Lesson 2
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Lesson 2
Wisdom and Life
(PROVERBS 2—4)
Before you begin …
Getting Started
From the Commentary
In the book of Proverbs, the words path and way (and their plurals) are found nearly one hundred times (KJV). Wisdom is not only a person to love, but Wisdom is also a path to walk, and the emphasis in [Proverbs] 2, 3, and 4 is on the blessings God’s people enjoy when they walk on Wisdom’s path. The path of Wisdom leads to life, but the way of Folly leads to death; when you walk on the path of Wisdom, you enjoy three wonderful assurances: Wisdom protects your path (ch. 2), directs your path (ch. 3), and perfects your path (ch. 4).
—Be Skillful, pages 44–45
1. Go through Proverbs 2—4 and underline all the references to “path” or “way.” What do these verses tell us about the purpose of Proverbs for Christians seeking to know God? How can these verses help direct Christians to their specific path?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Proverbs 2—4 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The key verse in chapter 2 is verse 8: “He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints” (NKJV). The repetition of the phrase “my son” (2:1; 3:1, 11, 21; 4:10, 20; and see 4:1, “my children”) reminds us that the book of Proverbs records a loving father’s wise counsel to his family. The British statesman Lord Chesterfield said, “In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice; because I will not have anybody’s torments in this world or the next laid to my charge.” But Jewish fathers were commanded to teach their children wisdom (Deut. 6:1–9); if the children were smart, they paid attention and obeyed.
—Be Skillful, page 44
3. Why do you think the author of Proverbs uses the analogy of a father sharing wisdom with his son to pass along the lessons? How might this be perceived today, in a culture where parents don’t always have a good relationship with their children? In what ways is this depiction like other portions of Scripture where God is referred to as “Father”?
More to Consider: Read Proverbs 2:4; 3:13–15; 8:10–21; 16:16. According to these verses, what is the “paycheck” that studying wisdom can offer?
From the Commentary
[In Proverbs 2:10–19,] we meet “the evil man” and “the strange woman,” two people who are dangerous because they want to lead God’s children away from the path of life. The evil man is known for his perverse (“froward,” KJV; crooked) words (see vv. 12, 14; 6:14; 8:13; 10:31–32; 16:28, 30). He walks on the dark path of disobedience and enjoys doing that which is evil. He belongs to the crowd Solomon warns us about in 1:10–19. The person who walks in the way of wisdom would immediately detect his deceit and avoid him.
—Be Skillful, pages 45–46
4. Who are the “evil man” and “strange woman” referred to in Proverbs 2:10–19? In what ways do we run into such people in modern culture? How can we recognize them? What are we to do when we encounter them? How does wisdom help us make good choices when confronting these people?
From the History Books
Between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries AD, witch hunts became a hallmark of the church’s attempt to identify and eliminate people deemed dangerous because of their association with satanic or pagan rituals and involvement with the supernatural. Many accused witches were burned at the stake for their purported crimes against the church. While this occurred primarily in Europe (especially Germany), the witch hunting continued onto the shores of America, perhaps most famously with the Salem witch trials in 1692–1693.
5. What “wisdom” might have prompted the actions that led to witch hunts? How was that core idea a good thing? How was its enactment a bad thing? In what ways do people today still conduct witch hunts? What is the difference between identifying evil people in order to avoid them and identifying them in order to eliminate them? Is it our job to eradicate evil? Why or why not?
From the Commentary
If we receive God’s words and obey them, then we will have wisdom to make wise decisions, and thus God will keep His promise and protect us from the evil man and the strange woman. When you obey God, you have the privilege to “walk in the ways of good men” (v. 20 NIV). If you follow the Word of God, you will never lack for the right kind of friends.
—Be Skillful, page 46
6. What does it mean to “walk in the ways of good men” (Prov. 2:20)? How do you know whether you are walking in these ways?
From the Commentary
The key verses in [Proverbs 3] are verses 5–6, a promise God’s people have often claimed as they have sought the Lord’s direction for their lives. And this promise has never failed them—if they have obeyed the conditions God has laid down in verses 1–12.
—Be Skillful, page 47
7. What are the conditions God lays down in Proverbs 3:1–12? What promises does God offer to those who follow these conditions? How do we go about following these conditions in today’s society?
From the Commentary
If we trust and obey, our Father will direct our path into the blessings He has planned for us; the first of these blessings is the true wealth that comes from wisdom (vv. 13–18).
Another blessing is harmony with God’s creation (Prov. 3:19–20).
A third blessing is the Father’s providential care (3:21–26).
A positive relationship with others (3:27–35) is a fourth blessing.
—Be Skillful, pages 48–50
8. What is the wealth that comes with wisdom (Prov. 3:13–18)? What does “harmony with God’s creation” mean (3:19–20)? What is God’s providential care (3:21–26)? What does the blessing of a positive relationship look like (3:27–35)?
From the Commentary
The key verse in chapter 4 is verse 18: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” The picture is that of the sunrise (“the first gleam of dawn,” NIV) and the increasing of the light on the pilgrim path as the day advances. If we walk in the way of God’s wisdom, the path gets brighter and brighter and there is no sunset! When the path ends, we step into a land where the light never dims, for “there shall be no night there” (Rev. 22:5).
—Be Skillful, pages 50–51
9. What does the “path of the just” look like in the modern church? How does today’s church seek wisdom? What are some ways the church can do a better job of walking in the path of the just? What are some examples from your experience that illustrate how the path of the just “shines”?
More to Consider: Proverbs 4:5–7 suggests that we should “buy” wisdom. What is the implied “cost” of wisdom? How do we pay that cost?
From the Commentary
If you are willing to do God’s will, you will have God’s guidance (John 7:17), but if you treat God’s will like a buffet lunch, choosing only what pleases you, He will never direct you.… The will of God isn’t for the curious; it’s for the serious. As we look back on more than forty years of marriage and ministry, my wife and I can testify to God’s providential leading in our lives in ways that we never suspected He would use.
But God’s children can’t expect God’s leading if they shuttle back and forth between the path of wisdom and the path of the wicked (Prov. 4:14–17). Stay as far away from that path as you can!
—Be Skillful, page 52
10. In what ways do people “shuttle back and forth” between the path of wisdom and the path of the wicked? How common is this? Why is it difficult to stay on the path of the wise? What are some ways that we can avoid giving in to the temptation offered by the path of the wicked?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Proverbs 2—4. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. What are specific examples that show whether or not you are following the path of the wise? How has the wisdom of Proverbs helped you in following that path? What is the “paycheck” you have received from studying wisdom?
12. Who are the “evil man” and “strange woman” in your daily experience? What makes their ways appealing to you? When have you chosen to follow them instead of wisdom? What are some ways to avoid doing that in the future?
13. How well are you following the conditions provided in Proverbs 3:1–12? What are some things you can do to better follow these conditions? What impact would that have on your faith life? Your relationship with others?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to study the path of the wise? Do you need to avoid being drawn to evil? Be specific. Go back through Proverbs 2—4 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Draw a timeline of your life from birth until today. Along that line, make marks to indicate good seasons of life and seasons when you were following a darker path. Now draw that line out into the future. Think of some practical ways that can help you to continue marking “wise decisions” along the line. (These might include spending more time in prayer, involving yourself more with people who are a positive influence, and so on.) Then make a commitment to doing these things, remembering that God’s grace is sufficient for those times when you stray from the good path.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups: