Category: Proverbs

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

It is interesting and thought-provoking to look for the words associated with wisdom: pleasant knowledge, discretion, understanding, salvation from stupidity. Stupidity is the adulteress, for stupidity is based on adulterated knowledge. The Devil blinds us to the true state of things.

SJA Notes

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;”

Solomon sets the tone with words that he most likely heard from his own father, great King David. That the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

But what is wisdom? How do we get it?

Solomon exhorts us to treasure God’s commands, receive His words, attend to wisdom and incline our hearts to understanding.

We are to CALL OUT for insight, RAISE OUR VOICES for understanding.

Wisdom begins with a holy and reverent fear of the Lord.

How do we get it?

We ask God! Ask Him, He is the model of a cheerful giver, His mercy strong and without bitterness, His love steadfast and true.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

How do we understand the fear of the Lord? We seek His wisdom.

Where can we find His wisdom? In His word (the Bible).

In John chapter 1 we read that Jesus, God the Son, is God’s WORD become flesh.

If we want to find God’s wisdom, look to Jesus.

If we want to understand the fear of the Lord, look to Jesus.

LOOK TO JESUS!

* God of Light and Love,

We call out today, please show us Your wisdom today.

Please write Your word on our hearts. A portion, a word, whatever it is that You deem right for us today.

Please Lord, show us Jesus today – We look to Him.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The first nine chapters of this book are a discourse on the nature of wisdom and stupidity (or folly). The literary form of proverbs is an ancient way of transmitting attitudes and reasons for godly behaviour. What are the marks of both wise and stupid people?

SJA Notes

* Lord God Above, please teach us Your wisdom today.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Solomon starts out the book of Proverbs with a bang!

He tells us that in life there are two roads, two paths. Wisdom and Folly.

There is a clear link here with Moses and the Law, where God spoke to Israel of obedience bringing blessing and disobedience bringing curse.

Wisdom is obedience.

Folly is disobedience.

These are the two paths Solomon presents to us.

If we despise wisdom and instruction (if we are not teachable) we are fools. We choose folly.

In Matthew 24, Jesus points to the folly of those who were leaders of the people at the time.

“Woe to you,” is repeated many times, coupled with “You blind fools!”

We have examples of fools in scripture, and we probably know from our own experiences, perhaps we ourselves have been as such.

However.

Better by far is to focus on WISDOM.

We have in Jesus the best and strongest and absolute and life-changing example of wisdom. Of the path to life, obedience under God’s will.

Let us choose Jesus – Let us be seeking His wisdom and to work at submitting under, and not turning from, His instruction.

* Gracious God,

Please help us to seek Your wisdom today.

Please write Your word, Your wisdom, on our hearts today.

Whatever it may be – a word, a phrase, a concept, a truth – It is Your wisdom.

Please show us Jesus today.

Amen.