Oh, the totality of the WORD! Proverbs teaches wisdom. The purpose laid out in verses 2-7 of Proverbs 1 is really a purpose/theme for the entire WORD.
The Proverbs, given to us so that we may:
1. Attain wisdom - "masterful understanding, skill, or expertise". When one possesses wisdom it enables him to cope with difficulty.
2. Attain discipline - Becoming a disciple. Listening to instruction, accepting it, loving it, and refusing to let go of it.
3. Understand words of insight - The ability to discern and interpret.
4. Acquire a prudent life - A life of wise behavior, being able to make honorable decisions in every situation.
5. Do what is right - Having a "righteous" pattern of life.
Through the Proverbs:
6. The simple are given prudence - The "gullible" (that's me!) are given wisdom and the ability to make sound judgment.
7. The young are given knowledge and discretion - This protects them from temptations.
8. The wise are given more wisdom on top of what they already have - A wise person is "teachable, seeking the knowledge needed by the "simple" and storing it up. The wise listen to instruction and counsel, accept commands and even love reproof. A wise person walks with the wise and is continuously increasing in wisdom." (Reformation Study Bible notes 1:5)
9. The discerning are given more guidance - The "insightful" are given the ability to distinguish between good and bad.
What an amazing book I have in front of me! We are to let the WORD dwell in us (Colossians 3:16), listening to it and doing what it says (James 1:22). For it is "living and active", it "penetrates" and "judges" (Hebrews 4:12). The WORD always has been and always will be (John 1:1). It will NEVER pass away (Matthew 24:35)!!!
Praise you, LORD, for your WORD! Thank you that is is so perfect and able to change our lives. Help us not to neglect it, but to hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). Amen.
Proverbs 31 ~ Mrs. Far Above Rubies
She is a good woman (vv. 13, 15, 16, 19, 25)
She is a good wife (vv. 11, 12, 23, 24)
She is a good mother (vv. 14, 15, 18, 21, 27)
She is a good neighbor (vv. 20, 26)
Her value – “She is worth far more than rubies.” (v. 10)
Her praise – “Her children arise and call her blessed.” (v. 28)
Her pre-eminence – “But you surpass them all.” (v. 29)
Her secret – “A woman who fears the Lord.” (v. 30)
Let’s talk about fearing God. In his book, The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges says that “The fear of God is the soul of godliness. That is, the fear of God is the animating and invigorating principle of a godly life. It is the wellspring of all godly desires and aspirations. Do you desire to be a godly person? Then you must understand and grow in the fear of God."
He goes on to define the true fear of God as, “that indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.”
I believe that the best advice I can give young women (or anyone else for that matter) when they share with me their concern about their parenting or other relationships, is that their main focus should be on who God is and what He has done for us. As we do that, God will transform us into Christ’s image from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18). HE will make us good women, good wives, good mothers, and good neighbors as we focus on who He is and what He has done for us through His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lord, open my eyes to see the glory of God in the face of Christ that I might be transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
She is a good wife (vv. 11, 12, 23, 24)
She is a good mother (vv. 14, 15, 18, 21, 27)
She is a good neighbor (vv. 20, 26)
Her value – “She is worth far more than rubies.” (v. 10)
Her praise – “Her children arise and call her blessed.” (v. 28)
Her pre-eminence – “But you surpass them all.” (v. 29)
Her secret – “A woman who fears the Lord.” (v. 30)
Let’s talk about fearing God. In his book, The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges says that “The fear of God is the soul of godliness. That is, the fear of God is the animating and invigorating principle of a godly life. It is the wellspring of all godly desires and aspirations. Do you desire to be a godly person? Then you must understand and grow in the fear of God."
He goes on to define the true fear of God as, “that indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.”
I believe that the best advice I can give young women (or anyone else for that matter) when they share with me their concern about their parenting or other relationships, is that their main focus should be on who God is and what He has done for us. As we do that, God will transform us into Christ’s image from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18). HE will make us good women, good wives, good mothers, and good neighbors as we focus on who He is and what He has done for us through His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lord, open my eyes to see the glory of God in the face of Christ that I might be transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Proverbs 30 ~ A Prayer
Proverbs 30:7-9
"Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say 'Who is the Lord?' Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of God."
I love this simple two-fold prayer, or request, that the writer of this Proverb makes to God. It is so thorough and insightful. He asks first that the Lord keep deception and lies far from him. Have you ever experienced the quagmire created by lies and deception? Trying to navigate such terrain is exhausting. What wisdom to seek God's protection from these things, and to avoid people and situations where falsehood and deception are the status quo.
Next, the author beseeches the heavenly Father to protect him from the misery of poverty, but also from the snares of riches. This perspective is enlightening. Often, I know I ask to be protected from poverty, but I don't often ask to be protected from too many material blessings!! Yet, isn't it often our blessings (wealth, personal success, etc.) that make us feel self -sufficient and distract us from what should be our first love - Jesus Christ? After studying Lazarus and the Rich Man last night (Luke 16: 19-31), I have even more appreciation for the insight of this prayer.
Lord, please do give me what you deem to be my portion, and let me be fully content with that!
"Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say 'Who is the Lord?' Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of God."
I love this simple two-fold prayer, or request, that the writer of this Proverb makes to God. It is so thorough and insightful. He asks first that the Lord keep deception and lies far from him. Have you ever experienced the quagmire created by lies and deception? Trying to navigate such terrain is exhausting. What wisdom to seek God's protection from these things, and to avoid people and situations where falsehood and deception are the status quo.
Next, the author beseeches the heavenly Father to protect him from the misery of poverty, but also from the snares of riches. This perspective is enlightening. Often, I know I ask to be protected from poverty, but I don't often ask to be protected from too many material blessings!! Yet, isn't it often our blessings (wealth, personal success, etc.) that make us feel self -sufficient and distract us from what should be our first love - Jesus Christ? After studying Lazarus and the Rich Man last night (Luke 16: 19-31), I have even more appreciation for the insight of this prayer.
Lord, please do give me what you deem to be my portion, and let me be fully content with that!
Proverbs 6 ~ Lazy Bones
Proverbs 6:10-11
"'A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest' - Your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man."
That's a pretty stern warning. I know in my own life, laziness crops up in some unusual places. I can sometimes get discouraged or intimidated by various situations. It could be as simple as the prospect of cleaning a messy house or as complex as trying to mend a messy relationship. Often, I find myself wanting to crawl in the bed and pull the covers up over my head, rather than face the issue head-on. I end up using more energy avoiding the undesirable task than I would have used if I had fully applied myself to it for any length of time.
I believe the writer of this Proverb knew what a dangerous trap sloth actually is. Sloth, once it has become a habit, is exceedingly hard to overcome. It can lead to poverty, to depression, and all sorts of other ills. I actually have a family member sitting in jail right now. The primary contributing factor? sloth. That is an extreme example, of course, but his situation has reminded me to be ever diligent in fighting the temptation to be lazy about things.
Lord, please help me to trust that You will help me face the trials of everyday life. Help me to fully apply myself to all carrying out all my responsibilities and then trust You with the result.
"'A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest' - Your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man."
That's a pretty stern warning. I know in my own life, laziness crops up in some unusual places. I can sometimes get discouraged or intimidated by various situations. It could be as simple as the prospect of cleaning a messy house or as complex as trying to mend a messy relationship. Often, I find myself wanting to crawl in the bed and pull the covers up over my head, rather than face the issue head-on. I end up using more energy avoiding the undesirable task than I would have used if I had fully applied myself to it for any length of time.
I believe the writer of this Proverb knew what a dangerous trap sloth actually is. Sloth, once it has become a habit, is exceedingly hard to overcome. It can lead to poverty, to depression, and all sorts of other ills. I actually have a family member sitting in jail right now. The primary contributing factor? sloth. That is an extreme example, of course, but his situation has reminded me to be ever diligent in fighting the temptation to be lazy about things.
Lord, please help me to trust that You will help me face the trials of everyday life. Help me to fully apply myself to all carrying out all my responsibilities and then trust You with the result.
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