Old Testament - Proverbs 1-4 - August 29, 2022

 8/29/2022 – Proverbs 1-4

Someone described the Book of Proverbs as a book that contains wise statements about how to live a godly life.  We know that Solomon wrote many of these proverbs which are written  as poetry.

The first 9 proverbs are attributed to Solomon, and are an invitation for us to seek after and acquire true wisdom, and clues to the meaning of life and the path to success.

Proverbs 1:5 - “A wise man will hear, and will increase in learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:”   1:7 – “The fear [reverence] of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:23-25  tell us how to draw closer to the Lord. He seems to be speaking to those who have disregarded His words: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused: I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof. ” The Lord loves us and tries to get our attention. If we turn from Him, he does not turn from us. Instead He tries to renew our relationship with Him. And Solomon ends this chapter with a wonderful promise from the Lord: “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear or evil.”

Proverbs 2 basically tells us that our growth in gospel knowledge and spirit requires effort on our part! 

2:2–6 “… incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. [that makes me want to examine the intensity of my prayers]. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Then in v’s 7-12 he goes on to describe all the blessings that will come from our following His instructions.

Proverbs 3 tells of us the Lord’s mercy and truth and how we can best be benefited by following His instructions: v’s 1-13  “…forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments [for that will bring us peace] Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil…despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction…Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”

Proverbs 4 calls us very simply to simply hear the Lord, and then respond to His directions and His pleas for us to stay near unto Him: “Keep the Lord’s commandments and live…and with all thy getting get understanding.” He promises us that His words “are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”


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