Day 154.  Reading Proverbs 1 – 3.

Everyone loves reading the Book of Proverbs. It contains Biblical theology, helpful hints, funny illustrations, wise sayings, truth … and a few contradictions.

The verses are meant to be general truths, not ones to “claim” in particular life situations.

(Example: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22:6), is certainly great advice for parenting, and it will help to keep a child on the “straight and narrow” to teach him the principals of God.  But it is not an absolute guarantee or promise of what WILL happen.)

Proverbs 1.

This chapter announces —

• the author – Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
• the purpose – to become wise in godly living and learn discernment.  (Remember Solomon’s great gift of WISDOM from God.)
• the theme – “The fear of the LORD.”

He speaks as a wise father to a son about many things in this chapter: Caution about sinners enticing him to sin and mischief.  The example is vivid. “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without reason…”  “we’ll find precious goods…”  “Throw in your lot with us: we will all have one purse.”

The wise father sternly advises against these miscreants. “Do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths.”

Then, “wisdom” speaks in the first person, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple.”  And there are dire results for ignoring or rejecting “wisdom” as well as rewards. “Whoever listens to me will dwell secure, and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

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Proverbs 2.

Notice the “IF” and “THEN” statements in these words from Solomon to his son.

• IF you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you…
• IF you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding…
• IF you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures…
• THEN you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
• THEN you will understand righteousness and justice and equity.

Verses10-22 gives all the blessings and protections of possessing this wisdom.

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Proverbs 3.

This chapter contains some very well known and loved verses and blessings.

• “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight (direct) your paths.”
• “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine.”  (See also Malachi 5:10-11 about this.)
• “Blessed us the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious that jewels, and NOTHING you desire can compare with her.”

There even a few “commandment.”

• Do not be afraid…
• Do not withhold good…
• Do not plan evil…
• Do not contend with a man…
• Do not envy a man…