Proverbs Week - Proverbs 1:1-7;22-26;33

Proverbs Week:

I thought what better way to bring in a new season

than to go to the book of Proverbs. I don't know about you, but I can sure use some wisdom.

There are 31 Proverbs. One for each day. However, this week we only have 5 days to dive in, therefore, it will be five (5) random Proverbs.

Here we go!

Proverbs Chapter 1:1-7;22-26;33

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice, and integrity; To give prudence to the naïve, To the youth knowledge and discretion, A wise person will hear and increase in learning, And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel, To understand a proverb and a saying, The words of the wise and their riddles.

So many nuggets of truth in this passage. 

First, Solomon did not pray for wealth, women, or a bigger Kingdom. He prayed for wisdom. 

Read here the account in 1 Kings 3:7-15

Lord my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted. So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice, I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life. If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

Hence the reason for the book of Proverbs. He was passing on what the God of the heavens gave him and the lessons he had learned along the way.

Notice Solomon is also a youth! I love that part!

Kind of crazy when you now read our translation of the word wisdom. 

• The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
• Common sense; good judgment.
• The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge.

Are we not living in a day and age where it seems no one has or asks for wisdom?

Second, notice the keywords: know, discern and receive. 

To know. According to the dictionary means:

• To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty.
• To regard as true beyond doubt.
• To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in

1. .
   

Some words for discernment are: observe, spy, witness, behold, perceive, see, and sift.

I love that word sift. We should be sifting through a lot of unwise things in this day, but we do not. 

Finally the word receive. It means to come into possession of. This is not a "word of faith" heresy here on this blog. However, possess the godly wisdom in your life. In every single area. If you do not possess it, ask for it just as Solomon did. 

Would you not agree?

When we pray for wisdom we will see the fruit of that. In every area of our lives. We will be able to discern the falsehoods of today. 

False music

False teachers

False shows

False movies

False friends

False Christians

False signs and wonders

Godly wisdom is good wisdom to possess. 

Notice verse 4. 

Prudence means cautiousness. There are many out there who are naive. We are to caution some who are naive. 

We also MUST instruct our youth. 

That verse should mean something in today's culture. 

If you are wise you will hear, increase your learning, have wise people around you, and be understanding. 

This next verse is a verse we all know. At least I hope so. 

Why is it so important? Let's dive in.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Notice the stark comparison here. 

One must fear the Lord. That is not some cower to God and be scared of Him type of fear. 

It is a WISE understanding that God is sovereign. He and He alone is in control.  

Fearing the Lord is where a healthy walk with the Lord will arise. If you do not fear the Lord...well...

Fools have zero tolerance for anyone who is wise. Thus making what they believe in false. Notice everything a wise person can possess when they seek godly wisdom in verses 3-6. However, we read that the foolish have none of this. 

In closing,

The next few verses seem really harsh. This is why sharing the gospel is so important. 

There is coming a day when the "ark door" will be closed by God and God alone. 

Ezekiel chapter 33 tells us we need to be watchmen on the wall. Are you a watchman? 

Maybe after reading this next passage, you will understand why it's vital. 

I will allow God's word to end this week's blog. 

How long, you naïve ones, will you love simplistic thinking? And how long will scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? Turn to my rebuke, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my advice And did not want my rebuke; I will also laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread comes,  But whoever listens to me will live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.