We begin a series on the book of Proverbs with Proverbs One
– WISDOM LEADS YOU TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND AWAY FROM EVIL
V 1-4.
Seven fruits of wisdom:
- Understanding (comprehension)
- Justice (righteousness – doing what is right)
- Judgement (making wise decisions)
- Equity (integrity, being fair or impartial)
- Prudence (being cautious when making decisions)
- Knowledge (enlightenment, revelation)
- Discretion (tactfulness, intelligent discernment)
V 5-6
The purpose of reading Proverbs:
“Let the wise listen to these proverbs. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles (NLT).”
V 5a
A wise person continues to learn and becomes wiser.
See Proverbs 2:1-7; 3:13-14, 21-22; 4:5-8; 5:1-2; 8:12-21, 32-35; 9:8-9; 11:14; 13:10; 14:6, 33; 15:14; 16:16; 17:24; 18:15; 19:8; 22:17; 23:19, 23; Jeremiah 29:11-13; and James 1:5.
V 5b
A wise person seeks the wisdom and counsel of others.
See Proverbs 1:8-9; 5:1-2; 9:8-9; 10:8, 14; 11:14; 12:1, 15; 13:18, 20; 15:22; 17:10; 18:4; 19:20; 20:5, 18; 22:17-18; 23:12; 24:6; 25:12; 27:5, 9; 28:23; 29:1.
V 6
Increase in wisdom by continuing to read Proverbs.
Make it a daily routine and a way of life. As you increase in wisdom, the fruits of wisdom described in verses 2-4 will be manifested more and more in your life, and not only you will be blessed, but you will also become a channel of blessings as you impart that wisdom to others.
V 7
Above all, honor and reverence God for who He is.
See Proverbs 1:29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 24:21; 29:25.
Worship Him, and spend time in intimate communion with Him. Spend time studying His Word. As you do this, His wisdom is imparted to you. I encourage you to seek Him as you start the day. Like David shares in Psalms 63:1, “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” As you honor and reverence God, He will give you fresh revelation in the knowledge of Him.
V 8-9
Gladly receive wisdom and counsel from your parents; it will be a blessing to you.
See Psalms 34:11; Proverbs 2:1-6; 3:21-23; 4:1-4, 7, 10-11, 20-22; 5:1-2, 7; 6:20-23; 10:1; 13:1; 15:5, 20; 23:22-25; 27:11; 29:3; and Ephesians 6:1-3.
V 10-14
The wicked will try to lure you into wrongdoing through their evil schemes, trying to get you to go along with the crowd. “Don’t be a square; everybody does it,” they will say.
See Proverbs 12:6, 26; 16:29. Do not fall into their trap!
V 15-19
Stay away from the wicked; they only seek to do evil deeds.
See Psalms 1:1; 34:14; 37:1 and Proverbs 3:7; 4:14-16; 8:13; 11:19; 13:6; 14:16; 16:6, 17, 27; 22:3, 5; 23:17-18; 24:1-2, 19-20; 27:12.
V 20-21
Wisdom is available to anyone who seeks it.
See references for verse 5a.
V 22
God pleads even with fools to receive His wisdom.
See Proverbs 9:1-6.
V 23a
Listen and respond to God’s correction.
See Deuteronomy 8:5 and Proverbs 3:11; 6:23; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5, 10.
V 23b
Surrender totally to Him and He will fill you to overflowing.
See Isaiah 59:21; Ezekiel 36:27; Joel 2:28; Luke 24:49; John 16:12-14; and Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 17.
V 24-25, 30
Fools have repeatedly rejected God’s call and correction.
See Proverbs 15:10; Isaiah 65:12; 66:4 and Jeremiah 7:13.
V 26-28
Consequently, when their whole world falls apart, they will be groping in the dark.
V 29
Fools have rejected God’s wisdom and do not honor Him.
See Proverbs 1:7; 9:8; 14:7; 16:22; 17:7, 16, 24; 18:1-2; 23:9; 24:7; 26:1; 27:22; Ecclesiastes 2:14; and Matthew 7:6.
V 31-32
Therefore, since they rejected God and His wisdom, they will suffer the consequences; their rebellion and complacency will lead them to destruction.
See Proverbs 10:24-25.
V 33
Those who rely on God’s wisdom will live securely and in peace.
See Psalms 15:1-5; 37:35-37; 55:22; 91:1-16; Proverbs 2:7, 21; 3:23-26; 4:5-6; 10:9, 25; 11:21; 12:3, 7; 14:26-27; 18:10; 19:23; 28:18; 29:25; and Matthew 7:24-27.
Prayer
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God and a great King.
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Father, I thank You for Your wisdom revealed in Proverbs.
I pray that Your wisdom be manifested more and more in my life as I continue to study Proverbs. Make the fruits of that wisdom increase in my life to help me gain a greater understanding of who You are.
Father, help me to be receptive to wise counseling from others;
Help me to walk in righteousness and make wise decisions;
Help me to stand firmly and maintain my integrity;
Help me to exercise prudence and discretion in all I say or do.
Continue to give me fresh revelation from Your Word, and give me the discernment to know what is right, and to recognize evil and be able to stay away from it.
Use me to be a blessing to those around me. I commit my ways unto You. Use me to Your glory.
In the Name that is above every name, Jesus,
Amen.
#SaltLightGlobal.com
About the Author
