Unlocking the Power of Proverbs
(1st Kings 4:29-34 NIV) God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man… He spoke 3000 proverbs and his songs numbered 1005… Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
Judgment
It is with great excitement and Godly expectation that I embark upon a new series this morning. This series has been a long time in the making. I have wanted to teach through the book of Proverbs for years, and I am glad and grateful that God has given me release to do it now. The series is entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” The Book of Proverbs is part of the Wisdom Literature of the Bible; a division of books that include: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and some of the Psalms. Of the Wisdom Literature, the Book of Proverbs is probably the best known. Christians and non-Christians alike have sought to glean from the wisdom contained in this book. Although some have sought to receive the Godly wisdom contained in this book without the reality of a relationship with God, but let me remind you this morning that if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord, then you don’t need to seek God’s wisdom (His head), you need to receive His Son (His heart). Don’t try to get things from God without receiving God Himself. So, If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord, please do so today. Click here to receive more information about Jesus.
I am looking forward to receiving and releasing whatever God gives me to share from this powerful book of wisdom. Although Solomon is not the only author, he is the primary one. I will highlight the other contributors (Agur the son of Jakeh and King Lemuel) when I get to the passages of scripture that they wrote. But for the most part, the book was written by Solomon, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Solomon is an extraordinary Biblical character. Our text says that God gave him “Wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” Think about that for a moment. This is not a mythical character. This was a real human being, who lived in the earth, who had measureless understanding. This was not something he learned in school. This was not something that he received by accumulating information through institutions of higher learning. No, he received the wisdom of God by revelation and we are fortunate that he documented many of the precepts he received for us to learn and live by. The Bible says, “He was wiser than any other man.” Now, remember, this is the Bible speaking, not some little boy exaggerating about his Daddy. No, this is God’s book of truth stating that the wisdom possessed by Solomon was unsurpassed in the earth. It is easy to see why the text says that kings from all over the world sent representatives to learn from Solomon, so that they could apply his principles and precepts in their kingdoms.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that as we prepare to receive from the Book of Proverbs we are preparing to receive from both the wisest man to walk the earth (other than Jesus) and the God who gave him that wisdom. I am sure that you have sought the counsel of many people in your life and over the next few months we will seek the counsel of God. This book is power-packed with God’s truth and as we seek to tap into His wisdom, it is my prayer that God gives us all a greater level of understanding, so that we can maximize our time in the earth!
Confession for this day: Lord God, I seek Your counsel daily. I put Your Word above the words of every one else. Your counsel has the highest position in my life. I seek Your wisdom and I seek understanding. I am prepared to mine through Your book of wisdom as a miner mines through a gold mine, looking for golden nuggets along the way. I am excited and I know that Your principles and precepts will change the way I look at and live life! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
Unlocking the Power of Proverbs (Series Intro – cont.)
(1st Kings 3:12-14 NIV) I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
This morning we continue the introduction to our new series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Yesterday I introduced you to the primary author f the Book of Proverbs (Solomon). We learned from the 4th chapter of 1st Kings that Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote over 1,000 songs (or poems). We know that he did this under the inspiration of God. In chapter 3 we see how he received the wisdom that he is known for. I want you to know a few things about Solomon before we get heavy into the series.
Solomon was the son of King David and he took over the throne while his father was still alive and he was quite young when he took over. He was concerned about assuming such a great responsibility at such a young age. The Lord spoke to him through a dream. In the dream God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” This was Solomon’s golden opportunity. He was young, he was in charge, he was somewhat afraid, and he was seeking help from God. God told him what he wanted to here, “Ask for whatever you want!” Now, you know that most of us would have started rattling off a list of selfish desires, but young Solomon was different. He said, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David… you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” Wow. Solomon had maturity beyond his years. He did not ask for fame or fortune, he asked for wisdom and understanding; for help in carrying out the duties of the office that he had been charged with. He knew that he was in authority, but also knew that he was under authority. He submitted to God so that those that he led would submit to him. All leaders should learn from this example.
In our text we see that the Lord was overwhelmingly pleased. Not only did God give him wisdom, but He also gave him riches, honor, and an unequalled name. It is interesting to me that the latter portion of the text says, “And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” In other words, it is clear that Solomon still had a choice. God was going to give him the wisdom, but he still had to put forth the energy and the effort to lead. God was not going to lead FOR him. God would bless whatever he did, but the doing was still up to Solomon.
So what does this mean to you today? There is so much here, but I will attempt to glean just a few quick golden nuggets from this:
1. God can give us the wisdom needed to carry out the duties He has blessed us to have. Remember, if it’s God’s will, then it’s God’s bill. If He put you in the leadership position, then He will give you what you need to succeed!
2. It is OK to be real with God. Solomon felt overwhelmed and he expressed it to God.
3. God has a part and we have a part. God promised to give him the wisdom, but Solomon still had to do something with it. God was not going to rule for him and He won’t do it all for us either.
Confession for this day: Lord God, I submit my life wholly unto You. I thank You for all that You have blessed me to accomplish in my life and I thank You for the people that You have blessed me to be in a position to influence. I ask You to give me the wisdom to carry out the duties that You have positioned me to have. I am a child of Abraham and like Abraham I am blessed TO BE a blessing. Use me today, Lord, for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!