Notes of Faith May 19, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series in Proverbs
April 6, 2003
“PROVERBS – ONE WISE MAN TO ANOTHER”
Proverbs 1:5
Today we begin a series in Proverbs written by King Solomon to whom God had granted his request for understanding (I Kings 3:9-12, I Chronicles 1:10,11) and whose wisdom exceeded all others (I Kings 4:29-31). The wisdom conveyed in Proverbs is divine wisdom, which is broken down into practical, workable principles which fit into the arena of our everyday lives. Someone has said that Proverbs is God’s problem solver. Let’s begin by looking at the character of a wise man.
A wise man will hear and increase in learning and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.
A wise man will hear. In the original text it is even stronger – will force himself to hear. You must listen before you can learn but be careful what you listen to (Mark 4:23, 24; Luke 8:18; Heb. 2:1)! (rearrange the letters in the word listen and you will find SILENT…be silent and listen)!
A wise man will increase in learning – he never assumes he has learned it all. Two biblical scholars come to mind as examples to us. Ezra, one of the writers of the Psalms, was constantly seeking more light (Psalm 119:98-100) and Paul recognized the fact that he still had much to learn (Philippians 3:12-13, I Corinthians 3:18; 8:2).
The Christian life is never static – you are either progressing or regressing. Charles Bridges writes, “Indeed the richest stores waste without constant additions.” (We don’t want to see the same old thing each time we go shopping but look for what is new and better!)
A wise man will have the right kind of learning. A man approached a speaker and said, “You Christians are all brainwashed” to which the speaker replied, “Yes, I think we are all brainwashed to a degree. The important thing is that we Christians choose what we want to wash our brains with!” (Maybe memorize that last sentence!)
“So then,” we ask, “where do we get this wisdom?” and we find the answer in Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (the first step or foundation of wisdom) and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. The fear of God (to be in awe of His holiness) is not just the first phase we go through to arrive at a higher plateau of living, but a character development that comes as a result of knowing and understanding who God is and what He is like. The fear of God is the heart and life’s blood of wisdom and true knowledge. It should control our outlook on life. It is the fabric from which wisdom is woven.
Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24
A man may have a Ph.D. – Doctor of Wisdom. He can recognize and help the stupidity of others, but if he has no fear of God, his Ph.D. stands for Phenomenally Dumb!
A wise man will attain or acquire wise counsel. Counsel is defined as “giving direction or steering one along a given course.” Part of coming to know wisdom is facing challenges. We will never develop wisdom if we never extend beyond our comfort zones. “A man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew!” We need to seek advice from wise men, and our book of reference must be God’s Word – the Bible!
We see that a wise man is not necessarily someone who has acquired a great deal of knowledge – that is a smart man. A wise man is one who is continually making progress in the right kind of learning, one who is continually learning and integrating the truth of God’s Word into his life. If he is not, he is a fool. Fools despise wisdom and instruction… Solomon warns us in Proverbs 1:7. And what about today? Are you attaining wisdom? Am I?
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Job 12:12
2 "Wisdom is with aged men,
With long life is understanding.
Just sayin’
Ps 49:3
3 My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
Ps 51:6
6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Ps 90:12
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Ps 111:10
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.
Prov 3:13-16
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
1 Cor 1:21
or since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Cor 1:30-31
by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."
Eph 1:15-23
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
I have great privilege and honor to pray for those who read these notes, who respond giving glory to God for His work in their lives. I rejoice in looking to being with you forever in God’s house, blessed beyond our wildest dreams, listening to the heart of our Creator and Savior for all eternity!
Pastor Dale