a) "Wisdom literature"
b) Reading 1 – Bible Dictionary - Proverbs, Book of – page 754
The Heb. word rendered proverb is mashal, a similitude or parable, but the book contains many maxims and sayings not properly so called, and also connected poems of considerable length. There is much in it that does not rise above the plane of worldly wisdom, but throughout it is taken for granted that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 1: 7; Prov. 9: 10). The least spiritual of the Proverbs are valuable as reminding us that the voice of Divine Inspiration does not disdain to utter homely truths. The first section, chs. 1 - 9, is the most poetic and contains an exposition of true wisdom. Chs. 10 - 24 contain a collection of proverbs and sentences about the right and wrong ways of living. Chs. 25 - 29 contain the proverbs of Solomon that the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out. Chs. 30 and 31 contain the “burden” of Agur and Lemuel, the latter including a picture of the ideal wife, arranged in acrostic form. The book is frequently quoted in the N.T., the use of ch. 3 being specially noteworthy.
c) Reading 2 – Bible Dictionary – Ecclesiastes – Page 659
A Greek translation of the Hebrew Koheleth, a word meaning “one who convenes an assembly,” sometimes rendered Preacher. The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life, as they present themselves to the thoughtful observer. The epilogue (Eccl. 12: 9-14) sets forth the main conclusions at which the writer has arrived. The author describes himself as “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Eccl. 1: 1).
The book of Ecclesiastes seems permeated with a pessimistic flavor, but must be read in the light of one of its key phrases: “under the sun” (Eccl. 1: 9), meaning “from a worldly point of view.” The term vanity also needs clarification, since as used in Ecclesiastes it means transitory, or fleeting. Thus the Preacher laments that as things appear from the point of view of the world, everything is temporary and soon gone - nothing is permanent. It is in this light also that the reader must understand Eccl. 9: 5 and Eccl. 9: 10, which declare that the dead “know not any thing,” and there is no knowledge “in the grave.” These should not be construed as theological pronouncements on the condition of the soul after death; rather, they are observations by the Preacher about how things appear to men on the earth “under the sun.” The most spiritual part of the book appears in chapters 11 and 12, where it is concluded that the only activity of lasting and permanent value comes from obedience to God’s commandments, since all things will be examined in the judgment that God will render on man.
d) Authors
i) Proverbs
(1) Primarily Solomon
(a) "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel." (Proverbs 1:1)
(b) Solomon spoke or compiled 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs
(i) Solomon “spake three thousand proverbs” (1 Kings 4:32)
(2) Solomon may have compiled some of the sayings of others
ii) Ecclesiastes
(1) "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." (Ecclesiastes 1:1)
(2) Probably Solomon
e) "The proverbs in this book are not so much popular sayings as the distillation of the wisdom of teachers who knew the law of God and were applying its principles to the whole of life." (former Old Testament Student Manual, p13)
f) Not revelation
i) Authors were wise men, but not prophets
(1) Teacher's Manual – " much of what they wrote was inspired by the Lord."
2. Wisdom
a) The word, "fear" is used often
b) Reading 3 – Bible Dictionary – Fear – page 672
Care should be taken to distinguish between two different uses of this word. The “fear of the Lord” is frequently spoken of as part of man’s duty (e.g., Ps. 111: 10; Eccl. 12: 13; Isa. 11: 2-3; Luke 1: 50); it is also described as “godly fear” (Heb. 12: 28). In such passages fear is equivalent to reverence, awe, worship, and is therefore an essential part of the attitude of mind in which we ought to stand toward the All-holy God. On the other hand fear is spoken of as something unworthy of a child of God, something that “perfect love casteth out” (1 Jn. 4: 18). The first effect of Adam’s sin was that he was afraid (Gen. 3: 10). Sin destroys that feeling of confidence God’s child should feel in a loving Father, and produces instead a feeling of shame and guilt. Ever since the Fall God has been teaching men not to fear, but with penitence to ask forgiveness in full confidence of receiving it.
c) Reading 4 – Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:9-10
7 ¶ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet 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 is understanding.
i) ASK – What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
ii) ASK – When we say that God is omniscient, do we mean he has all wisdom or all knowledge?
d) Reading 5 – Proverbs 2:2-6
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
i) wisdom is a gift of God and is obtained only by our diligent effort.
e) Reading 6 – 2 Nephi 9:9-10
28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
f) READ – Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
11 ¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
i) NOTE – Verse 11 – "them that see the sun" - remember the Bible Dictionary told us that "under the sun" is a theme often seen in Ecclesiastes and refers to a worldly point of view or the view of those who live in the world as contrasted with a spiritual view.
3. Trust in the Lord
a) Reading 7 – Proverbs 3:5-7
5 ¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
i) ASK – What does it mean to acknowledge God?
(1) READ – Doctrine and Covenants 59:21
21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.
4. The words we speak
a) Reading 8 – Proverbs 6:16-19
16 ¶ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
i) 3 out of 6 things the Lord hates relate to words we speak
b) Reading 9 – Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
c) READ – Proverbs 15:1
1 A Soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
d) Reading 10 - Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 82; or Ensign, June 1971, 72).
5. Pride
a) Reading 11 – Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 13:10, 16:18-19
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
b) Reading 12 - President Ezra Taft Benson said:
“The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.’ It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.
“Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of ‘my will and not thine be done.’ As Paul said, they ‘seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s’ (Philippians 2:21).
“Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled (see Alma 38:12; 3 Nephi 12:30).
“The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives (see Helaman 12:6). They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.
“Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s. …
“Pride is a damning sin in the true sense of that word. It limits or stops progression (see Alma 12:10–11). The proud are not easily taught (see 1 Nephi 15:3, 7–11). They won’t change their minds to accept truths, because to do so implies they have been wrong” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 3–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 4, 6).
i) ASK – I recall reading Pres. Benson's warning about pride more than once in Church manuals and publications over the last few months. Why do we need to be so concerned about this at this time?
ii) READ - President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride.
“Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. …
“Pride adversely affects all our relationships—our relationship with God and His servants, between husband and wife, parent and child” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 5; or Ensign, May 1989, 6).
(1) ASK – In general, do you think the level of contention in our society is greater or less than it was 10-20 years ago?
(2) In the musical, "West Side Story," two New York street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks are getting ready for a "rumble", a street fight, and the song that gangs sing back and forth to each other includes the repeated chorus, "they began it".
(3) Are there adverse consequences for the Church when there is a spirit of contention prevalent in a country?
(a) Missionary work
(b) Proposition 8
(4) ASK – How do we respond to an atmosphere of contention?
6. Friendship
a) Why are we warned about unrighteous friends? (See Proverbs 13:20; 22:24–25.)
b) What are some characteristics of good friends? (See Proverbs 17:17; 27:9.) How have good friends helped you through difficult times?
c) What can we do to gain true friends? (See Proverbs 18:24. Point out that to have good friends we need to be good friends.)
d) How do true friends react when we make unwise choices? (See Ecclesiastes 4:9–10.)
7. Raising Children
a) Proverbs 22:6 says to “train up a child in the way he should go.” What should parents do to follow this counsel? (See D&C 68:25–28.) How can we more effectively teach children the principles of the gospel and nurture their testimonies?
b) Elder Richard G. Scott said: “You must be willing to forgo personal pleasure and self-interest for family-centered activity, and not turn over to church, school, or society the principal role of fostering a child’s well-rounded development. It takes time, great effort, and significant personal sacrifice to ‘train up a child in the way he should go.’ But where can you find greater rewards for a job well done?” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 43; or Ensign, May 1993, 34).
8. Happiness and good humor
a) Proverbs 15:13 and Proverbs 17:22.
9. Why is it important to develop a happy attitude and a good sense of humor? (See Proverbs 15:13; 17:22.)
10. Conclusion
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