❖ Video
❖ Audio (Message)
The Fruits of Wisdom
(Proverbs 8:12-21)
Andy Nagahara
Today in our Proverbs series, we will read verses 8:12-21. Last week we talked about how Jesus is the manifestation of God’s wisdom. Today’s passage tells us that this wisdom gives us the power to reap a bountiful harvest, enough to fill our storehouses. It teaches us about the great power we have, the harvest we can expect, and how to use it.
1. The power to live in reality as followers of Jesus (12-16)
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;
16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.
From what we have learned so far, acquiring wisdom means acquiring Jesus, that is, always walking with Jesus.
This section teaches us that it becomes our qualities and what we should do with them. These qualities are discretion, knowledge, and modesty, and the ability to listen to the advice and insight that Jesus offers. They are necessary in every position and role we hold.
We all have responsibilities as parents and children, teachers and students, employers and employees, leaders and citizens. In reality, these qualities are essential for fulfilling responsibilities, but many people are in their current positions without them. This causes problems at home, at school, in the workplace and in society.
Verses 15 and 16 are God’s ideal, but unfortunately the world is far from that. Jesus compared this world, where good and evil coexist, to a field filled with good wheat and tares, saying, “Wait until the harvest, because if you try to pull out the tares before the harvest, you risk uprooting the good wheat as well.” So now, instead of lamenting leaders who lack these qualities, let us focus on acquiring the necessary qualities ourselves, demonstrating our strength where we are, and bearing good fruit.
2. The fruits of following Jesus (17-19)
Now let’s read the next verses 17-19.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
Now that October has arrived, we are finally starting to see autumn-like days. Autumn is said to be the season of harvest, with fruits appearing in stores and the grain harvest season beginning. This region, including Machida City, Yokohama City, Inagi City, and Sagamihara City, is rapidly urbanizing, but pears are being harvested in abundance this time of year, and I always look forward to being able to eat some delicious local pears.
This passage describes how the harvest of wisdom is far better than that of gold or silver. The Bible often compares the various blessings God gives us to a harvest. What does it mean that God’s grace is not just a gift but a harvest?
This becomes clear when we consider the difference between salvation and grace. “Salvation” means that a broken relationship with God is restored. It is a free gift given to anyone who asks. That is the most important thing, but what God wants to give us goes beyond just “salvation.”
This is the abundant blessing that we can obtain through the power of God’s wisdom, as I mentioned earlier. However, unlike “salvation,” in order to actually reap the fruits of this, we need to make continuous efforts. Imagine how much work a farmer must do to harvest delicious fruit in the fall. It is a considerable amount, and the harvest must be the result of efforts far beyond our imagination.
Jesus also taught about God’s grace by comparing it to fruit.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. （John 15:4,5)
What is required to bear abundant fruit in this walk of life is not difficult. However, it is certainly a painstaking task, like the life of a farmer who reaps bountiful harvests every harvest season. Many people give up on their connection to Jesus because of short-term gain, hardship, or unexpected events. However, Jesus has not given up on them, and if they resume the steady work of walking with Jesus, they will reap the rewards again. We have seen many such people.
There is only one secret to staying connected to Jesus. It means placing worship of God at the center of your life. There are worship services that we gather together on Sundays, worship services that we offer with people in mini churches, worship services that we offer with our families, and worship services that we offer by ourselves. Is worship at the center of your life?
3. The full storehouse of Jesus’ followers (20, 21)
Now, read the next verses, 20 and 21.
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
The Bible has many references to storehouses. The barns and storehouses mentioned in the Bible were primarily used to store the grain harvest for the lean season. For example, the Book of Genesis records that Jacob’s son Joseph, who became a high-ranking official in Egypt, stockpiled grain in storehouses to prepare for a great famine. In the Psalms and Proverbs, we often find expressions that liken God’s grace to something that is drawn generously from a great storehouse and given to us.
Jesus also taught many things using the metaphor of storing grain and treasure in barns. I would like to share one of those passages with you this morning (Matthew 13:51, 52). These words were spoken to his disciples as a summary of a series of teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven, in which he used the analogy of sowing seeds and reaping a harvest.
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
The scholars who have learned about the kingdom of heaven here refer to the disciples. Although they knew the old teachings recorded in the Old Testament, the new teachings they learned from Jesus enabled them to correctly understand God’s intentions in the Old Testament.
We are also part of their lineage, and we know God’s will. The purpose of the storehouse is not to accumulate things. The reason they are stored in warehouses is to use them.
We have learned a lot since becoming believers in Jesus. We have received many blessings. God expects you to use it.
How should it be used? That is also mentioned in this section.
What is written, “In the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, I (wisdom) walk” means that wisdom exists to bring about justice, fairness, and impartiality in human relationships and social structures.
Jesus expects us to use generously the abundant harvest of God’s blessings stored up in the storehouses of our hearts to realize God’s justice, fairness, and impartiality in the lives of those closest to us, in society in this country, and throughout the world. Our storehouse, just like God’s storehouse, will never be empty no matter how much grace we take away. Jesus also assures us:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
(Prayer) God, thank you for the many blessings you give us abundantly every day.
Fill us with your wisdom so that we may fulfill the work expected of us as your hands and feet.
Help us to stay connected to you so that we may continue to bear good fruit in abundance throughout our lives.
Help us to store the fruits that You give us abundantly and use them generously for what we need.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Summary
God’s wisdom is the power we need to live in reality. It brings justice, fairness, and impartiality to society and all human relationships. Those who walk with Jesus without giving up in adversity or becoming complacent in prosperity are promised a bountiful harvest. We can use this harvest to do the work God expects us to do.
For Discussion
1. What is the fruit that God gives us?
2. What do we need to keep harvesting?