THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
APRIL 15TH, 2007
THE BRASS TACKS OF WISDOM
Introduction: Solomon continues his advice to his son after a brief detour of sharing what he learned from his father, David.
I. Solomon describes HOW his son is to LEARN Wisdom. (20)
A. Attend to my words. (20)
1. “Attend” means to direct your attention to.
2. A common word for us would be FOCUS.
B. Incline thine ear unto my sayings. (20)
1. “Incline” means to lean towards.
2. We are to focus on, and lean towards, Wisdom.
II. Solomon describes HOW his son is to KEEP Wisdom. (21)
A. Keep Wisdom, outwardly, always before your eyes. (21)
- Read, study, take notes, write reminders, read books, etc.
B. Keep Wisdom, inwardly, “in the midst of thine heart.” (21)
- We should allow Wisdom to sink into the heart of our hearts.
III. Solomon describes WHY his son is to LEARN and KEEP Wisdom. (22-23)
A. Wisdom is the guardian and protector of your life. (22)
B. Wisdom produces a life that is stronger than normal. (22)
- Godly Wisdom gives you the ability to do accurate self maintenance.
C. A heart that is diligently kept in the ways of Godly Wisdom will have all of the positive qualities of life. (23)
- “The issues of life” are all of the many aspects of life at its fullest.
IV. A life of godly wisdom will reveal itself outwardly in three areas: (24-26)
A. What you say (24)
1. “Put away from thee a froward mouth.” (24)
- Wisdom does not speak words of stubbornness and wickedness.
2. “and perverse lips put far from thee.” (24)
- Bad language, dirty jokes, and ungodly conversations, are not only immoral - but they are ungodly.
B. What you watch (25)
1. “Let your eyes look right on.” (25)
- Implying a straight focus towards a godly goal.
2. “let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” (25)
- A godly son is a son with focus in his life, and a steady gaze towards long-term goals.
C. Where you go (26)
1. “Ponder the path of thy feet.” (26)
- Think about where you are going,
2. “let all thy ways be established.” (26)
- make sure that your life is God-centered. (goals, habits, priorities, etc.)
Conclusion: Solomon closes with an exhortation:
1. “Turn not to right hand nor to the left.” (27)
- Be determined to keep the focus that Wisdom has given to you.
2. “Remove thy foot from evil.” (27)
- Implying that your foot may already be in something evil.
- Remove it! Stay away from evil!