Category: Proverbs

Reading

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SAA Notes

Wisdom versus Folly (Stupidity). This distinction is the key to sanctification, to a faith that bears fruit, to a faith WITH works. This distinction is the key too to James’ letter in the New Testament. The proverbs of chapters 10-31 are there to help us see this distinction in everyday life.

SJA Notes

* Holy God, please teach us a little more of who You are, for knowledge of You is insight.

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

See the two personified women here in this passage, Wisdom and Folly.

They both call out to those who pass by,

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

This is important. Wisdom calls to us. So too does Folly.

Look at the _end_ of each of them, showing the cast chasm of difference.

Wisdom (God’s wisdom) ends in LIFE.

Folly (rejecting God’s wisdom) ends in DEATH.

Judas (Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus) is a clear example of a life of folly. He rejected God’s wisdom, even hearing from Jesus Himself while on earth, and so ended in DEATH.

Judas listened to the call of folly. Judas found death.

Peter (Simon, who denied Jesus on the night He was betrayed) is a clear example of a life of wisdom. He hearkened to Jesus’ teaching, believed in Him Name, confessed that He was Lord, and was saved unto LIFE.

Warts and all, Peter listened to the call of wisdom, and found life.

Let us be people who heed God’s word, from start to finish. Let us find life, and life to the full!

Let us see Jesus!

* Gracious Father in Heaven,

Please open our eyes today to see Jesus.

Please write Your word on our hearts today.

Amen.

Reading

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SAA Notes

In today’s reading what verses stand out to you? The last three verses summarise the stance of this book. They are reminiscent of Jesus’ words in John 6:35-40, and Revelation 3:20.

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, You brought forth wisdom before the beginning of the earth – Please teach us today.

“The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.”

Solomon goes deeper into the origins and importance of wisdom.

God had already added wisdom into existence before He (one God, three Persons) created all things.

This is a strange truth to think about.

When we create something, us frail and fallen humanity, we follow processes and work over patterns.

You create with rules that make sense within the framework of creation.

This is true _because_ God spun wisdom through all of creation. He made the rules and they make sense in a creative sense.

But wisdom is more than this too.

“I wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.”

We can reflect God’s creative majesty.

Wisdom is deeper and bigger than knowing what works in creation and following those rules.

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

It is not enough to understand the world around us. It is not enough to do things that make sense within the framework of the world around us.

We need to come before the One who MADE the world. Fear Him. Because that is the beginning of real wisdom.

* Mighty God,

Thank You for today, and for Your word today.

Please teach us more of You, more of what You want for us.

For Your glory, for Your Name’s sake.

Amen.

Reading

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SAA Notes

Stupidity or Folly captivates, beggars, burns, and kills whoever comes within its arena. Just the application to adultery itself gives you sufficient information. The world paints adultery in wonderful, romantic colours. It does not show you this picture!

SJA Notes

* Faithful God, mark us today as a faithful people as You are faithful, singular in our devotion to You and those You have given to us.

“… Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Solomon knows well the results of rejecting God’s commands and teaching.

He was a man with many wives, hundreds upon hundreds.

What kind of insight might he have gleaned from this decision-making?

Make wisdom your friend!

An intimate close friend – To protect you!

Folly is loud and brash, enticing and full of promise.

But only emptiness can be found down that broad road.

Wisdom is different.

Wisdom is a narrow road, hard and often bringing suffering.

The end of wisdom though is a fulfilled promise like no other.

In 1 John 2 we read of Jesus (God in the Person of the Son),

“And this is the promise that he made to us – eternal life.”

In John 10 (the gospel) we read Jesus saying,

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and the follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

We see here that the pattern of wisdom is to follow Jesus. We are His sheep, He is our Good Shepherd.

So when is this promise to be fulfilled?

In Matthew 25 we read,

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”

This is a time in the future, when Jesus will return.

Our King will return.

On that day we will enter into His presence and be given this promised gift – Eternal life, life to the full!

* God Almighty,

You have set a day, please mark us as a people ready.

Please help us to seek wisdom, to bind wisdom to our eyes and write wisdom on our hearts.

Please write Your word on our heart today.

Amen.