The Quest for Wisdom
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Introduction:
Introduction:
· “The Dating Game” – convincing a person to go on a date.
· We’ve heard from “Lady foolishness” – this is now a passionate appeal from Lady Wisdom
LET’S LOOK AT TWO THINGS THAT LADY WISDOM PROMISES, AND SEE IF WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER SHE’S WORTH COMMITTING TO.
I) Lady Wisdom Promises the Treasure of Righteousness (vv. 1-13)
I) Lady Wisdom Promises the Treasure of Righteousness (vv. 1-13)
A. Prelude: An Invitation For All of Life (vv. 1-5)
A. Prelude: An Invitation For All of Life (vv. 1-5)
i. The Form: Solomon passes the microphone (vs. 1)
1. “Personification”: “That pie is calling my name.”
2. From 3rd person to a direct appeal: Wisdom personified!
ii. Wisdom has something to say to us in all aspects of life (vv. 2-3, see 34)
1. The gates, and heights = the “Busy places” of life
2. EXAMPLE: Wisdom speaks to us…social media; budget meetings…
B. The Infinite Value of Righteousness in a morally confused world (vv. 7-14)
B. The Infinite Value of Righteousness in a morally confused world (vv. 7-14)
i. We live in a morally confused age
1. EXAMPLE: Imagine all actors on stage, deciding how the scene should go
2. Moral standards relocated within àauthenticity/self-fulfillmentà chaos
ii. Yet Wisdom promises moral clarity (vv. 12-13)
1. Wisdom = righteousness that promotes the flourishing of community
2. Wisdom, a fear of the Lord, and a hatred for pride, arrogance, etc.
LADY WISDOM APPEALS TO US BY PROMISISING THE WEALTH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. THERE’S MORE.
II) Lady Wisdom Promises A Treasure of Just Governance (vv. 14-31)
II) Lady Wisdom Promises A Treasure of Just Governance (vv. 14-31)
A. Wisdom is an infinite treasure for those who lead
A. Wisdom is an infinite treasure for those who lead
i. Wisdom is essential for those who lead (vv.15-16)
1. Rulers, princes, kings…. Need wisdom to governwell
2. But also: parents? Employers? Teachers? Pastors? Etc.
ii. Leading with Wisdom brings the wealth of success! (vv. 18-21)
a. Wisdom brings wealth of success – sometimes material, sometimes not
b. EXAMPLE: The manager of your division (good workplace) or SAHP
B. Wisdom is an infinite treasure by which God created the universe (vv. 22-31)
B. Wisdom is an infinite treasure by which God created the universe (vv. 22-31)
i. God himself exercised wisdom when he governed the universe at creation
1. Wisdom was the agent by which God created the world
2. EXAMPLE: The images from the Webb
ii. Therefore: Those in leadership must week wisdom! (vs. 17)
1. The promise for those who feel overwhelmed with leadership demands
2. SEEK WISDOM DILLIGENTLY!
YOU’VE HEARD TWO THINGS THAT WISDOM PROMISES TO GIVE US – MORAL CLARITY, AND JUST GOVERNANCE; NOW WE’RE CALLED TO DECIDE.
III) Lady Wisdom Revealed: An Invitation to Treasure Jesus (vv. 32-36)
III) Lady Wisdom Revealed: An Invitation to Treasure Jesus (vv. 32-36)
A. A new (old) Lens: Seeing Wisdom as a Person
A. A new (old) Lens: Seeing Wisdom as a Person
i. A closing appeal: Those who seek wisdom seek life! (vs. 32-33)
1. Blessing & life for those who seek wisdom (and peril for those who don’t)
2. Whose voice are you listening to? (But HOW do we seek wisdom?)
ii. Since Jesus IS Wisdom seeking wisdom is seeking Jesus (vs. 17)
1. Personification is effective but limited: can an idea “love those who love”?
2. No! Jesus is the ultimate wisdom we must seek!
B. An invitation to treasure Jesus, as Wisdom incarnate
B. An invitation to treasure Jesus, as Wisdom incarnate
i. Jesus is righteousness:
1. Jesus hated evil, arrogance, etc. While loving what was right
2. EXAMPLE: how he treated sinners, prideful, weary & wounded…
ii. Jesus is the true treasure who invites us to treasure him
1. Jesus: the one by/for/through whom the universe is created and governed
2. Jesus is the one who loves those who love him, and rewards those who seek him
Transition:
Conclusion
To seek wisdom, cultivate your relationship with Jesus!