Well since we are at a stopping point in our study I thought we could look at one of my favorite books in the bible. I love Proverbs for the wisdom, direction and practical lessons (for me and my children). So without further ado - lets dive in!
A little history on Proverbs:
Proverbs is ancient Isreal's anthology of wise sayings, advice, instruction and warnings. The book is structured for a young man as a manual for entering the workplace/world.
There are two main sections - (1) Chapters 1-9:18 are the opening discourses (from Father to Son) and (2) Chapters 10-31 are wise sayings.
Proverbs 1
Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.
Wisdom’s Rebuke
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the LORD.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
My Thoughts -
Wow - I will pray this over my soul and will continually pray this over my family's souls.
I read the first seven verses and pray that I can listen and follow HIS direction. I love what verse 7 says, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.'. So often in our lives I know that I am afraid of what the truth may hold. So often you are afraid to follow directions for what be ahead. This verse tells us that that only a FOOL despises wisdom and instruction.
I read verses 8-19 and immediately think of teenagers and peer pressure. The pressure to conform and fit in. The pressure to keep up. I love what verse 19 says 'These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!' which makes me so thankful that my Mom always cautioned me to know not be "guilty by association". You are who you surround yourself with. You surround your soul with the Spirit and your life with other Christians and you will walk a straighter path. You will know the difference between right and wrong - the Spirit will convict you.
In verses 20-33 wisdom is personified as a woman! There are three types of people who lack God's wisdom - Simpletons, mockers and Fools. I know that I do not want to be one of any of those! Wisdom invites those three groups to come and she will make them wise - which is in turn the relationship Christ is seeking with us! They ignore her (wisdom) and she thus she states in verse 31, 'they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.' Umm- Pretty sure I would have listened and turned from my earthly ways to my Savior! I also love verse 33, "but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Anything stand out to you? Leave a comment!
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