have chosen this particular text from the book of Proverbs for this occasion, because it has been in many ways an anchor text for my life and ministry. In my pastoral practise and counselling, in hospitals and in many other settings I have shared and impressed this text   upon the minds and hearts of many people, young and old. Therefore it is fitting that I use this portion of sacred Scripture as my last word in my capacity as an outgoing pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church, as I commend you to the Lord with these words. I shall of course continue to use it, along with all the Bible, as  long as the Lord lends me breath. 

And now to the text.

1.      Introduction (3:1–4)

3:1–2 The father (Solomon) begins with two admonitions: “my son, do not forget…” lit. do not cut yourself off from my  authoritative teaching (Heb. torah), but “keep” (lit. guard) my “commandments”. The two admonitions in turn are linked to two promises, which are conditional upon the son’s obedience: (i) “length of days and years of life” and (ii) “peace” (Heb. Shalom-  indicating  a sense of holistic well-being)

3:3–4 These verses contain two further admonitions urging the son 

(i) not to let go of the virtues of “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Hebr. chesed -  covenantal faithfulness ) but to 

(ii) “bind them around your neck” – i.e. let these virtues  be  prominently  and visibly displayed  in his life (see 1:9).

Life needs a solid foundation. The Jews saw this in the Torah. We see it in the completed revelation of God which ends in Jesus (Hebr. 1:1-3). He is the fulfilment of the law. Let us  therefore make it our aim,  with all our heart,  to display  the Lord Jesus prominently in our lives. Let our lives be attractional displays. Let us find favour and good success in the eyes of God and man (3:4). Let us see how we may do this..

2.      Main Body (3:5–10)

3:5–6 Three admonitions (3:5–6a) challenge the son to “trust in the LORD”,

·         entirely—“with all your heart[1]”

·         exclusively—”do not lean/ rely on your own understanding”

·         extensively —“in all your ways acknowledge Him”

Charles Bridges says of these verses, that this is 'the polar star of the child of God- faith in his father’s providence, promises and grace'[2]. This is the North Star - and just as in old times  it guided  ships  in the ocean, these verses are able to guide the child of God in their life.

To trust the LORD means to put one’s entire confidence in God because He alone knows the complete picture. The word “trust” here (Hebr. batach) means literally to lie helpless, facedown- like a captured person. It is a picture of a man totally stretched out on his face before God. He is totally subjected to His will.  This reminds us of the Lord Jesus,  who  "fell on his face, and prayed ... not as I will, but as you will" (Mt. 26:39).

Self-confidence, trusting in our own abilities  by contrast is dangerous because of our own limited knowledge and understanding. It is not safe to trust in ourselves!  We must acknowledge Him in all  our ways,  literally “know him” (Hebr. yadah, “to know” - intimately and personally). It describes experiential knowledge (Prov.1:2). It is the knowledge David spoke about in his counsel to Solomon at the end of His life:

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found  by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." (1 Chr.28:9).

Our trust in God grows as we learn more and more about Him. The more we know God, the more we get to know Him and trust Him, the easier it becomes to commit our ways to Him. Trusting God cannot be separated from intimacy with God. If we do this, we are assured of this promise: “He will make straight your paths”. The verb “to make smooth; to make straight”… (Hebr. yashar) indicates the making of the way free from obstacles cf. Isa 40:3. By trusting God, He will make the way smooth for the believer, even among many challenges, helping you to reach your heavenly goal.

3:7–8 Two admonitions:

(i)                 one is negative, warning the son “not to be wise in his own eyes” (i.e. not to be an arrogant know-it-all). Be very  careful in  making your own understanding, whatever seems reasonable and logical according to your temporal, human understanding  the measure of all things. You may yet find  that your thinking may be absolutely foolish when measured against the Bible. Learn to pray (Prayer is trusting God!) that you would be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9; Eph. 5:17).  Indeed, our greatest challenge in this life is to learn to think God’s thoughts after Him.

(ii)               The other admonition is positive, exhorting his son to “fear the LORD” (3:7) – which is the beginning, the starting point of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Again the keeping of this command leads to two promises 

(a) that knowing and trusting God brings  “healing to  your flesh” (lit. navel[3])-  The image here is of the health-giving nourishment  which  flows from the mother’s body through the umbilical cord into her preborn baby’s body. The navel thus  symbolizes  the nourishing of the flesh – the  whole body  

(b) refreshment (lit. drink)  to the bones (i.e. skeleton). The  fear of the Lord is a healing flow into our sin-sick souls. It is the marrow or nourishment-drink, refreshment for our bones.

The wellness of flesh and bones signifies holistic, physical and spiritual health i.e. wholeness to body and spirit.

3:9–10 Here we find a single admonition followed by two promises. The admonition relates to the public worship of God. To “honour the LORD” means to think of Him as supreme and to show it publicly not only with our lips, but also with our lives... such as honouring the LORD with our wealth (3:9a) … expanded by “the giving of our first-fruits” (3:9b) … the giving of the very best. The double promise in 3:10 indicates that God will reciprocate with abundance to those who honour him with their wealth.

Conclusion (3:11–12)

The conclusion urges the son to embrace the LORD’s discipline because such discipline is rooted in love. It reflects the essence of a true father-son relationship. Hebrews 12:3–12 provides an authoritative commentary on these verses.  As Christians we need to learn to see ourselves as in God’s hands, and if in God’s hands, then in the hands of our heavenly Father. This means that  the sum-total of our experiences, the hills and the valleys, God’s encouragements  and His fatherly chastisement  must be  received as from His hands. 

SUMMARY

Our brief meditation has been on the nature  of  true  godliness  which  manifests itself   in

(i)                 3:1-4 Embracing the teaching (Torah- which has its end and perfection in Jesus), rooted in the covenantal disciplines of love and faithfulness. This really pleases God.

(ii)               3:5-8 Evidenced in  an experiential  trust in the LORD -  intellectual humility

(iii)             3:9-10  and seen in  actual works  such as  submission of material wealth to God’s rule  and patient acceptance of divine discipline (3:11–12).

APPLICATION : Reflections and Resolutions 

As  we find ourselves at the end of 2023, facing 2024 it is good  to use this text to make  some godly resolutions. 

Here are  4  questions, resolutions  and promises  taken from our text for our consideration 

1.      How have I related to God’s Word? 

Have I forgotten His teachings? Have I sinned against God’s commandments? Have I been a visible imitator of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness?

Resolution: Get to know His Word better in 2024 

Promise: A better quality of life - length of days (better quality of real living) and real peace; more favour  and good success in the eyes of God and man.

2.      Have I trusted God’s Word more than my own understanding? 

Have I acknowledged Him (made it my business to get to know Him more and more)? Have I been too wise in my own eyes?

Resolution: Trust God more implicitly; be more suspicious of my own capacities to understand; get to know Him better; fear Him; turn from all evil.

Promise:  I will be guided by God. He will make straight my crooked paths; my psychosomatic ills may disappear.  

3.      Have I honoured God in my life ?

Particularly with my wealth? Have I observed the First- fruits principle?  

Resolution: Be more deliberate in honouring God practically.

Promise: barns filled; vats bursting – meaning that you will know that you have more enough, when God becomes your Provider.

4.      How do I relate to God’s discipline? 

Have I perhaps despised Him for it? Have I become weary of it?

Resolution:  Learn to appreciate God’s discipline.

Promises:  Discipline is a sign that God loves you and delights in you.

I leave you now in God’s good hands, and trust  that the good work which He has begun in you He will be pleased to complete (Phil. 1:6) 

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[1] The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason (Prov. 3:3; 6:21; 7:3). It includes the emotions (Prov. 15:15, 30), the will (Prov. 11:20; 14:14), and thus, the whole inner being (Prov. 3:5). The heart is the fountain of all wisdom, the source of whatever affects speech (Prov. 4:24), sight (Prov. 4:25), and conduct (Prov. 4:26, 27).

[2] Charles Bridges: Proverbs, Banner of Truth,p.23

[3] Hebrew word for "body" = umbilical cord, navel (the source of nutrition in utero).

Proverbs 3: 21 -35 - “Appropriate Words for the Beginning of the Year : Seven Things to Avoid in 2015 ”

At the end of 2014 and  at the beginning  of 2015  we  have been  spending  some time in Proverbs 2 and 3.  
My “preaching burden” at this time relates to the  need for God given  wisdom   as we  need to face this  year in His strength and wisdom. We all too  easily  tend to judge  by conventional wisdom  - by  appearances  and eloquence  and we tend to go with  popular opinion,   without critical thinking.  We rarely stop  and  relate what happens around us to the   Word of God and  to the God of the Word.

This has been the case  in  recent weeks when  the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo”  was attacked  by   Islamists.  The killing was   cruel, and it has been justly condemned, and we suppose the perpetrators have received their just  punishment. However,  there can be no doubt that this  magazine   is highly provocative, making its living by often  mocking religious institutions.

Clearly, many people  feel  provoked, and even the latest  issue following the killing has  provoked Muslims in Niger (a former French colony)  to burn down a church. Many people  have  seen this brutal killing  spree as an attack on free speech, but  very  few  people  have spoken  about   the responsibility  that ought  to  be  associated  with free speech.

Is unrestrained speech  a good thing? 
  

The book of Proverbs thinks not. It has many  wise sayings and insights into this matter. It  reminds us  that words have incredible power. They go deep. Proverbs 18:4  says  “the words of a man’s mouth are deep waters”. Proverbs  12:18 says  that  “rash words are like sword  thrusts”.  

The book of Proverbs advises  us   to  restrain  our words.  Proverbs 17:27,28 says  that “whoever restrains his words has knowledge… even a fool  who keeps silent is considered wise…”. Proverbs 29:20 says: “Do you see  a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope  for a fool than for him.” 

In Ecclesiastes  3:7, the preacher  says  that ”there is  a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”   In his letter to the Ephesians  the apostle Paul gives us a  very  important  principle  with respect to our use of words.  He says: “Speak the truth in love“.   It has been well said  that  “love without  truth  is hypocrisy“  and “truth without love is brutality”. The biblical  and balanced  ways is always  “speaking the truth in love”. (Eph. 4:15)

The   book of Proverbs is a great  example  of  truth spoken in love.  The first  9 chapters  are  about a father  (Solomon[1]) speaking to  his son  whom he loves and for whom  he cares  deeply. Observe the frequent   repetition … my son … my son…!  [2] We have seen him  urging his son to embrace his father and his mother’ s wisdom (1:8),  a  wisdom   which is based  on  Prov. 1:7, the  key text  (or controlling principle) in Proverbs: “The fear of the Lord  is  the beginning of  knowledge;  fools  despise wisdom and instruction.”

We take note  that the opposite of wisdom is folly  or foolishness.   Foolishness is what we struggle with as a result of  our fallen-ness, our  inclination  to sinfulness. Foolishness is that which needs correction  and wisdom, particularly in  children and young people  for  “ folly is bound up in the heart of a child…” (Prov. 22:15), although  every adult  person  is also implied here.

So, this dad  has a lot to say to his son. We have  already covered   a lot of ground in this regard. And now in vv.  21-35   there  are  7  further  words that  provide us  with more   timeless principles  of wisdom  for living. Each of them  start in this way, “Do not…”  i.e. don’t get trapped in this destructive  way of thinking or  behaviour.  Along with  this warning  comes a positive instruction. Let us pay careful attention  to these as we  continue to  build  and consolidate our understanding  of  biblical  wisdom this year.

1.  [21] My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,[22] and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.[23] Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. [24] If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  Here  Solomon  says  to his son,   Don’t let go of  the wisdom of God, it will keep you from danger and it  will make you calm and  peaceful!  This is  a governing principle !  He says to his son, “hold on to  the wisdom from God  that you have received from mom and I (cf.1:8)  which we ourselves have received from  God.  Don’t let it go !  It will be life  to your soul and  it will adorn you. Holding on to this wisdom will give you wisdom as you  walk  along  life’s highways,   as  the LORD  directs your footsteps, saying  “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isa. 30:21). Solomon reminds his son  that  with  this wisdom he will be able  to  walk securely. He  will be able to avoid traps and snares  along the way. Charles Bridges says,  “The habitual eyeing of the word keeps the feet in a slippery path." [3] 

According to Psalm 73  David  went through a very difficult patch. He  nearly slipped  spiritually  when he took his  eyes off God and had them on the  world as he envied the wicked  who seemed to have no troubles.  This was until he saw their future through God’s eyes, “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed  to me a wearisome task, UNTIL I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” (Ps. 73: 16,17). Entering into God’s presence with God’s wisdom  in view  changed everything  for David.   And so Solomon is able to say to his son, “When you embrace this wisdom, and when you are able to see things  for what they truly are, you will be able to lie down at night  and be able to sleep well because  you have  walked according to  God’s wisdom. "He gives his beloved sleep." (Ps. 127:2).

Don’t let go of  the wisdom (the Word)  of God. Meditate on it, and let its truths sink deep into your heart and mind.  It will keep you from danger and it  will make you calm and  peaceful in 2015!

2. [25] Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, [26] for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Don’t be afraid  of  the scary world newspaper   headlines; put your  trust in the Lord  and  do not  give way to a spirit of fear!   The recent Paris attacks  by militant Islamists upon  the   satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo,   and also  upon a Jewish supermarket have   rocked the French world and sent tens of thousands of  police and soldiers into action. France  and Europe are in panic.  Terror comes suddenly and unannounced. That is its nature.   Solomon counsels his son,  “Do not be afraid, these things will happen”.  David  writes  in Psalm 62:2,  “ He (God)  only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Jesus did  the same thing when the disciples expressed their fear  at  the prospect of  being left alone  and exposed to the hatred of the world. He said: “ Take heart – do not fear – I have  overcome the world.”  (Jn. 16:33). Do not fear  Islam  or terrorism. Do not fear the future. God is in charge.  Those that really must fear  are the  wicked.  (Isa. 57: 20, 21 “ There is no peace for the wicked “ ). The child of God  by contrast knows who is in charge  -  Prov. 14:26 “ In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.”  

Do not fear the newspaper headlines more than you  fear the Lord in 2015 !

[31] Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,[32] for the devious person is an  abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. [33] The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. [34] Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. [35] The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. The last word   the father has  is this:

3. [27] Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Here is the next  word for the father’s son.  At the most basic level this  would mean, make sure  that  you  do not fail to pay anyone what is due to them. This might include    borrowing without  returning  or payment  (Ps. 37: 21)  “The wicked borrows but does not pay back "); the  evading  of taxes (Rom. 13:7); withholding  employee's money   (Jas. 4:4).

On another level it could also mean that  worshippers must  not withhold  their giving  from God’s  house  (Mal. 3:6-10) and  not fail to  look after their  elders who labour in preaching and teaching (1 Timothy  5:17,18).

It would also imply  Gal.  6:10, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially  to those who are of the household of faith.”  

Above all we  are to remember  that we owe  a gospel debt  to all – “the debt to love one another “ (Rom.  13:8).

Never forget  with  gratitude  the debt you owe to God   and never cease  to  be grateful  as you show this  as you serve Christ  and His people with love, particularly in the context of  His church in 2015.

4. [28] Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,  tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.  Let there be much room for wise spontaneous  giving  of ourselves and our substances in 2015. We live in a very  needy society, and  there are many opportunities  to practice spontaneous generosity.  This does not  encourage  us to endlessly supplement    those who will not  work, but it is an invitation  to show the love of God  to this world. 

Charles Bridges has this wise reminder for us,  “Delay is an offence against the law of love. Too often the cold repulse —Go, and come again—is a cover for selfishness. There is a secret hope that the matter will be forgotten, dropped, or taken up by some other party … We should cultivate a quick sensibility of the wants and sufferings of others; putting ourselves as much as possible in their place… .

The next   word from the father to his son also relates to the neighbor:  

5. [29] Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you:

There are a number  of instances in the Bible  when  we read of harm being done to  neighbours and it is always frowned upon by God. 
Examples in Scripture:

(i)               Jacob's sons against the unsuspecting  Shechemites (Gen.34: 13-29)

(ii)             Saul's evil attacks against  David (1 Sam. 18:22-26);

(iii)           Joab's murder of Abner and Amasa (2 Sam. iii. 27)

(iv)            Judah’s betrayal of Christ.   

In 2015 let  us make it our aim  to deal well   with our neighbours and in so doing bear a good witness for Christ.

6. [30] Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.   This is the next point that  the father  makes to his son.  It is very serious  when people  choose to pick  fights when there is no real  reason  for contention. Contentious people always say they have a good  reason for contending with others. They always feel  justified  in their arguments.  What causes  people to be  contentious? It is pride!  Pride  comes from a heart  that refuses to be merciful. It refuses  to overlook small offences. It refuses to forgive others fully and easily. A contentious spirit is from hell, but a gentle and peaceful spirit is from heaven – read James  3:14-18.  Biblical wisdom  includes knowledge and ability to get along with others. Wise people  know  how to defer their   anger and ignore minor offences (Prov. 19:11). They know that if they are unmerciful in holding men accountable for their small offences, then God Himself will not forgive them their trespasses (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35). 

In 2015 let us learn from Christ   not to argue, and to be  quick to forgive and to seek peace with all men. Blessed are the peacemakers! 

What is there to envy in  a man of violence? The truth is that  such a person  is an abomination to the Lord … the curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked; but he blesses  the dwelling habitation of the righteous. Charles Bridges  says, "the curse or blessing of the Lord follows us to our homes".  Is your house under the curse or blessing of the Lord?  Let godly role models  be our inspiration  in 2015 !

Build  your life and your  homes on biblical  wisdom. This will help you to make good decisions  in 2015; it will help you to sleep well at night; it will  give you a compassionate heart for those  that are in need. It it will make you mindful of your relationship with your neighbor, and it will make you less afraid or envious of the  world around you.  
Amen!

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[1] 1:1;10:1; 25:1 – see also  1 Kings 4:29-34 ; Ch.  30 is attributed to Agur and  Ch. 31 to Lemuel

[2] Prov.  1:8, 10, 15 ; 2:1;  3:1,11,21

[3] Charles Bridges : Proverbs , Banner of Truth , p.  37 

Proverbs 3:11- 20 “Appropriate Words for the Beginning of the Year - A Reminder , an Encouragement and a Vital Theological Principle .”

We ended the   last year and began this  new year  with  some meditations from the book of Proverbs.  

At this time of our church life   our focus  is on the need for  biblical wisdom.  I have previously  reminded you  that wisdom is not necessarily obtained by reading wise books. They  are important, but the reading of many books does  not necessarily  make a wise man. “There are”,  as one black American preacher once said,  “many educated fools”. Spurgeon reminds us in this regard that,   “Solomon made a book of Proverbs, but a  Book of Proverbs won’t make a Solomon.” [1]  Reading the Proverbs  itself will not make you wise. It is God  who made Solomon  wise, and He alone can make you wise.  Solomon received  His  unique wisdom from God Himself  (see 1 Kings 3:10-14) and THUS he was able to write it down for our benefit.  Pray that  in these sacred pages  we may not only read of  some amazing wisdom, but that we may be  possessed by such wisdom, which is the gift of God  to us ! As we  face the year of our Lord 2015   I would like to remind you that reading your Bible  and coming to  church on a Sunday to hear God’s Word explained,  will not necessarily make you wise. The Word of God must be combined with humble prayer, as we saw in  Prov. 2:2-5,  “… making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding… calling out for insight… seeking it like silver… searching for it as for hidden treasures… then you will understand the fear of the  LORD and find the knowledge of  God. ”  

Proverbs 3:11-20

We saw last week  that  Proverbs 3 began with  5  exhortations [2]  to which great  promises  for believers  were attached. We also  saw that  these   blessings  ( length of days,  favour and good success in the  sight of God and man,  etc.)  are conditionally  given  to the  believer. Believer’s  must learn to obey in order to  obtain God’s blessings.  We are not here referring to the unconditional gift of eternal life which God  gives to  us  unsought, unearned and undeserved in Jesus Christ  His Son. The Bible here  refers  to  what must happen once  we   have been converted. Having been enabled to believe  we must obey  God! When  the Lord  Jesus  had chosen His disciples, the next thing He did was to tell them,  “Follow me!” [3].  My prayer is  that you and I may   hear the voice of the  Good  Shepherd clearly in 2015 and that  we may not only hear, but that we may obey Him  as we follow Him in the company and the  fellowship  of believers  joined  together  at Eastside Baptist Church. 

From the Scriptures we observe  time and again  that a  united church  gathered  under the doctrine of the apostles,  gathered in prayer and in fellowship,  regularly  observing  the ordinances    is a strong and a wise  church. [4]

As Solomon  now  continues to counsel his son  in Prov.  3:11-20  we  continue to build  on these foundations  as we observe three  further   God –given wisdoms   that we ought to prayerfully receive and  build  into  our  lives:

1.      A Reminder:  God disciplines those whom He loves : [11] My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,[12] for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

This text needs to be read  in conjunction with  Hebrews 12:5 . As you  consider 2015,   let this word of wisdom  find a place in your heart .  Many modern  Christians   cannot stand the thought   of it , as they are  trapped in the   false , unbiblical  wisdom of many popular teachers who prophecy nothing but health, wealth and prosperity, and thus  bring about a false sense of peace and security  and dependence upon  idols and not  the LORD . Becoming a child of God  means to come into a new household  in which we learn  under the discipline of our loving heavenly Father . In the light of this   fact we are reminded not to despise  the Lord’s discipline nor  to  be weary of his reproof . To despise  God  means to resent God’s dealings  with  us , or even failing to see that it is His hand at work in our life.  May the Lord Himself teach you the value  of   appreciating  His loving discipline  and learn to make a distinction between  chastisement  and  punishment as Spurgeon does  so helpfully  in these following words[5] :

“God’s people can never by any possibility be punished for their sins. God has punished them already in the person of Christ; Christ their substitute has endured the full penalty for all their guilt, and neither the justice nor the love of God can ever exact again that which Christ has paid… but yet while the sin cannot be punished, while the Christian cannot be condemned, he can be chastised; … as a son he may be chastised on account of sin. Folly is bound up in the heart of all God’s children, and the rod of the Father must bring that folly out of them. It is essential to observe the distinction between punishment and chastisement. Punishment and chastisement may agree as to the nature of the suffering: the one suffering may be as great as the other; the sinner who while here is punished for his guilt may suffer no more in this life than the Christian who is only chastised by his parent. They do not differ as to the nature of the punishment, but they differ in the mind of the punisher and in the relationship of the person who is punished. God punishes the sinner on his own account because he is angry with the sinner and his justice must be avenged, his law must be honored, and his commands must have their dignity maintained. But he does not punish the believer on his own account: on the Christian's account it is to do him good. He afflicts him for his profit, he lays on the rod for his child's advantage; he has a good design towards the person who receives the chastisement. … The rod has been baptized in deep affection before it is laid on the believer's back. God does  not afflict willingly, … there cannot be anything punitive in it; you must never say — “Now God is punishing me for my sin.” … He is chastising you , not punishing you ; …There is no hot displeasure in his heart. …. It is simply because he loves you, because you  are sons, that he therefore chastises you.

When we as earthly  fathers discipline our children, they may not like it at the time. But   Hebrews 12:11  helpfully  reminds us, “For the moment all discipline  seems painful rather than pleasant, BUT LATER  it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those that have been trained by it.” 

2.     An Encouragement: In pursuing wisdom  you will get more than the world can offer!  [13] Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, [14] for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. [15] She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. [16] Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Having  heard this reminder of God’s  fatherly  chastising of us  we may thank God (perhaps only later) that through this  means  we have  been privileged to find wisdom. Many testify  to having learned much in the University of hard knocks!  Understand this. We are not  born with wisdom! We need to find it, and when we have found it  is a  source of blessing…. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding! Solomon says that  those who find  this wisdom  are  blessed (see Psalm 1) .  This wisdom is  so much better  than possessing  silver[6], gold,  jewels. We are so much richer  for knowing  God’s truth  than the richest man in the world is in  having his material wealth. Consider the benefits of wisdom, beginning with v. 18 : She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.  The imagery of the tree of life is used  three more times  in Proverbs (1:30;13:12;15:4)  and it is  obviously a  reference to the tree of life in Genesis  and in Revelation . So  long life  in v.16 is really ‘ looooong life’  not  necessarily  in terms of this life (some believers do die young) , but  certainly  in terms of eternal life.

The point is that by pursuing the way of wisdom, a person can obtain the best things God has to offer. What good is an expensive house if there's no happy home within it? Happiness, pleasantness, and peace aren't the guaranteed by-products of financial success, but they are guaranteed to the person who lives by God's wisdom. Wisdom becomes a 'tree of life' to the believer who takes hold of her, and this is indeed  a foretaste of heaven.  

And again note the promises associated with wisdom… “long life… riches and honour … pleasantness, peace …”.  Alexander Mc Laren reminds us this this regard,  “No doubt such promises are to be taken with limitations; but there need be no doubt that, on the whole, loyal devotion to and real possession of heavenly Wisdom do tend in the direction of lengthening lives, which are by it delivered from vices and anxieties which cut many a career short, and of gathering round silver hairs reverence and troops of friends.”

Now here follows a  necessary warning. If you seek  wisdom in order to  get these blessings, you will  not find her, for  the love of wisdom is  linked to  a person  revealed by God  to us in the flesh. So once again  we must be reminded   that  the only complete peace,  and sense of well- being comes from obeying Wisdom, or what is the same thing, from following Christ. Peace with ourselves, the world, and God, is always the consequence of listening to Wisdom – to our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus  has become  the incarnate Wisdom of God. He  is Himself  ‘the Tree of Life in the midst of the paradise of God.’  Take hold of Him  by faith, and keeping holding on stubbornly to Him  through all  your temptations  that may come to you this year! .

3.      A Vital Theological Principle:   Remember  the God  has made the  Heavens and the Earth! [19] The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; [20] by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

What an important truth  to live by as we make it our aim to live wisely in 2015.  Solomon here affirms in agreement  with  Genesis  1:1ff and   John 1:1-3,14  and  Job  38-41 that God  is  the Source  and Creator.  It is particularly  John’s gospel that directs us to the fact that Christ is the wisdom of God  as we are here reminded that He  has created the  earth (see Prov.  8: 22-31). 

All  this  has profound implications upon our   thinking. What you see around you , did not come from nothing . It did not   happen by random  evolution.  The Bible always speaks about intelligent design. You see there  has  been  a great battle going  on for more than 100 years now ,  contesting  the fact that there is a personal Creator –God,   who has  made the heavens and the earth.  Since Charles Darwin (1809-1882)   there has been a sustained attack on the biblical account of creation  through  substituting this with  the atheistic doctrine of  impersonal, evolution  by chance. Proverbs would call this foolish, and so must we.   It is important  to affirm in our own  day  what the Bible teaches about the creation of the heavens and the earth . This is  the wisdom of God  and  to move away from this is foolish.  No wonder that following this, Solomon says to his son, “My son, do not lose sight of these- keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life  for your soul…  then you will walk on your way securely …” (vv.  21-23) 

SUMMARY: Three principles for wise living  along the way into 2015 

  

(i) Remember  that God loves you and treats you as His child. This includes  the fact that He will chastise you.

(ii) Pursue  biblical  wisdom  and you will get more than the world can offer you.

(iii) Remember  that  God is  the Source  of all that is made.

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[1] Quoted  by Gary Brady, “ Heavenly Wisdom “ , Welwyn Commentaries , p.13

[2] See last week’s sermon

[3] E.g.  Matt  4:18,19  ( Andrew and Simon Peter)  ; Matt. 4:21,22 ( James and John)  ;  Matt.  9:9  ( Matthew) ;  John  1:43 ( Philip)

[4] Acts 2:42; 4:23-31;

[5] A sermon (No. 667) delivered on Sabbath morning, October 28, 1855  by C.H. Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark.

[6] See Prov 2:4