Contributor: Joy Okpebri
CHAPTER 9
Verses: 1-6
Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it’s supported by seven hewn timbers.
The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: “Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”
Verses 11-12:
Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It’s through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you.
Revelation
Wisdom offers value which is prepaid that we did not contribute to; yet; will put us ahead. This value takes its root from the fear and knowledge of God.
Application
Where there is no Fear of God and the wisdom he provides to us through the Holy spirit, life is shallow, sour and a mockery of what it should be. Vs 11-12.
Recommendations.
1. We must fear God. 2. We must know God. 3. Acquire wisdom
Lady wisdom is saying:
“Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”
To go for dinner, you must intentionally dress up appropriately. In this case, purpose to study the word of God, dine with him so that you know him and what he has promised (a fresh spread for each day). By doing so, we will leave our impoverished confusion/Mentality/Hopelessness and Live a fulfilled life. Our lives will now have meaning, direction, purpose.
CHAPTER 10
Verses: 4-5 & 8:
4. Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth. 5. Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart; go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid. 8: A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued
Revelation
Slothfulness = Poverty; Diligence = Wealth; Right thing at the right time = Smartness
Taking orders/instruction is wise, the opposite is failure/undoing/ungluing progress, increase, promotion etc
Application
These verses tell us that Seeking wisdom requires deliberate actions; Here we see diligence at being important in wealth. Wealth is not riches. it is a total wellbeing of which riches is just a part.
It is already established that the book of proverbs is a book of instruction or manual for life. So, if we follow the instructions therein, then we are harnessing wisdom.
The specific instructions in the verses also give the resultant outcomes.
It is thus recommended that we are deliberate in following the given instructions.
1. Do not be slothful;
2. Be Diligent;
3. Do the right things at the right time - Be SMART
4. Take heed to instruction
These are nuggets for living a successful life.
CHAPTER 11
Verses: 2-7:
2 The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm; 3 The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin; 4 A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst; 5 Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life; 6 Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust.
Revelation
Integrity and good character keep you going on the right part and can withstand anything,
Application
No matter the amount of wisdom you are exposed to, it is of no effect if integrity and good character is missing.
One of the core teachings of wisdom is integrity. Integrity is who you are when no one is watching. In these verses, we learn that if we allow our lives to be shaped by integrity, good character, and principles, then we will have a smooth life journey that can withstand anything.
This is the season of double portion, but we need wisdom to attain it fully. in the verses above, it is recommended that we:
1. Do away with pride and be down to earth
2. Let our lives be shaped by integrity in all our endeavours and keep away from deviousness
3. Live a principled life as money will not help when life falls apart
1. 4 Having good Morals makes for a smooth navigation through life
4. Good character is the best insurance to avoid the traps of sinful lust
