Draft a long sermon on proverbs 2, include the biblical texts outside the source material in the beginning of the sermon, then continue with commentary verse by verse in and out of the source material. Include also real and biblical examples in and out of the source materials provided

 Draft a long sermon on proverbs 2, include the biblical texts outside the source material in the beginning of the sermon, then continue with commentary verse by verse in and out of the source material. Include also real and biblical examples in and out of the source materials provided

Good morning/afternoon/evening, brothers and sisters.

Today, we continue our exploration of the Book of Proverbs, turning our attention to Chapter 2. As we heard last time, Proverbs is a book of wisdom, designed to guide us in living a life that honours God and leads to blessing. Chapter 1 laid the groundwork, presenting the purpose of the book and issuing wisdom's initial call. Now, Chapter 2 tells us how to respond to that call – how to acquire this invaluable wisdom and the benefits that come with it.

Let us read together Proverbs chapter 2:

(Please rise for the reading of God's Word. Let us hear the Word of the Lord.)

Proverbs Chapter 2 (ESV)

¹ My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, ² making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; ³ yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding; ⁴ if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures; ⁵ then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. ⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. ⁹ Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; ¹⁰ for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; ¹¹ discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, ¹² delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, ¹³ who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, ¹⁴ who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perversity of evil, ¹⁵ men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. ¹⁶ So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, ¹⁷ who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; ¹⁸ for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; ¹⁹ none who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life. ²⁰ So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. ²¹ For the upright will inhabit the land, and the blameless will remain in it, ²² but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

(This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please be seated.)

Proverbs Chapter 1 issued wisdom's call. Proverbs Chapter 2 answers the question: How do we respond to wisdom’s call and make it our own? The sources highlight that Proverbs 1-9 serves as a lengthy introduction, preparing us for the rest of the book, much like theological training prepares one for life's journey. Chapter 2, specifically, is described as God's divine call to every human being, teaching us how to answer that call.

Let's break down this chapter, following the insights provided.

1. How to Find Wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5) The opening verses of Proverbs 2 provide a clear and actionable pathway to acquiring wisdom. It is not passive; it requires active engagement. Verse 1 says, "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you..." [Proverbs 2:1 ESV]. Receiving and treasuring God's Word means taking it in and holding it close, recognising its immense value. Verse 2 continues, "...making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding" [Proverbs 2:2 ESV]. This speaks of a deliberate posture. We must actively listen for wisdom and orient our inner being – our emotions, will, and desires – towards understanding. This requires a conscious effort to tune out the noise of the world and tune in to God's voice. Verse 3 escalates the effort: "...yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding" [Proverbs 2:3 ESV]. This is not a casual request; it's an earnest plea, like someone desperately seeking help. It suggests prayer and passionate pursuit. Verse 4 uses vivid imagery: "...if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures" [Proverbs 2:4 ESV]. This compares the pursuit of wisdom to the rigorous, painstaking work of a miner searching for precious metals or a treasure hunter digging for buried riches. It demands effort, persistence, and a conviction that the reward is worth the labour. The sources note that Solomon, the richest king, reveals the true treasures in life are the riches of wisdom. Like searching for God's silver lode, the treasure is boundless.

These four verses outline active steps:

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Receive and Treasure: Take God's words deeply into your life [Proverbs 2:1].

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Be Attentive and Incline: Posture yourself to listen and desire understanding [Proverbs 2:2].

•

Call Out and Raise Your Voice: Earnestly and passionately seek it [Proverbs 2:3].

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Seek and Search Diligently: Pursue it with the same effort as seeking valuable treasure [Proverbs 2:4].

The sources liken this passage (Proverbs 2:1-5) to teaching us how to develop a hearing ear to wisdom's call. It's about training our spirits to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. This passage parallels Solomon's own prayer for an understanding heart in 1 Kings 3:9. Solomon asked God to "discern between good and bad" [1 Kings 3:9 ESV], and Proverbs 2 shows us how this discernment is developed – through diligent study, meditation, and prayer. It's not just imparted; it's worked out in our lives.

This pursuit of wisdom is compared in the sources to the principle in Hebrews 5:14: "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" [Hebrews 5:14 ESV]. Developing our spiritual senses to discern God's voice requires exercise, just like physical training.

How do we practice this seeking? The Devotional Method of Bible Study outlined in the sources gives us practical steps for applying Scripture, which starts with hearing God's voice. It begins with praying for insight. Ask God to open your eyes to the truths in His Word, as Psalm 119:18 says, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law". Unless the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, our studying will be in vain.

Then, we must meditate on the Word. Meditation is described as "thought digestion," taking a truth and thinking on it repeatedly. It's like a cow chewing its cud, processing the spiritual food. For a book like Proverbs, meditation might involve emphasising the words and praying the teachings back to God. When we read God's Word and let it dwell richly in our hearts and minds, the Holy Spirit can easily remind us of it, turning the "logos" word into a living "rhema" word that applies to our specific situation. This requires setting aside time, a daily quiet time, for prayer, reading, meditation, and recording what God shows you. The famous expositor G. Campbell Morgan would read a chapter 30 or 40 times before preaching on it, a testament to the value of repeated reading and meditation.

Only after this diligent seeking process, after fulfilling the conditions in verses 1-4, do we arrive at the promise in verse 5: "...then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" [Proverbs 2:5 ESV]. This understanding and knowledge are the direct result of our active pursuit. This fear of the Lord is identified as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10. It's the key to life, guiding us and helping us depart from evil.

2. The Source and Benefit of Wisdom (Proverbs 2:6-9) Verse 6 clarifies where this wisdom comes from: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" [Proverbs 2:6 ESV]. We don't generate true wisdom ourselves; it is a gift from God, originating from His very being and His revealed Word. This is crucial. Our efforts in verses 1-4 are not to earn wisdom, but to position ourselves to receive the wisdom that God gives.

And what are the benefits of receiving this God-given wisdom? Verse 7: "he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity" [Proverbs 2:7 ESV]. God provides practical wisdom, described as "sound" or "stored up," for those who are morally upright. He acts as a shield, protecting those who live with integrity. Verse 8: "guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints" [Proverbs 2:8 ESV]. God actively protects the way of life for those who are His, ensuring they stay on the path of righteousness and justice.

The sources mention that after years of serving the Lord and following His plan, lives become peaceful and free from the counsels of the wicked because of God's daily deliverance. This is God's method of divine protection. He gives wisdom so that we become responsible for making sound decisions; if we walk away from the wisdom He provides, we open ourselves up to problems.

Verse 9 summarises the clarity this brings: "Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path" [Proverbs 2:9 ESV]. Wisdom helps us discern the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, just and unjust. It gives us a clear understanding of the moral landscape of life.

3. Wisdom's Protection from Evil Paths (Proverbs 2:10-22) The second half of the chapter highlights the practical protection wisdom provides, specifically from the destructive paths of wicked people and the "strange woman" (often representing adultery or moral corruption).

Verse 10 explains how this protection works: "for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul" [Proverbs 2:10 ESV]. When wisdom is sought and received, it doesn't just stay in the head; it penetrates the heart, becoming a source of joy and delight. This deep internalisation is key. Verse 11: "discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you" [Proverbs 2:11 ESV]. Wisdom manifests as discretion and understanding, acting as sentinels, guarding us from danger.

These qualities deliver us from specific threats: Verse 12: "delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech" [Proverbs 2:12 ESV]. Wisdom protects us from those who twist words and lead others astray. The sources identify the wicked man's secret of enticement as his words. Verses 13-15 describe these wicked men: they leave upright paths for darkness, rejoice in evil, and are crooked and devious [Proverbs 2:13-15]. Wisdom helps us recognise their perverted speech and avoid their destructive influence. The sources contrast the voice of the wicked, characterised by greed and manipulation, with the discerning ear of the one who receives wisdom.

Verses 16-19 warn against another major danger: "So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; none who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life" [Proverbs 2:16-19 ESV]. Just like the wicked man, her method of enticement is her words – "smooth words". But these smooth words lead to death and destruction [Proverbs 2:18, 19]. Proverbs warns extensively against the path of the adulteress and its devastating consequences, illustrating how sin defiles the heart, mind, and body. The sources highlight that King Solomon himself, despite his wisdom, fell prey in this area. This serves as a powerful warning about the cunning nature of this sin. The path is so destructive that those who enter her "house" (figuratively, her influence or way of life) do not return to the paths of life [Proverbs 2:18, 19].

Wisdom, by contrast, keeps us on the right road. Verse 20: "So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous" [Proverbs 2:20 ESV]. Wisdom doesn't just protect us from evil; it guides us to good. Verses 21-22 describe the contrasting destinies: "For the upright will inhabit the land, and the blameless will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it" [Proverbs 2:21, 22 ESV]. The path of wisdom leads to life, stability, and blessing, while the path of folly leads to being removed or destroyed. This echoes the blessing promised to those who trust in the Lord in Psalm 37, which is listed in the sources as part of wisdom literature.

Biblical and Real-World Examples

The sources provide some excellent examples of people who walked in wisdom and faced challenges:

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Job: His story illustrates a man who feared God and walked in wisdom, demonstrating aspects of the teachings in Proverbs. Despite immense suffering, his foundation in God's wisdom endured.

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The Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31): This description reflects a life lived in God's wisdom and the fear of the Lord. Her actions demonstrate diligence, care for her household and others, strength of character, and are a testament to a life built on God's principles.

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Stephen: In the book of Acts, Stephen was full of faith and the Holy Spirit, doing wonders and miracles. He boldly spoke with wisdom that his opponents could not resist. His powerful speech before the Sanhedrin, rooted in knowledge of God's history with Israel, led to his martyrdom, but also occasioned the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. His example shows that walking in wisdom and speaking truth may lead to opposition, but God is with His saints and ultimately vindicates them.

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Paul: His missionary journeys involved preaching the Gospel amidst hardships, persecutions, and false doctrines. He faced opposition from Jews and Gentiles, was imprisoned, and was brought before rulers. Yet, he persevered, and the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed. His determined decision to preach the Gospel as far as Rome, despite warnings, illustrates the commitment required to stay on God's path. God empowered and vindicated him amidst these trials.

Outside of the provided sources, we can think of other examples. The life of Joseph in the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50) shows a man walking in wisdom and integrity, even in slavery and prison. He resisted temptation (Potiphar's wife) [Genesis 39], interpreted dreams, and wisely managed Egypt's resources, ultimately saving his family and many others. His example demonstrates how wisdom leads to discretion, protection, and positions of influence.

In the real world, we constantly see the contrast between the path of the wise and the path of the fool. {This is information not directly from the sources, and you may wish to verify it independently.} Think of the consequences of financial folly: get-rich-quick schemes that lead to ruin, impulsive spending that leads to debt, or greed that leads to corruption and imprisonment. These are real-world illustrations of Proverbs' warnings against ill-gotten gain and poor stewardship. Conversely, we see individuals who apply principles of diligence, honesty, and prudent planning – secular reflections of biblical wisdom – building stable lives and contributing positively to society.

Consider the dangers of the strange woman or man in our modern context: addiction to pornography, engaging in extramarital affairs, or being drawn into exploitative relationships. The "smooth words" might come through media, online interactions, or seemingly harmless flirtations, but the end result remains destructive, impacting individuals, families, and communities. {This is information not directly from the sources, and you may wish to verify it independently.} Proverbs 2 reminds us that the path to destruction is often initially enticing, but wisdom provides the discernment and strength to turn away.

Application

So, how do we apply the truths of Proverbs 2 to our lives today? The ultimate goal of Bible study is application. Knowledge requires action. We must actively and diligently seek God's wisdom as described in verses 1-4. This involves:

1.

Praying for Insight: Ask God to open your spiritual eyes and give you understanding.

2.

Meditating on God's Word: Don't just read it; think on it, process it, pray it back to God. Let the Holy Spirit bring it alive in your heart.

3.

Writing Out an Application: Be specific about what you will do as a result of studying this chapter. Make it personal, practical, actionable, and measurable. How will you actively seek wisdom today? What specific "perverted speech" or "smooth words" do you need wisdom to guard against? What steps will you take to walk in the "way of the good"? Write it down.

4.

Memorising a Key Verse: Choose a verse from Proverbs 2 that speaks to you, perhaps verse 5, "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God," or verse 11, "discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you". Keep it in your heart to meditate on and remember your commitment.

Proverbs 2 is a powerful invitation and a roadmap. It assures us that if we earnestly seek God's wisdom, He will grant it, and it will protect us from the pitfalls of this world, guiding us onto the paths of righteousness and leading to a life of blessing and stability. It is a journey we must walk daily, trusting in God's guidance precept upon precept, line upon line.

Let us commit ourselves today to be diligent seekers of God's wisdom, knowing that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [Colossians 2:3, referenced in source 172]. Let us trust that as we apply our hearts and minds to His Word, He will equip us to discern truth from error, escape the snares of the wicked, and walk in the fullness of the destiny He has planned for us in Christ Jesus.

Amen.