JULY 1 PROVERBS 1-4

BLOG July 1, 2014

Proverbs 1-4

With Proverbs we move from praise to the practical, from an emphasis on our relationship with God to the way that relationship should impact our relationships with people. Proverbs is the primary “Wisdom Book” of the Bible. My favorite definition of wisdom goes something like this: Wisdom is seeing and responding to life situations from God’s point of view. It’s the right living that flows from a right relationship with God, and Proverbs will help us sort out the specifics.

Right from the outset, Solomon identifies wisdom’s starting place: “The fear of the Lord.” Such fear is “the beginning of knowledge,” (1:7) and “the beginning of wisdom” (9:10). Some Christians don’t like to talk about fear, citing 1 John 4:18, “there is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.” But the rest of 1 John 4:18 tells us what sort of fear John is talking about: the fear of punishment. Here in Proverbs and in the New Testament too, the fear referred to is a loving reverence for the Lord that includes submission to His word! This sort of fear launches us into a life of wisdom.

Beginning with Proverbs 1:8 and continuing through Proverbs 9, these words of wisdom are directed from parent to child. If Solomon were speaking to his eldest son, Rehaboam, it’s sad to know how little of this wisdom took hold.

Here are some summary highlights of the first four chapters:

• In Proverbs 1, wisdom is personified; it “calls aloud in the streets” to any who will listen (1:20)!
• In Proverbs 2, we learn that those who answer wisdom’s call find all sorts of benefits, including an understanding of the right paths and protection from those whose paths are crooked!
• Proverbs 3 continues the list of benefits that come with wisdom. Some of the most quoted and memorized words in the Bible are found in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Make your own list, from this chapter, of the blessings of wisdom!
• Proverbs 4 is personal and passionate. You can feel the Father’s urgent encouragement: “Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget my words!” (4:5) “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom, though it cost you all you have...” (4:7) “Hold on to instruction; do not let it go!” (4:13) “Do not let them [my words] out of your sight; keep them within your heart, for they are life to those that find them and health to your whole body!” (4:21-22)

Tomorrow, we’ll see what else the wise father has to say to his son.

Your fellow traveler through the Word,

Pastor Gary