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  • Proverbs 4:1-9 – Seek Wisdom

    Proverbs 4:1-9 – Seek Wisdom

     1 My children, listen to your father’s teaching;
    pay attention so you will understand.
    2 What I am telling you is good,
    so do not forget what I teach you.
    3 When I was a young boy in my father’s house
    and like an only child to my mother,
    4 my father taught me and said,
    “Hold on to my words with all your heart.
    Keep my commands and you will live.
    5 Get wisdom and understanding.
    Don’t forget or ignore my words.
    6 Hold on to wisdom, and it will take care of you.
    Love it, and it will keep you safe.
    7 Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom.
    If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
    8 Treasure wisdom, and it will make you great;
    hold on to it, and it will bring you honor.
    9 It will be like flowers in your hair
    and like a beautiful crown on your head.”     – Proverbs 4:1-9 NCV

    The modern versions of this passage seem to dance around the fact that verse 2 is talking about the Torah. The King James says 2For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

    Solomon’s advice to seek wisdom, specifically God’s law, is passed down from his father and he considers it his family responsibility. What if more families remembered this and taught their children the thing that will take care of them, honor them and make them great?

    Those of us in the New Testament age have been given the wisdom we are to seek and pass on. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 1:30 for details!

  • Proverbs 2:9-11 – Rewards of Wisdom

    Proverbs 2:9-11 – Rewards of Wisdom

     9 Then you will understand what is honest and fair 
           and what is the good and right thing to do. 
     10 Wisdom will come into your mind, 
           and knowledge will be pleasing to you.
     11 Good sense will protect you; 
           understanding will guard you.

    Proverbs 2 lists five fruits of wisdom. This second paragraph is about the many precious rewards wisdom provides.

    Read about the first fruit, Finding God, here.

    Read about the third fruit, Delivered from Evil, here

    How do we reap the benefits of understanding God’s plan for us? We take the knowledge from our head and insert it into our heart by living it and allowing it to have dominion over us.

    How can we earn these benefits? Study! 2 Tim 2:15 KJV

  • Proverbs 1:10-19 – Refuse to Follow Evil

    Proverbs 1:10-19 – Refuse to Follow Evil

    10 My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin,
    do not follow them.
    11 They will say, “Come with us. …

    17 It is useless to spread out a net
    right where the birds can see it.
    18 But sinners will fall into their own traps;
    they will only catch themselves!
    19 All greedy people end up this way;
    greed kills selfish people. – Proverbs 1:10-11a, 17-19 NCV

    Contrast the birds’ ability to avoid an obvious trap with someone that enters willingly into sinful adventures – The easy score … The fast buck … “One upping” someone…

    History is littered with the failure of those who thought they could avoid falling into their own trap. For the ultimate example of avoiding temptation, read about Jesus in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11.

  • Proverbs 27:5 – Needed Guidance

    Proverbs 27:5 – Needed Guidance

    5 It is better to correct someone openly
    than to have love and not show it.      – Proverbs 27:5 NCV

    Can you think of anyone that enjoys being corrected?

    Maybe shedding light on how useless is a “love” that will not speak up when we need guidance will help. Here, that kind of love is said to be inferior to open rebuke. As a follower, student, friend, child, or employee of another we should appreciate that correction is part of growing and maturing.

    Reference the disciples/apostles’ growth throughout the New Testament.

  • Proverbs 24:17-18 – Love Your Enemies

    Proverbs 24:17-18 – Love Your Enemies

    17 Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
    don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
    18 The Lord will notice and be displeased.
    He may not be angry with them anymore.     – Proverbs 23 NCV

    This Proverb doesn’t allow the wicked and sinners a free pass if His followers celebrate their failures, but it is a clear warning to stay composed. The short comings of His people are more of a concern to Him than the actions of the lost.

    Jesus said to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44) What better way to win over those that are against God than to display His Qualities in all situations.

  • Proverbs 23:17-18 – Heaven

    Proverbs 23:17-18 – Heaven

    17 Don’t envy sinners,
    but always respect the Lord.
    18 Then you will have hope for the future,
    and your wishes will come true.     –  Proverbs 23:17-18 NCV

    The NCV does not have the correct gist of what this verse is about:

    17 Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long:

     18 For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off. – Proverbs 23:17-18 ASV

    Christians have the promise of heaven. Jesus said in John 14:2
    “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” We have no need to accumulate riches while we labor in this earthly life, but this life is the best that sinners can hope for.