This study is something everyone will do on their own in their own home. We will not be meeting anywhere but right here on the blog and Facebook! Starting July 1st, everyone will read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the date. For example, on July 1st, we will all read Proverbs 1. On July 12th, we will all read Proverbs 12. By July 31st, we will have read the whole book of Proverbs! If you prefer, I will put a link on the blog everyday to the chapter to read. (I personally like reading it out of my Bible in case I want to underline scripture or take notes.)
Each day after you read the chapter of Proverbs, come join us here on this blog for a devotional or lesson about that chapter. Each daily devotion will be different because there are many different women from every walk of life that are from all over Texas plus four other states who will be writing them. That is what makes this so exciting and will keep things from getting monotonous!
I suggest getting a journal to write down what the Holy Spirit shows you about each chapter as you read and study. Please, please, PLEASE leave your thoughts and comments on here for others to read. It is encouraging to see what the Holy Spirit is showing others as we study together.
Also, weekly, I will put a passage or verse of Proverbs that I am working on memorizing. If you're up for a challenge, memorize these with me! Again, your journal would be a great place to keep up with that!
Today, Friday, and next Monday, I will be spending some time setting the stage for the beginning of Proverbs. I don't know about you, but I need to know all the details to fully understand the story. I want to know what happened, but I also need to know the who, when, where, and why behind the action! I have spent the last month studying. Hopefully, you enjoy learning the history of Proverbs as much as I did!
The book of Proverbs is divided into 2 major sections. Chapters 1-9 is the preface of the book. It tells us why we need the whole book. The why is simple - WISDOM IS A VALUABLE TREASURE! Chapters 10-31 are different wise sayings that take the Word and apply it to practical things we can use in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.)
Most of these Proverbs were written by King Solomon, son of King David and Bathsheba. Smaller portions of Proverbs were written by Agur and King Lemuel.
The key verse that really marks the beginning and end of the first major section is Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction, and ending with Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The term "fear of the Lord " is sometimes confusing to people. (It has been to me anyway!) After studying the Greek and Hebrew translations of the word "fear" in this text, I believe that fear is the awe, wonder, reverence, and worship of our Lord. It is correct to say then that wisdom goes hand in hand with God's people standing in awe, wonder, reverence, and worshipping the Lord.
WISDOM IS THE FRUIT OF A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
OUR WISDOM AND DAILY DECISIONS IS DEPENDENT ON OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. - David Platt
So how did Solomon get such wisdom? How did he gain the title of The Wisest Man? In order to find out, we have to find out where in the History this takes place.
We find the story in 1 Kings 3-4, with a parallel in 2 Chronicles 1. Israel and Judah were a united kingdom, and Solomon was king. He reigned from 970-930 B.C. Let's just read it together.
1 Kings 3:5-15
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.
He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
In the same chapter we read about a wise judgement he makes concerning two harlots and a baby. The beginning of Chapter 4 lists all of the chief officials and administrators that worked under King Solomon. It also touches on the prosperity of the King from verse 20 through verse 28. Then we arrive at the point in history where we can see where Proverbs originated.
1 Kings 4:29-34
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
In 1 Kings 5, Solomon makes preparations to build the Temple. Chapter 6, he builds. In Chapter 8, the Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple, and Solomon dedicates the Temple.
From this, we MUST learn that wisdom and worship (or fear of the Lord) go hand in hand. The glory of God came to dwell among His people. If there is no reverence, no awe of the One True God in our churches, there will be no wisdom to walk out the life God has called His people to. Oh, that our hearts might be renewed and our worship increase!
This place in History for Israel, this wise king, the Peace in the kingdom did not last long and was never matched again in the OT.
I will meet you back here tomorrow to continue on this journey. I can't wait!
Can't wait :)
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