Midwest Preachers' Retreat The Book of Proverbs and The Formation of Character September 26-28 2011
Midwest Preachers' Retreat The Book of Proverbs and The Formation of Character September 26-28 2011
Midwest Preachers' Retreat The Book of Proverbs and The Formation of Character September 26-28 2011
Job =the wrecked, destroyed house (tornado) in ch. 1 Ecclesiastes = the run down house (ch. 12)
What is Wisdom?
Expertise Expertise in Negotiating the Complexities of Life Wisdom highlights social/moral skills over technical skills
The wise person is a person of character (Prv 1:3). Wisdom as a direction not a destination The wise learn from the best of culture
Wisdom is relational
The wise learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of others
(Prv. 10:17; 12:1;15:5) The wise know their hard work has limits (21:31) Wisdom is expressed in action (James 3:13)
The wise know what is appropriate (15:23; 25:11) They pay careful attention to the routine affairs of life. Wisdom
learns from experiences.
Acquisition of Wisdom
Must Acquire a Taste for Wisdom (Chaps. 1-9) Must Diligently Seek It (Prov. 2:1-5) It is a Gift That Only God Can Give (Prov. 2:6-8;
James 1:5)
Proverbs
Proverbs 1:1-7
Purpose
Audience
Tools
Proverbs 1-9
Opening chapters contain: Ten instruction poems (lectures to the son)
All ten begin with some form of the parental admonition, e.g. my son listen to my instruction . . . .
Four are concerned only with getting the undivided attention of youth: 1:8-19; 2:1-22; 4:1-9; 4:10-19. Five poems on Woman Wisdom: 1:20-33; 8:1-36; 9:1-18; 3:13-20; 6:1-19
Proverbs 1-9
A preamble for chapters 10-29
Getting undivided attention of youth: Must acquire a taste for wisdom. Wisdom is not just intellectual but attitudinal
The conclusion of 1-9 is left open-ended: Does the son enter wisdoms house or follys house? Dont know. Its a decision the son has to make. Now the responsibility shifts from the father to the son/readers.
Meaning of Fool
Over half a dozen terms for fool. All indicate some kind of moral breach. Characteristics of the fool: 1. Fools do not learn from their own mistakes or the mistakes of others but often repeat them (26:11). 2. Fools lack judgment (sometimes the phrase is translated lacks sense [NRSV] or stupid [CEV, TEV] but ultimately it implies one who lacks character; (empty-headed!) see Prov.: 6:32; 7:7; 9:4; 9:16; 10:13, 20, 21; 11:12; 12:11; 15:21; 17:18; 24:30; 28:16.
3. The proverb accomplishes its work partially through its brevity and wit. The two work in tandem.
Proverbs 11:24a
http://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=zfVTqo7W28c
Proverbs 10:7a
Proverbs 11:1
Proverbs 11:1 Focus: God expects honesty in Sermon Focus and Function even the smallest areas of our lives. Function: To move Christians to greater honesty in their daily lives.
Proverbs 13:24
Corporal Punishment in the Old Testament
1 He who loves his son will whip him often, so that he may rejoice at the way he turns out. 2 He who disciplines his son will profit by him, and will boast of him among acquaintances. 3
Sirach 30:1-13
He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious, and will glory in him among his friends.
Whoever spoils his son will bind up his wounds, and will suffer heartache at every cry. 8 An unbroken horse turns out stubborn, and an unchecked son turns out headstrong. 9 Pamper a child, and he will terrorize you; play with him, and he will grieve you. 10 Do not laugh with him, or you will have sorrow with him, and in the end you will gnash your teeth. 11 Give him no freedom in his youth, and do not ignore his errors. 12 Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat his sides while he is young, or else he will become stubborn and disobey you, and you will have sorrow of soul from him. 13 Discipline your son and make his yoke heavy, so that you may not be offended by his shamelessness.
Can proverbs about the rod be taught in a time when child abuse is rampant?
Tom Long concludes that proverbs like 23:13-14 are unwise proverbs. (Tom Long, Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1989, 62.)
Proverbs 22:6
What does the phrase in the way he should go mean?
The phrase refers to the personal aptitude of the youth. That is, the youth's individual nature, likes and dislikes. Talents and abilities must be considered in the process of training.
Proverbs 22:6
What does the phrase in the way he should go mean?
It is an ironical statement. The emphasis is on his way in a satirical sense. Let a youth do what he wants and he will grow into a selfindulgent adult. The phrase refers to the moral training that youth are to receive early in life.
Proverbs 22:6
Parents are to train youth, in the right moral way. And when they are old they will not depart. Is this an absolute? Is it a generalization? Do exceptions govern how we interpret this proverb?
Proverbs 29:18
Proverbs 25:11-20
Proverbs 26
The sage warns against several morally irresponsible or inept people: The undisciplined: 25:28 The fool: 26:1-12 The lazy: 26:13-16 The verbal abuser: 26:17-26
Session 5: Character in its Maturity (Proverbs 31:10-31) The Woman of Noble Character
Misunderstandings