Proverbs 8-12

Proverbs 8- The Excellence of Wisdom

• 1-3- Wisdom is to be on FULL display for the world to see and be captivated by
• 4-9- The appeal is to all of humanity
• 11- Wisdom is more profitable than even precious stones
• 12- Wisdom is FOUND in prudence
• 13- Wisdom and Knowledge ARE both the HATING of evil
• 14-20- How to know if a ruler is operating in wisdom
• 21- Those who love God inherit WEALTH
• 22-29- Wisdom was with God in the BEGINNING and is the LIFE GIVER. That we find out in the NT is Jesus Christ. 
• 28- God creates the world of meteorology
• 29- Marked the earth’s foundations- the poles, equator, latitude and longitude which we still use today for everything in navigation and direction
• 30- EVERYTHING being created was good and exciting
• 31- Wisdom operates best and most naturally in the hearts of men!
• 32- Now therefore- argues that Wisdom should be listened to because of her ancient and special place in God’s plan.
• 35- NOTE- the connection between God’s favor and His wisdom
• 36- The benefits of wisdom are clearly evident when they are MANIFEST

Proverbs 9- Way of Wisdom

• 1-6- Wisdom has a place where we can go to get all that we need to live
• 7- Don’t cast your pearls before swine OR don’t waste your words on foolish people
• 8-9- Instead encourage and build up people of faith for KINGDOM growth.
• 10-11- Knowing and respecting God is the start of all that is good in life
• 12- Each person controls their OWN fate
• 13-18- Appeal against foolish living

Proverbs 10- Wise Sayings of Solomon

• 1- Simple- good kids make for good life for the parents
• 3- Soul- self, mind, personality used over 750 times in the Bible. 
• 4-18- Self explanatory but still powerful life principles IF adhered to
• 19- 21-The wrong words can easily destroy
• 22- GOD’S BLESSINGS EQUAL RICHES AND NEVER BRING ON SORROW
• 25- Whirlwind- traumatic life events...righteous are stable enough to survive the storm and thrive afterward
• 26- A lazy employee is unproductive AND irritating
• 32- KNOW- perception

Proverbs 11- 

• 1- Dishonest business transactions and corrupt monetary systems including bogus interest rates are ALL talked about in scripture (Lev 19:35, Dt 25:13)
• 3-8- As wisdom is exercised so is JUSTICE and retribution. What was coming on the righteous will TURN on the wicked instead
• 10-11- Righteousness is a good citizenship, appreciated by a civilized population
• 12- How to respond to your neighbors
• 13- Don’t gossip
• 14- Get counsel from wise people
• 15- Don’t loan to or consign for an unreliable person OR someone you don’t know
• 20-21- The wicked not only bring trouble on themselves by natural law, but by the wrath of God
• 24- Reap and sow
• 24-26- Generosity prospers a person; stinginess impoverishes
• 24-26- God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7)
• 30- Our fruit is a TREE OF LIFE to others (fruit of the Spirit!) and we will harvest not just temporary blessings but also eternal souls for the Kingdom

Proverbs 12- 

• 1-9- Contrast between the life of a good man and wicked man
• 4- The wife a crown to her husband
• 10- NOTE- A righteous man cares about the welfare of his animals
• 11-28- Continued contrast in living life
• 14- The words of our mouth do yield fruit
• 17-22- Words can do good or harm, please or displease God depending on their wisdom and truth. 
• 26- Even the righteous is in danger if he consorts with evil companions 
• 27- The initial energy of hunting is nullified if one is too lazy to cook the game