The Good News in Proverbs is Grounded in the God of Proverbs

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.”

~Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish author (1547-1616)

“Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.”

~Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist (1930-2013)

“A God wise enough to create me and the world I live in is wise enough to watch out for me.”

~Philip Yancy, American author

“God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”

~Augustine, north African bishop and theologian (354AD-430)

“To all life thou givest, to both great and small;

in all life thou livest, the true life of all;

we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree.”

~“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” 1867 Hymn by Walter Smith

“[Jesus’] body was for Him not a limitation, but an instrument so that He was both in it and in all things, and outside all things, resting in the Father alone.”

~Athanasius, Egyptian theologian (296AD-373)

“Most Christians probably tend to write God’s presence off as a stuffy, philosophical category to be handled by tenured department heads in ivy-covered university halls. Or maybe [they confuse] God with a type of super-Santa Claus who knows when we’re sleeping and when we’re awake…But when we turn to Scripture, we find God’s presence is relational and real, even gloriously manifest at times. The Bible promises that God will be with his people and that he will not forsake them.

~Ryan Lister, Professor at Western Seminary

SERMON PASSAGE

Proverbs 2:6-11, 9:1-18 (NIV)

Proverbs 2

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

  from his mouth come knowledge

  and understanding.

7 He holds success in store for the upright,

    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just

     and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just

      and fair—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,

      and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you,

     and understanding will guard you.

Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom has built her house;

  she has set up its seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;

   she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls

   from the highest point of the city,

4  “Let all who are simple come to my house!”

  To those who have no sense she says,

5  “Come, eat my food

   and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;

  walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

   whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

   rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

   teach the righteous and

  they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

   and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through wisdom your days will be many,

   and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;

   if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;

   she is simple and knows nothing.

14 She sits at the door of her house,

   on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by,

   who go straight on their way,

16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”

  To those who have no sense she says,

17 “Stolen water is sweet;

   food eaten in secret is delicious!”

18 But little do they know that the dead are there,

   that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.