The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1-2

We all have “words to live by”. We have gathered sage sayings and gleaned truisms from a variety of sources. For these words to be truly life giving they must actually lead us away from folly and towards flourishing.

Kingly Wisdom (1:1-7) – In world of sin and brokenness, righteousness, justice, and equity cannot be assumed. Young, immature, or simple need guidance increase knowledge and wisdom. King Solomon, son of David, points us to relationship with our Heavenly Father and reverence for the King of the Universe as the ultimate bedrock for growing in wisdom.

Fatherly Concern (1:8-19) – While the son of David, Solomon is also a father who desires good things for his son. These Father-Son discourses set the foundation for the rest of Proverbs Chapter 1-9. More loving lectures than raging rebukes, Solomon repeatedly lays out the binary of the path of wisdom and life vs the path of folly foolishness and death. His love is parental, and his imparted wisdom is to be an adornment for life. A clear warning is given to avoid evil and those who promote it.

Wisdom’s Warning (1:20-33) – Avoiding evil and fleeing folly is a path away from destruction but it alone is not the path of life. Wisdom is ever present calling us to godly living in various spheres of our communal and individual lives. Wisdom says the simple, fools, and scoffers remain so because of their desires and their end will be destruction. The fruit of those who desire and follow wisdom is one of safety and security.

Wisdom’s Worth (2:1-22) – We are to value wisdom like fine treasure, seeking it diligently, possessing it with gratitude, and using it with discernment. Wisdom is graciously given to us by God because He is a loving Father who wants what is ultimately and eternally good for His children. Wisdom is personified as a woman and so is folly and foolishness as the “forbidden” or “strange” woman who entices us away from God.

We walk the path of wisdom not because we can do so perfectly, or sufficiently, to save ourselves. But rather as a response to Jesus Christ who is the good, upright, Righteous One. Where sinners’ and thieves’ lives of greed and evil lead to their own blood shed; Christ selflessly shed His blood between two thieves so sinners could be saved and redeemed. The wicked can have a new life and walk rightly because of God’s grace.

Questions:

What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about God or yourself? What did you learn about Solomon and Wisdom?

Who has been a source of wisdom and instruction for you? What was the foundation of their wisdom and perspective? How did it form or shape the path of your life?

Why is it important to begin with the fear and reverence of the Lord when seeking wisdom and instruction? What happens when we seek wisdom apart from relationship with the Lord?

How does God’s mercy and grace pair with calls to avoid evil and obey wisdom? Why do we need Christ’s perfect life in our place?

PRAY- Praise God the good and loving Father. Ask the Holy Spirit to equip us and encourage us with healthy fear and reverence of the Lord. Praise Jesus for His perfect life of obedience and sacrificial death for us.