PONDERING the PRINCIPLES of PROVERBS
After being told who wrote the Proverbs, we are given the reasons why they were written:
To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
(Proverbs 1:2-6)
To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
(Proverbs 1:2-6)
This is a lengthy list of benefits associated with knowing what is written in this book. Knowing the contents within this book will enable one to act with wisdom in all one's dealings in this life. Even to the one who seems to lack what we ordinarily call common sense, there is a benefit from the Proverbs.
We will discover as we go along, however, that there are two classes of people mentioned in this book—the wise and the foolish. And here, right in the beginning, is an allusion to this.
The writer says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning.” The implication is that only wise people know their need for wisdom.
Have you not seen that in your years here on this planet? There are some people who fulfill the definition of insanity—doing the same thing over and over again hoping for different results. They seem to have no desire to learn or increase in understanding. Something that they try doesn't work, and they tend to blame everything but their own lack of understanding.
But there are others who seem to never stop learning. They are always trying something new, trying to learn a new technique or strategy or skill. They know that there is nothing in their life which cannot be improved.
That is one of the main benefits I hope to assist you with in this series—the desire to never stop learning. Those who stop learning are destined to stay right where they are, never recognizing an opportunity to change their lot in life. May that not be so for you.
Here is a challenge for you. This is something that I have done more than once in my life, and it always produces a measurable benefit.
Read a chapter of Proverbs everyday for a year. Simply follow the calendar and read the corresponding chapter for that day—ie, on the fifth of the month read chapter 5, the next day chapter 6, and so on. With months that have less than 31 days, read to the end of Proverbs on that last day. Do it for year. You will read through the Proverbs 12 times and gain something for sure.
What about you? Is there a proverb—biblical or not-- that you live by? Share it with us in the comments section below. Thanks.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to opt out of receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
- know wisdom
- know instruction
- understand words of insight
- wise dealing
- righteousness
- justice
- equity
- wisdom for the simple
- knowledge
- discretion
We will discover as we go along, however, that there are two classes of people mentioned in this book—the wise and the foolish. And here, right in the beginning, is an allusion to this.
The writer says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning.” The implication is that only wise people know their need for wisdom.
Have you not seen that in your years here on this planet? There are some people who fulfill the definition of insanity—doing the same thing over and over again hoping for different results. They seem to have no desire to learn or increase in understanding. Something that they try doesn't work, and they tend to blame everything but their own lack of understanding.
But there are others who seem to never stop learning. They are always trying something new, trying to learn a new technique or strategy or skill. They know that there is nothing in their life which cannot be improved.
That is one of the main benefits I hope to assist you with in this series—the desire to never stop learning. Those who stop learning are destined to stay right where they are, never recognizing an opportunity to change their lot in life. May that not be so for you.
Here is a challenge for you. This is something that I have done more than once in my life, and it always produces a measurable benefit.
Read a chapter of Proverbs everyday for a year. Simply follow the calendar and read the corresponding chapter for that day—ie, on the fifth of the month read chapter 5, the next day chapter 6, and so on. With months that have less than 31 days, read to the end of Proverbs on that last day. Do it for year. You will read through the Proverbs 12 times and gain something for sure.
What about you? Is there a proverb—biblical or not-- that you live by? Share it with us in the comments section below. Thanks.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to opt out of receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
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