Over three years ago, I began sifting through the wonderful Proverbs of Solomon here at this blog. I didn’t finish. It wasn’t the first time I’d tried to compile a list of favorite proverbs, I just never got through it. So, I’m rebooting and trying again.
Each week, I’ll highlight one Proverb or passage at a time. I’ll *try* to keep these posts brief and devotional (I know…you don’t believe me…me neither). At least, I will try! After this one…
We’ll start with the favorites list next week. BTW, last time I tried to do this I had this problem…too many “favorites”— so, maybe this isn’t so much a list as it is a walk through the Proverbs? We’ll see how it sorts out as we go.
This week: The Introduction to Proverbs
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles. (Prov 1:1-6, NLT).
Many commentators say that we don’t know who actually wrote this book of the Bible, though most agree that Solomon himself did not put pen to paper and record these Proverbs. We know that God did give Solomon the wisdom to share them with the world, even if he didn’t write them down. It doesn’t really matter who penned (inscribed?) the book, because we know that the LORD is the Author.
The first verses of chapter 1 are the inspiration for this series of blog posts. And while they refer to the Book of Proverbs, these verses also illustrate why we study the Scriptures in the first place:
- Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
- Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
- These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
- Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser
- Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles
So Proverbs, and all of Scripture, can enrich our lives by teaching us what we need to know to become wise, disciplined, and discerning, while increasing in righteousness (doing what is right, just and fair), that we may receive guidance by exploring the meaning in the Word.
Wise or simple, young or old, who can afford to turn down this offer? In this simple introduction, we gain a profound understanding of God’s character. He, who has all the wisdom in Heaven and on Earth, is generous and longs to share it with us. He does this for our good, out of His steadfast love for us.
Image Copyright: nature78 / 123RF Stock Photo AND joerf3 / 123RF Stock Photo
This post was first published in 2013 and has been updated today, just for you!
Tell me what's on your heart: