Lesson 35
The Things That Don't
Work!
Chapter Ten
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Isogogics:
many parts of the Near and Far East there have always
been those who have been snake charmers.
OBSERVATIONS
1. We need to think ahead - to seek wisdom before the crisis hits.
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the snake here wouldn't refer to the disaster, the
test itself but to the SIM that results as you seek to handle the
disaster, the test w/o wisdom.
2.
F/F teaching in Bible class will prepare you for whatever situations you are
going to face.... IF.
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there are some 3cc clauses that must be taken into
consideration here
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Prov 2:1-13
Four important aspects are emphasized by the "ifs." They are
really 4 conditions of acquiring wisdom.
2:1a "If you will receive my sayings"
2 things are
important to understand here;
#1 we must choose
to reach out and grasp wisdom.
#2
this wisdom is not obtained by speculation, nor is it the result of experience
but by the objective word, the sayings of God!
2:1b
gives us the second condition to be met, that logically follows having a
relationship with the Word; read vs:1
The idea here is
that of evaluation, if you treasure something it says you have placed a high
value on it;
There is an aspect
to the treasuring [zaphan] that we should also note and that is
to store up; in fact in
The third condition is found in vs:2!
So the 3rd condition
is related to exercising self-discipline in relationship to the word!
"Make
yourself attentive" hiphil says; therefore cause
your self to be attentive to wisdom;
You choose; no one else is responsible but you!
The use of
"ear" and "heart" indicate that one's mental faculties are
in focus.
"Incline
your heart to understanding."
[hiphil imperative.]
There needs to be
consistency of positive volition of choosing to know, to understand, to have insight
into God's wisdom.
2:3
spells out for us the 4th important consideration leading to wisdom
Notice that there
are 2 steps!
vs:3 line 1; cry for discernment; line 2; lift
your voice for understanding;
Both
objectives are from the word biyn; insight,
understanding, discernment;
the practical ability to deal with real life situations
Therefore, it
indicates that often persistence is also needed.
We see this
persistence illustrated in vs:4 Read!
Silver is there, it
is therefore to be had, but you have to work for it, you need to dig.
**
Your search for wisdom and understanding should be as diligent as the search
for a precious metal, silver, the simile used suggests
both the value of the treasure and the persistence of the search.
Consequently most
have not realized the benefits of the "then" section, the results of
meeting the conditions of the "if" statements; 2:5-13
3. We all hear but we must learn to listen well.
-
since we think 4-5 times faster than we talk its often
easy for us to let our minds wander.
4.
Four don’ts for effective listening: Haddon Robinson PHD in communication. (also ThD from DTS; Pres. Conservative
Baptist Seminary in
#1
- Don't automatically assume the subject is dull.
#2
- Don't criticize before hearing the speaker out.
#3
- Don't let your prejudices close your mind.
#4
- Don't waste the advantage thought has over speech.
-
mentally summarize what your hearing
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evaluate it verses your F/O/R (fit with rest of
scripture)
-
apply the principles to your own situation.
Not just a problem
for an UB; have many warnings re: guarding the tongue for the bel'r - still a very real problem - issue that must be
dealt with after salvation.
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The fool's speech progresses from
foolishness to what Solomon refers to as wicked madness, borders on insanity
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no way he can
blame his situation on anyone else - the hiphil says
he is the cause of the many words, the multiplying of words.
Even though
No
man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?
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He is ignorant of the future as each of
us are - Solomon has made this clear several times. (
Observations:
Solomon
has not been prone to small talk or to what we call today diplomacy - talking
all around the subject and never really dealing with the substantive issues.
A fool is not a fool
because of IQ i.e., HI IQ is not necessarily a wise one or the low IQ
individual the fool.