Friday, May 22, 2015

Wisdom, God, and Everyday Life (Prov. 3.5-12, etc.)


Scripture: Proverbs 3.5-12; 15.3, 11, 33; 16.1-7, 9, 20, 33; 17.3; 19.3, 21; 20.24, 27; 21.1-2, 30-31; 22.4, 12, 17-21; 23.10-11, 17-18; 28.25; 29.25-26;
Translation: Proverbs 3.5Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; and don’t rely on your own understanding.6In all your ways, know Him, and He will straighten your paths. 7Don’t just think you’re wise: Fear Yahweh and turn from evil. 8It will be healing for your body; and restoration for your bones. 9Glorify Yahweh with all your wealth, with the first part of all your harvest. 10And then your storehouses will be totally full, and your wine presses will overflow with new wine! 11Yahweh’s correction, my son, don’t reject it. And don’t fear His punishment, 12because Yahweh punishes the person He loves, just like a father does to the son he’s proud of.
Proverbs 15.3Yahweh’s eyes are in every place, watching evil people and good people.
Proverbs 15.11Death and Destruction [lit. Sheol and Abaddon] are in front of Yahweh, how much more then the hearts of the sons of Adam.
Proverbs 15.33The fear of Yahweh is corrective wisdom; humility comes before glory.
Proverbs 16.1Humanity has the plans of the heart, but Yahweh gives the answer of the tongue. 2All the ways of a man are pure from his own perspective, but Yahweh evaluates hearts. 3Entrust your actions to Yahweh, and your plans will succeed. 4Yahweh makes everything for His own purpose, including even the wicked person for a day of disaster. 5Every proud heart is an abomination to Yahweh; there’s no way it will be spared punishment. 6Sin is dealt with through loyalty and faithfulness; and out of fear of Yahweh turn away from evil. 7When a man’s ways please Yahweh, He even makes his enemies at peace with him.
Proverbs 16.9A man’s mind plans its path, but Yahweh determines his steps.
Proverbs 16.20A person who thinks about what he says experiences goodness, and the person who trusts in Yahweh experiences His blessings.
Proverbs 16.33The dice gets rolled [lit. the lot falls into the lap]; but its every decision comes from Yahweh.
Proverbs 17.3The refiner is for silver, the purifier is for gold, but Yahweh tests hearts.
Proverbs 19.3A man’s stupidity ruins his life, but his heart gets angry at Yahweh.
Proverbs 19.21There are many aims in a man’s heart, but it is the plan of Yahweh that happens.
Proverbs 20.24A man’s steps are from Yahweh, so what human can understand their own life story?
Proverbs 20.27Yahweh’s lamp is on the spirit of a man, searching all inner reaches of his soul.
Proverbs 21.1The king’s heart is channels of water in Yahweh’s hand: He turns it whatever way He wants. 2All of a man’s path is right in his own perspective, but Yahweh evaluates hearts.
Proverbs 21.30There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, there is no plan that opposes Yahweh. 31A horse is appointed for a day of battle, but salvation belongs to Yahweh.
Proverbs 22.4The result of humility is the fear of Yahweh, blessing, glory, and life.
Proverbs 22.12Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge, and He ruins the words of the traitor.
Proverbs 22.17The words of the wise: Turn your ear and pay attention. And set your heart on my knowledge, 18because it is enjoyable that you keep them deep inside you; they will be established together on your lips. 19I have taught you today—Yes you—so that your trust will be in Yahweh. 20Didn’t I write you thirty things on plans and knowledge, 21in order to teach you the truth of the words of faithfulness, in order that those who speak would bring truth back to those who sent you.
Proverbs 23.10Don’t move back the permanent boundary stone, and don’t go into the fields of orphans. 11Because their Redeemer is strong; He will bring their lawsuit against you.
Proverbs 23.17Don’t let your heart envy sinners, instead all day long be in fear of Yahweh, 18because if there is an afterlife, then your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 28.25A greedy person stirs up conflict, but the person trusting on Yahweh will be fattened up.
Proverbs 29.25Fear of people sets a trap, but the person who trusts in Yahweh will be removed from danger. 26There are many people seeking favor before the ruler, but the decision of man is from Yahweh.

Applications
1.      Outline
a.       Trust in Yahweh in everyday life (Prov. 3.5-6, 9-12, 11-12; 16.1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 20*, 33*; 19.21; 20.24*; 21.1*, 30*-31; 22.12, *17-21*; 23.17-18; 28.25*; *29.25-26*)
                                                              i.      Trust Yahweh when facing decisions (Prov. 3.5-6, 9-10; 16.1, 3, 9; 19.21; 20.24; 22.12, 17-21; 28.25; 29.25-26)
1.      When making plans (3.5-6; 16.3, 9; 19.21; 20.24; 28.25)
a.       This means
                                                                                                                                      i.      Making plans,
                                                                                                                                    ii.      Not freaking out when your plans don’t happen (20.24)
2.      When choosing words (16.1, 22.17-21)
3.      When making financial decisions (3.9-10)
4.      When choosing a spouse
5.      When interacting with people (29.25-26)
                                                            ii.      Trust Yahweh when facing difficulties (Prov. 3.11-12; 16.4, 7; 23.17-18; 29.25-26)
1.      When experiencing Yahweh’s corrective punishment (which can come to you in lots of different ways) (3.11-12)
2.      When coming face to face with evil people (16.4, 7)
3.      When it seems like non-Christians are better off than you (23.17-18)
4.      When dealing with powerful people (29.25-26)
                                                          iii.      Trust Yahweh when facing danger (Prov. 16.7; 21.30-31; 22.12; 29.25-26)
1.      When in dealing with enemies (16.7; 21.30-31)
2.      When in a life or death situation (21.30-31)
3.      When in a vulnerable position before powerful people (29.25-26)
b.      Fear Yahweh in everyday life (Prov. 3.7-8, 15.3, 11, 33; 16.2, 4-6; 17.3; 19.3; 20.27; 21.2; 22.4, 12; 23.17-18)
                                                              i.      Repent from Sin (Prov. 3.7-8; 16.6)
1.      Because repentance is restorative to your body and soul
2.      Because you fear God
                                                            ii.      Check Your Heart (Prov. 15.11, 33; 16.2, 5; 17.3; 19.3; 20.27; 21.2; 23.17-18)
1.      Because Yahweh is looking at and evaluating your heart with perfect knowledge of what is in your heart
2.      Because we often think we are doing the right thing, but God even cares about why we do the right thing
3.      Because humility is required for glory and pride will be punished—both are issues of the heart
4.      Because sometimes we get angry at God for how things turned out, but the truth is it was our own bad choices and stupidity that put us in the situation. We blame God for our sin and stupidity…it’s as old as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (cf. Gen. 3)
5.      Because sometimes we start thinking it is better to be a sinner than a saint, even though Yahweh will give us an eternity of blessing that sinners will not share in
                                                          iii.      Expect Accountability (Prov. 15.3, 11; 16.2, 4-5; 20.27; 22.12)
1.      Because Yahweh knows exactly what you do: punishment for sin and reward for good (Prov. 15.3)
2.      Because Yahweh knows exactly what you think and feel and want (15.11; 20.27)
3.      Because Yahweh knows exactly what motivates you (16.2)
4.      Because Yahweh has a plan for sinful, evil, and proud people: punishment (16.4-5; 22.12)
2.      Discussion Questions
a.       What is your everyday made up of? What places, events, people, situations, activities, thoughts, emotions, desires, etc?
b.      In your everyday life that you just described, how could trusting in Yahweh become part of your lifestyle? Be specific.
c.       In your everyday life that you just described, how could a healthy fear of Yahweh become part of your lifestyle? Be specific.
d.      Have you ever gotten angry with God? If so, is it possible that your own bad choices and desires put you in the situation that made you angry? Why or why not?
e.       God is in control of absolutely everything. How could this truth help you as you make plans and go through life?
f.       Have you ever felt like non-Christians have it better than non-Christians? why or why not?

g.      All people will one day give an account of their actions to God. Based on their actions and their heart, God will judge all of us, either rewarding for what is good or punishing for what is bad. What do you want that evaluation before God to be like? Why? What do you think you need to do to have the outcome you want? 

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