The Message of Wisdom: Contents Preview

General preface 

Author’s preface 
Abbreviations 
Select bibliography 
Introduction 

Part 1: The concept of wisdom
1. An invitation to wisdom (Proverbs 1:1–7) 
2. Searching for wisdom (Proverbs 2:1–11) 
3. The contrasting paths of wisdom and folly (Proverbs 9) 
4. The personification of wisdom (Proverbs 8) 

Part 2: The context of wisdom
5. Choose life (Deuteronomy 30:15–20) 
6. Solomon, the prototype of wisdom and folly (1 Kings 3:5–15; 4:29–34)
7. The distortion of wisdom (Jeremiah 8:8–10; 9:23–24)
8. The blessings of fearing the Lord (Psalm 112)

Part 3: The conduct of wisdom
9. Wisdom in work (Proverbs 6:6–11)
10. Wisdom in speech 
11. Wisdom in decisions
12. Wisdom as righteousness

Part 4: The complexity of wisdom
13. Retribution and its limits 
14. Wisdom resides in the all-knowing Lord (Job)
15. Enjoy God’s portion as his gift (Ecclesiastes 9:7–10) 173

Part 5: The culmination of wisdom
16. Jesus, the teacher of wisdom (Matthew 7:13–29)
17. Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18–25) 
18. Knowing Christ, the source of wisdom (Colossians 2:1–7)
19. Living by wisdom from above (James 3:13–18) 
20. Walking in godly wisdom (Ephesians 5:15–21) 

Study Guide

We hope that gives you a good sense of where Estes is looking and learning from in Scripture! You can pre-order your copy of The Message of Wisdom now, or if you can't wait to start reading about wisdom, then the titles below might be of interest.