Lesson 2

Key Text: “Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

Do not turn to the right or the left;

remove your foot from evil”

Proverbs 4:26, 27

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

(Proverbs 4:7)

Solomon shared the teaching on wisdom that he received from his father (v. 4). He considered this teaching to be a precious gift (v. 2). He wrote it as a secret for happiness and success.

In order to be wise, we must listen to others(v. 1), to study and to put that wisdom into practice (v. 5)

We have been invited to seek wisdom with all our intellectual faculties (hearing, v. 10) and feelings (loving her, v. 4 and 6).

“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:3-4)

An “immoral woman” or “strange woman” is a person who is not the lawful spouse (either husband or wife). He or she may urge us to commit adultery. We must follow the next three pieces of advice from this chapter:

Watch your words. If you

share details on your intimate life with a “strange” person, you may

be exposed to temptation.

“That you may

preserve discretion,

and your lips may keep

knowledge.” (v. 2)

Getting away from temptation

as soon as possible.

“Remove your way far

from her, and do not go near the door of her

house.” (v. 8)

Rejoice in your spouse (1

Corinthians 7:5). Loving our

spouse is the best protection

against the temptation of loving another

man or woman.

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of

your youth.” (v. 18)

“My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: go and humble yourself; plead with your friend.”(Proverbs 6:1-3)

Your friend got into debt with a person. Since you are his friend, you stood security for him without much thought. That way you pawned your word to a stranger (your friend’s creditor).

What if your friend does not pay his debt? What if you don’t have enough money to pay that debt?

Humble yourself, be persistent and make sure your friend pays his debt.

Next time… don’t promise more money to your friend than you already have. Keep that money as long as necessary, so the creditor couldn’t ask for more money than you already have.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)

What can we learn from the way ants work? Each ant has its position and work.

They show amazing teamwork.There is no lazy ant.They trust one another.They get ready for winter.They are diligent, hard-working and focused.Each ant bears its own burden. They help each other if necessary.They come together to plan and to receive instructions.They communicate in various ways.They can regroup.They need community. They die if isolated.

“How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)

How can we learn from the indolence of the sluggard?

“At the creation, labor was appointed as a blessing. It meant development,

power, happiness. The changed condition of the earth through the curse of

sin has brought a change in the conditions of labor; yet though now

attended with anxiety, weariness, and pain, it is still a source of happiness

and development. And it is a safeguard against temptation. Its discipline

places a check on self-indulgence, and promotes industry, purity, and

firmness. Thus it becomes a part of God’s great plan for our recovery from

the Fall.”

E.G.W. (Education, cp. 24, pg. 214)

Wisdom protect us from foolishness.

The foolish man lacks long-term vision. He is not aware that «his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.” (v. 15).

The wise man is careful to not to do something God hates.

Seven things define a wicked man (v. 12-14)

He walks with a perverse mouth.

He winks with his eyes.

He shuffles his feet.

He points with his fingers.

Perversity is in his heart.

He devises evil continually.

He sows discord.

These seven things the Lord hates (v. 16-19)

A proud look.

A lying tongue.

Hands that shed innocent blood.

A heart that devises wicked plans.

Feet that are swift in running to evil.

A false witness who speaks lies.

One who sows discord among brethren.

It’s not enough just to know about right and wrong; we need to know how to choose right and not wrong. Training in wisdom consists in hearing proper instruction and in following and obeying what we have learned so that we don’t end up walking in the wrong direction.

Jacques B. Doukhan, Bible Study Guide; Saturday January 3, 2015.

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