31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 11 (03/11/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the eleventh of thirty-one articles covering the book of Proverbs. Chapter eleven of Proverbs continues the theme of contrasting the righteous and the wicked. Though not every proverb uses these words, most of them adhere to this theme.
God is the source of all that is good, just and wise. Because he perfectly embodies all of these traits, it stands to reason that he would find delight when we seek to honor him through attempting to follow his goodness, justice and wisdom. Conversely we would expect Him to hate anything that contradicts these traits.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 10 (03/10/05 - 0 Comments)
This is day ten in our thirty-one day study of Proverbs, and today we reach the heart of the book. Chapters 10 through 22 of Proverbs contain mostly single-sentence proverbs and form almost half of the book. There are occasionally longer constructs, but generally verses are not interconnected. They may build on a common theme, but this appears to be an aid to memorization more than the exposition of a theme. The bulk of the proverbs in this chapter, and those that follow, contrast two ideas using the conjunction "but." The usual contrasts are righteousness and wickedness or wisdom and folly. Because each chapter contains many proverbs, often 25 or 30 of them, I will not be writing about each and every one. I will focus, rather, on only a few. I will look for recurring themes and for proverbs that really "jump out" at me.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 9 (03/09/05 - 0 Comments)
This is day nine in this thirty-one day journey through Proverbs. This chapter provides one final call for wisdom, contrasted with the call of folly, before the book turns to the Proverbs of Solomon which will extend nearly to the end of the book. Chapter ten begins to provide the short, contrasting statements for which this book is best known.
"Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight"" (1-7).
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 8 (03/08/05 - 0 Comments)
This is day eight in this thirty-one day study of the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 8 is an incredible poem that personifies wisdom as a teacher. Where in previous chapters the teacher has usually been a father instructing his children, we now see wisdom as the supreme teacher.
In the first eleven verses wisdom cries out at the top of the hills, the crossroads and the gates of the city, crying for simple people to learn prudence and fools to learn sense. She will share what is noble and right and true. She has no choice but to speak truth for foolishness is incompatible with wisdom and would be an abomination to her lips. She tells me to seek her more than gold and more than jewels, for nothing I can obtain in this world can compare to her value.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 7 (03/07/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the seventh day of this thirty-one day journey through the book of Proverbs. Due to extenuating circumstances (primarily a long night filled with sick children and hospital visits) I have not had opportunity to do as much study and writing as I would have liked. Thus I will be relying somewhat on last year's study of this passage.
Chapter seven of Proverbs is divided into three sections. The first and last of them are instructions to avoid adultery while the middle section is a narrative used to illustrate this teaching.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 6 (03/06/05 - 0 Comments)
Today is the sixth day in this thirty-one day study of Proverbs and our topic today is, as you might expect, chapter six. Because today is the Lord's Day I will write only very briefly. This chapter contains a metaphor that is one of my favorite parts of Proverbs. "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man."
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 5 (03/05/05 - 0 Comments)
This morning brings us to day five of this thirty-one day study of Proverbs, and that means that we are studying the fifth chapter. This chapter bears much resemblance to the second, for it is primarily concerned with submission to the law, and avoidance of sins of a sexual nature.
As we have seen many times already, this chapter begins as a word from a father to a son. "My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge." While Solomon does not begin with a "thus saith the Lord" statement, he still demands the listener’s attention, for he commands that he be attentive to his wisdom and diligently seek to understand. What the author will say in this chapter is worthy of meditation and will be valuable in living to the glory of God. To ignore these teachings is to ignore God-given wisdom.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 4 (03/04/05 - 0 Comments)
Today, in this thirty-one day journey through the book of Proverbs, we move to chapter four. This chapter is nicely divided into three sections, each of which takes the form of instruction from father to son. This is an often-used construct within Proverbs, and one we have already seen several times. Each of the sections today begins with "hear, O sons," "hear, my son," or simply "my son." Interestingly, this chapter contains no mention of God or any other facet of religion. This shows that wisdom is not merely spiritual, but is practical as well. As we have seen in previous chapters, there is no distinction made between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Hence all pursuit of wisdom, whether it contains the name of God or not, is equally spiritual and practical.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 3 (03/03/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the third article in this thirty-one day series in which we will examine the book of Proverbs. Today our text is the third chapter and it opens with an exhortation which continues through the first twelve verses. As with many passages in this book, they are framed in the context of a father providing instruction to his son. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (1,2). The word given here as “teaching” is otherwise translated “law” and while it is not to be confused with the Mosaic Law, yet we see that wisdom’s instruction holds the same authority. When God provides His wisdom to us, we are not to shrug it off or to regard it as optional. Rather we are to keep His commands with our hearts, meaning we are to store them in our hearts, to treasure them, and to let that wisdom show itself in our actions. As we learned previously, Proverbs acknowledges no difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 2 (03/02/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the second article in a 31-day study of Proverbs and our chapter today is Proverbs 2. This chapter is a gold mine of information regarding why we must seek wisdom, how we can do so, and what benefits it will bring. First, let’s look at how we can seek and find God’s wisdom.
We must read God's Word. "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding..." (1,2). To gain wisdom, we must first and primarily turn to the source of all wisdom, which is the God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible. To begin anywhere else is to ignore the most obvious means God has given us to learn about Him and, hence, to grow in wisdom. Notice here also that the author does not distinguish between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Rather, he assumes that what we learn intellectually will necessarily become heart knowledge as well, impacting not just the mind, but the life.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 1 (03/01/05 - 0 Comments)
In March of 2004 I began a 31-day study in Proverbs I entitled "31 Days of Wisdom." I thoroughly enjoyed this study and benefited from it tremendously. Having been challenged recently to do more writing of an expository nature, I have decided to begin this study anew, and will perhaps even make it a March tradition. Thus I present to you, "31 Days of Wisdom 2005." I trust that we will be edified together as we wade through this book of wisdom. If you are not currently engaged in other Bible study in your personal study time, I would invite you to join in.
In terms of "ground rules," there are few. I will be reading one chapter per day from the English Standard Version for the next thirty-one days and will be posting some reflections right here. You are more than welcome to join in on the forums and to share what the Holy Spirit has been teaching you through His Word. I will be posting a separate "introduction to Proverbs" which will introduce the author and major themes of the book.
31 Days of Wisdom - Reflections (04/03/04 - 2 Comments)
I recently completed an in-depth study of the book of Proverbs. Reading one chapter for each day of March, I completed this study in 31 days. As I sought to learn wisdom and discernment from God, I found this to be one of the most rewarding Bible studies I have ever completed. Every day I was challenged by the Divine wisdom so prominently displayed in each chapter and verse of Proverbs. Reflecting on that study,...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Thirty One (03/31/04 - 1 Comments)
This is the thirty first and final part in this study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study has been to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that limited human wisdom can never compare with God’s unlimited perfect wisdom. I also saw that though nature proclaims that God exists, it is only through His Word that I can really come to know Him. Finally I saw through several...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Thirty (03/30/04 - 0 Comments)
This is part thirty in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that I need to keep my mouth and emotions under control lest I be proven foolish by my words or actions. I also saw the importance of maintaining moral purity when in a position of leadership, where political, church or family leadership. Chapter 30 is...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Twenty Nine (03/29/04 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty nine in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that confession is a critical aspect of having a deep, intimate relationship with God. Failing to confess sin to Him will build barriers in our fellowship. I also saw the value of trusting God to guide me through life rather than depending on myself....
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Twenty Eight (03/28/04 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty eight in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Because today is Sunday this will be an abbreviated look at the chapter. Yesterday I learned that since God is in full control of the future I need to ensure I am not presumptuous about what is to come. I also read powerful words that described the...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Twenty Seven (03/27/04 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty seven in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that no proverb will apply to each and every situation, so I need to be careful in their application. I also saw that I need to be wary around foolish men for they are, because of their foolishness, untrustworthy. Finally I saw examples of...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Twenty Six (03/26/04 - 2 Comments)
This is part twenty six in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I learned the value of being humble. It is far better to begin humble and be exalted than to begin proud and be brought to shame. I also saw that wisdom will teach moderation. There is so much wisdom in...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Twenty Five (03/25/04 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty five in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that wise people surround themselves with trusted, godly counselors and then heed the counsel of these people during tough times. I also saw that I am to show equal love to both friends and enemies and never rejoice in anyone’s trouble. Chapter twenty five...
31 Days of Wisdom - Day Twenty Four (03/24/04 - 1 Comments)
This is part twenty four in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that riches are fleeting, so to work myself to exhaustion in order to acquire them is foolish. I also learned that sin is addictive and though initially it provides joy, it always ends up bringing sorrowful consequences. I should avoid sin, trusting that with...
