Pastor Tommy Bailey
Proverbs 2
Wisdom is the Spirit-led art of faithful living in relation to God, His word and His world.
“With these two phrases, verse 5 encompasses the two classic Old Testament terms for true religion — the poles of awe and intimacy.”
– Derek Kidner, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary
Levels of Listening:
- Passive listening (1:22)
- Selective listening (18:1-2)
- Attentive listening (2:2)
- Desperate listening (2:3)
Three postures of one who pursues the wisdom and ways of God:
1. Active Listening to the Source of Wisdom (2:1-6)
“A Christian congregation is a group of people who decide, together, to pay attention.”
– Eugene Peterson, On Living Well
2. Walking in the Protection of Wisdom (2:7-11)
“Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.”
– Proverbs 4:5
“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
– Proverbs 4:7
“How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!”
– Proverbs 16:16
“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul…”
– Proverbs 19:8
“Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.”
– Proverbs 23:23
3. Pursuing the God of All Wisdom (5-6)
“We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit… The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after Him…”
– A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
Discussion Questions
- Proverbs 2 opens with a list of conditional statements beginning with “if”; what are some of these specific things we can do to make ourselves open to knowing God’s wisdom?
- How can you guard against being influenced by twisted & flattering words – or false wisdom from perverse sources?
- If God is the ultimate source of wisdom, how should this impact our approach to seeking knowledge (whether through advice, education, or experience) in various aspects of life?
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!”
– Romans 11:33
“…For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.”
– Ecclesiastes 5:2
“ …Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
– Colossians 2:2–3