Read Proverbs 1:1–7
Questions from the Scripture text: Whose proverbs are these (Proverbs 1:1)? What two things is he called? What do they give to be known (Proverbs 1:2a)? To be perceived (verse 2b)? To be received (Proverbs 1:3a)? What three things describe this prudence (NKJ “wisdom”) further (verse 3b)? To whom will these give prudence and knowledge (Proverbs 1:4)? Who will use these proverbs to increase in learning and obtain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5)? Whose proverbs, enigmas, and riddles will be solved this way (Proverbs 1:6)? But from Whom does all knowledge begin, and what is the beginning of obtaining it (Proverbs 1:7a)? Who do what (verse 7b, cf. Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1).
What is the purpose of Proverbs? Proverbs 1:1–7 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Proverbs conforms our minds and lives to Christ’s.
Introduction to the book (Proverbs 1:1). While not every verse of the book is directly from the mouth or pen of Solomon, they are all from the Son of David and King of Israel. Solomon is a type of Christ. And, it is Christ’s own Spirit, Who prophesies through Solomon and the others whose mouths and pens were employed to give us this book. It is a book that teaches us to conform our minds to Christ’s mind so that our lives will be conformed to Christ’s life—all in light of the fact that we are sinners and others are sinners.
What is wisdom (Proverbs 1:2-3). The word ‘wisdom’ in Proverbs 1:2a is further explained by three key words in Proverbs 1:2-3a: training (NKJ “instruction,” Proverbs 1:2a), discernment (NKJ “understanding,” verse 2b), and prudence (NKJ “wisdom,” Proverbs 1:3a). Wisdom is training; it builds life/character skills. Wisdom is discernment: detecting good from bad, better from good, and best from better. Wisdom is prudence, which is further explained by the three words, “justice, judgment, equity”: living rightly, fairly, and with integrity, in relationship to others.
Who needs wisdom (Proverbs 1:4-5). The short answer is “everybody.” Both the simple/young (Proverbs 1:4) and the wise/understanding (Proverbs 1:5) need it. The wise we get, the more we will hear God’s word—the more we will attend to it that we might increase learning. The wiser we are, the more we realize how little our wisdom really is thus far. The more understanding we have, the more we will value wise counsel: we will increasingly spend our time, effort, mental bandwidth, resources, etc., to obtain it.
From whom wisdom comes (Proverbs 1:6-7). Even the world admires wise men with their enigmas and riddles, seeking to advance their own property, pleasure, praise, or power by it. But whatever is truly wise from ancient near eastern, Greek, or Chinese philosophy, or any source, is truly wise only because it conforms to the mind of the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Ultimately, without fearing Him, there is no true knowledge at all.
Wisdom and knowledge are not just intellectual abstractions or the mechanics of how the world works. They are a receiving of YHWH Himself as Lord and God. And, His having ultimately revealed Himself in Christ, they are a receiving of Jesus Himself as Lord and God. Wisdom comes not just by mastering the content of Scripture but by the Spirit mastering us ourselves, by use of that content. The fool, who says in his heart that there is no God, does not attain to true wisdom or training, regardless of how much content he assimilates.
How do you relate the book of Christ to Proverbs in your mind and heart as you read it? What are some circumstances in which you are learning to make choices between better and best? What is an area in which you have been working on treating others better? What do you spend to acquire wisdom? In what parts of your life are you most susceptible to being forgetful of God?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us Your own Son, Who is the Wisdom of God, to be our wisdom. Grant that, by Your Spirit’s applying Your Word to us, our minds would be conformed to Christ’s mind, and our lives would be conformed to His, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP111B “The Mighty Power of His Works” or TPH226 “O the Deep, Unbounded Riches”
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