Proverbs 8-10

Thoughts

Proverbs 8

Once again Wisdom calls out openly to everyone. 

Wisdom speaks what is right and true.

• Her words are upright, just, and plain
• No crookedness, manipulation, or deception
• Wisdom is more valuable than silver, gold, or jewels

Wisdom shapes character and leadership.

• Dwells with prudence (wise foresight) and knowledge
• Hates pride, arrogance, evil, and perverse speech
• Empowers rulers, judges, and leaders to govern justly
• Leads those who love her into wealth and righteousness

Wisdom’s History

• Present before the earth, seas, mountains, and skies
• Beside the LORD during creation
• Rejoicing before God and God delighting in her

Blessed are those who listen and keep her ways

Proverbs 9

Wisdom is introduced as a host,

• She has built a house, set seven pillars, prepared a feast
• The table is ready before the guests arrive
• She sends out her servants to invite the simple

The Guests

• A scoffer rejects correction and becomes hostile
• A wise person receives correction and grows
• The fear of the LORD is  the foundation of wisdom

Folly Appears

• Folly is loud and knows nothing
• She sits and waits
• She also calls to the simple
• Her offer sounds exciting and secretive: stolen water, hidden bread
• However, death waits inside

Proverbs 10

Verse	Wise / Righteous (ESV)	Foolish / Wicked (ESV)
1	Wise son makes a glad father	Foolish son is a sorrow to his mother
2	Righteousness delivers from death	Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit
3	LORD does not let righteous go hungry	Thwarts the craving of the wicked
4	Diligent hand makes rich	Slack hand causes poverty
5	Son who gathers in summer	Son who sleeps in harvest
6	Blessings on head of righteous	Violence covers mouth of wicked
7	Memory of righteous is a blessing	Name of wicked will rot
8	Wise in heart will receive commandments	Prating fool will come to ruin
9	Walks in integrity walks securely	Crooked ways will be found out
10	—	Winks the eye causes trouble
11	Mouth of righteous is a fountain of life	Violence covers mouth of wicked
12	Love covers all offenses	Hatred stirs up strife
13	Wisdom found on lips	Rod for back of him who lacks sense
14	Wise lay up knowledge	Mouth of fool brings ruin near
15	Wealth is strong city	Poverty is ruin of poor
16	Wage of righteous leads to life	Gain of wicked to sin
17	Way of life is he who heeds instruction	One who ignores reproof leads others astray
18	—	Conceals hatred, utters slander
19	Restrains lips is prudent	Many words → sin
20	Tongue of righteous is choice silver	Heart of wicked is of little worth
21	Lips of righteous feed many	Fools die for lack of sense
22	Blessing of the LORD makes rich	Adds no sorrow with it
23	Wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding	Doing wrong is sport to a fool
24	Desire of righteous will be granted	Dread of wicked will come upon him
25	Righteous is established forever	Wicked is no more
26	—	Sluggard is like vinegar to teeth
27	Fear of the LORD prolongs life	Years of wicked will be short
28	Hope of righteous brings joy	Expectation of wicked will perish
29	Way of the LORD is stronghold	Ruin to evildoers
30	Righteous will never be removed	Wicked will not dwell in the land
31	Mouth of righteous brings forth wisdom	Perverse tongue will be cut off
32	Lips of righteous know what is acceptable	Mouth of wicked what is perverse

Questions

Application

Proverbs 8 shows us that wisdom should not be optional. We should always ask if our actions are aligned with God’s design.  Proverbs 9 shows us how wisdom and folly both invite us in, but only one leads to life. Proverbs 10 shifts to snapshots of foolishness and wisdom.  We see how wisdom becomes visible in our day to day life.