Sunday Bible Study - Proverbs Chapter 1

 

Welcome everyone!  I’m so glad you stopped by for the first post in my new series “Sunday Bible Study.”  If you don’t have a Bible or don’t have one handy and would like to read along, look for the Bible Study Tools on the sidebar. 

 

I wanted to start the study with the book of Proverbs.  It is clearly written to show the reader how to live disciplined and successful lives, to know right from wrong and to treat others fairly and justly.  The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for “proverbs” is comparison and we see many verses used that way. 

 

¹The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

 

The book of Proverbs was mostly written by Solomon in the middle of the tenth century BC. As we get deeper in the book, it is clear that there were other wise men that helped.

 

²To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

³To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

⁴To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

⁵A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

⁶To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.'

 

Wisdom is the key work of the book and basically means “skill in living.” Whereas instruction is not referring to classroom instruction but more like knowing the difference between right and wrong. In verse 4, “To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” In other words, a wise man will have the ability to seize opportunities for good and use it as an to increase his own learning and the “simple” is someone who is easily led astray. The last verse is kind of sums it all up, even a wise and Godly man does not know everything!  He still continues to learn.  We must all remember this!  We can learn a lot from each other.  This Bible study is a perfect example.  I am writing from my point of view but can and will learn more from others who comment with their point of view!  An unwise man thinks he knows it all!

 

⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

There are a lot of views on God in today’s world.  Some people say God is Love and would never allow anything bad to happen.  Others say that He is a vengeful God.  Verse 7 has helped me with these views because there is truth to both.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge….”  Fear…well I do fear God but I also love Him as well but how do you explain this?  Yes, a parent is loved and feared at the same time.  When a child has done wrong there is fear present as to what punishment the parent will give. To me, the fear of God is more.  The Bible tells us of how God has punished His people severely for their disobedience.  I don’t think a Christian earthly father would dish out this kind of punishment. 

 

So, how has this verse helped me?  Well, it’s probably more of the footnotes in my Bible that helped.  It made a comparison between the fear of God and the fear of electricity. 

 

 

Yes, we all have electricity.  We love electricity because it helps cool off our homes in the heat of the summer, allows us entertainment though radios, dvd players, and televisions, and so on.  It’s almost impossible to live without.  On the hand, electricity will ELECTROCUTE you!!!  You know not to leave electrical cords around water.  It causes FIRES!  You know not to use an appliance that has faulty wires!  So it is to be respected, used wisely, and FEARED.

 

Do you see how this comparison has helped me?  I love the Lord, respect Him and try to live my life according to His word but I also fear His response if I don’t!

 

Please understand that I am NOT saying that God allows horrible things to us specifically as punishment.  I feel that He does punish us in ways but not in some horrible way like the death of a child or spouse.

 

Once we accept that God is to be feared, to be reverenced, served, and worshipped, this will mark the beginning of knowledge!  We will see  and understand things differently.  Things that were once cloudy, are now clear! 

 

“…But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Yes, I was once one of these “fools”, one who did not believe in God.  I did not want to listen!  I was actually scared to listen.   Maybe I should rephrase this, I have always believed that there was a God but had not accepted him as my Savior!  So, at one point I was scared to hear the words of God!  But NO MORE! I serve an awesome GOD and I hope, no, I pray! that this post blesses you and helps to deepen your relationship with God!

 

I think we’ll pick on on verse 8 next week.  I don’t want to get to rambling to where people lose interest!! I want everyone to contribute with your thoughts and views on these verses!

 

Have a blessed week,

Tammy

 

Sources:

My personal King James Study Bible and personal notes

King James Bible Online

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Matthew Henry Commentary