Proverbs

The Call of Wisdom

Lesson #1 for January 3, 2015

Scriptures: [Proverbs 1-3; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Genesis 1:1; Exodus 19:16; 20:20][i].

1.    Welcome to our study of the book of Proverbs. Read 1 Kings 4:32ii. Apparently, Solomon originated or collected more than 3000 proverbs and 1000 songs. The book of Proverbs contains only a few hundred of those proverbs. Does that mean that the other proverbs which Solomon collected and which are not recorded in the book of Proverbs were not inspired? Wouldn’t some of the statements in Job or in the Psalms qualify as proverbs? What about the golden rule recorded in Matthew 7:12iii? Isn’t that a proverb?

The book of Proverbs gives clear evidence of multiple authorship, as does the book of Psalms. This is because both of these Old Testament books are collections of writings. Solomon is believed to have written a tribute to wisdom (Prov. 1:1-9:18), his first collections of sayings (Prov. 10:1-22:16) and his second collection of sayings, which would have been inserted during the time of King Hezekiah (Prov. 25:1-29:27). It is suggested that Prov. 22:17-24:34 consists of proverbs that Solomon collected from additional wisdom literature. Finally, Proverbs 30:1-33 is introduced by Agur, son of Jakeh and Proverbs 31:1-31 is introduced by King Lemuel [and are the words of his mother].—Everett, G. H. (2011). The Book of Proverbs (p. 15). [Content in brackets is added.] (Is that the only part of Scripture written by a woman?)

2.    It seems clear from Proverbs 25:1iv that the final edit of the book of Proverbs was completed during the reign of Hezekiah between 729 and 686 B.C. Solomon himself reigned from 970 to 930 B.C. His proverbs were almost certainly written or collected during the early part of that reign. Proverbs is primarily a book of practical wisdom.

Many people think that what’s written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven—getting right with God, saving their eternal souls. It does have to do with that, of course, but not mostly. It is equally concerned with living on this earth—living well, living in robust sanity. In our Scriptures, heaven is not the primary concern, to which earth is a tagalong afterthought. “On earth as it is in heaven” is Jesus’ prayer. “Wisdom” is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living. Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves. It has virtually nothing to do with information as such, with knowledge as such. A college degree is no certification of wisdom—nor is it primarily concerned with keeping us out of moral mud puddles, although it does have a profound moral effect upon us. Wisdom has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes toward others that make for peace. Threaded through all these items is the insistence that the way we think of and respond to God is the most practical thing we do. In matters of everyday practicality, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes precedence over God.

Proverbs concentrates on these concerns more than any other book in the Bible. Attention to the here and now is everywhere present in the stories and legislation, the prayers and the sermons, that are spread over the thousands of pages of the Bible. Proverbs distills it all into riveting images and aphorisms that keep us connected in holy obedience to the ordinary. (The Message - Introduction to Proverbs)

3.    Some of the proverbs of Solomon near the end of his book seem to be related to an Egyptian work, Wisdom of Amenemophis (written down c. 1000 B.C. but already then ancient). Scholars are divided about whether Amenemophis may have borrowed from Solomon or if Solomon borrowed from Amenemophis. Was it a mistake for God to give Solomon all that wisdom? Was God in any way responsible for the mistakes Solomon made later in his life?

4.    Does all of this raise questions in your mind about the inspiration of Proverbs? Is our definition of inspiration broad enough to include Proverbs? Apparently, the New Testament authors thought so. There are five passages from Proverbs that are quoted or used in the New Testament: (1) Proverbs 3:11-12 is quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6[v]. (2) Proverbs 3:34 is quoted in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5vi. (3) Proverbs 11:31 is quoted in 1 Peter 4:18vii. (4) Proverbs 25:21-22 is quoted in Romans 12:20viii. (5) Proverbs 26:11 is quoted in 2 Peter 2:22ix.

5.    First Kings 3:5-14[x] tells the story of Solomon when he was a young man, praying for wisdom. How did God give him wisdom? Is it possible for God to give a wisdom implant?

6.    From the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, true wisdom has been all about making right choices. Eve, and later Adam, chose to eat the fruit from the tree and gain the knowledge that Satan wanted them to have-the knowledge of evil. And all the rest of us have followed that pattern. (See Romans 5.) Did Adam and Eve have knowledge but little wisdom?

Man lost all because he chose to listen to the deceiver rather than to Him who is Truth, who alone has understanding. By the mingling of evil with good, his mind had become confused.—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 25.

7.    The book of Proverbs is all about parents giving an excellent education to their children. Proverbs 1-3 illustrate this method of education.

8.    Read Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10xi. What does it mean to say that “to have wisdom, you must first have reverence for the Lord”? The more traditional translations talk about “the fear of the Lord.” What is that fear? Should we be scared to death of God? First John 4:18 tells us that love casts out all fear. How should we relate that passage to the fear of the Lord which is mentioned frequently in Proverbs? In these contexts, fear means reverence or awe.

9.    Read Exodus 19:16 and 20:18-20xii in one of the more traditional translations. Fear, reverence, or awe of God should characterize every Christian who has an acute consciousness of God’s personal presence at all times and everywhere. Should we be afraid of God? Or, just in awe? Practicing the presence of God was made famous by Brother Lawrence, a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris who lived from approximately 1614 until 1691. His book, Practicing the Presence of God is still popular in some circles.

10.    What would it mean to us on a day-by-day basis to practice the presence of God? If we were constantly aware of God as being right with us, how would it affect our day-by-day activities? When we are tempted to sin, would it matter to think of God as right beside us? Surely, God’s wisdom incorporated into our thinking would help to protect us from falling into evil.

11.    Why do you think the Bible seems to use the word fear to describe anxiety and terror as well as respect and worship? Is there a complete spectrum from terror to reverence? Of all the books of the Bible, Proverbs talks more about the fear of the Lord than any other book.

12.    The idea that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and especially wisdom is repeated several times in Scripture. (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10)xiii

13.    Read Proverbs 3:7xiv, NIV, NASB; Compare Job 1:1; 28:28xv. What is the most practical way to fear the Lord and shun evil? How does regular prayer, Bible study, and witnessing to others about God’s goodness help us in this process? Have you ever tried to live an entire day practicing the presence of God? What would happen if we did that more and more?

14.    God, our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Friend is in His very essence, love. (1 John 4:8,16xvi) To know Him is to love Him. That does not preclude the fact that we live in awe and reverence of Him. The better we know Him, the more awe, reverence, and love we should have for Him.

15.    But, how do we learn that kind of awe and reverence for God? It is the work of parents to transmit this teaching to their children.

In His wisdom the Lord has decreed that the family shall be the greatest of all educational agencies. It is in the home that the education of the child is to begin.

Here is his first school. Here, with his parents as instructors, he is to learn the lessons that are to guide him throughout life. . . . The educational influences of the home are a decided power for good or for evil. . . . If the child is not instructed aright here, Satan will educate him through agencies of his choosing.—Ellen G. White, Pacific Union Recorder, August 18, 1910, par. 1; Counsels to Parents and Teachers 107.1; The Adventist Home 182.2.

A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion-an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold, they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the “light of the world.” [Matthew 5:16] The God of heaven speaks to every faithful parent in the words addressed to Abraham: “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.” [Genesis 18:19]—Patriarchs and Prophets 144.3; AH 36.2; CE 222.1; MYP 325.3. [Content in brackets is added.]

16.    To illustrate the true meaning of love, the most important thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Time spent with our children will be of much greater value to them than anything we can do in our businesses or gifts we might give them or other things we might bestow upon them. Parents should fear less that their children are not doing what they tell them to do, and fear more that their children are watching them.

17.    So, how can we teach our children to resist temptations that culture, society, friends, and even family might throw their way? Surely, no one in our modern world doubts that we are surrounded by evil. How can we keep our focus on Jesus?

18.    Read Proverbs 1:11,18xvii. These verses seem to portray wisdom as walking through the streets of the city, crying out for people to listen. Are we listening?

19.    Read Proverbs 1:22-32xviii. What happens to those who choose some other path instead of listening to the wisdom of God? People who turn aside from God’s path will get sick and die, and Proverbs tells us they will get what they deserve!

20.    Many modern educators, scholars, and the media make fun of those who hold to religious beliefs. Christians are marked as simple and naive. But, a careful look into the situation will show that those people have their own superstitions and crazy ideas.

21.    Read Proverbs 1:33xix. What kind of security is God promising in this verse? Is this security for the present life? Or, only a promise of a secure future life? Or, both?

22.    Read Proverbs 2:1-5xx. These verses suggest that the Lord gives us wisdom, but we have to search for it. Why is that? The passage suggests that there is a three-step process for receiving wisdom. The first is a passive stage of listening. We need to have our ears open to God’s words. Secondly, we need to be asking God to give us this wisdom. Finally, we must value it as treasure and continue to search for more.

23.    Read Proverbs 2:10-22xxi. As we come to know God, is it true that we will know more clearly than ever the right path in which to walk? Will we develop a sense of rightness, justice, and fairness? Could we actually come to enjoy doing what is right? Could this wisdom imparted from God prevent us from doing what is wrong? Surely, if we could reach the place where we daily and hourly choose to do right because it is right, we are on our way to understanding the wisdom of God. (See Christ’s Object Lessons 97xxii and Desire of Ages 668.3xxiii.)

24.    What is one of the first things that happens when we are led astray and fall into evil? Read Proverbs 2:13,17xxiv. The first step in doing evil is turning away from God’s guidance for our lives. No one can walk on the wrong path and the right path at the same time.

25.    How many of us actually enjoy sinning? Why do we sin? Is it because we enjoy it for one reason or another? Is it possible for us to rationalize sin to the point where we no longer think it is sinful? What is Satan’s role in that process?

26.    Read Proverbs 3:7xxv. One of the worst conditions that we as human beings can find ourselves in is the condition of pride and selfishness in which we feel that we are wise. Such a condition is almost hopeless. (Proverbs 26:12xxvi)

27.    Read Proverbs 3:13-18xxvii. If we follow the path of God’s wisdom and accept His guidance, we are promised riches, long life, honor, and the passage goes on to tell us that is better than gold, jewels, or silver. More than that, it is compared to the tree of life!

28.    Read Proverbs 3:19-20xxviii. The Scriptures make it very clear that it is only the power of God that keeps everything in the universe working. (Psalm 36:9; Acts 17:24-25,28xxix; MB 74.3xxx; Ed 197.5xxxi) Shouldn’t it be patently obvious that the God who created us, who loves us, and who wants us to return to live with Him forever understands what is best for us? He wrote the “owner’s manual” which we should follow.

29.    Proverbs 3:35xxxii suggests that the wise shall inherit glory. Doesn’t that suggest that God’s wisdom involves understanding something of the great controversy?

The youth need to understand the deep truth underlying the Bible statement that with God “is the fountain of life.” Psalm 36:9. Not only is He the originator of all, but He is the life of everything that lives. It is His life that we receive in the sunshine, in the pure, sweet air, in the food which builds up our bodies and sustains our strength. It is by His life that we exist, hour by hour, moment by moment. Except as perverted by sin, all His gifts tend to life, to health and joy.—Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 197.5-198.0.

Many cherish the impression that devotion to God is detrimental to health and to cheerful happiness in the social relations of life. But those who walk in the path of wisdom and holiness find that “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” [1 Timothy 4:8] They are alive to the enjoyment of life’s real pleasures.—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1156.4. [Content in brackets is added.]

30.    What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? Have you ever met someone who seemed to be very knowledgeable but sometimes acted very foolishly? Wouldn’t Solomon be a great example of such a person? How could someone who was blessed with so much wisdom make such a fool of himself? He certainly had plenty of knowledge. Why did God give it to him? Why did God give Samson all that strength?

© 2014, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.    Info@theox.org

i-Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel. 2 Here are proverbs that will help you recognize wisdom and good advice, and understand sayings with deep meaning. 3 They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair. 4 They can make an inexperienced person clever and teach young people how to be resourceful. 5 These proverbs can even add to the knowledge of the wise and give guidance to the educated, 6 so that they can understand the hidden meanings of proverbs and the problems that the wise raise. 7 To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. 8 My child, pay attention to what your father and mother tell you. 9 Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance. 10 My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in. 11 Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it! 12 They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them! 13 We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot! 14 Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal." 15 My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them. 16 They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill. 17 It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching, 18 but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die. 19 Robbery always claims the life of the robber - this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence. 20 Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces, 21 calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together: 22 "Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn? 23 Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you. 24 I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. 25 You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you. 26 So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes - 27 when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery. 28 Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me. 29 You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord. 30 You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you. 31 So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick. 32 Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern. 33 But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid." 2:1 My child, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do. 2 Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. 3 Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. 4 Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. 5 If you do, you will know what it means to fear the Lord and you will succeed in learning about God. 6 It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. 7 He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest. 8 He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him. 9 If you listen to me, you will know what is right, just, and fair. You will know what you should do. 10 You will become wise, and your knowledge will give you pleasure. 11 Your insight and understanding will protect you 12 and prevent you from doing the wrong thing. They will keep you away from people who stir up trouble by what they say - 13 those who have abandoned a righteous life to live in the darkness of sin, 14 those who find pleasure in doing wrong and who enjoy senseless evil, 15 unreliable people who cannot be trusted. 16 You will be able to resist any immoral woman who tries to seduce you with her smooth talk, 17 who is faithless to her own husband and forgets her sacred vows. 18 If you go to her house, you are traveling the road to death. To go there is to approach the world of the dead. 19 No one who visits her ever comes back. He never returns to the road to life. 20 So you must follow the example of good people and live a righteous life. 21 Righteous people - people of integrity - will live in this land of ours. 22 But God will snatch the wicked from the land and pull sinners out of it like plants from the ground. 3:1 My child, don't forget what I teach you. Always remember what I tell you to do. 2 My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life. 3 Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart. 4 If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. 6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. 7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. 8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains. 9 Honor the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces. 10 If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all. 11 My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. 12 The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud. 13 Happy is anyone who becomes wise - who comes to have understanding. 14 There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth more to you than gold. 15 Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it. 16 Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor. 17 Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it. 18 Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life. 19 The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place. 20 His wisdom caused the rivers to flow and the clouds to give rain to the earth. 21 My child, hold on to your wisdom and insight. Never let them get away from you. 22 They will provide you with life - a pleasant and happy life. 23 You can go safely on your way and never even stumble. 24 You will not be afraid when you go to bed, and you will sleep soundly through the night. 25 You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm. 26 The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap. 27 Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. 28 Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. 29 Don't plan anything that will hurt your neighbors; they live beside you, trusting you. 30 Don't argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm. 31 Don't be jealous of violent people or decide to act as they do, 32 because the Lord hates people who do evil, but he takes righteous people into his confidence. 33 The Lord puts a curse on the homes of the wicked, but blesses the homes of the righteous. 34 He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble. 35 Wise people will gain an honorable reputation, but stupid people will only add to their own disgrace.

11:30 Righteousness gives life, but violence takes it away.

13:12 When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy.

15:4 Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, when God created the universe,

Exodus 19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud appeared on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast was heard. All the people in the camp trembled with fear.

20:20 Moses replied, "Don't be afraid; God has only come to test you and make you keep on obeying him, so that you will not sin."

ii-1 Kings 4:32 He composed three thousand proverbs and more than a thousand songs.

iii-Matthew 7:12 "Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets.

iv-Proverbs 25:1 Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.

v-Proverbs 3:11 My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. 12 The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.

Hebrews 12:5 Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his children? "My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you. 6 Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a child."

vi-Proverbs 3:34 He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble.

James 4:6 But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

1 Peter 5:5 In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble."

vii-Proverbs 11:31 Those who are good are rewarded here on earth, so you can be sure that wicked and sinful people will be punished.

1 Peter 4:18 As the scripture says, "It is difficult for good people to be saved; what, then, will become of godless sinners?"

viii-Proverbs 25:21 If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink. 22 You will make them burn with shame, and the Lord will reward you.

Romans 12:20 Instead, as the scripture says: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame."

ix-Proverbs 26:11 A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit.

2 Peter 2:22 What happened to them shows that the proverbs are true: "A dog goes back to what it has vomited" and "A pig that has been washed goes back to roll in the mud."

x-Kings 3:5 That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, "What would you like me to give you?" 6 Solomon answered, "You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. 7 O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule. 8 Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, 11 and so he said to him, "Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. 13 I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. 14 And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life."

xi-Proverbs 1:7 To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.

9:10 To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

xii-Exodus 19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud appeared on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast was heard. All the people in the camp trembled with fear.

20:18 When the people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast and saw the lightning and the smoking mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off. 19 They said to Moses, "If you speak to us, we will listen; but we are afraid that if God speaks to us, we will die." 20 Moses replied, "Don't be afraid; God has only come to test you and make you keep on obeying him, so that you will not sin."

xiii-Proverbs 1:7 To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.

9:10 To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

Job 28:10 To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

Psalm 111:10 The way to become wise is to honor the Lord; he gives sound judgment to all who obey his commands. He is to be praised forever.

xiv-Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. NIV

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. NASB

xv-Job 1:1 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz, who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil.

28:28 God said to us humans, "To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil."

xvi-1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 16 And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them.

xvii-Proverbs 1:11 Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it! 18 but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die.

xviii-Proverbs 1:22 "Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn? 23 Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you. 24 I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. 25 You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you. 26 So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes - 27 when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery. 28 Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me. 29 You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord. 30 You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you. 31 So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick. 32 Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.

xix-Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid."

xx-Proverbs 2:1 My child, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do. 2 Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. 3 Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. 4 Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. 5 If you do, you will know what it means to fear the Lord and you will succeed in learning about God.

xxi-Proverbs 2:10 You will become wise, and your knowledge will give you pleasure. 11 Your insight and understanding will protect you 12 and prevent you from doing the wrong thing. They will keep you away from people who stir up trouble by what they say - 13 those who have abandoned a righteous life to live in the darkness of sin, 14 those who find pleasure in doing wrong and who enjoy senseless evil, 15 unreliable people who cannot be trusted. 16 You will be able to resist any immoral woman who tries to seduce you with her smooth talk, 17 who is faithless to her own husband and forgets her sacred vows. 18 If you go to her house, you are traveling the road to death. To go there is to approach the world of the dead. 19 No one who visits her ever comes back. He never returns to the road to life. 20 So you must follow the example of good people and live a righteous life. 21 Righteous people - people of integrity - will live in this land of ours. 22 But God will snatch the wicked from the land and pull sinners out of it like plants from the ground.

xxii-Christ’s Object Lessons 97 As the leaven, when mingled with the meal, works from within outward, so it is by the renewing of the heart that the grace of God works to transform the life. No mere external change is sufficient to bring us into harmony with God. There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart.{COL 97.1}

A profession of faith and the possession of truth in the soul are two different things. The mere knowledge of truth is not enough. We may possess this, but the tenor of our thoughts may not be changed. The heart must be converted and sanctified.{COL 97.2}

The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely—because he is required to do so—will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right—because right doing is pleasing to God. {COL 97}

xxiii-Desire of Ages 668.3 All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.{DA 668.3}

xxiv-Proverbs 2:13 those who have abandoned a righteous life to live in the darkness of sin, 17 who is faithless to her own husband and forgets her sacred vows.

xxv-Proverbs 3:7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.

xxvi-Proverbs 26:12 The most stupid fool is better off than those who think they are wise when they are not.

xxvii-Proverbs 3:13 Happy is anyone who becomes wise - who comes to have understanding. 14 There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth more to you than gold. 15 Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it. 16 Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor. 17 Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it. 18 Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.

xxviii-Proverbs 3:19 The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place. 20 His wisdom caused the rivers to flow and the clouds to give rain to the earth.

xxix-Psalm 36:9 You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light.

Acts 17:24 God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. 25 Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. 28 as someone has said, "In him we live and move and exist.' It is as some of your poets have said, "We too are his children.'

xxx-MB 74.3 It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion round the sun. The hand of God guides the planets and keeps them in position in their orderly march through the heavens. It is through His power that summer and winter, seedtime and harvest, day and night follow each other in their regular succession. It is by His word that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom. Every good thing we have, each ray of sunshine and shower of rain, every morsel of food, every moment of life, is a gift of love. {MB 74.3}

xxxi-Ed 197.5 The youth need to understand the deep truth underlying the Bible statement that with God “is the fountain of life.” Psalm 36:9. Not only is He the originator of all, but He is the life of everything that lives. It is His life that we receive in the sunshine, in the pure, sweet air, in the food which builds up our bodies and sustains our strength. It is by His life that we exist, hour by hour, moment by moment. Except as perverted by sin, all His gifts tend to life, to health and joy. {Ed 197.5}

xxxii-Proverbs 3:35 Wise people will gain an honorable reputation, but stupid people will only add to their own disgrace.

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