Proverbs 3:13-18 Wisdom and understanding — what could be better? Not silver. Not gold. Not jewels. Nothing you desire. She offers long life, riches, honor, pleasantness, and peace. Seriously, what could be better? Only God Himself. I am left having to ask myself some hard questions. How do I honestly regard wisdom? Do I really …
Author Archives: John S.
May 8 / Proverbs 3:9-12
Proverbs 3:9-12 Honor the LORD with your wealth… (v. 9) As I mentioned yesterday, I memorized Pr. 3:9-10 years ago. My guess is that Fred, our treasurer, may have memorized those verses, too. 🙂 While the immediate message may be that one should give financially to the church (and that reward will follow), I think the deeper message is an …
May 7 / Proverbs 3:1-8
Proverbs 3:1-8 The author (Solomon) again urges the reader (“my son”) to attend to his teaching, using language reminiscent of Deuteronomy 11:18-21. Again, intentionality is key: diligence; attentiveness; focus — certainly not apathy. Long ago (40+ years) I memorized Pr. 3:5-6 (as well as Pr. 3:9-10 from tomorrow’s reading): Trust in the LORD with all …
May 6 / Proverbs 2:16-22
Proverbs 2:16-22 Today we see another example of how wisdom offers deliverance: So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words… (v. 16) This example illustrates both forms of protection that I mentioned yesterday. First, with wisdom one can recognize and choose to avoid seduction in the first …
May 5 / Proverbs 2:9-15
Proverbs 2:9-15 As Fred indicated yesterday, today’s reading continues describing the benefits of seeking (and gaining) wisdom: Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path… (v. 9) One thing that strikes me in both yesterday’s and today’s readings is the notion of God’s protection coming through wisdom. We read words like …
May 4 / Proverbs 2:1-8
Proverbs 2:1-8 Wisdom. Insight. Understanding. How does the author regard these things? With complacency? Passivity? Not at all! Do these things “just happen”? Do they just appear out of nowhere? No! The author makes it very clear that wisdom, insight, and understanding require intentionality. They are to be attended to, searched for, asked for. They …
May 3 / Proverbs 1:20-33
Proverbs 1:20-33 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice… (v. 20) Here we are introduced to the personification of Wisdom, a woman calling in the streets and markets, trying to get the attention of the “simple ones,” scoffers, and fools. And she has some good news: If you turn …
May 2 / Proverbs 1:8-19
Proverbs 1:8-19 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching… (v. 8) In other words: Listen up! Pay attention! Don’t be one of those fools who despise wisdom and instruction. (v. 7) My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. (v. 10) If that is not good advice, I don’t …
May 1 / Proverbs 1:1-7
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, …
Introduction to Proverbs
As you may have noticed from the reading schedule, tomorrow we’ll detour away from the Psalms for a bit and dive into the Book of Proverbs, perhaps the central book of Old Testament “wisdom literature”. The first verse is a bit misleading as it appears to attribute the entire book to King Solomon, but Solomon …