Okay, Good People! We are back! Happy May 15th, 2023! I hope you all had a great weekend celebrating the mothers in your lives. My mother woke up Sunday morning feeling good and eating cookies! She thought she had died and went to heaven! My sister, Val, sent her a package from Amazon that was tightly sealed, and at 92 years old, my mother doesn't open packages very well. So of course I thought the package was safe, but "Cookie Monster" must have smelled those cookies, because by the time we woke up to check on Mother...she was chewing on her sixth cookie. LOL! Cookie Monster strikes again! What a blessing! Lord, thank you for all the mothers!
In this chapter, we learn the author of Proverbs and what these proverbs are meant to teach us. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people.
Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.
A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom
Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.
My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! (Yes, Lord! Help us stand strong against the negative influence of others. Help us develop the confidence to say, “No”.) They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive as the grave swallows its victims. Though they are in the prime of life, they will go down into the pit of death. And the loot we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all kinds of things! Come on, throw in your lot with us; we’ll split our loot with you.”
Don’t go along with them, my child! Stay far away from their paths. They rush to commit crimes. They hurry to commit murder. When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away. But not these people! They set an ambush for themselves; they booby-trap their own lives! Such is the fate of all who are greedy for gain. It ends up robbing them of life.
Wisdom Shouts in the Streets
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. “You simpletons!” she cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded” How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise. (Isn't it interesting that wisdom is referred to as a woman? Yet, in our society the value of a woman seems to be less-than. To God be the glory things are getting better, but we still have a lot of work to do.)
“I called you so often, but you didn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you – when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you. (Wow! Lord, help us not be foolish; help us remain open to you and wisdom, and work to never reject the wisdom you offer.)
“I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. (Lord…not our way, but yours. Help us live life according to your will.) For they are simpletons who turn away from me – to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm.” (Proverbs 1)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us embrace wisdom; help us open our minds to your wise instruction, so we can grow our knowledge and understanding. Help us get out of our own way, thinking we have all the answers, thinking that our way makes the most sense, when in actuality, we are simpleminded and foolish. Lord, help us fear and respect you, and seek your wisdom. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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