PROVERBS SERIES: Proverbs 1

I was in church today, (10/18/08), and i decided to start a Blogg Series on one of my Favorite books in the bible. PROVERBS. i'll try to write at least one a day, but i may forget so since i'm sure only a few people read my blogg, i won't be disappointing people. Because today is the 18th, i wanted to write something from Proverbs 18, but then i decided that since i'm not the best at writing on my blogg everyday i should just start from the Beginning:

Before i choose a text and expound on it, lets look at a Brieg history of this book.

Proverbs was written btw 1000 and 700 BC by the Israelite King Solomon (majority) and some other Kings in the Region. This book focuses on the beauty and the value that is found in gaining wisdom with an emphasis on God's virtues and commands that were given to us as christians to follow. Solomon is recorded as being the Richest, and the Wisest Person that ever lived. During his Reign in Israel, Solomon build the Temple which King David (his father) so wanted so longingly to build. Solomon's reign was a period of Peace and Harmony and of progress of the Israelite Nation.

*Note, I'm no teacher or theologian, I just love reading the word, and i hope that you will comment and let me know what you think. I'm open to thoughts and would love to hear what you have to say.*

Proverbs 1:

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Warning Against Enticement

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
11 If they say, Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;
12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse—
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on theirpaths;
16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shedblood.
17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22 How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate
knowledge?
23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called and no-one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble
overwhelm you.
28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.


As soon as i read these texts, I am in awe of the sound advice that Solomon is saying. However, the text that stands out to me is verse 7. This i because sooo Many people think that good Grades, a great job, or position is what's really important. People steal, lie, cheat, kill,... do all crazy stuff to be more Knowledgeable or Seem like they have it ALL IN-THE-BAG. *shrugg* maybe its just me, but i swear people love tooting thier own horns and try to throw thier Degree's in people's faces. Or if not education, then Money!

Why is that? What is the real importance of Money or education or Position?

Here, Solomon, the wealthiest person that ever lived, reminds us that, Position, Money, Fame, what-eva it may be is not as important as Gaining WISDOM from the Lord. This is the KEY to finding fulfillment on Earth. Following God's Principles and walking day by day is the way to live a harmonious and sound life.

The other day, i saw one of Oprah's Book Club selections, "A New Earth". The book tries to be prophetic and full of wisdom. Yet, it lacks in one major thing. IT FOCUSED ON SELF ACTUALIZATION. The main purpose, and the trend for the NEW AGE ERA in general, is to prove that SELF has all the answers and we are naturally good people. We must listen to our INNER-BEING for guidance.

How wrong! The Bible tells us the TRUE wisdom and TRUE understanding comes from the Lord. Period. It's important to understand this point. As we dive deeper into Proverbs, i hope you will understand that God holds the beginning and end of all knowledge. This is an awesome trait for a Supernatural Being to have. Especially since God invites us to Tabernacle with him. He wants to give this to us in abundance. All we have to do is ask. Matthew 7:7