Proverbs 1-3 ~
As I started out saying earlier in the week - Wow! Solomon does not hesitate in his admonitions to us, does he? He dives right in, packing these first three chapters with a multitude of advice for good living --- Godly living.
I think the first question we really have to ask ourselves as we enter this book is, "Do we really want to be wise?" If we do, then we have God's inspired Word in front of us to start us on that journey. But if we don't, then let's dig deeper and see what is it that is keeping us from seeking? Is it a lack of confidence? We shouldn't have that because James tells us that if any lack wisdom all we have to do is ask God for it, He will not deny us. (James 1:3) I think more often, it's complacency and laziness. We feel like we've reached a level of being "OK" with God, and we're just not ready to spend the time and effort to go further. That's not where God wants us, and that's not where Proverbs is ready to leave us. Hopefully, we're all ready to dig into this book and mine its treasures for us.
So, Chapter 1 -
Starting out, Solomon gives us five purposes for these Proverbs in which he is about to instruct his student:
1. To gain wisdom
2. To be instructed
3. To be able to understand wise/insightful sayings
4. To learn righteousness, justice & integrity
5. To become shrewd, not naive, and to gain knowledge & discretion
Then in v. 7, Solomon shares the well known words of, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction." This led to Debbie's comment in the week of what the "fear of the LORD" actually is and my reply back to her. (See comment on earlier post.) How do YOU view the "fear of the LORD?" Please share your thoughts. One other thing that I had noted was that fearing the Lord, brings with it humility. When we view God as our ultimate authority, then we view ourselves as His creation, never His equal. Fools despise God's wisdom because they have asserted themselves as equally wise.
Chapter One goes on to warn against joining up with sinners/those bent toward violence and dishonesty. And that Wisdom is crying out to us...calling to all to turn toward her! We have a choice!
Now, I have a challenge for you...how do you view v. 28? "Then they will call to me, but I won't answer; they will search for me, but won't find me." I'm opening this up for discussion!
I also note that v. 33 says that those who listen to Wisdom, will live free from the "fear of danger." I note that because there are many in the world today severely suffering for their faith, so they are not free of danger...but I hear multiple stories of how they are not fearful. They live securely because they know where their true security lies, and fear has been removed because of their confidence in God.
Chapter 2 ~
This is the Chapter that has the multiple "IF / THEN" comparisons. I really liked the question posed on page 21 of the workbook (Question 11) - "Many people ask, 'How can I know God's will?' According to 2:1-9, what are some concrete steps to take?" How did you answer that?
Here's what I saw: Store up His commands within me - Listen to God's wisdom - Direct my heart toward Him - Call out to Him for insight - Pray for understanding - Seek His knowledge & wisdom above all earthly gain - Live with integrity - Be loyal to God and His ways!
In Proverbs 2:20 it says, "So follow the way of good people and keep to the paths of the righteous." This was a reminder to me to surround myself with people who are leading lives that I admire - lives that I want to emulate. These people will not be perfect, but they can serve as a great encouragement to me! This doesn't mean that we don't also allow areas of our lives to be with people who are not living godly, in order to bring them to God's wisdom. But we need to be mindful to be balanced in our companionships.
Chapter 3 ~
Who doesn't want to find favor with God & man? It reminds me of the verse in Luke 2:52 that says that as Jesus grew up, He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people." There's our perfect example! In Proverbs 3:3 it tells us that 1) loyalty and 2) faithfulness bring this high regard. Other translations say 1) kindness and 2) truth - the core meaning of the two words is:
1) unswerving fidelity, constancy
2) and rock-solid integrity and trustworthiness.
One of the most quoted Proverbs is found in 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths." I loved the note on p. 27 of the workbook, "This means more than guidance; it means God removes the obstacles, making a smooth path or way of life, or perhaps better, bringing one to the appointed goal." The question was raised of how this related to Abraham's life...well Abraham certainly trusted God when he didn't understand, and God certainly brought hi to the appointed goal, didn't He? It also reminds me of Philippians 1:6 that says, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion."
Chapter 3 also starts many verses with either "Do not" or "Don't"...I count seven.
"Don't consider yourself to be wise" v. 7
"Do not despise the Lord's instruction...and do not loathe His discipline" v. 11
"Don't fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence." v. 25-26
"Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow---" v. 28
"Don't plan any harm against your neighbor" v. 29
"Don't accuse anyone without cause" v. 30
"Don't envy a violent man or choose any of his ways" v. 31,
Those are pretty good "Don'ts" aren't they? If we will remember the don'ts we will avoid a lot of "getting off the path" times. In the middle of all of these don'ts, though, are verses 13-18, which give us the blessings of finding Godly wisdom. That is where we want to live, because those who "hold on to her are blessed."
Pray with me the words of Chapter 2:1-5
LORD, let us accept Your words and store them up within our hearts. Let us listen closely to Your wisdom and direct our hearts to Your understanding. Let us call out for Your insight, and lift our voices to understand You. Let us seek Your wisdom as the greatest treasure ever given, and let us come to understand the true fear of the LORD and discover Your knowledge so that we can live lives that are pleasing to You, our sovereign and gracious King!
Our first week is accomplished! What have you garnered in the way of Godly wisdom this week? Please share what God is showing you and any other questions or comments that you may have!
On to week 2 ~ read Proverbs 4-6. Make notes as you go along as to questions or comments you may have.
For those of you using the book, which I think most are, we will be reading through Proverbs in order, but we will also cover material in the book, which after Chapter 4 goes more by topic than by chapter order. So while we will read Proverbs 4-6, we will also cover in our books, pages 31-45.
Loving God's Word and loving studying it with you!
Janice
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