Chapter 2 – Paths
1) Where does wisdom come from? (Verses 5-6)
2) How does he describe evil people? (Verses 12-15)
3) What advice does he give for following? (Verses 20-22)
Cross References
How do Jesus’s words in John 8:12 agree and align with the advice given for following the wise path in Proverbs chapter 2?
Chapter 1 – Purpose
1) Whose proverbs are these? (Verse 1)
2) What is their purpose? (Verse 2)
3) What do the wise do with instruction, wisdom, discipline and correction? (Verses 3, 5, 7a, 33)
4 ) How does a fool react to instruction, wisdom, discipline, and correction? (Verses 7b, 16, 22, 25, 29-32)
Cross References
What does Deuteronomy 6:5 as quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27 tell us about our purpose?
How do Jesus Christ’s statements in John 14:15 And John 14:21 reinforce and agree with in the new testament — what Proverbs chapter 1 had already established about our purpose and the purpose of God’s instruction, wisdom, ducklings and correction?
PRO 9:10 ESV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Reverence, awe, and yes, fear.
In the 45 places this Hebrew word yir’ah is used in the old testament, it is always speaking of the fear of God, which is not just reverence, not just awe, but respectful fear of our creator God. It is always mentioned as a fear that should lead to a changed attitude. I think of Godly fear as “conviction under the realization that He is Almighty God, Creator of the Universe”. Yes, all power streams from our God.
But this Godly fear is not the type that paralyzes us or cripples us. That type of fear is typified in the Hebrew word yare’ which is used 314 times in the Old Testament, mainly in places where God is encouraging us to not be afraid.
In fact, Exodus 20:20 uses both of these words in the same verse – demonstrating to us the difference in these two very different concepts that have two Hebrew words, but that we in English have bound together in a single word “fear”.
Exodus 20:20
And Moses said unto the people, Fear [yare’] not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear [yir’ah] may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
And doesn’t this verse unlock the mysteries? Doesn’t it underscore the purpose of Christ?
Didn’t Christ come to tell us that we don’t have to remain where we are? Didn’t He come to call us out of our exile, call us out of our slavery to sin?
http://bible.com/116/1co.4.3-5.nlt
As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
I find enemies asking questions like, “Don’t you think __________________ is going to burn in hell for what he/she did? ”
http://bible.com/116/isa.55.8-9.nlt
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord .
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Yes, we are a prideful and rebellious generation.
Yes, there are few who seek to follow the narrow path.
Yes, we are a cold and hard hearted generation of religious zealots.
Harold J. Ballinger 