"Mom has a Question!"

Proverbs 31 is the last chapter in this great book and it begins as one might expect the last chapter of a book on wisdom to begin. Here we have a mom asking her son a question. Her son happens to be king, King Lemue. But it doesn’t matter whether you are a king or just a kid this is a question every mother has a right to ask. “What are you doing?” As a matter of fact she asks that question three times in Proverbs 31:2.

It’s a great question. One I know I heard more than a few times growing up. One thing I have noticed since I have become a parent is that the older a child gets the shorter the answer to the question “What are you doing?” It takes a 5 year old 15 minutes to answer that question, but by the time they reach their teens they have learned to sum it all up into one word, “NOTHING”. End of conversation or at least that’s what I used to hope it would mean. It seldom did.

What are you doing? Sometimes it is asked because we don’t know the answer to that question. We are generally interested in what our children are doing so we ask. What are you doing? Sometimes it is asked in exasperation, more of a rhetorical question, no answer is needed or welcomed. I can see what your doing and I am shocked. That seems to be the tone of Proverbs 31:2-9

What are you doing? It is a question often designed to make us stop then think. What are you doing? Stop! Stop before it's to late, stop before you make the biggest mistake of your life, stop, think about what you are doing. Stop, think about where these actions are taking you. What are you doing?

This mom is telling her son the king, do not give your strength to women. It is amazing how self-deceived we can become. How many affairs could have been prevented in the early stages if a friend or parent had jolted that man or woman to their senses with this one question - what are you doing? It is a mom warning her son the king about the subtle dangers of alcohol. Vs 4-5 What are you doing? It is a mom exhorting her son to be a just king, a compassionate king one who defends the rights of the poor.

What are you doing? This is a great question. We need to use it with our children young and old. We need to allow others the freedom to use it with us. Its a question that brings us face to face with our actions. Not, how are you feeling? Not, what are you thinking? But, What are you doing? This is not a why question. Why are you doing that? It is a what question. It means I’m not asking for feelings, I’m asking for facts. I want you to describe for me your actions. How you treated that person, how you spoke to that person etc. What choices have you made today?

Proverbs has said...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction - “What are you doing?”

the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil - “What are you doing?”

It’s speaks repeatedly about the dangers of moral impurity and unfaithfulness and the traps that lead us into them - “What are you doing?”

It has told us that foolishness Is bound up in the heart of our children, but the rod of correction will drive it far from them. “What are you doing?”

Our children need to be brought to the place where they understand they are sinners and need a Savior - “What are you doing?”

We learned about the dangers of pride - “What are you doing?”

Proverbs has taught us about the need for self-discipline - “What are you doing?”

We’ve read over and over about how our words can heal or hurt those around us - “What are you doing?”

Wisdom is the main thing therefore above all get wisdom - “What are you doing?”

On and on we could go. But I hope you get the point.

Wisdom or a lack of it is going to manifest itself in our actions. When God came to the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve had sinned he asked them a series of questions. Where are you? Who have you been listening to? The last question was this - “What is it that you have done?” Genesis 3:9-13 Oh that someone had been there when they were conversing with the deceiver, the serpent, “What are you doing?” Don’t listen to him he’s a liar.

No matter what we have done if we will repent we will find forgiveness at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Are you trusting in his finished work and transforming grace and His all sufficient Word to guide you and guard you and show you the way you need to go? Jesus said if we know these thing happy are we if we, not feel them or think about them but, if we DO THEM.

NO matter if you are a king or a kid you will do well to take heed and consider this question. “What are you doing?” If you're heading down the wrong road, stop, drop to your knees and repent, turn around and serve the living and true God.

"Sense & Sensibility"

Good sense is spoken of in Proverbs quite a bit. For example, it tells us a man is commended by it (Proverbs 12:8) that it wins favor (Proverbs 13:15), that it is a fountain of life (Proverbs 16:22), and that to wander from it is deadly (Proverbs 21:16).

But what does good sense look like? What does it do? How do I know if I have it? I think I’m a sensible person. I’ve said things and people said “that makes good sense”. So I must have good sense, right? Proverbs gives us a different criteria for determining good sense. Here it is.

Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” OUCH!

We may say things that make good sense, but God says good sense is seen in our attitude toward other people. Those “other people” that irritate us and sometimes offend us.

When we see the fruit of good sense, commendation, favor, fountain of life, etc we can see the merit in this principle. Hot headed people, people who are easily offended and want to make an issue out of every offense, are not people who are usually commended or looked up to by their peers. They are not people who win favor with others or seem filled with life. They are people who are absorbed with self, proud and obnoxious. Short tempered, vindictive people lack good sense. They are miserable people, impossible to work with, and painful to live with.

Good sense makes one slow to anger. This is a description of a selfless person. This one with good sense is a Humble, Spirit filled person who understands grace, mercy and forgiveness. They understand that God in his mercy and grace is slow to anger against them and they forgive others as Christ has forgiven them.

Good sense overlooks an offense. Good sense realizes that love covers a multitude of sins. Proverbs 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8. A person with good sense does not make an issue out of every little offense done against them. A person with good sense gives people the benefit of the doubt. There are some whose whole life is bound up in the chains of offenses done against them. They cannot get over them, they cannot let them go.

The bottom line is if I am going to be a person of good sense I must first know the forgiveness that has been provided through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for my sin. He covered all my transgressions with his blood. Ephesians 1:7 He who has been forgiven much loves much. Luke 7:47. I must receive this gift of God in Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone. Ephesians 2:8-10

Then I must walk in the Spirit, be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit every day. Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:15-16.

I may say things that make good sense but the fear of the Lord is to live a life that demonstrates good sense. Wisdom and good sense go hand in hand. Proverbs 1:7

“When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God.  The cross transforms my perspective.  Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God.  When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it’s not difficult to forgive others.” C.J. Mahaney

The reality is not everything I may find personally offensive is being done to offend me personally. I need to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. Good sense takes that into consideration - “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”

"A Fountain of Life"

Probably one of the most famous fountains in the world is one that doesn’t actually exist. It is called the fountain of youth. A mystical, magical fountain filled with water that will restore the youth of anyone who drinks it. Proverbs talks about another kind of a fountain, not the fountain of youth but the fountain of life.
Proverbs 13:14 “the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”
The water flowing out of this fountain is the “teaching of the wise”. The content of this teaching turns the hearers away from the snares of death. Hence the name, Fountain of life.” There area great many teachers today whose words are not a fountain of life. They say we can’t be to negative, we have to be positive, we have to entertain. Consequently you could call their teaching the “fountain of laughter.” People leave their meetings with a chuckle in their head, but clueless in their heart as to the dangers in this world. Dangers that can ensnare and destroy them. They are entertained but empty. They are silly, senseless, sinners headed for destruction and have heard nothing that would cause them to consider their ways. The great need in our society is not the need to learn how to laugh. People need to learn how to live. The teaching of the wise will help people do that. Unfortunately not everyone wants to drink from that fountain. Fools despise teaching and instruction, fools want you to make them laugh and then leave them alone.
Life is filled with snares, things can can make a 25 year old look like they are 95. Sin has destroyed their bodies, their relationships, their minds. Sin is a hard taskmaster. People need to be warned about sin, but simply warning people about sin is not the fountain of life. The fountain of life is the wisdom, salvation and the transforming power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He who drinks from this fountain will never thirst again. John 4. The teaching of the wise introduces people to Jesus who said “come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Math 11:29-10 That is the fountain people need to drink from. It will not recover your youth, it will do something better, it will restore your relationship with God. At this fountain you will find forgiveness and new life. It will give you a new heart, a new mind, and one day a new body. It will put a new song in your mouth even praise to your God. You will have a new master, one who loves you and gave his life for you on the cross, his name is Jesus.
This verse presents us with two questions we need to ask ourselves.
Do I drink from this fountain, the fountain of wisdom, the fountain of those who are seeking to help me live a godly life? Word of God, other believers, etc.
In my teaching and conversations with others is what they hear a fountain of life, in that it turns people away from the snares of death?
May I be a wise teacher not only by the words I say but even more importantly by way I live. If I am warning people about the snares of death with my lips but leading them to those snares with my life, there will be no life in my teaching only death. We teach with our lips as well as our lives. May we prayerfully and powerfully be this kind of teacher, One whose teaching “is a fountain of life to turn away from the snares of death and leading people to Jesus, the way the truth and the life”

"Let's Make a Deal"

Proverbs 8:10 - 11 "Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her."

I remember growing up watching this show called "Lets Make a Deal". Some of you may remember this show. Contestants dressed up in kooky costumes and Monty Hall would walk up and down the isle choosing contestants to make a deal. Eventually it would come down to the end of the show where two winners were given one last opportunity to make the ultimate deal. " Do you want to take that new toaster oven you just won and trade it for a chance to win the grand prize?" Almost always they would say yes (who wouldn't) and then they had to choose door # 1, # 2 or # 3. The tension would be unbearable. Sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn't. As in all good television, even before we could see what was behind the curtains, the camera would be zoomed in on the faces of the contestants to catch that moment of elation or sadness. Some people would win a car while others went home with a brand new pair of donkeys. The expressions on the faces of the new donkey owners were always "priceless".

I think the verses you just read ask us a similar question. What will you give for wisdom? How much do you value wisdom? Do you value it more than what you are holding in your hand right now? More than your own understanding. More than silver or gold, more than all you hearts desire. If you had all that at your disposal and were asked do you want to give it up for something greater but this time there is only one curtain and behind it was not fame, or more gold and silver, or success but instead WISDOM was behind the curtain. Would you keep what you've got or would you make the trade?

Solomon says that wisdom is better than gold and silver or anything that I may desire. Do I believe that...
Wisdom will help me have a better marriage
Wisdom will help me to raise my children in the way they should go
Wisdom will help me not to stumble into sin
Wisdom will help me avoid the heartache of broken relationships
Wisdom will help me walk with integrity
Wisdom will help me glorify God in my life
Wisdom will protect me
Wisdom will guide me
Wisdom will instruct me

Every time we open up our Bible we read God's word to us. We read how we are to live and we should jump for joy. We have been told this is the way walk ye in it and when we do we have found something far more valuable than gold or anything our hearts could desire. We have found wisdom. There are people with gobs of money who would give it all away just to have a meaningful relationship with their spouse or their child, or just to have one real friend. But they have no clue because they are blind to God's word. Our eyes have been opened through the precious blood of Jesus Christ and the gift of His Spirit living within us. We are in Him and in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2. We have the answer in God's word. So read it. Obey It. Cherish it. It is more precious than silver or gold.

"The quality of our lives has everything to do with the quality of our relationships." Wisdom says. "lets make a deal." Everything you have in your hand and in your heart for everything I am. Wisdom's invitation is to trade all your understanding, all your gold, silver and desires for the wisdom and riches found in Jesus Christ and His Word. It is a win win deal, so let go and make the trade.

"You Can't Miss It" Proverbs 1:20-22

I hate asking for directions. The main reason being, I have done it before and it seldom works. Local people assume way to much when they are giving strangers directions. I need more than hand signals. Sitting in the car watching and listening to the waving and pointing and mumbling, I think he said "When you leave here turn right and go past 23 stop lights then turn left, at the next intersection take a sharp right, go past 5 gas stations, when you come to the fork in the road take it. The place you are looking for will be on your right side just down a few blocks. Then you hear those 4 words you hate to hear and you hope no one else in the car heard - “you can’t miss it”. As soon as those words are out of our friends mouth there are bets being taken in the back seat that dad will miss it. And sure enough, that place I couldn’t miss, I missed it. Now that I have a GPS in the car I no longer need to ask for directions. Fortunately the voice that talks to me on my GPS has been programed to be polite, unlike those in the back seat. When I miss a turn it simply says “recalculating” which means in GPS language “you missed it stupid?”
If you have a heading in your Bible just above Proverbs 1:20 it says “The Call of Wisdom.” If I could summarize what God is telling us in vs 20 - 21 about finding wisdom it would simply be this, “you can’t miss it!”
“Wisdom cries aloud” it does not whisper
“Wisdom cries aloud in the streets” not in secluded back alleys
“In the markets” where everyone gathers on a regular basis
“In the markets she raises her voice” she wants to be heard
“At the head of the noisy streets” as people travel by
“At the head of the noisy streets she cries out” listen to me
“At the entrance of the city gates” where rulers often sit, where strangers come and go
“At the entrance of the city gates she speaks” she has something to say
All these indicate that if we want wisdom, wisdom is not playing hard to get. Wisdom is not hiding, wisdom in not obscure, wisdom is not out of reach. Wisdom is right in front of us. Then what is the problem? How do we miss it? The problem has to do with what we love and delight in more than wisdom.
How long...will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge. Vs 22
Wisdom is a heart issue. We have no excuse for living without God’s wisdom. But we need to remember, God does not give wisdom to the curious. He gives wisdom to the humble, obedient and hungry heart.
Hardness of heart leads to ignorance of God’s truth and wisdom. People cannot hear wisdom because they are not listening for it. They are in love with the sound of their own voice. They are in love with their sinful life styles. There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Eph 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

But to the humble believer seeking to honor and glorify God in his daily life God gives this wonderful promise.

James 1:5-8 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

“If any of you lacks wisdom as a parent, in your marriage, on your job, in your trial, let him ask God, who gives generously …”
Wisdom cries aloud, Wisdom cries clearly, Wisdom cries everywhere

“YOU CAN’T MISS IT”

Thank God for this wonderful promise.

"Can You Hear Me Now"

Proverbs 1:8-10 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Proverbs has much to say about the family. Much of what is written is a fathers instruction to his child. These three verses present us with one of the challenges of parenting. Teaching our children is one aspect of parenting, getting them to listen is the other. Teaching is of little value if a child has not been taught to listen.
"Can you hear me now?" is not only a good slogan for a cell phone company, it is a reminder to parents that we need to be asking that of our children as they go though the different stages of life. Can they hear me now? Who has their heart?
One of the responsibilities parents have in bringing up their children is to bring them early on in their lives to the place where they will listen to instruction. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. Part of that foolishness manifests itself in an unwillingness to listen. 1:7
It is not just hearing us as parents, that's not enough. If their ears work properly they can hear you. But are they listening to you? That is a different story altogether.
Bringing a child to the place where they will listen takes place in the first five years of their lives. These are the most important years in child rearing. I am sure many teachers in our schools would agree that far to many children come to school that first year who can hear but will not listen. How do I know if they are listening to me? One word - Obedience. Do they obey you. Do you have their heart?
Why is this important - obviously there are several good reasons but let me give you two found in vs 8-10.
1. Listening ears dress your child up so they look good to others. graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. These are things that make a child look good to others. There is something to be admired when you see a well behaved child. It makes you smile. On the other hand, there is little smiling done when you are around a disobedient child.
2. You are not the only voice in your child's life. if sinners entice you
Parents we need to bring our children to the place where they listen to us because the voices in this world are powerful, enticing, destructive and appeal very much to the sinful heart resident in every child. The world wants our children. We need to be prepared to fight for our children. Part of that battle is a battle for their hEARts. Bring them to the place where they will listen to you, and teach them the life changing Word of God. Teach them...
God loves them.
Their heart is sinful.
Jesus died for their sin and rose again.
If they come to Jesus by grace alone through faith alone they can be saved
Saved people have a new heart.
Saved people know and listen to God's Word.
May these truths and many others be taught early to our children so that when sinners entice them they will say NO, my heart belongs to Jesus. "My son, Can you hear me now?" "Listen to the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother."

Cross references:

1. Proverbs 1:8 : Proverbs 6:20; Psalm 34:11; Eph 6:1, 2
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Proverbs 1:9 : Proverbs 4:9; Proverbs 3:22
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Proverbs 1:9 : Gen 41:42; Dan 5:29
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Proverbs 1:10 : Proverbs 16:29
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2 Timothy 3:14-15 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

"The Cry for Wisdom"

PROVERBS 1:1
As we look around us and see lives falling apart and families coming unraveled, it should make us stop and ask ourselves: Why is this happening? The reason is not due to a lack of wealth, or knowledge, or because of "bad breaks." It is mostly due to a lack of wisdom, a shortage of common sense that has resulted in bad choices and warped priorities.
The reality is: Most people's lives do not come unraveled by one BIG, BAD choice, but by a progression of small, seemingly insignificant and unwise choices.
The book of Proverbs is a book about choices. In the first verse of the book we are introduced to the principle writer of the book of Proverbs. "The proverbs of Solomon..." We are told that Solomon was the son of David, king of Israel. David was the second king of Israel and Solomon was the third. The transition of power is recorded for us in the first three chapters of I Kings

I Kings 3:5-9 Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart too judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

Three that things are foundational in lives that desire to be marked by wisdom

First we see in Solomon a reverence for God. A healthy fear of the LORD is foundational in a life that desires to live wisely. Prov. 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...!

Secondly we see Humility. Here was a person who was willing to admit, " I don't know everything." What an awesome calling, to be the king of Israel. If Solomon was to be the kind of king that God wanted him to be , he knew he would need wisdom and guidance .
If the Lord came to you and said; "Ask! What shall I give you?" What would you ask for? I think it would be safe to assume you would ask for the thing you think would meet your greatest need. So let's ask another question. What do you think your greatest need is?
Solomon realized that what he really needed were not riches, things, or for his people to think he was a wonderful king. "Lord make them like me". He knew he needed wisdom.

Thirdly Discernment - "Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. . .".
The ability not just to make decisions but good decisions. To be able to choose not just the good but the best. There is a skill that Proverbs will give us if we study it closely. The ability to discern between good and evil. This is very important if we are to live lives that are holy, and pleasing to God.
However there is another skill implied in this and it is the ability to discern between the better and the best, between the urgent and the important things in life. Do you have that ability? Today few people seem to be able to get a grip on what things are truly important in life. They spend their time, energy, and money not on "evil" things, but on trivial things. Good things but not the best things, urgent things but not important things. Days filled with activity and full schedules, but their lives are empty. Why? Because they lack the discernment, (i.e. understanding), and discipline, to say no to the trivial and urgent and yes to the important, lasting, and meaningful things in life.
Notice how the Lord felt about his request.
"The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing." vs 10
Each of us has a divine call on our lives. As Christians we are called to witnesses, if we are married we are called to love our spouses, if we have children we are called to be parents "who train up their children in the way they should go... " ! Do you have all the answers? Do you know it all?
What these two questions are really driving at is this; Do you have a teachable spirit? If you are struggling in any of these areas, as a witness, a spouse, or as a parent etc., may you see that what you need is not more money, a better house, a better job, or new and improved children, but like Solomon you need an understanding heart. You need wisdom to make wise choices, to set godly examples and have discernment to establish biblical priorities on a daily basis.
As you read this great book, be like Solomon, fearing the Lord and modeling a humble and teachable spirit, rejoicing that the Lord is concerned with the everyday things of your life and has given you the most practical, powerful and life changing book ever written to guide you.

2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ equipped that the man of God may be competent, for every good work.