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Proverbs, a collection of memorable saying that can provide wisdom for life's expected and unexpected challenges. Each week we will speak from proverbs that have shaped us.

Last week

• Tom's House Analogy
• Replacing confusion with clarity

Solomon spoke as a fataher to a son(s) throughout this book of wisdom.

Read Proverbs 1:7-9

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

We most likely learn that from our parents. In celebration of my parents 25th wedding anniversary, my sister and I had a plaque made that had Proverbs 1:8-9 written on it. These verses stood out to me as a young man as to how fortunate I am to have had parents that taught and modeled for me well a life that leads to wisdom. They feared God and all that they did were rooted in the character and heart of God. As a result, I would be the wiser to follow their lead, or play that fool and go my own way living by my own set of rules.

VERSE 8 - Wisdom offered.

Fathers

• Most common method of passing on wisdom is modeling.
• With that modeling will come instruction.
• Common practice is for the father to focus in on the "How".

Listen (Hebrew meaning) - Watch, learn, do.

Instruction - is the step-by-step guidance to apply the wisdom of the father.

My experience - traveling with my father, hearing his counsel to others, having access to him as he ministered to so many. Additionally, I saw how he approached God on his knees, how he marked up his NASB Bible, how he led devotion at breakfast. How he was moved to tears when speaking of God working. I can remember much of what I observed in my father, I do not recall long sit downs of teaching me what I should know.

Mothers

• Most common method of passing on wisdom is to tell you. You don't kno9w what you don't know.
• Generally, mothers are motivated to see their children be eduated and to not be found lacking in what they know.
• Mothers are on the front lines for teaching children right from wrong.

Forsake - to abandon or leave behind.

Teaching - passing on the law or the rules that form a moral understanding.

My experience - while my dad traveled often, my mom was left to do the hard work of teaching and installing God's moral character and holiness upon my heart. She was the one that said the hard things when my character did not line up with God's. She used lots of words, and my natural impulse was to tune out or to defend "my way." For better and for worse, she would not let me settle for a second-rate standard of character. This meant that we experienced conflict. Sometimes it was so intense that it would not be settled until my father would return from a trip and the belt of discipline would correct my thinking.

Instruction plus teaching will give opportunity for wisdom to birth in a son or daughter.

Men best learn "Shoulder to Shoulder". Women best learn "Face to Face".

"Children are reasonable creatures, and when we tell them what they must do we must tell them why." Matthew Henry

VERSE 9 - Benefits of wisdom applied.

"follow your won devices and become the fool who has not true wisdom." Matthew Henry

"IF applied. If you have not left what you learned behind."

Garland - It is a laurel placed on a person's head to give honor beginning with the Greeks, but made popular by the romans.

• "Don'[t rest on your laurels."

Chain of accomplishment - it is also given to acknowledge something accomplished.

• Represents an attractive life. NET
• Garaland and chain platforms a life to be emulated

Called an act of grace because we accomplished something that was due to the investment of our parents and the power of God. It is a blessing received that now leads to honor a life to be emulated. They gave us instruction and teaching while our character was not worthy of honor as it was still being formed. This is a grace. We reap the benefits and blessing of their wisdom now bearing fruit in us.

Wisdom to be Applied

1. Fear God.
   He is in authority of all things and his justice will not fail.
2. Be humble.
   Know you are limited on your own.
3. Be observant.
   Study and mimic those who are godly and wise.
4. Don't go it alone.
   Invite others to walk with you in the beauty of mutual blessing.