June 3: Provers 1-3

June 3, Provers 1-3

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings by Solomon. Although he did not write all of them, historically he collected them. This is a challenge to do a study on, as Proverbs are sometimes individual and sometimes collective. That being said, Proverbs is a good source of wisdom. I heard an old saying one time, and I am not sure who to credit for it… “Psalms teaches us how to talk to God and Proverbs teaches us how to deal with man.” I like that. Simple enough, but insightful to the collection of sayings. 

Proverbs 1 We are told in the beginning of Proverbs 1 the purpose of this book:”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. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This is a great start! Wisdom and understanding are closely linked in Proverbs. Wisdom is from God and understanding is from life. God directs both. To fear the Lord is where you start to begin to understand and only a fool doesn't want to be guided.

Solomon advises that when we are younger we listen to our parents and it will go good for them.  Do not listen or envy those that want to bring you into sin. Sinners want you to join in their sin and it will drag you down. Flee from greed, fleshful desires, and any pursuit of evil. They run to evil, Christians are to run from evil and to God. If we repent when convicted by God, He will pour out His Spirit on you and guide you - Obey. Do not ignore the promptings of God, obey Him. If you refuse to listen, it will go bad for you. If you despise God’s teachings and guidance, He will not answer when you do call on Him. Do not wait - repent and come to God now! 

Proverbs 2 Incline your ear to God and call out for insight - God will give you wisdom! Chase after and pursue God with everything in you and you will have understanding from God. Better way to put it: “then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding…” We are to obey and seek God and He will guide you with wisdom, discretion, understanding, and you will be delivered! Also, cling to God and sexual temptations are minimized. Cling to sin, and well - you can guess how that goes. God will delver you from the forbidden woman (any sexual adultery) - so walk in God’s ways with integrity and righteousness. 

Proverbs 3 shows us what true trust is in God and what the benefits are. 

Trust God with everything in you - Don’t trust yourself, Trust God.

Recognize and give God credit  -Do this, and He will show you what to do.

Don’t think you are smarter than you are - But fear God and run from evil.

If you do this - God will heal you.

Give God what is rightfully His (money, time…) - and He will take care of all your needs

Embrace God’s discipline on you - if you love God you will embrace it. God reproves or disciplines those that He loves. Consider yourself blessed when God’s love is shown to you. Remember these things and it will go well for you. Stand firm in God’s truth and he will give you peace. God is to be our confidence and will keep us from getting trapped. Don’t make stupid decisions. 

For those that are devious - That is an abomination to God. Whereas, those that are upright are loved by God. Don't be wicked, but be humble and pursue God.

To sum it all up:

• Hard to sum Proverbs up. But for the sake of trying… Obey and pursue God. Don’t think you have everything under control and trust in Him at your core - and He will guide you and take care of yo.