THE FEAR OF THE LORD GOD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

Proclamation:

“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.  The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of The Holy One is understanding.  For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.  If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”  Proverbs 9:9-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

This proverb, like all but the last two of the proverbs, was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This ninth proverb is also all about wisdom.  Solomon begins by saying that wisdom has built her house, prepared the meal, and invited the guest to join her. (Proverbs 9:1-6)  Teaching those who are wise will make them wiser.  Having wisdom, and applying it, can lengthen one’s life.  Having respect for The Lord God is the beginning of wisdom.  Wisdom is a gift from The Lord. (Proverbs 2:6)  He who has wisdom has something that is much more valuable that silver or gold. (Proverbs 8:10-11)

Application:

If you offer The Word of God to some people, they will hate you for it. (Proverbs 9:7-8)  Those who will not receive The Word of God are to be left alone. (Luke 9:5)  Shake the dust off of your shoes and keep on going.  Our job is to tell them and offer it to them, not to force them to accept it or believe it.  It is the job of The Holy Spirit of God to convict, convince, and convert them as He sees fit to do. 

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP HIS WAYS

Proclamation:

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.  Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.  Blessed are those who listen to me … For those who find me find life and receive favor from The Lord.”  Proverbs 8:32-35 (NIV)

Explanation:

This proverb, like all but two of the proverbs, was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This eighth proverb was written from the perspective of wisdom speaking as a person.  Wisdom calls out to mankind to hear her words. (Proverbs 8:1-6)  The words of wisdom are trustworthy, true, just, and right. (Proverbs 8:6-9)  The words of wisdom are worth more than silver, or gold, or precious rubies. (Proverbs 8:10-11)  With wisdom comes prudence, knowledge, and discretion, in addition to good advice, sound judgment, and insight. (Proverbs 8:12-14)  Those who seek wisdom will find her and those who love her will be blessed. (Proverbs 8:17-21)  Harken to the words of wisdom and be blessed, (Proverbs 8:32-35) those who don’t, won’t be. (Proverbs 8:36)

Application:

The Word of God calls out to us to read it, to hear it, to study it, and to seek to understand it and gain wisdom.  We will be blessed if we not only hear The Word of God but become doers of The Word. (Proverbs 8:32, Romans 2:13, and James 1:22)  Believing and having faith and having knowledge of The Lord God without doing anything with it is useless. (James 2:18 and 2:26)

IN ALL YOUR WAYS SUBMIT TO THE LORD

Proclamation:

“Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear The Lord and shun evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

This proverb, like all of the other proverbs, was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to provide instruction and guidance to the people of God.  This third proverb also addresses wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  He begins by saying do not forget what he has taught them. (Proverbs 3:1-4)  The he adds, do not despise The Lord’s discipline because He disciplines those that He loves. (Proverbs 3:11-12)  Blessed are those who get wisdom and gain understanding for wisdom is more valuable that silver and gold. (Proverbs 3:13-15)  With wisdom comes long life, prosperity, and peace. (Proverbs 3:16-18)  Solomon continues with a discussion of the importance and the value of wisdom. (Proverbs 3:19-26)  Then he discusses sharing with those in need, and advises against doing harm to your neighbors. (Proverbs 3:27-30)  He ends by saying do not envy or imitate the evil wicked people, The Lord will deal with them. (Proverbs 3:31-35)  

Application:

It is the responsibility of every believer to learn, remember, and live by The Word of God.  We are to seek Him and live by His ways, and not our own.  The knowledge of His Holy Word is more valuable to us than wealth.  Those who are blessed to get wisdom and understanding by seeking Him first will also be blessed with all of the other things. (Matthew 6:33)

WISDOM KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ARE GIFTS FROM THE LORD GOD

Proclamation:

“For The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.”  Proverbs 2:6-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

This proverb, like all of the proverbs, was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to provide instruction and guidance to the people of God.  This second proverb also addresses wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  It begins by encouraging the People of God to accept The Word of God and to keep His commandments on their mind and in their heart. (Proverb 2:1)  Those who listen to The Word of God and apply it, will receive the insight and understanding they seek. (Proverbs 2:2-5)  Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are all gifts for God. (Proverbs 2:6)   He also determines who He will allow to succeed and who He will protect. (Proverbs 2:7-8)  He allows us to understand that which is right and just.  With wisdom in our heart, knowledge will be pleasant to our soul, and discretion will protect us. (Proverbs 2:9-11)  They will keep us from the ways of the wicked who delight in doing wrong (Proverbs 2:12-15) and from the adulterous woman whose ways lead to death. (Proverbs 2:16-19)  Only those who walk in the ways of the good, who keep on the path of the righteous, and who are upright and blameless will live. (Proverbs 2:20-22)

Application:

Those of us who earnestly seek heavenly wisdom will find it. (Matthew 7:7-8)  Wisdom is a gift from The Lord God. (Proverbs 2:6)  All we can do is pray and ask for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in addition to discretion and discernment.  We should also pray for His guidance and direction so that we choose the right path and the right way. (Psalm 31:3, Psalm 112:5, and Luke 1:79)