Read Chapter 1 of Proverbs on your own,
VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
Also, if you don't already know Proverbs 3:5-6, that's a great passage to
memorize that as well!
memorize that as well!
Proverbs is
an extremely important book of the Bible because wisdom is necessary for us to
live the blessed life that God wants for his creation. The Lord is literally begging us to exercise
wisdom. The Proverbs tell us that wisdom
is available to us. She is spoken of as
a person whom we can know intimately, Proverbs 1:20-23; Proverbs 8; Proverbs 9.
I believe that if every person read and followed the book of Proverbs he would
have a blessed and prosperous life.
Parents, I urgently exhort you to read Proverbs to your children
daily! The following is a simple verse
by verse exposition.
Verse one
states that the Proverbs were written by Solomon, David's son. He was qualified to write them because he had
asked God for wisdom to rule the nation of Israel and Judah, II Chronicles 1:7-12 tells about
his encounter with God in a dream and how God answered his request for wisdom.
(A few of the Proverbs were written by other people.)
The purpose
of the book is so that we can know wisdom and instruction; to be able to
perceive words of understanding. The
word know is used as an intimate term in the Bible. We need to be intimate with wisdom.
We need to
be willing to receive instruction. We
all have someone in authority over us.
We must be able to receive the instruction from those over us in wisdom,
justice, and equity.
The book
will give sharpness of wit to the simple. (Sometimes in the book the word
simple is used to describe someone who is foolish or lacking in understanding.)
This book
will make the wise wiser. He will
increase in learning and be willing to receive and give wise counsel. A wise man loves wisdom and desires more.
It will give
the ability to understand a proverb and it's hidden meanings.
The basis of
knowledge, the very beginning point of knowledge, is reverence, awe and respect
for the Lord. But fools despise wisdom
and instruction as they have disdain for the Lord.
Parents who
love their children will give teaching and instruction in the Word of the
Lord. A wise son will heed it.
Applying
wisdom and living by it will bring honor, "A comely ornament unto thy head
and chains of honor for thy neck." (Proverbs
4:9 makes a similar statement.)
Sinners will
entice you to follow their wicked ways; to murder the innocent in order to rob
them; they will offer you a share of the spoil.
As a bird flies into a net with his eyes wide open so is a foolish
person who falls for temptation. It
leads to destruction.
Wisdom is
available to us, she is calling to us! "How long will you love
foolishness! How long will the scornful
take pleasure in scorning? How long will fools hate knowledge!" Verses
20-22
"Turn
you at my correction; lo I will pour out
my mind unto you, and make you to understand my words." (Verse23
Geneva Bible.) God will give us His
mind!
"Let
this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
"But
the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are
foolishness unto him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually
discerned. But he that is spiritual
judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that
he may instruct him.' But we have the mind of Christ."! I
Corinthians 2:14
Verse 23 is
the last call or warning in the chapter to turn from foolishness. (A person who practices foolishness is a
fool.)
Fool-
(Merriam-Webster dictionary) A person who lacks good sense or judgment; a
stupid or silly person.
Psalm 14:1
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
The Lord is
calling for everyone to come to repentance; to receive of His counsel and
reproof; but most will have none of it.
Those who refuse to heed the warning will eat the fruit of their own
way. (Whatsoever a man sows that shall
he also reap. Galatians 6:7)
Bro. Shannon and Mrs. Julia have been pastoring Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas since September of 1995.
I must admit that I read Proverbs last month. I did it intentionally in order to prepare for July. I am expecting added insight and understanding as I read it again along with the daily commentaries of Godly women who are desiring to glean every morsel of truth from this precious and valuable book.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Tera! Your choice of Mrs. Julia to start the study off on the right foot was perfect. She is truly a woman of God and a great example of how God's wisdom is available to and through His obedient sons and daughters.
This is so full of rich, deep truth. I love how we've started off the book of wisdom with the wisest woman I know (and love)!
ReplyDeleteThis was so good and so powerful! When I read the last paragraph it brought me to tears. Those who refuse to heed the warning will eat the fruit of their own way. (Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7) I have made some foolish decisions in my life (haven't we all) and have reaped the consequences. But in God's mercy, he forgives, restores, and as Mrs. Julia beautifully stated, "wisdom called" to me again. There are just so many treasures in this lesson, but my favorite is this...."Wisdom is spoken of as a person we can know intimately!" What a great start to the study!
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