Papa B
Proverbs 2:20-21
Pro 2:20-22 ESV So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. (21) For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, (22) but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.
This passage is pretty straight forward; treachery and wickedness are not the way to go. At lunch the other day a friend of mine asked “What would our country be like if every business operated on Christian principles?” Remembering this passage, I explained that I believed that the successful do operate with integrity and seek righteous paths. We observe (mostly reported events of evil doing) only a small portion of what happens in our society. Solomon tells us that the treacherous and wicked will not be successful. Yes, we have Enrons and Martha Stewards, but our observed time frames might be a bit too narrow.
Proverbs 2:6-15
Pro 2:6-15 ESV For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7) he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, (8) guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. (9) Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; (10) for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; (11) discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, (12) delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, (13) who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, (14) who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, (15) men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
Wisdom is given by God. One of the interesting items in this passage is that God stores up wisdom for the upright. He puts some away for a rainy day. Which means, as you seek God you will always have something else to learn. That’s cool. Solomon also tells us the benefits for certain characteristics such as integrity, justice and righteousness. Solomon tells us that such virtuous living will be pleasant to our souls and there is an equal consequence for choosing not to live virtuously.
Practical application: We don’t seek wisdom to get to the end of it. It’s not like reading a really thick book. God has good things for us to learn and keep learning our whole lives and God is there to shield, guard and direct us all the way along our journey.
Proverbs 2:1-5
Pro 2:1-5 ESV My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, (2) making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (3) yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, (4) if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, (5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Solomon is encouraging is children to seek to become wise, to desire it like they would a hidden treasure. The pursuit of wisdom leads you to the LORD.
Practical application: I should make my ear attentive to God’s instruction and make it my heart’s desire to gain understanding. If I just fill my heart with knowledge I’ll end up prideful, but if I seek wisdom the process will teach me to fear the LORD.
Faith of our Fathers?
I ran across this article about statistics related to the impact that fathers have on their children’s faith. This has cause some interesting conversations. I thought I would share it with you.
The Truth About Men & Church:On the Importance of Fathers to Churchgoing
By Robbie Low
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/1crazylady5kids/22206/
Proverbs 1:20-33
Pro 1:20-33 ESV Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; (21) at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: (22) “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? (23) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. (24) Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, (25) because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, (26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, (27) when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. (28) Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, (30) would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, (31) therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. (32) For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; (33) but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Wisdom doesn’t hide from us. Wisdom is always there, available for us to seek after. One of the interesting ideas that Solomon really pushes home in this passage is there is a consequence for pursuing foolishness. In verse 32 we see Solomon saying the death of the fool comes from rejecting correction and counsel.
Practical application: God has not hidden understanding from us. He desires us to come to him for wisdom and understanding. I need to be listening for His counsel and reproof.