Proverbs 1:1-2

¹The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ² for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight.

Introduction:

Tonight, we begin a series of sermons from the Book of Proverbs every Midweek worship services. What are the purposes of proverbs? The Book of Proverbs is a record of insights that the Lord gave to King Solomon. Solomon the son of King David was the wisest king of Israel. How did King Solomon gain great wisdom and understanding?

King David had many children, but Solomon was anointed as his successor. After he was installed as king of Israel, the Lord appeared and gave instruction to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1:7-12, ⁷“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” ⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹² therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

The prayer of Solomon practically exhibited his faith in the Lord. He prioritized his responsibility, instead of his personal needs. It implied his trust in the Lord to sustain and accomplish the mission purposes that God gave him as king of the people of Israel.

The Lord gives believers mission purposes that he wants to accomplish in us, with us and through us. Do you personally know the mission purpose that God gave you? How could the Book of Proverbs help us know and accomplish our mission purposes?

1.  Gain

¹The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ² for gaining wisdom and instruction.

The term “gain” is properly translated “know,” “ascertain,” “acknowledge,” “discover,” or “acquainted” with careful observation and recognition. So, it’s not just head knowledge or accumulation of ideas. Interestingly, the origin of the term “gain” and the origin of the term “know” have the same meaning in Hebrew language.

            Check on this: It says in Genesis 4:1, ¹Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain (NIV). The English Standard Version (ESV) translates ¹Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain.

Why did English translators use “know” or “made love” when they translate the sexual relationship of Adam and Eve? The Hebrew language translated in English “know” expresses experiential and intimate knowledge and not just conceptualized ideas. And to know or gain wisdom from Hebrew perspective is experiential and intimate knowledge. When he says that the proverbs are useful for gaining wisdom, King Solomon implores and expects us to practically apply and experience them very intimately. But, keep remembering that godly proverbs can only be assimilated with the help of God.

In Proverbs 1: 2, the term “wisdom” pertains to skillful ability or application in administering what needs to be done. And, the term “instruction” pertains to discipline, correction, warning or rebuke. The wisdom, skillful ability in administering justice or governance that King Solomon had gained comes from the Lord; he carefully observed and intimately experienced them personally, and he became very wise and prosperous.

In the time when Solomon reigned as king of Israel, the Israelites had prospered greatly. His instructions, rebukes and admonitions were very instrumental in shaping the mindset of his people, and on how they lived their lifestyle with prosperity and peace.

There are variety of issues, topics and concerns of life that King Solomon had ventured into: From politics to military strategies, economic or commerce, engineering and construction, land and sea transportation business, parental guidance, health and medicine, education and many more. We will find out more about the other areas that King Solomon had explored, as we dig deeper into our studies in the Book of Proverbs.

If you can accept it, King Solomon had completed many fields of doctoral study. He explored various aspects of life that were very essential in his generation. Can you accept that the Book of Proverbs came from the Lord? Godly teachings that come from the Lord are also very applicable in all generations. Can you accept that, too?

Online Business

In our generation, business transaction had advanced very aggressively. Online banking, studies, making appointments, selling or buying essential and non-essential things, reserving tickets for travel or watching games, had been more convenient. Many businesses prefer online applications; perhaps, it can help them avoid accusation of discrimination. And, one can even readily find spouse online.

With much convenience, there is no shortage of scams and fraudsters abound.

Can you agree that King Solomon could easily thrive, if he had lived in our generation? Well, he had precluded such reflection in Ecclesiastes 3:15, ¹⁵ Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. ¹⁶ And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. ¹⁷ I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.”

God has designed which generation each person would be born in the world.

Situations, events and circumstances in our generation may not be exactly the same as in the generation of King Solomon, but the end result would be very similar.

This may not be the best example but it’s like: Anyone may eat in the most prestigious restaurant and another would eat ordinary food at home, but wherever or whatever you eat, enjoy your food and fill your stomach. How you spend your hard-earned money is your personal decision, but isn’t it wise to spend carefully?

If you want to be prudent, discreet and smart, godly proverbs are useful for gaining wisdom and instruction; and for understanding words of insight.

2.  Understand

¹The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ² for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight.

The phrase “understanding words of insight” refers perception with diligence.

A student in any field of study should consider, regard and give heed to what is needed to be learned or distinguished with clarity. Asking question is useful to clarify an idea that was not understood clearly. Doubts and objections to what has been said or taught are also essential elements to know if the listener is convinced or not yet.

What did you understand?

Many years ago, a pastor was very eager to teach his family about the insight that he had personally learned. His enthusiastic style was not readily appreciated, though. Most often, he practiced delivering his sermons to his family; and after long sermons, he would normally ask each member of his family, “What did you understand?”

His family is academically exceptional; but, the answers of each member of his family were very unique from what he expected. Each member of his family gave different interpretations of his sermon. And from that time on the pastor realized, that the Lord speaks very uniquely to each person – different responses to the same message.

Job 12:13 says, To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Know that godly admonitions can be grasped and understood only by the grace of God.

Many parents are confused or even frustrated when their children don’t pay much attention to their admonition. Likewise, we also feel sorry when we share the gospel of Christ, and listeners would just ignore us. It is very necessary to pray for wisdom and understanding from God, whenever we teach godly ideas to listeners.

Pray and ask God’s help to apply diligently the proverbs of Solomon practically.. May each of us gain wisdom and skillful ability from our lesson tonight?

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