Page 117 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

love of our Savior for us. He left heaven, lowered himself to us, and covered us with the
sacrifice of His own body to save us.
195

The key difference in how Yahweh treats us is our fear. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
(1:7; 9:10).” Choosing to know, to search out with great effort (2:3-6), what is good and right implies a
deep reverence for God (1:29). We take his side against evil in others and in ourselves. Hate is not too
strong a word (8:13). Our daily life looks different (14:2), shunning evil (14:16). We experience
abundance of life (14:27; 19:23), even if the abundance is in Yahweh’s presence rather than in wealth
(15:16). We take on characteristics of love and faithfulness (16:6), largely through humility (22:4). Fear of
God pushes away from envy (23:17), rebellion (24:21), and reliance on physical beauty (31:30). Yahweh
is more important.

12.4 Let’s Practice….

1. Who has ascended into heaven to bring back wisdom?

2. Who worked alongside God in creating the world?

3. What modern group has adopted the ancient Arian heresy?

4. What other passages use the imagery of ascending into heaven?

5. How often does the name of God appear in Proverbs?

6. Give an illustration of God’s interest in his creation.

7. Explain how God “detests” certain people.

8. What is the starting point of our relationship with Him?

12.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson….

195 Brian Chapell, “In the Grip of Grace,’ Leadership, sum. 1999, 69.
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