Day 154 & 155—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God! Today, we are also reading in the 16th book in the Bible: Proverbs. 

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 154 – Proverbs 1 – 3 (Solomon’s proverbs, many written by him or in his style, but all perhaps “compiled” by him.)

The purpose of Proverbs: 1. To KNOW wisdom and instruction, 2. to UNDERSTAND words of insight, 3. to RECEIVE instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity, 4. to GIVE prudence to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the youth.

The theme of Proverbs is “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” (Verse 1:7, and also concluding the book in verse 31:30)  “Wisdom” is more about practical skills in living well in the fear (reverence and awe) of God in a way that honors both Him and others.

There are several speeches from a father to his son in these chapters. 

1:6. “Hear, my son, your father’s instructions, and forsake not your mother’s teaching….”

1:10. “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

2:1. “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you…”

3:1. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” 

3:11. “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of His reproof…”

3:21. “My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion and they will be life for your soul…”

In several sections, “wisdom” speaks as a person, sounding very much like God. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30).

1:23. “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

1:28-29. “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD…..”

1:22. “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

A favorite and often repeated wisdom is in 3:5-6. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

I all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

.

    Day 148 – Proverbs 4 – 6 (These chapters continue with a father’s warnings and instructions to his son.)

Chapter 4.  The father urges his son to “Get wisdom; get insight…”  “Keep hold of instruction; do not let her go; guard her, for she is your life….”    “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”   “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Chapter 5.  Here, the father begins to warn and caution his son about adultery and the temptress.  “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death…..”

He advises his son to be true to his own wife. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.”   “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.”

Chapter 6. Now, the father offers practical warnings and advice about co-signing for someone, about working hard for your own needs, and not being lazy, for then, poverty will surely come. 

A list of SEVEN things that the LORD hates is given. Consider what the opposite would be: WHAT GOD LOVES.

1. Haughty eyes — HUMILITY
2. A lying tongue — TRUTH-TELLING
3. Hands that shed innocent blood — COMPASSION
4. A heart that devises wicked plans — GOODNESS
5. feet that make haste to run to evil — EAGERNESS TO HELP
6. a false witness who breaths out lies — HONESTY
7. One who sows discord among brothers — UNITY.

The father again urges his son to keep his commandments and mother’s teachings. “Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. when you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”   “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light.” (See Psalm 119:105)

And, for a third time, the father warns his son about the evil woman, this time another man’s wife… and, in the end, the rightfully jealous husband.