Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Fear of the LORD has a practical element

2. Thus, this doctrine was described by different authors in the Book of Psalms and Proverbs

A SHORT LIST OF DESIRABLE THINGS TO POSSESS

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;

4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—

5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:1-7

1. To Possess Wisdom and Instruction

2. To Perceive words of understanding

3. To have Perspicacity in Justice, Judgment and Equity

4. To have Prudence

5. To also be in Possession of the Fear of the Lord

VITAL INSTRUCTION IN SEEKING THE FEAR OF THE LORD

1 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5

1. Wisdom is not easily obtained

2. Pre-requisites to obtaining wisdom

a) To receive words of wisdom

b) To treasure commands (teachings)

c) To incline the ear to wisdom

d) To apply the heart to understanding

e) To cry out for discernment

f) To lift up the voice for understanding

g) To seek for wisdom as one would seek silver

h) To search for wisdom as one would search for hidden treasures

These must be attempted diligently

3. The Reward God grants

a) The fear of the Lord

b) The knowledge of God

THE PREROGATIVE OF THE LORD

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

8 He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.

Proverbs 2:6-9

1. What the Lord will give is His prerogative

2. What the Lord can give

a) Wisdom

b) Knowledge

c) Understanding

3. The way of the Lord must be carefully comprehended:

a) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright

b) He is a shield to those who walk uprightly

c) He guards the path of justice

d) He preserves the way of the saints

e) He gives understanding and discernment

i) Righteousness and justice,

ii) Equity and every good path.

IT IS WORTH EVERY EFFORT

1. To seek Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord is commendable

2. There are no short cuts to attaining wisdom and the fear of God

3. The reward of the Lord justifies every effort put in!