DEFINITION:

Knowing how things are, knowing how they work & knowing what to do about it

Competence with regard to the realities of life

PATTERN: WISDOM IS WOVEN IN

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.

ACQUISITION: A PATH

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

It’s accomplished by steady, repeated action

1. Knowing God: 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

He is good, He cares, He is in control.

2. Knowing self: 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

ruthless yet non-traumatic self-examination.

3. Knowing your friends: v.1 – the writer often says “my son” – this was probably a manual written for a men’s school. you won’t find wisdom by yourself – get mentors.

4. Knowing God’s best practices: 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; God will tell you what to do with family, emotions, money, etc. get to get this stuff into you. meditate, reflect.

5. Knowing troubles: 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom doesn’t avoid suffering, it transforms suffering into more wisdom.

You will make wise choices with these things in your life.

PROBLEM:

2 things you must know about the pattern to be wise: here is our problem:

1. you must admit that there is a pattern. God has made the world and there are principles by which life customarily works

2. it doesn’t always work this way: these aren’t guarantees – the world is broken

SOLUTION:

Prov 30:2-5

2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.

3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? …

What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!

John 3:12-16

12 "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13 "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.

14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

Jesus has become for us wisdom, paying the penalty for our sin on the cross, and offering us life in Him.