Sunday Morning 4/15/2012 Pastor David King

Part 3-Two Women Are CallingProverbs 1:20-33; 9:1-18

“He who walks with the wise grows wise…” Proverbs 13:20

LADY WISDOM IS HER NAME“A Proverbs 9:1-18foolish Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has woman is slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished herclamorous; table. She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest She is simple, places of the city, whoever is simple, let him turn in here! As forand knows nothing. him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat of myFor she sits at the door bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishnessof her house, On a seat by and live, and go in the way of understanding. He whothe highest places of the city, corrects a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, To call to those who pass by, Who and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise mango straight on their way: “Whoever and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and is simple, let him turn in here”; And as he will increase in learning. “The fear of the for him who lacks understanding, she says Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the to him, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten knowledge of the Holy One is under- in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know the standing. For by me your days willdead are there, That her guests are in the depths multiplied, and the years of lifeof hell.” will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if

scoff, you will LADY FOLLY IS HER NAME! bear it

alone.”

Lady Wisdom Lady FollyWisdom Cries Out Loudly and Publicly (1:20-22; 9:3)

Lady Folly Cries Out Loudly and Publicly (13-15)

Wisdom Provides Safety and Protection (9:1, 6, 11; 1:33)

Lady Folly Offers A Place of Acceptance (14, 16)

Wisdom Prepares A Satisfying and Attractive Meal (9:2, 4)

Lady Folly Promises a “Sweet” stolen meal (17)

Wisdom doesn’t beat around the bush with her rebuke, warning and counsel (6-10)

Lady Folly Offers the Bait Yet Delivers the Hook (18)

Small Group Questions:

ICEBREAKER:

Growing Up we all likely tried some foolish and stupid things that ended up badly. Those moments that we might reflect upon and say, “It seemed like a good idea at the time!” One such moment for me was when I decided to jump on a saucer sled being pulled by a young man that was not known for being overly careful. This young man pulled me through the snow and ended my ride by accidently swinging me into a tree. In that situation the tree scored 1 point and I scored 0 points. My foolish decision came at a cost, I have the xrays, cast and titanium rod to prove it!

I’m sure many of you recall foolish moments from your own childhood. Take a few minutes to share those stories and get a laugh at your own expense!

DIGGING DEEPER:

Read as a group Proverbs 9:1-18 along with Proverbs 1:20-33.

Lady Wisdom is described as loudly and publicly calling for followers and offering wisdom to all who will listen and heed her. This wisdom is not hidden and one doesn’t have to go out of their way to find it according to these verses. As a group discuss where wisdom can be found and share how this wisdom is crying out in a public fashion. (To prime the pump I have listed several areas of life where wisdom is needed.)

Raising Children Preparing for retirement years Handling finances Working with people in a group environment Serving frustrating bosses Leading frustrating employees Purchasing your first car or house

Lady folly is also crying out in the public arena. Where can lady folly’s council be found in these scenarios?

Generally speaking, as fallen humans we want the peace and safety the lady wisdom delivers, yet we enjoy the path the lady folly provides (“sweet” stolen meal). Lady Folly’s path can never deliver what Lady Wisdom offers, yet many a young man/woman have traveled down folly’s path only to be surprised by the death and hell that await them at the end of the path.

What are some practical steps a believer can take to close one’s ears to lady folly’s call and incline one’s ears to Lady Wisdom’s cry?

What is Wisdom?

The skill of living

Big Idea: Who’s Your Lady?

Knowledge Rightly applied

TO TEACH WISDOM

At the very top of the list of the book's purposes is teaching the people wisdom. The words "wisdom" (hokma) and "wise" (hakam) run through the prologue and the rest of the book. To truly understand the book of Proverbs, it is important to understand this fundamental concept. Since the book's purpose, after all, is to make you, the reader, wise, it is clearly important to understand the nature of wisdom in order to benefit from reading the book.

Wisdom is a rich concept and is not easily summarized. We will develop our understanding of it as we proceed through the book. However, since we have to start somewhere, we will begin with the basic idea that wisdom is the skill of living. It is a practical knowledge that helps one know how to act and how to speak in different situations. Wisdom entails the ability to avoid problems, and the skill to handle them when they present themselves. Wisdom also includes the ability to interpret other people's speech and writing in order to react correctly to what they are saying to us.

Wisdom is not intelligence pure and simple. It does not necessarily exclude intelligence, but that is not the focus. Proverbs itself attributes wisdom to a series of animals, not because they have great intelligence but because they know how to navigate life well:

There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants-they aren't strong, but they store up food all summer. Rock badgers-they aren't powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. Locusts-they have no king, but they march information. Lizards-they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings' palaces. (Prov 30:24-28)

These animals don't have a high I.Q., but the verses plainly describe a skill in living that is remarkable.

Speaking of I.Q., a recent book compares Intelligence Quotient to emotional intelligence. The book, Emotional Intelligence, never once mentions the Bible or the book of Proverbs. But when the author, Daniel Goleman, describes the concept of emotional intelligence, it sounds very similar to the concept of wisdom in the book of Proverbs-at least at this initial stage of our definition.

People who have a high I.Q. know many facts; they can solve difficult mathematical equations. Their ability to reason and use logic is superior to others'. People with emotional intelligence have other abilities, including "self-control, zeal and persistence and the ability to motivate oneself."' They also have "abilities such as being able to motivate oneself and persist in the face of frustration; to control impulse and delay gratification; to regulate one's moods

and keep distress from swamping the ability to think; to empathize and to hope."'

Biblical wisdom is much closer to the idea of emotional intelligence than it is to Intelligence Quotient. Wisdom is a skill, a "knowing how"; it is not raw intellect, a "knowing that." Golman’s remarkable conclusion is that E.Q., not I.Q., correlates with success in life-success being the ability to get and hold a good job, enjoy life and sustain healthy relationships. (Longman III 2002)

As we consider the reality that wisdom is most closely identified with lifestyle choices and not mere head knowledge we come to our text this morning and consider the call of Lady Wisdom to enter into relationship with us.

Today’s Lady Wisdom: Joni Earickson Tada

Today’s Lady Folly: Lady Gaga

OBSERVATION 1—BOTH LADIES ARE CRYING OUT FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Proverbs 1:20–21,

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:

Proverbs 9:3 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,

Lady Wisdom Cries Out Loudly and Publicly (1:20-21; 9:3)

Location: (1:20-21)

Wisdom calls outside (חוץ )-This word is used many times in the OT, and many of these are references to where things/people were sent as an act of cleansing or punishment. (Dt. 23:13, Ju 19:25, 2 Sam. 13:18, Neh. 13:8, 2 Chron. 29:16

Raises her voice in the open squares-(רחוב)Neh. 8:1-location of the reading of the law under Nehemiah

Cries out in the concourses ( Chief places (ראש Openings of the gates in the city (ער This was the normal place of ( ש

business in a city (Proverbs 31:23; Ruth 4:11)

*all four of these locations indicate that wisdom’s call is not for the select few, but for everyman. It is readily available for any and all who would like to navigate skillfully life.

(9:3) sent out her maidens

It was customary to proclaim and invite for a big event through the young ladies that worked and lived at a home (Mat. 22:1-14). Wisdom takes a proactive recruiting role to find followers.

cries out from the highest placesThe high places were customarily used as places of worship at that time. It is no surprise that both Folly and Wisdom are in these high places. Remember that wisdom begins by fearing God, thus the choice to choose wisdom is a choice to worship God!

Where exactly do we see Wisdom crying out for our attention? (on PPT Slides)1) Other Believers2) Parents3) Teachers4) Books5) Work place6) Natural Consequences of life7) God’s Creation8) God’s Word9) Fear and Worship of God

Proverbs 9:13–15 13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. 14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, 15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:

Lady Folly Cries Out Loudly and Publicly (9:13-15)(9:14)

sits at the door of her house-seems to picture the busybody, gossip that lives an unproductive and unrestrained life characteristic of a lady with too much time on her hands1 Timothy 5:13, “…they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”

seat by the highest placeslike lady wisdom, lady folly is looking for a place of prominence in one’s life, she desires to be worshipped!

call out to those who pass by-just like Wisdom calls out and sends out, so also lady folly actively pursues followers.

OBSERVATION 2—BOTH LADIES ARE MAKING AN OFFER

Proverbs 9:1 1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

Proverbs 9:6 6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:11 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

Proverbs 1:33 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Wisdom Provides Safety and Protection (9:1, 6, 11; 1:33)

Seven pillars-“The text makes a transition…the director of work on the cosmic level (8:30-31), but now she is portrayed among humans. She has prepared a house and established it on seven pillars. This is probably a reference to the habitable world (8:31), which is spacious and enduring. For the equation of a house with the world, see 8:29; Job 38:6; and Psalm 104:5)…Since seven is a sacred or ominous concept, the point seems to be that wisdom produces a perfect world.” (Gaebelein 1981, Vol. 5; 947-48)

Lady Wisdom offers a perfect world (1), life (6), understanding (6), full and long life (11), safety/security/no fear (1:33).

Lady Folly Offers A Place of Acceptance (14, 16)

Proverbs 9:14–16 14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, 15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: 16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

Folly is not offering anything but acceptance, a primary vice of those who are looking for justification for their self-styled and selfish lives.

OBSERVATION 3-BOTH LADIES HAVE PREPARED A MEAL

Wisdom Prepares A Satisfying and Attractive Meal (9:2, 4)

Proverbs 9:2 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

Proverbs 9:5 5 “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.

The path of Wisdom is not a depressing, joyless journey void of pleasure. Just the opposite is true, the path of wisdom gives protection from the pitfalls of folly and imparts life, love and joy to its followers.

Lady Folly Promises a “Sweet” stolen meal (17)

Proverbs 9:17 17 “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Instead of preparing a meal with her own hands, she encourages thievery and a shortcut. The path of folly is marked by “get rich quick” schemes and short-cuts. Folly offers the justification to its followers that “they are the exception” and the normal rules of life do not apply to them. Lady folly offers gain without work and investment.

Lady folly is content to receive a meal that she has not rightly earned at the expense of the one who has rightly earned it!

OBSERVATION 4—BOTH LADIES HAVE A MESSAGE TO SHARE

Wisdom doesn’t beat around the bush with her rebuke, warning and counsel (6-10)

Proverbs 9:6–10 6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. 7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. 8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The way of wisdom MUST be marked by frank words of correction and instruction that will many times be painful in the short-term, but will provide life and health in the long-term.

Lady Folly Offers the Bait Yet Delivers the Hook (18)

Proverbs 9:18 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

Folly promises the world, but delivers hell!

Proverbs 27:6 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

The question for each of us this morning is not “Who is calling” because Scripture is clear that both Wisdom and Folly are calling, but rather “Who are we listening to and following?” In a nutshell, “Who’s your Lady?”

Indeed both ladies have placed themselves in places where they can be heard, but it is the responsibility of each one to choose whom they will listen.

The Bible tells us clearly that Wisdom begins with the fear of God and those that begin here will find life. Choose life this morning!

Big Idea: Who’s Your Lady?

Lady Wisdom-Week 1

JONI EARECKSON TADA

Joni Eareckson Tada, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joni and Friends, is an international advocate for people with disabilities.

A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, unable to use her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations.

During her rehabilitation, Joni spent long months learning how to paint with a brush between her teeth. Her high-detail fine art paintings and prints are sought-after and collected

Her best-selling autobiography “Joni” and the feature film of the same name have been translated into many languages, introducing her to people around the world. She also has visited 46 countries.

She has served on the National Council on Disability under President Reagan and President Bush and the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department under Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

She is Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and serves in an advisory capacity to the American Leprosy Mission, the National Institute on Learning Disabilities, Love and Action and Christian Blind Mission International, as well as on the Board of Reference for the Christian Writers Guild and the Christian Medical and Dental Society.

After being the first woman honored by the National Association of Evangelicals as its "Layperson of the Year" in 1986, Joni was named "Churchwoman of the Year" in 1993 by the Religious Heritage Foundation.

She has received numerous other awards and honors, including the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award; The Courage Award from the Courage Rehabilitation Center; The Award of Excellence from the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center; The Victory Award from the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and The Golden Word Award from the International Bible Society.

Joni has been awarded several honorary degrees, including: Bachelor of Letters from Western Maryland College; Doctor of Humanities from Gordon College; Doctor of

Humane Letters from Columbia International University, the first bestowed in its 75-year history; Doctor of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary; Doctor of Divinity from Lancaster Bible College; Doctor of Humanitarian Services from California Baptist University; and Doctor of Humanities from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Joni has written over 70 books and numerous magazine articles. She was inducted into the Christian Booksellers’ Association’s Hall of Honor in 1995 and received the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Joni’s works cover topics ranging from disability outreach to reaching out to God and include: “A Christmas Longing,” depicting her best-loved Christmas paintings, and “Life and Death Dilemma,” addressing the tough issues of physician-assisted suicide. The mystery of suffering is systematically examined in “When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty,” a book written with Steve Estes in 1997 which won the Gold Medallion Award. In 2003, Joni wrote her memoirs, “The God I Love,” chronicling a lifetime walking with Jesus. Her current work, “A Lifetime of Wisdom: Embracing the Way God Heals You” recounts the hard-won gems of wisdom she has garnered during more than four decades of life in a wheelchair. Her newest books “A Place of Healing” (DC Cook) and “Life in the Balance” (Regal Books) will be released in Fall 2010.

In 2004, she received a Gold Medallion for co-authoring “Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Volume 1.” She has written several children's books, including “Tell Me the Promises,” which received a Gold Medallion and a Silver Medal in the 1997 C.S. Lewis Awards, and “Tell Me the Truth,” which received a Gold Medallion in 1998.

Beginning in 1982, she hosted “Joni and Friends,” a daily five-minute radio program of information and inspiration. Now four minutes in length, the program airs on more than 1,000 outlets and reaches 1 million listeners a week. Her one-minute inspirational program, “Diamonds in the Dust,” also airs daily on more than 800 stations nationwide. In 2002, Joni received the William Ward Ayer Award for excellence from the National Religious Broadcasters’ Association.

The 30-minute television version of “Joni and Friends” looks at people who inspire Joni by enduring the most difficult trials while continuing to trust in God. The television series has won three Telly Awards.

She has been interviewed or featured on TV shows such as “Larry King Live” and “ABC World News Tonight,” in print outlets such as Christianity Today, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times and on radio shows such as “Focus on the Family.”

Joni and her husband, Ken Tada, have been married since 1982.

Lady Folly-Week 1

Lady Gaga

Raised in a Catholic school in NYC she has gone on to live her life as one publicity stunt after another in her search for fame and recognition. Unlike the woman of Proverbs 31 who is known for her depth of character, hard work and giving spirit, Lady Gaga has become known for outlandish behavior and outfits including showing up at an awards event wearing steaks as her dress and at another similar event being ushered into the event inside a giant egg. In many ways her lifestyle seems to emulate Proverbs 9’s description of lady folly, “A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knows nothing.” In yet another Proverb her lifestyle is echoed, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised,” Proverbs 31:30.

Unfortunately, Lady Gaga has been elevated in pop culture and her music tops the charts and her tours have brought in record number of ticket sales. I would offer this morning to us all, “Buyer Beware!”