PROVERBS LESSON 4


    We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 3:15 "She [is] more precious
than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be
compared unto her."

    We will have to look back at the last lesson to see what the "she"
is here. Wisdom is the she. In fact, this whole third chapter of
Proverbs is all about wisdom. Material things of this world,
regardless of how valuable they are, are not anything to compare with
wisdom.

    Proverbs 3:16 "Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her
left hand riches and honour."

    The right hand blessing is always the best blessing.  Length of
days is spoken of here as being more wonderful to possess than riches
and honour. If a man has no time left to spend his riches and fame,
most would trade all of that to extend life a little longer.  Even
this blessing of extended days is still far short of the blessing of
wisdom.

    Proverbs 3:17 "Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her
paths [are] peace."

    Again here the "her" is wisdom.  Wisdom is pleasant and brings
peace.

    Proverbs 3:18 "She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon
her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her."

    Wisdom is an extender of life. Not only length of life, but
quality of life, as well.

    Proverbs 3:19 "The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by
understanding hath he established the heavens." Proverbs 3:20 "By his
knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew."

    The wisdom of God so far surpasses anything we might know of. God
actually, through His great wisdom and knowledge, placed the stars,
sun, and moon in the open sky. The earth was hung in open air, as
well. Not only did God hang them in the atmosphere in perfect orbit,
but He also made all of this, as well. Not only did God make all of
this, but it is all subject to His will. God causes the sunshine and
the rain.  He controls the whole universe. St. John chapter 1
describes it all.  John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:2 "The same was in
the beginning with God." John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and
without him was not any thing made that was made."

    Proverbs 3:21  "My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep
sound wisdom and discretion:" Proverbs 3:22 "So shall they be life
unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck."
    True wisdom belongs to God. God will give us wisdom if we seek it
prayerfully. The grace that Jesus has provided for us has to be held
in high esteem, even to the saving of our soul. We must remain in that
wisdom.

    Proverbs 3:23 "Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy
foot shall not stumble."

    If we remain in the wisdom that God hath provided for us in His
Son, Jesus Christ, we shall be able to walk in His way and not
stumble.

    Proverbs 3:24 "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."

    Here, again, if we remain in the wisdom that the Lord has given
us, there is no fear of death. Death of the body would just transform
us into that heavenly place with Jesus. There is no fear for the
Christian with faith. So many times in these lessons we have made the
statement that fear is the opposite of faith. Sleep is sweet for those
wise unto salvation. No regrets haunt us. We have gotten forgiveness
and are living just as if we had never sinned: justified by Jesus.
Sleep is sweet when everything is alright with you and God.

    Proverbs 3:25 "Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the
desolation of the wicked, when it cometh." Proverbs 3:26 "For the LORD
shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."

    We see many instances in the New Testament when the demon spirits
are afraid of Jesus, because they know that He is the Judge of the
world and that they have a terrible fate awaiting them. In Matthew
8:29, "And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with
thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us
before the time?"  You see, sudden fear gripped them, because of the
terrible fate they know they have awaiting them. If you know that you
are saved and safe with the Lord, you have no sudden fear. The only
fear permitted to those who trust in the Lord is Godly fear.  You see,
trust in the Lord brings confidence, a knowing that all is well.

    Proverbs 3:27  "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it]."

    As opportunity arises, we must help anyone and everyone that is
within our power to help. It seems those full of wisdom seem to be
better off financially. We see in I Timothy 6:17-18, that having a
little more than those around you carries responsibility with it.
I Timothy 6:17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be
not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" I Timothy 6:18 "That they
do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing
to communicate;"

    Proverbs 3:28 "Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and
to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee."
    This is saying, do not put your neighbour off until to-morrow if
you have the ability to help them today. Their need is now. We should
be eager to help those less fortunate. Only God has seen fit for us to
be the better off.

    Proverbs 3:29 "Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he
dwelleth securely by thee."

    One of the two most important things God wants us to do is love
thy neighbor as thyself. We would not figure up evil against
ourselves, so we must not against the neighbor, either.

    Proverbs 3:30  "Strive not with a man without cause, if he have
done thee no harm."

    We should not live in strife and fussing, but should learn to live
peaceably with all men. If we live for the Lord, we are promised that
even our enemies will be at peace with us. This does not say that
there is never a time for strife. If your enemy attacks you, you may
defend yourself; but you must not start strife nor keep it going.

    Proverbs 3:31  "Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of
his ways."

    We must never choose the way of the oppressor. Bullies as children
are not to be looked up to. We must not even fellowship with those who
choose to oppress others. The worldly wealth that some acquire with
their oppression of others should never be envied or desired. Evil and
good are like oil and water. They cannot mix.

    Proverbs 3:32 "For the froward [is] abomination to the LORD: but
his secret [is] with the righteous."

     "Froward" means perverted or wicked. The wicked will not know the
 secret, because they will not see; and hearing, they will not hear.
 They (the wicked) will not understand the things of God. The secret
 that the righteous know is that Jesus Christ is their Saviour. God
 reveals Himself to those who love Him.

    Proverbs 3:33  "The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the
wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just."

    From Genesis throughout the Bible, God promises blessings to those
who follow in God's commandments and curses to those who do not follow
in the ways of God.

    Proverbs 3:34 "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth
grace unto the lowly."

    Those who reject the teachings of the Lord are rejected themselves
by Him.  The scribes and Pharisees are a typical example of this. They
thought too highly of themselves and turned the Lord of glory down.
The lowly of the world were willing to receive and were granted grace
of the Lord.  Psalms 138:6, "Though the LORD be high, yet hath he
respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off."

    Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the
promotion of fools."

    The wise seek God. Those who seek God inherit glory. The glory of
the only begotten Son is shared with those who live for God. This is a
shared inheritance. Fools live worldly lives for the here and now.
Worldly, selfish lives bring shame.


                             Notes










































                         Proverbs 4 Questions


1.  Material things of this world cannot compare with what?
2.  In verse 16, what is in wisdom's right hand?
3.  Which hand has always been the best blessing?
4.  The Lord by ---------hath founded the earth.
5.  Who does St. John 1:3 say created all things ?
6.  By His -----------the depths are broken up.
7.  True wisdom belongs to whom?
8.  How must we seek wisdom to receive it?
9.  What description is given of the sleep of the wise?
10. If we remain in the wisdom that the Lord has given us, there is no
    fear of ---------.
11. Who shall be thy confidence?
12. Why were the demon spirits afraid of Jesus?
13. What is the only fear permitted to believers in the Lord?
14. In I Timothy, chapter 6, we see what about those who are wealthy?
15. When someone asks your help and you have the ability to help, when
    should you help him?
16. In verse 29, we are warned not to do what to our neighbor ?
17. Strive not with a man -------- ---- -------.
18. What are we told about the oppressor?
19. Evil and good are like ------- and ------.  They cannot mix.
20. The froward is an --------- to the Lord.
21. What does froward mean?
22. What is in the house of the wicked?
23. Who does God give grace to?
24. Psalms 138:6 says God has respect for the --------.