INTRODUCTION: Wisdom is both a gift from God and the result

Chapter Two
INTRODUCTION: Wisdom is both a gift from God and the result of an active search. Wisdom’s starting
point is God and His revealed Word , the source of “knowledge and understanding” (2:6). In that sense, it is a gift to
us. But he gives it only to those who earnestly seek it. Because God’s wisdom is hidden from the rebellious and
foolish, it takes effort to find it and use it.
1. THE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO RECEIVE WISDOM (Verses 1-4)
A. The first requirement is God’s Word. (Verse 1)
I. …if thou wilt receive my words…and hide my commandments
1. The IF factor! – The ball is in our court!
2. The Word of God enters us through the ear; then it must get into the heart.
3. If God’s Word is floating around in your head and not hidden in your heart, that is
major stupidity!
B. The second requirement is a Willful Desire. (Verse 2)
I. … incline thine ear unto wisdom… apply thine heart to understanding
1. We must take advantage of all opportunities to hear the Word of God, and listen to
it with attention and seriousness.
2. We must be ready to receive all (the good and the bad) of the Word of God with all
readiness of mind, without griping or complaining.
C. The third requirement is Serious Prayer. (Verse 3)
I. …if thou criest after knowledge…and liftest up thy voice for understanding
1. Earthly wisdom is gained by study; Gods wisdom by prayer.
2. A person who studies can become a Biblical scholar, but a person who studies
and soaks it with prayer will be a wise and spiritual Christian.
3. God’s grace is the only thing that can make His Word clear and understandable.
D. The fourth requirement is Hard-Working Persistence. (Verse 4)
I. If thou seekest her as silver…and searchest for her as for hid treasures
1. We must be willing to work at getting wisdom.
2. When a miner finds a nugget of silver does he quit
3. A lazy Christian will have a hard time finding wisdom – you reap what you sow.
2. THE ROOTS OF WISODM (Verse 6)
a. For the LORD giveth wisdom…
i. God is not only wise himself, but He enjoys giving wisdom.
b. …out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
i. The prophets of the Old Testament were the mouth of the Lord at that time.
ii. But the Scriptures which are the Word of God; are breathed by Him and came from His
mouth, and are able to make men wise unto salvation.
Harvest Free Will Baptist Church
www.harvestbakersfield.com
Pastor Kurt Lindgren
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3. THE RECIPIENTS OF WISODM (Verses 7, 8)
a. The recipients of wisdom are the righteous. V.7
b. The recipients of wisdom receive sound wisdom. V.7
i. Pride and foolishness are the marks of worldly wisdom, but God gives sound wisdom!
c. The recipients of wisdom have God’s shield (buckler) upon their life. V.7
d. The recipients of wisdom receive God’s direction. V.8
4. THE REWARDS OF PURSUING WISDOM (Verse 5, 10-22)
a. Wisdom brings a Knowledge of God. (Verse 5)
i. I have never heard of anyone who has backslid from the faith because of careful and
prayerful study of God’s Word.
b. Wisdom preserves us from temptations. (Verses 10-19)
i. The characteristics of the evil man: (Verses 12-15)
1. The evil man speaks perversion against God and the things of God.
2. The evil man does not sin out of ignorance. – conscious choice
3. The evil man has chosen a life of evil over a life of uprightness.
4. The evil man takes pleasure in the act of sin, and has no regret.
5. The evil man enjoys hearing someone speak wicked things against God.
6. As the evil man gets deeper into sin he looses all traces of uprightness and
everything becomes crooked.
ii. The characteristics of the strange woman: (Verses 16-19)
1. The strange woman is an adulteress or loose woman.
2. The strange woman will speak lies to get what she wants.
3. The strange woman abandons her husband. V.17
4. The strange woman breaks the promise she made to God. V.17
5. The strange woman’s end is eternal death. V.18
6. The strange woman’s victims end up destroying their testimony, their families, their
relationship with their wives and their relationship with God, and most of the
damage can not be repaired. V.19
c. Wisdom guides us on the right path. (Verse 20)
d. Wisdom gives prosperity. (Verse 21)
5. THE RESULTS OF NOT CHOOSING WISDOM (Verse 22)
a. The wicked shall be cut off, from heaven later and from the earth now!
b. They think they are rooted and grounded, But their day is coming when He shall leave them
neither root nor branch, Malachi 4:1.
Harvest Free Will Baptist Church
www.harvestbakersfield.com
Pastor Kurt Lindgren
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