Sunday, October 19, 2008

Probing the Proverbs.........Introduction

This is the first part of a series I want to do on the Proverbs, a book that has totally changed my way of thinking, my approach to life and has given me great insight into making godly decisions.

These are thoughts and revelations from God as I read the book of Proverbs. I hope they will bless and challenge you to bring your thinking in line with God's word. I have found that using God's formula has lead to better quality of life for me and my family.

Proverbs have been placed by God as sayings that we can relate to in the natural to reveal a spiritual truth. Because they are obscurely expressed we need the Holy Spirit to give us deeper insight into the true revealed meaning. A first glance at a proverb or a parable seldom gives the real meaning.

They have been written that people may receive skilful and Godly wisdom, discernment, understand, insight, and the discipline of wise-thinking instruction in wise dealings. Proverbs 1:2

The **simple person** will learn prudence, good management of his life, so he doesn't operate in extremes, but have some balance. Proverbs 1:4

To those who are already wise, the wisdom of God causes them to increase in learning.
The one with understanding will acquire skill and listen to good and sound counsel so he will know the right way to go. Proverbs 1:5


**The Hebrew word for simple, generally denotes one without moral direction and inclined to evil.** (Note from TNIV)
Proverbs 1:22 How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?


There are many categories of subjects revealed in the Proverbs......personal relationships, business relationships, marriage, emotional issues, as well as many treasures of wisdom(the principle thing). We also find all kinds of people in the proverbs.....the wise, the lazy (sluggard), the fool, the strange woman, the proud....if we look long enough and hard enough we could all probably find ourselves somewhere in there.

Proverbs can truthfully be called the Wisdom Book. I believe the key verse (just my belief :) is 1:7"the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom(true knowledge)"

The fear of the Lord is the foremost (essential) key that opens the door to skilful and Godly wisdom. Wisdom is not a trophy placed somewhere with a certain race to run or a set of goals to reach. Having wisdom is having Christ. Paul says in 1Cor. 1:24, “Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God.”
Wisdom without Jesus is mere knowledge. To embrace Jesus is to embrace the wisdom of God. God has placed everything we need in Jesus. He is our wisdom, our understanding, our instruction. (He is the Life, the Truth and the Way. John 14:6)

Some final thoughts for this introduction

Benefits of finding the wisdom of God

For those who find the wisdom needed to follow God, HE has victory in store for you. He is a shield. He guards and protects you on your way, your path, your course. (Proverbs 2:7,8)

Wisdom protects and saves you from the trap of sexual immorality.(2:16)

It leads you to desire the company of good and upright people, and cause you to dis-associate yourself from those who practice evil. (1:10)

Wisdom is a sure and direct path to receiving God’s promised blessings.If we heed God's call, follow his instruction......then, He promises, "I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 1:23


My soul's desire is to serve the Lord in spirit and in truth. I am tired of half-heartedly serving God. I am tired of going ahead with my life and then asking God to follow along. I am tired of making decisions and then asking God to bless them. The Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding(2:6) I want God to take me in His confidence (3:32). I simply want my life, my ways, my thoughts, my decisions, all that I do to reflect Christ.


Thank You Jesus for hearing the cry of our hearts. Thank you for revealing Yourself through Your Word. You promised that if we seek You, we would find You. Thank you for letting yourself be found. Change us by the power in Your word that we would reflect You and only You, in Jesus name. Amen


Blessings,
Vickie

4 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

I can't wait to follow along and learn from you! Thank you for doing this now.

Sharon said...

He will give us all wisdom we can consume, his Love is overflowing. And is word never comes back void. And I'm so looking forward to reading more of your writings too.

Have a blessed week
Sharon

Tracy said...

This is great! I'm glad that you are doing this - Proverbs is probably my very favorite book of the Bible. There is so much to learn about life and right living in all aspects. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insights!

I have two new blessings for you over at my blog! Come by when you can and check them out!

Yolanda said...

I pray, daily Vickie, that God would keep me moldable so that I would follow after Him as David did.

Teachable...and Proverbs along with the entire word of God, is His teaching to us. Praise Him for the insight and foresight to give this wisdom into our hands.

Love,
Yolanda