So I actually started writing my book of wisdom back in July but I found I didn't have time to do it as well as what I was doing for my devotions at the time. So I put it on hold but I have three chapters worth of backlog and that's what I'm going to share today. Enjoy!
Proverbs 1:1-9
A wise man will hear and increase learning...words of the wise...the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...my son, hear the instruction of your father...and mother...they will be...ornaments on your head… (Verses taken from Proverbs 1:5-9)
The observance of our parent’s law and instruction will beautify our countenance and life. (vs 8&9)
“Every good gift comes from God.” It is the ‘fear’ of God that first allows us to receive the gift of knowledge and wisdom. (vs 7)
The first four verses describe the pupose of imparting these proverbs and the effects that meditation on them will afford.
Wisdom is a gift.
It cannot be bought.
It cannot be sold.
But it can be lost.
And it can be gained.
Treasure it!
Wisdom is to know God.
Proverbs 1:10-19
...If sinners entice thee, consent thou not...walk not thou in the way with them...for their feet run to evil...surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird...they lurk privily for their own lives...so are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain… (Verses taken from Proverbs 1:10-19)
Wisdom does not yield to peer pressure.
“Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of the bird.” Temptations are rarely presented as temptations. Rather, the great Trapper disguises them to appear harmless instead of lethal.
Those who are greedy of gain and use violence to further their passions are setting a trap for themselves; working out their own damnation.
Proverbs 1:22-33
Wisdom crieth….in the streets...How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?...turn ye at my reproof...I will make known my words to thee...I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded…I will laugh at your calamity...when distress and anguish come upon you...I will not answer...they shall not find me...for they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD...whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (Verses taken from Proverbs 1:22-33)
Wisdom cannot be sold, but it can be refused. Wisdom is a gift that only God can impart. But it is not a gift hidden away in a dark corner. No! Contrary: “Wisdom crieth in the streets.” Wisdom is there to be had, available to all: all we need to do is accept.
“...When the appeals of the Holy Spirit come to the heart, our only safety lies in responding to them without delay...It is unsafe to delay obedience. You may never hear the invitation again.” COLp280
Folly and lawlessness, ignorance and scorners, disregarding the calling and advice of “wisdom” always results in tragedy. The ‘simple’ slay themselves and the “prosperity of fools shall destroy them.”
But those who embrace the gift of wisdom and understanding and follow diligently it’s ways and counsels, they shall enjoy a peaceful life at rest in safety and security.
Proverbs 2:1-11
...Incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply the heart to understanding...If thou seekest for her as silver and searches for her as for hid treasures; Then thou shalt understand the fear of the LORD...the LORD giveth wisdom...He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly…(He) preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand...every good path...discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee… (Verses taken from Proverbs 2:1-11)
If the gift of wisdom and understanding is sought after, the LORD, from who issues every scrap of knowledge, will impart; He will teach us wisdom.
He is a buckler to the upright and He directs the path of the righteous but, in chapter one verse twenty-six, wisdom laughes at the calamity of those who willfully turn away from her invitation and counsel. Not to say that God laughs at our destruction but if a person makes the decision to disregard our Heavenly Father’s invitation, he reaps the consequences he brought upon himself.
“Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.” (vs 11)
discretion |disˈkreSHən|
noun
The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information:
Proverbs 2:12-22
...To deliver thee from the way of the evil man…(who) walk in the path of darkeness...who’s ways are crooked...the deliver thee from the strange woman...who forsaketh the guide of her youth...her paths (are) unto the dead...non that go unto her return again...that thou mayest walk in the way of good me...the perfect shall remain in (the land)...but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth… (Verses taken from Proverbs 2:12-22)
Wisdom and the following of it’s ways, is the only safeguard agains the evil man, his temptations and namely - sin. The evil ones travel a path silken and crooked. They amuse themselves by speaking froward (contrary) things and rejoicing in their evil doings. They throw themselves into the arms of the strange woman and find for a time pleasure and delight. But the sure end of such a path is ruin and none that go down unto her return alive.
To walk in the paths of good and of righteousness is to secure a place in the ‘land’ which none can take away so long as a man is perfect.
Proverbs 3:1-8
...forget not my law...long life, and peace shall they add to thee...bind them about thy neck: write them upon the table of thine heart...so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in he sight of God and men. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart...He shalld irect thy paths...fear the LORD and depart from evil…(Verses taken from Proverbs 3:1-8)
In these verses, Solomon paints a beautiful picture of the blessing of wisdom. Peppered with gentle admonitions, there is promised well-being physically, emotionally and spiritually. (vs 2&8, vs 4, vs 3&6) When our minds and lives are fully surrendered to Christ, He permeates every aspect of our lives and fills them with health and blessings.
To fear God is not enough (vs 7). There are those who fear God with their tongue so to speak. They attend church once a week - maybe more. They know and say all the right things but a cherished sin is rooted deep in their hearts. They talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. The recipe for a true conversion is this: fear God and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:9-18
Honor the LORD with thy substance...thy barns (will) be filled with plenty...despise not the chastening of the LORD...for whom the LORD loveth He correcteth...happy is the man that findeth wisdom...for the merchandise of it is better then...fine gold. She is more precious then rubies...length of days is in her right hand...her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace...happy is everyone that retaineth her. (Verses taken from Proverbs 3:9-18)
All that we own is a geneous gift from our Heavenly Father and therefore ALL that we have should be used to honor Him. But he asks only for the firstfuits and specifically 1/10th of our increase. Is this not a small thing He ask? Giving a tithe as we know it, is a symbol, an outward demonstration of what is in our hearts but wif we are truly connected and converted and love the LORD, we will be using our ‘whole substance’ to honor Him.
“Whom the LORD loveth, He correcteth.” God’s punishments don’t really fit our perception of punishment. Instead of bearing down on us with a big stick or sending a plague upon us, He cringes as He allows our mistakes, our rebellion to create it’s natural consequences. He is the waiting with longing heart and open arms for us to confess and ask forgiveness. (1John 1:9)
Proverbs 4:1-9
Hear, ye children the instruction of a Father...for I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law…“Let thine heart retain my works: keep my commandments and live.” Get wisdom, get understanding...forsake her not...she shall preserve thee...love her...she shall keep all things...exalt her...she shall promote thee; she shall bring honor when thou doest embrace her...a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. (Verses taken from Proverbs 4:1-9)
Two thoughts from this choice section: 1. Our parents instruction is forever and wi would be well for us to remember it for our whole life. Verse 10 says: “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings and the years of thy life shall be many.” Sometimes we think that once we reach a certain age or leave home, we’ll be able to ignore and discard all the counsel of our parents. This is not the path of happiness. Trust me.
2. Getting wisdom is life getting a virtuous wife except there is more wisdom readily available then virtuous women. Wisdom will be an ornament to your head, she will promote you, preserve you, bring you to honor, be a crown of glory, keep all things and later on in the chapter it speaks about guiding your steps. But it’s our part to receive, embrace, love, forsake not and exalt her. Sounds like (what I know of) marriage to me!
No comments:
Post a Comment