(Prov 22:20,21 GNB) I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice, and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” As I explained yesterday, this third ‘book within the book’ began with 22:17 and will continue to 24:34. Solomon tells us that there are 30 “sayings” contained within this portion of the overall book. I decided to provide you a list of the sayings, because many of you may want to keep this as a reference. Here they are:
30 Sayings – The Sayings of Wise Men:
Saying 1. Call to Attention to Value of Wisdom (Prov 22:17-21)
Saying 2. Admonition on Care for the Poor (Prov 22:22-23)
Saying 3. Admonition on Associating with the Angry (Prov 22:24-25)
Saying 4. Admonition on Rash Pledges (Prov 22:26-27)
Saying 5. Admonition on Moving Boundaries (Prov 22:28)
Saying 6. Question on the Importance of Talent (Prov 22:29)
Saying 7. Admonition on Etiquette with Royalty (Prov 23:1-3)
Saying 8. Admonition on Financial Ambition (Prov 23:4-5)
Saying 9. Admonition on Eating with the Stingy (Prov 23:6-8)
Saying 10. Admonition on Wasting Words on Fools (Prov 23:9)
Saying 11. Admonition on Moving Boundaries (Prov 23:10-11)
Saying 12. Admonition to Wisdom (Prov 23:12)
Saying 13. Admonition on Discipline of Children (Prov 23:13-14)
Saying 14. Expression of Hope by the Teacher (Prov 23:15-16)
Saying 15. Admonition on Fear of the Lord (Prov 23:17-18)
Saying 16. Call to Attention (Prov 23:19)
Saying 17. Admonition on Temperance (Prov 23:20-21)
Saying 18. Call to Attention to Wisdom of Parents (Prov 23:22-25)
Saying 19. Call to Attention (Prov 23:26)
Saying 20. Description of a Harlot (Prov 23:27-28)
Saying 21. Questions and Admonitions on Drunkenness (Prov 23:29-35)
Saying 22. Admonition on Envy of Evil Persons (Prov 24:1-2)
Saying 23. Descriptions of Wisdom’s Importance (Prov 24:3-7)
Saying 24. Descriptions of the Evils of Folly (Prov 24:8-9)
Saying 25. Description and Admonition on Helping Others (Prov 24:10-12)
Saying 26. Admonition on the Delight of Wisdom (Prov 24:13-14)
Saying 27. Admonition on Violence (Prov 24:15-16)
Saying 28. Admonition on Gloating over Enemies (Prov 24:17-18)
Saying 29. Admonition on Envy of Evil Ones (Prov 24:19-20)
Saying 30. Admonition on Fearing God and the King (Prov 24:21-22)
As you read through the topics covered in these sayings you realize that they run the gamut from dealing with the poor to dealing with the king, from the value of being a life-long student to hope for the teacher. It’s a varied list and rightly so, because the Bible contains wisdom for every situation… what we must do is find it. Solomon tells us that these sayings contain knowledge and good advice, and they will teach us “the truth.” And then Solomon tells us something that really caught my attention. He tells us that these sayings (full of divine wisdom) will enable us provide sound answers. In the military I serve as a Network Engineer and the principal portion of my duties entail providing technical counsel to Army Senior Leaders. While the Bible does not contain “network engineering material” I am convinced that my study of God’s Word and my desire to develop in His wisdom have equipped me to provide sound answers when called upon. The Bible may not contain specifics about your line of work, but if you develop in divine wisdom, the Father can equip you to provide sound answers that will far exceed the requirements expected of you, putting you in a position to bring glory to the Father.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that the Bible contains answers for any of life’s challenges… what you must do is find the answers within it’s pages. And the more you get the Word down inside of you, the better equipped you will be to provide sound answers to any questions you are posed, whether the actual answers are in scripture or not. The more you develop in divine wisdom, the more you will be sought out for advice, because your advice will be sage, sound, and safe.
Closing Confession: Father, I declare, by faith, that I develop in Your wisdom. I have a thirst for Your counsel that can only be quenched by Your Word. I get into Your Word daily and Your Word feeds my soul in a way that nothing else can. The more I get Your Word in my spirit, the better equipped I am to provide sound answers to the questions I am posed with. And the more I provide those sound answers, the more I will be sought out for counsel. The more I am sought out, the more You can use me for Your glory. I represent You today and every day, in all that I do. Use me Father as Your representative in my workplace. As You do, You will be glorified, I will be edified, and the devil will be horrified! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
