Wise Patience

Wise Patience

(Proverbs 9:1-12)

Yearly Theme:  “Patience is…”

Series Title:  “Character Traits of Patience”

May 29^th, 2022

Something to think about:

WISDOM noun

1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.[1]

We come to the book of Proverbs today in the Old Testament as we explore the connection between wisdom and patience today.  In this final chapter of the section on lady wisdom and lady folly, we will unpack wisdom and good judgment as rooted in reverence for GOD.  Let’s take a look at lady wisdom in these 12 verses today…

Proverbs 9:1-12 (NLT),

¹ Wisdom has built her house;

she has carved its seven columns.

² She has prepared a great banquet,

mixed the wines, and set the table.

³ She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.

She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.

⁴ “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.

To those who lack good judgment, she says,

⁵ “Come, eat my food,

and drink the wine I have mixed.

⁶ Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;

learn to use good judgment.”

⁷ Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.

Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

⁸ So don’t bother correcting mockers;

they will only hate you.

But correct the wise,

and they will love you.

⁹ Instruct the wise,

and they will be even wiser.

Teach the righteous,

and they will learn even more.

¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.

Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

¹¹ Wisdom will multiply your days

and add years to your life.

¹² If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.

If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Here’s the takeaway this morning:

Key Point:  “The wise person has the benefit of good judgment.”

What are the key elements of lady wisdom’s call?  Let’s break this passage down further:

• Wisdom is an invitation to    .

Proverbs 9:1-6 (NLT), ¹ Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.  ² She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.  ³ She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.  She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.  ⁴ “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.  To those who lack good judgment, she says, ⁵ “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.  ⁶ Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

• Good judgment is a means of proper   and  .

Proverbs 9:7-9 (NLT), ⁷ Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.  Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.  ⁸ So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you.  But correct the wise, and they will love you.  ⁹ Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.  Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

• Both wisdom and good judgment are founded in the   of the  .

Proverbs 9:10-12 (NLT), ¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.  Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.  ¹¹ Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.  ¹² If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.  If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Something to take home:

You cannot learn Godly wisdom in a University and get a degree in it.  It can only come to a heart in right relationship with God, and seeking it.  The great Greek philosopher Socrates wrote, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

Proverbs 1:7 (NLT),  Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Do you consider yourself wise?  Where do you search for knowledge and understanding?  Do you believe everything you hear, or do you search for the truth?  The wise person knows that the starting point of true knowledge is in fear, reverence, and complete submission to GOD, and GOD alone.  Scoffers and mockers reject any notion of GOD because it doesn’t fit into the paradigm of their foolish thinking.  In contrast, people of wisdom do not know everything, but they do know the One who does know everything and that makes all the difference in the world.

Key Point:  “The wise person has the benefit of good judgment.”

[1] Dictionary.Com Unabridged Based On The Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022