Seeking Wisdom: Walking Through Proverbs 1

I’m forty-three years old, so of course, I think I should have reached the pinnacle of wisdom. However, I have a long way to go, folks. What’s a girl to do? The best course of action, as I see it, is to go to the source of all wisdom: God. Specifically, I’m referring to the Bible. Even more specifically, I’m talking about spending extra time in Proverbs this year.

I want to share some of my thoughts with you as I walk through Proverbs, but let’s manage expectations. I have no plans to go through a verse-by-verse study. My aim is to share some thoughts I have along the way, and I encourage you to leave comments regarding your thoughts. We can all learn from each other.

The Book Of Proverbs: What Is It?

The Book of Proverbs is categorized as wisdom literature. Alongside Proverbs, this category includes Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Psalms. Although Proverbs continues to have debate surrounding who and how many wrote it, everyone agrees that King Solomon was an author, if not the main one. It’s also generally agreed upon that Proverbs was written before Solomon walked away from wisdom and indulged his flesh.

Proverbs: What’s The Point?

So, what is the point of the Book of Proverbs? It is meant to instill wisdom in its reader. Remember that wisdom is so much more than knowledge. To know facts is one thing, but it is quite another to rightly apply that knowledge to one’s life. For the believer, the proverbs teach us God’s mind on various matters. It is essential to know who God is if we ever hope to be wise.

Our world is filled with so-called wisdom. Therapists, influencers, teachers, politicians, etc. all speak with authority. They teach us from an early age that they have the answers we need for this life, but their insights often fall short. As the Bible says, “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). We think we know best, but we’re lost without the Lord.

On the other hand, Godly wisdom is rooted in truth, biblical values, and an eternity-driven worldview. Rather than basing our “wisdom” on what’s best for ourselves, the truly wise see things through a biblical lens. Of course, sometimes, godly wisdom looks unwise to the world (1 Corinthians 1:27). But I ask you, how could it not look so in the eyes of those who utterly reject God and all His ways?

God Has Offered Wisdom

Christians shouldn’t struggle with which alleged wisdom to follow. God makes it clear. First of all, He has given us the wisdom literature in His Word. Proverbs, especially, is often clear in its instruction. We need only obey. Second, God’s wisdom is freely offered to us. Ask for it, and it will be available to you.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

James 1:5

Finally, God’s Word is true. If the Scriptures say something is wise while another thing is unwise…believe it. He doesn’t lie. In John 17, Jesus prays to the Father and declares His Word is true.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

John 17:17

All that said, let’s take a look at Proverbs 1.

A Few Thoughts On Proverbs 1

The first proverb does some heavy lifting. It’s a proverb, yes, but it also sets the stage for the entire book. There’s a lot I could dive into, but I’d like to pull out a few verses to think about a little more deeply. I highly recommend, though, that you take time to read Proverbs 1 in its entirety.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (v.7)

Quite literally, this is where it all begins. And right at the start, we have an opportunity to completely misunderstand the meaning. Fear. Really? Fear? Sure, the unbelieving should fear God because His judgment comes for everyone, and they will stand guilty before the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This will be their final judgment prior to being cast into the lake of fire. So, yes, fear rings true here. But should believers fear God as unbelievers ought to? No.

Our fear is reverence. We look at Him with awe and an acknowledgment of His authority, power, and holiness. We can find an example of this “fear” in Hebrews.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:28-29

To truly have wisdom, we must begin by knowing who God is and is not. If we start from the belief in a god of our own making, then any “wisdom” we gain is from our own imaginations and our inherent (and sinful) beliefs and desires. As always, anything good come from the Lord, not ourselves.

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (v.8-9)

Verses like these hurt me a little. Instruction in wisdom is not supposed to be left to youth group leaders, pastors, and one’s own study. Though, those are all legitimate places to seek truth. However, our understanding of wisdom should begin at home with our parents. This works best, though, if those parents are godly parents. Some of us had little to no guidance in a home that operated as if God didn’t exist. That doesn’t mean those of us who grew up in homes without wise counsel can never come to gain wisdom, but we certainly have a great deal of unwise “truths” to strip away as we grow in Christ! But, thanks to salvation through Christ and the Holy Spirit which indwells us, people like me gain God’s wisdom.

My other major takeaway from verses about parents’ responsibility to their children is always to take ownership of that task. I didn’t have great parental guidance or role models, but I can, because of God’s grace, be for my children what I didn’t have. They should follow my instruction, but they can’t do that unless I am doing my job.

“For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.” (v.17-19)

In a desire to take what we feel we are owed or deserve; we ultimately hurt ourselves. These verses talk about greed, and that leads most of us to money. But the wealth of this world is not only money. I am not likely to steal cold, hard cash or swindle someone. On the other hand, is there something in this world that carries value or social currency that entices me enough to sin in order to have it? How would that hurt others? How would it hurt myself?

I need to be ever watchful that I’m not pulled into selfishness and greed. I say I live for Christ, but it’s so easy to slip away from that goal and to forget that we, too, become our own target.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,” (v.20-26)

Wisdom doesn’t hide. Proverbs 1 paints the picture of wisdom as a woman in the street, drawing attention to herself. She isn’t difficult to find. Rather, people love being simple. They delight in their scoffing. The fools hate knowledge. Biblical wisdom is available to those who seek it, but the world is filled with people who outright reject it while embracing sin. They will not be taught any better.

Perhaps, I need to adjust my expectations concerning the unsaved. I feel frustrated when they clearly reject wise counsel and follow foolish advice instead. How difficult must it be to see the wisdom in God’s Word when they don’t even know Him? I think more compassion may be in order.

“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (v. 32-33)

The Book of Proverbs frequently offers dichotomies. It’s wise or unwise, blessing or curse, destruction or security… Following God’s wisdom offers a peace only He can offer, yet so many more opt to disregard Him and fight against His instruction. This makes the state of people’s relationships, mental health, and spiritual well-being make a lot of sense. The fact that I’m not among the scoffers and haters any longer is humbling, but I’ll brag about what He did every chance I get.

Final Thought

I only scratched the surface of Proverbs 1, but I hope it made you think a little bit about what wisdom really is. Also, I encourage you to share your thoughts, insights, and questions as you read Proverbs, as well.

What does the Holy Spirit bring to your attention when you read Proverbs 1?

Image courtesy of Tim Wildsmith via Unsplash.