Proverbs 1:1-7
Today we get the preface to Proverbs. In the first verse we see that King Solomon is the primary author, though we learn later that there are other contributors to this book. We then learn that the purpose and goal of this book is to convey wisdom in its various forms: instruction, understanding, insight, knowledge, prudence, discretion, learning, guidance. But wisdom is not just a goal unto itself; it is directed toward righteousness, justice, and equity. (Pr. 1:3)
Most importantly, we see in Pr. 1:7 that we must begin with the fear of the LORD. The importance of the fear of the LORD is reinforced throughout Proverbs. (See Pr. 1:29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16; 15:33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17.)
We also see that fools despise wisdom and instruction, which sets up a contrasting theme. That is, we see that although the goal of this book is to encourage and cultivate wisdom founded on the fear of the LORD, there are those (i.e., fools) who deliberately choose to reject wisdom. As we look around us today — 3,000 years after this book was written — it is obvious that such fools abound, lacking any fear of the LORD and despising wisdom and instruction. Let’s not be among them; rather, let’s pay heed to what Solomon (and others) had to say. Let’s accept instruction and seek out wisdom, treasuring it and walking in the fear of the LORD.
Finally, before we get too far into Proverbs, let’s just sort out the difference between knowledge and wisdom:
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Miles Kington
🙂
Thanks, John, for agreeing to lead us through Proverbs!
Good clarity of focus as we begin this book (but as a real tomato lover, I have now taken up the challenge to find a good recipe for tomatoes and fruit in the same salad…) ha, ha!