Today’s Proverbial Summer reading is July 1st / Proverbs 1. Our Scripture highlight includes: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”
Read It!
To read Proverbs 1, click HERE.
Summer Highlights:
Prov. 1:1-7
“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Proverbs 1:1-7 (ESV)
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
The Purpose of Proverbs
Verses 1-7 of Ch.1 tell us the purpose of the Book of Proverbs & give us the theme or “motto”:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Prov. 1:7 (ESV)
fools despise wisdom & instruction.”
Q & A
Q: To what sort of knowledge is Solomon referring?
A: Spiritual truth — There are certainly many things a person can know without having a fear of God; however, spiritual truth can only be known through the revelation of God. He must reveal it to us!
Q: How does one begin to know spiritual truths?
A: By fearing (having reverence & awe for) the Lord God
Q: What kind of people despise wisdom?
A: Fools
Which kind of wisdom?
Which wisdom are we talkin’ about? Read v.2-6 again.
“To know wisdom & instruction,
Prov. 1:2-6 (ESV)
to understand words of insight,
3to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, & equity;
4to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge & discretion to the youth —
5Let the wise hear & increase in learning,
& the one who understands obtain guidance,
6to understand a proverb & a saying,
the words of the wise & their riddles.”
The ESV Study Bible Commentary puts it this way:
“The wisdom offered here is practical (instruction in wise dealing), intellectual (increase in learning), moral (righteousness, justice, & equity), and probing (to understand a proverb and… riddles). It is for all people, be they naïve and ignorant (the simple… the youth) or already experienced (Let the wise hear).”
p.1135 (2008;2016 text ed.)
So, Solomon, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is offering all kinds of wisdom for all people. The only people left out are those who aren’t interested and who don’t fear (respect, reverence) the Lord God.
Despising Instruction
Q: What kind of people despise instruction?
A: Fools
Is instruction different from wisdom?
“Instruction is vital for education, as it is the transfer of learning from one person to another. Any time you are given directions or told how to do something you are receiving instruction.”
vocabulary.com
Since “fools despise wisdom & instruction” (v.7), we could say they look down on spiritual truths and think learning & being told what to do are vile.
As Christians, we are to seek wisdom & instruction as we fear (revere) the Lord.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian believers:
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him…”
Colossians 1:9,10 (ESV)
My Prayer for You
Here’s my prayer for you today:
Father God,
I ask that those reading Your Word today, especially those making the commitment to read one chapter of Proverbs per day, will be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom & understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
