Proverbs 4:8-12
The Blessings and Benefits of Wisdom
Four Commands:
Exalt her (v. 8)
1. Exalt = to lift up; to exalt, esteem highly, prize.
2. Wisdom is to be lifted up; valued; highly esteemed; considered a prize to be sought after.
3. Real wisdom is God’s wisdom. (Job 12:13 – with Him is wisdom)
a. The world has wisdom—common sense—wisdom in the affairs of this life. Many unsaved men are wise with their time, talents, property, finances, and health.
b. The wisdom that counts is the wisdom that puts God and spiritual things first.
c. That which is missing from the world’s wisdom is GOD. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of real wisdom.
d. I Cor. 1:19-21 – The world in all their wisdom has been able to send men to the moon and back; they have been able to cure many diseases; but because they leave God out—their wisdom must be considered folly in one sense.
e. Men in worldly wisdom have built elaborate empires—but if it is built on sand—it is foolish from eternity’s perspective.
f. Wisdom that leaves God out will prove to be grossly deficient in eternity.
4. In order to exalt wisdom—it must be elevated ABOVE the wisdom of the world.
a. We are to exalt true wisdom—wisdom that has God right in the middle of it!
b. There are many religious people who demonstrate wisdom too—on a certain level. They display a sense of morality in their wisdom. That is greatly superior to wisdom that is cold and devoid of morality.
c. BUT—it is still infinitely shy of Divine wisdom!
d. Prov. 9:10 – There is no way to exalt wisdom apart from exalting God.
5. We HAVE this kind of wisdom—wisdom that comes from God and revolves around Him and His truth.
a. This kind of wisdom is God-centered.
b. It is a wisdom that has as its highest goal (not our own personal comfort, health or wealth) but God’s glory.
c. Solomon wants his son (and us) to exalt this kind of wisdom… hold it high… value it… esteem it highly… prize or treasure it…
6. We demonstrate in our lives that which we highly esteem… or value… or exalt.
a. Do you and I exalt wisdom?
b. Are we willing to say NO to opportunities because they are not in harmony with God’s wisdom? Or do we in fact exalt pragmatism in our lives—whichever seems to get the job done?
c. Are we willing to say NO to self-promotion—when it involves violating the way of wisdom—if it involves dishonesty… compromise?
d. Mark 8:36 – what advantage is it in the long run, if we violate God’s wisdom for personal gain and advantage? This isn’t a warning to the lost only. Jesus was addressing the disciples.
e. God’s wisdom demands obedience from us… truth… morality… submission to God and His Word. Any cutting of corners… any bending or stretching of the truth takes us OUT of the way of wisdom.
f. We demonstrate that we are exalting something other than wisdom in our lives… self advancement… self promotion… etc.
Embrace Her (vs .8)
1. This is a love word. We are to exalt wisdom—embrace her… hold on to her… be warm towards her ways… even when the way is straight and narrow.
2. Cf. vs. 6 – we are to LOVE lady wisdom.
3. Love and embrace Lady Wisdom. This speaks of a relationship… an ongoing relationship with wisdom.
4. Spending time in the book of Proverbs will kindle that love (though wisdom is found throughout the Bible!)
5. Our love for Lady Wisdom will be tested all throughout our lives.
a. Proverbs speaks of some of those tests.
b. Wisdom says to stay away from the strange woman. (Do we exalt wisdom above physical pleasure?)
c. Wisdom says to discipline our children. (Do we exalt wisdom above affection for our kids?)
d. Wisdom says to be a hard, diligent worker. (Do we exalt wisdom above leisure time or self indulgence?)
e. Wisdom demands that we bridle our tongue. (Do we value wisdom more than the pleasure we get from getting in the last jab?)
Hear (vs .10)
1. Hearing wisdom implies that we must LISTEN…
2. Some young people don’t listen when their parents are trying to tell them things they need to know and learn. They may sit quietly while the parent speaks… but they aren’t really paying attention.
3. This is the essence of folly “I know it all. I don’t have to listen. You can’t tell me anything I don’t know already.”
4. Prov. 7:24 – wisdom demands to be heard. “hearken!”
5. Do you children listen to your parents? Really listening? Do we parents listen to God’s Word—through messages we hear and in our private devotion time? Do we listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit when He inclines us to witness to our neighbor… or teach a Sunday school class… or apologize to someone we have offended?
Receive Her (vs. 10)
1. Genuine hearing will result in receiving the wisdom… taking it in… accepting its edicts…
2. To receive the words of wisdom means to allow them to sink into our heads and hearts… and to be practiced in our life. It implies obedience.
3. It is the opposite of rejection. When Lady Wisdom speaks, we either receive or reject her words. Ignoring her is rejecting her.
Five Benefits:
Promote thee
1. Promote: to exalt; to lift up; to set on high.
a. If we exalt wisdom—wisdom will exalt us!
b. Following the way of wisdom is GOOD for us.
2. Ultimately, wisdom will promote her followers to glory! (3:35)
3. There is a profit and promotion that comes to those who follow the ways of wisdom.
a. The wisdom in proverbs tells us to be diligent in our work.
b. That usually results in profit! A literal promotion at work!
c. Students: work hard and you will be promoted to the next grade… and perhaps will get into the school of your choice!
d. The wisdom in proverbs warns us against drinking strong drink.
e. Obey wisdom and it will profits our health… family life…
f. The wisdom in proverbs tells us to be careful with the use of out tongue.
g. Ignore Lady Wisdom and speak foolishly and you will pay for it.
h. Use your tongue wisely and it will be appreciated.
i. You will have friends… maybe promoted at work…
j. The wisdom in proverbs tells us to avoid evil companions.
k. That too results in profit in this life.
l. Evil companions will spiral downward and take you along with them!
m. Good companions will go places—good places—and take you along with them!
n. The wisdom in proverbs demands that we be honest. That will be of great profit too—if we can avoid going to jail! It promoted honest Abe Lincoln into the White House!
Bring to honor
1. I Sam. 2:30 – God honors those who honor Him. Honor God’s wisdom, and He will honor you.
2. This does not mean that we will necessarily be honored by men. The Lord told us to expect to be hated by man… dishonored by men because of our faith.
3. But—God will honor the one who follows divine wisdom at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
4. But often times, following wisdom results in honor in this life too.
a. A good name and credibility are valuable in the business world too. Sometimes the reason one man is chosen to be the manager is because people trust him… he has built up a reputation as being honest and fair!
b. Prov. 22:1 – a good name is more valuable than riches!
c. Sometimes an eminently qualified worker is overlooked in the promotion in favor of a less qualified but more respected and honorable worker!
5. Hear and receive Lady Wisdom’s exhortations, and it will bring honor to your life too!
Give an ornament of grace and crown of glory (vs. 9)
1. Solomon mentioned this previously (1:9; 4:9)
2. Examples:
a. Gen. 41:41-42 – Joseph was given a gold chain about his neck—and all others had to bend the knee before him! Great honor!
b. Dan. 5:7 – Daniel was given a gold chain around his neck IF he could interpret the dreams. It was a sign of great honor!
c. Both of these men are examples of men who were wise in a wicked environment. They followed the way of wisdom without compromise, and were exalted… promoted as a result.
3. An ornament of grace (laurel wreath?) is a sign of victory and beauty.
a. Life is often likened to running a race.
b. The one who runs wisely and stays on course is a winner.
c. The one who strays off course and wanders out of the way is a loser.
d. The winner gets the ornament… the crown.
e. We are challenged to live our lives according to Divine wisdom—God’s Word so that we too might be crowned. (I Cor. 9:24-25)
4. It is a crown of glory that can be worn the rest of one’s life!
a.) That son who listened to his father’s instruction about hard work and diligence will benefit from that the rest of his life! His hard work will pay off and he will wear a crown all his life!
b.) The daughter who did not forsake the law of her mother will be able to wear a submissive spirit as a necklace of honor the rest of her days! That will enhance her attractiveness the rest of her life!
Deliver thee (vs. 9)
1. Wisdom will SAVE you… (not from condemnation) but it will save you from many pitfalls in life.
2. Wisdom will deliver you from a wasted life in the gutter! (Prov. 23:29-35)
3. Wisdom will deliver you from the strange woman. (Prov. 2:16) (And all the other pitfalls associated with adultery—broken home; kids whose lives are forever hurt; financial loss; frustration; etc.)
4. A wise use of the tongue will deliver us from all kinds of trouble. (Prov. 12:6) (loss of friends; controversy; strife; anguish; division; etc.)
5. Wisdom (righteousness practiced) will deliver us from jail… loss of reputation… from shame… fines, fees, penalties…
6. Wisdom in doctrine will save us from false teachers and the wayward lifestyle associated with it. (I Tim. 4:15-16)
Sure steps (vs. 11-12)
1. Wisdom will keep us on the right road… and will keep our feet safe and secure… we won’t trip up.
2. All of this implies that so much of the trouble we endure in this life is our own doing!
3. If we do things RIGHT the first time, we avoid many potholes and pitfalls in life. If we try to cut corners, compromise, excuse our behavior, stretch the truth, etc… there are consequences.
4. If we don’t do things right… we have no guarantee that we will not fall. In fact, we can expect a big fall.
a. I have observed the lives of different kinds of believers over the years.
b. Some have behaved foolishly and don’t do things right… and their lives show it. They are paying for the lack of wisdom.
c. Some others have followed the paths of wisdom, have paid a price in doing so, and their lives show it too—happy; well adjusted; spiritually strong homes; consistent and faithful.
5. Follow the way of wisdom and you won’t trip up! What a promise!
a. The way of wisdom is narrow… difficult… it takes a long time to walk it and learn it… it involves sacrifice… it runs contrary to the way of the world… it is hated by the world… it has no short cuts… but those who follow this road inherit glory!
b. Those who follow this road will not slip.
c. Those who reject the way of wisdom are walking in slippery places.
6. Follow the principles in Proverbs, and you will avoid 90% of the troubles that cause others to fall!