January 31

Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27

thoughts to come...

January 30

My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Proverbs 4:20-24

thoughts to come...

January 29

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.
Proverbs 4:18-19

thoughts to come...

January 28

Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
Proverbs 4:14-17

thoughts to come...

January 27

Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
Proverbs 4:10-13

thoughts to come...

January 26

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”
Proverbs 4:7-9

thoughts to come...

January 25

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
Proverbs 4:1-6

thoughts to come...

January 24

Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in His confidence.
The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Toward the scorners He is scornful,
but to the humble He gives favor.
The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.
Proverbs 3:31-35

thoughts to come...

January 23

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
Proverbs 3:27-30

thoughts to come...

January 22

Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:25-26

thoughts to come...

January 21

My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:21-24

thoughts to come...

January 20

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding He established the heavens;
by His knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
Proverbs 3:19-20

thoughts to come...

January 19

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.
Proverbs 3:13-18

thoughts to come

January 18

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of His reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom He loves,
as a father the son in whom He delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12

thoughts to come...

January 17

Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10

thoughts to come...

January 16

Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:7-8

thoughts to come...

January 15

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

thoughts to come

January 14

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.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness
forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1-4

thoughts to come...

January 13

So you will walk in the way of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
For the upright will inhabit the land,
and those with integrity will remain in it,
but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.
Proverbs 2:20-22

This is the final part of a section that envelopes all of chapter two. It is a summary of the value of wisdom and an overview of how wisdom changes one's lifestyle, one's principles, and one's associates.

Verse 20 describes the way of wise living. Those with wisdom "walk in the way of the good." Their character and their conduct is connected with what is morally excellent. They travel the roads "of the righteous," following the signposts that lead to God's accepted standard with others who are headed in the same direction.

Verse 21 identifies some of the advantages to wise living. Those conforming to God's law "will inhabit the land;" those walking in moral soundness "will remain in it." This is a picture of security, stability, and success. There is great gain in going God's way.

The contrast is provided in verse 22 with the "wicked" and the "treacherous." This group will experience loss and destruction. They will find themselves in God's disfavor, under His discrimination, and ultimately on their way to eternal destruction. Going against God is never a profitable course.

January 12

So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words,
who forsakes the companion of her youth
and forgets the covenant of her God;
for her house sinks down to death,
and her paths to the departed;
none who go to her come back,
nor do they regain the paths of life.
Proverbs 2:16-19

Verses 16-19 reveal the second of two specific examples of wisdom's protection. In vv.12-15 wisdom keeps one from "men of perverted speech" while these verses describe how wisdom keeps one from the "forbidden woman."

The "forbidden woman" is basically any woman who is not your wife. The Hebrew word is zarah, sometimes translated as "strange woman," or even "foreign woman." Its basic meaning is "not related to." The NIV describes her as a "wayward wife." The RSV describes her as a "loose woman." In verse 17 she is seen as having left her husband and turning away from the truths of God in which she was raised.

In application for us, the strange woman is one to whom the man is not related by marriage. It is ANY woman who is not your spouse (or ANY MAN who is not your spouse). She might be: a friend, a classmate, a date, a secretary, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. She (or he) is anyone who would encourage or entice you to have an immoral relationship (physical or even just emotional) outside of marriage.

There are numerous Proverbs that relate to the dangers of this temptation. All of chapter five, the second half of chapter six, and all of chapter seven give sensible, spiritual counsel to avoid her. The reason for devoting so much material to her relates to the grave harvest she reaps. Those who follow after her go do their own death - like an ox lead to the slaughter (Proverbs 8:22-23).

January 11

Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,
men whose paths are crooked,
and who are devious in their ways.
Proverbs 2:9-15

Just like in chapter one (vv.2-3) we see the intricate connection between knowledge and understanding with wise behavior. Proverbs are meant to change our values and rearrange our priorities.

This is already the third time the verb "you will understand" is used (1:2; 2:5 and 2:9). The learner's mind will be developed to discern what is "right," "just," and "fair." Not only will his apprehension of wisdom increase but so will his appreciation for it. Knowledge will be "pleasant," a word that describes a quality that attracts one to an object - so knowledge is attractive and attracting. When a person absorbs wisdom, doing right becomes attractive and delightful (Toy, p. 41).

Verses 12-15 reveal the first of two specific examples of wisdom's protection. Here wisdom keeps one from "men of perverted speech" (vv.16-19 describe how wisdom keeps one from the "forbidden woman"). This is also just the first of many proverbs that connect the character of one's life with the character of one's associates.

A wise person will be delivered from the wicked. Verses 13-15 go in to some detail about these kind of men, describing both their conduct and motivation. Note the repetition of words like "paths" (used twice) and "ways" (also used twice). They habitually choose a lifestyle that is more interested in "darkness" and "evil." More than just interested they get their greatest happiness from these ways. They "rejoice in doing evil" and "delight in the perverseness."

Let us be wise and stay clear of the crooked.

January 10

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of His saints.
Proverbs 2:6-8

While the getting of wisdom is the dominant motif of all the Proverbs, it has been directly commended to us in the last few paragraphs. These three verses now leave no doubt as to the source and security of wisdom.

The Lord is the subject of every verb in this section (vv.6-8) and is singled out as the source of wisdom. God is the One who has all the wisdom there is to have and who gives whatever wisdom He chooses to give. "From His mouth come knowledge and understanding" and from nowhere else. It is His word that is a lamp and light (Psalm 119:105). His testimony is sure, making the simple wise (Psalm 19:7). His commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 18:8). So His revelation is the substance of any and all true apprehension.

As He is the source of wisdom for those who fear Him, He is also their security. He is the bank of wisdom, storing it up for the upright. This is an inexhaustible account of "sound," healthy, levelheaded, right wisdom. He is the defender of those who fear Him, shielding them as they walk in integrity. He protects what is right and fair while positioning Himself to care for His saints.

Verses 6-8 provide both direction and confident hopefulness. They direct us to the sure spring of wisdom - God, and steer us away from any other fountain. And for those who reverently submit themselves to this Sovereign there can be no greater freedom from fretting.

January 9

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;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1-5

As we start a new chapter we see that though the perspective and presentation has changed the subject has not. In fact, all of Proverbs chapter two continues the theme of getting wisdom. This may be sort of an application to Lady Wisdom's sermon in 1:20-33. Since wisdom is available and even more since refusal to hear wisdom is dangerous, the obvious response should be to appreciate and get wisdom.

I love all of the vigorous, active, passionate, forceful words used to describe the getting of wisdom:

• "receive my words"
• "treasure up my commandments"
• "making your heart attentive to wisdom"
• "inclining your heart to understanding"
• "call out for insight"
• "raise your voice for understanding"
• "seek it like silver"
• "search for it as for hidden treasure"

We should not take from these descriptions the idea that wisdom is hard to find. Wisdom just described herself exactly opposite of this. She is ready and available for those who want her. So I think that the energy we are instructed to spend in verses 1-4 relates not to her obscurity but to her importance and value. We are to "seek it like silver" not because it is hard to find but because it is so precious. We are to "search for it as for hidden treasures" not because wisdom is hidden but because wisdom is a highly prized treasure.

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning" (Proverbs 1:5).

January 8

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
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.
Proverbs 1:28-33

This is the final section of Lady Wisdom's condemnation on those who refuse her.

Somewhere in the difficulties and distress the ones who have rejected wisdom realize their mistake. But now their problem is even bigger. For even though they have come to understand how much they need wisdom, it is too late. "They will call" and "seek diligently" for her but she is out of the office. She isn't taking calls. She is unreachable.

We might say something like: "what goes around comes around." Or maybe we would say: "you've made your bed, now you've got to sleep in it." There are fruits that come from following our own way, but it will be an undesirable harvest. Having "despised" reproof and heeding none of her "counsel" the aftermath of foolishness is catastrophic.

Verses 32 and 33 provide a final summary of contrasts. There are those who listen and there are those who turn away. Some are eager to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God while others are contented to a fault with their foolishness. In the end, only some will find the peace of life they so desperately long for. The rest will be lost ("killed" and "destroyed").

January 7

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,
when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
Proverbs 1:23-27

These verses continue wisdom's personified perspective on those who refuse her (1:20-33).

In verse 23 Lady Wisdom makes her offer. Her promise of help is generous and she appears ready to fulfill it. But before entering into contract with us she gives her one condition: that we listen and "turn" from our errors. If we are willing to hear and heed then she assures us discretion as she "pours out" her "spirit" on us.

This makes living in anything less than wisdom our fault. There is no doubt who shoulders the blame. We are the ones who choose not to listen. There is no excuse or appeal on grounds that wisdom was unavailable. We could have had her counsel and her correction. It isn't a problem with wisdom - it's a problem with us.

And in verses 24-27 she begins to disclose the consequences of refusing her consultation. The results of our rejection are ironically laughable - but only to her. When disaster and tragedy leave us at a loss, wisdom will laugh. Our refusal to listen to her results in her refusal to care. When we need her most she is gone. She feels no guilt for it.

Most of us don't like how this sounds. It makes us a little uneasy. We feel like everyone deserves another chance and that no one is beyond help. We expect that learning from our mistakes is a right. And while it may be that God would graciously interrupt our stubborn stupidity by granting His wisdom, He is not bound to do so. While His mercy may restore perspective and peace, He may instead mock our misery. He is not obligated to help the obstinate.

Don't "harden your neck" to wisdom. It isn't wise (Proverbs 29:1).

January 6

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?
Proverbs 1:20-22

Sometimes we feel completely incapable. There are situations that we regularly encounter that require knowledge we too often lack. There are daily decisions to make - decisions that impact our today and our tomorrows - that take us to the end of ourselves and remind us that our perspective is only partial and our resources always finite.

On one hand we are right to be pessimists. None of us are naturally wise. But what is utterly striking is that while the Bible acknowledges our blindness, it just as quickly offers us sight. Scripture presents wisdom as ready and waiting for our taking.

Wisdom is personified in the verses from Proverbs above (as well as all the way through verse 33 of the same chapter). She is pictured as attracting attention to herself in public. She is not hiding herself away in some safe house. She is not protecting her privacy. She is active in her offer. She is accessible, easily found by anyone. She is available, apparently demanding nothing more than our ear. And James describes her as abundant, coming from God who gives her "generously" and without mocking our inherent ignorance (James 1:5).

But for whatever reason, there are always those who ignore wisdom. For some reason some people prefer living ignorantly. They take delight in rejecting wisdom and get more happiness in hating knowledge.

Let us not be fools in this matter. We who know enough to know that we don't know enough should persevere in our asking for it from the only One from whom it comes (Proverbs 2:6).

January 5

My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
let us ambush the innocent without reason;
like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse”—
my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths,
for their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
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.
Proverbs 1:10-19

Verses 10-19 form a complete unit. In fact, after the summary warning in verse 10, the remaining nine verses are just one sentence. The entire paragraph is intended as a caution against the enticing promises of the bad crowd.

The twice repeated "my son" (verses 10 and 15, cf. also verse 8) expresses the care and concern of the teacher for his pupil and emphatically draws attention to the need for this wisdom.

A gang of "sinners" are attempting to persuade another to join in their criminal enterprise with promises if great profit. The crimes mentioned here are still significant in our society, though thankfully not quite as much in our circle of ministry. Verses 11 and 12 refer to premeditated murder and verses 13-14 to robbery. But for all the promises of gain, the outcome is actually significant loss. Greed motivates dangerous pursuits but in the end it may cost the criminal his very life. It really is true that crime doesn't pay; not in this life and definitely not in the next.

Wisdom calls us instead to walk not in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, but to delight in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 4:14-15).

January 4

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.
Proverbs 1:8-9

Solomon reminds his son to listen to the most immediate authority God put in his life. After fearing the Lord (verse seven), listening to one's parents is the next step of wisdom. God upholds parental authority; He is the one who established it. Fathers and mothers are the earliest authority a child knows and happy is the son who submits (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3). The home is not only the primary educational agency, it is also the first place for the fruits of God-fearing to be demonstrated.

The wise son who listens to his parents will have around his head a "graceful garland" – a rare word, from the Hebrew root word meaning “to wind, twist,” so presumably this is a turban or other hat of some sort. Authority and honor were marked by such a special headdress (Psalm 8:5; 2 Samuel 1:10; Job 19:9). The wise son will also have "pendants" about his neck. This pendant was a necklace; a masculine adornment, probably made of silver or beads.

Perhaps the point is that it will be obvious who the wise sons are by what they are “wearing.” So what are you wearing? Does wisdom mark you? Are you one who listens to your authorities, in particular, your parents?

January 3

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7

The introduction of Proverbs (1:1-7) ends with a clear statement that serves as the summary principle or motto of the entire book. It reveals the distinctive feature of Hebrew wisdom – the fear of the Lord.

The idea of “fear” goes back historically to the dread which was felt in the presence of a powerful and stern tribal or national deity. Fear is the prevailing attitude of the pious man toward God thoughout the OT. The world is looked on not as a household in which God and man are co-workers, but as a realm in which God is king and man is His subject. To acknowledge God’s sovereignty (and His right to it!) in every realm is the first step toward successful living.

To say that the fear of the Lord is the "beginning" of knowledge is to say that it is the foremost and essential element. The assumption throughout Proverbs is that the wise person is one rightly related to the Lord. So the first thought of the godly man in every circumstance is God’s relation to him and (the circumstance), and his and (the circumstances') relation to God.

The second half of verse seven provides a picture of the opposite: absence of the fear of the Lord (in fools) is contempt of wisdom. The contrast in the verse is between reverence for God and refusal to acknowledge Him as God as well as between knowledge and stupidity. Again, one’s relationship and perspective on God is THE determining factor on one’s foolish or wise status.

The point is, one cannot be wise and fail to fear God. Fear is the filter through which true wisdom flows, sifting out all that is ungodly. The writer of Proverbs therefore was declaring that unless a person fears and reverences God, he is wasting his time if he moves on to the rest of the book.

Which description fits you? Are you fearing or are you a fool?

January 2

to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their griddles.
Proverbs 1:4-6

In verses four through six we will see the objects of wisdom and the forms of wisdom found in the proverbs.

The first object of wisdom is those who do not have it - the simple. The "naïve" are those who are the spiritual idiots. The Hebrew term appears to signify those whose minds are open to influence, who can be easily led. In Proverbs they are open minded; open to the instruction of wisdom or folly. They believe every word they hear. Their mind is like an open door, unable to keep anything out and unable to keep anything in. It is no commendable thing in Proverbs to be “open-minded.”

Those who are most often naïve, (though not the only ones) are the "youth." This refers to a young person with special stress on youthfulness. It is parallel to those who are fools emphasizing the idea of immaturity. This is one of the reasons the provblog of the day is so beneficial for those in one28.

The Proverbs are also directed at a second group - the sophisticated. Though this verse seems to be somewhat out of place, it is quite appropriate as it points out that wisdom is not only for the immature, but also for the mature and the wise.

It is, in fact, a definition of the "wise" man that he will always be increasing – always adding to his learning. It has been said that the most wise are the ones who ask the most questions. The wise person is never satisfied, but always hungering and thirsting for more. The wise person continually seeks out and pursues, acquires, sells all he has to gain wisdom.

That brings us to the form of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. The word "proverb" is the key word here, and the following three terms are synonyms, indicating that the earliest form of teaching was figurative, not literal. A "figure" is a word that describes a saying which looks forward to another meaning. The "words of the wise" can refer to any of teaching, and "riddles" refers to a difficult question, parable, or perplexing saying. It is a sort of 'dark utterance,' like something put indirectly and needing interpretation. They were often like puzzles propounded in contests of wit (cf. Judges 14).

While the intent of these forms of wisdom was not to hide or conceal wisdom, these forms are not always the most easy to understand. They are not necessarily meant to be grasped quickly. There are no shortcuts to wisdom, and perhaps that is why such emphasis is places on “acquiring,” pursuing, getting, buying, seeking and obtaining wisdom (cf. Proverbs 2:1-8).

January 1

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
Proverbs 1:1-3

A proverb is “a short, pregnant sentence or phrase whose meaning is applicable in many situations.”

The Hebrew word translated “proverb” is mashal, “to be compared with.” A short statement that makes a comparison or summarizes a common experience. Or maybe we would describe it as a short sentence drawn from long experience. Better yet, a proverb is the “wisdom of many and the wit of one.”

They are compressed moral experience. They pack as much meaning into as few words as possible. Our task is to unpack the proverb to see all the possibilities that lie behind the brief statement.

Chapter one verse one tells us the primary author of the book of Proverbs. The reason that I say Solomon is the “primary” author is that Solomon is not the only writer or composer of the proverbs found in this book. There are at least two or three others that we know about; so Solomon is the primary author, but not the only one.

It is important to remember that Solomon was the wisest person to ever live. You probably remember his response to God after becoming the king of Israel in 1 Kings 2:4-15. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a vision and asked him what he most wanted. Solomon requested that the Lord give him wisdom. Because this request pleased the Lord so much, the Lord granted Solomon’s desire and promised to make Solomon wiser than any who had come before him or any who would come after him.

Not only are most of these proverbs written by the wisest human to ever live, because they are Scripture, all of these proverbs were also written by the Holy Spirit. They embody the very wisdom of God.

Verses 2-3 reveal the content of wisdom. Proverbs are meant to give "wisdom and instruction" as well as understanding of "words of insight." This is truth and theology and doctrine. Proverbs are also meant to give "instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity." So these proverbs are meant to change our choices and define our morality.

Proverbs was not written just to sharpen an individual’s ability to be crafty or cunning. You are not truly wise if it is only on the inside. Doctrine inevitably leads to deeds. Proper orthodoxy (believing) leads to proper orthopraxy (practice). Wisdom is not a merely intellectual matter, it is a spiritual matter.

May this new year be filled with wise living.

provblog intro

While reading through the OT in my personal devitions a while ago, I came across an extremely interesting verse. In the middle of Job’s sorrow and pain, his three friends (who really end up not being great friends as the story unfolds) begin to try to comfort him, and in the end, confront him that he must be in sin because of all of the suffering that has come upon him. One of the little verses in that section is Job 11:12 – An idiot will become intelligent when the foal of a wild donkey is born a man.

That verse is kind of a proverb, a short, wise saying that we should pay attention to. The point is – a point that all of us can understand – that the possibility of an idiot, or fool to become smart or intelligent, is just as likely as the foal (or young colt) of a wild donkey being born a man. Now how possible is it for the foal of a donkey to be born a man? On a scale of 1-10, ten being most likely and 1 being least likely, where would the possiblity rank? The answer is ZERO! Not possible at all! Not going to happen! And so it is, that this particular proverb is saying that it is just as easy for a colt of a wild donkey to be born a man as it is for a stupid person to become smart.

I don’t want any of us to be idiots or fools, and more importantly, I do not want any of us to be spiritual idiots or spiritual fools. None of us want to be idiots. Even at the most basic level, if you had your choice between being smart and being stupid, most of us naturally would choose to be smart. And so it is in our spiritual lives, that we need to be smart, we need to be intelligent and wise when it comes to spiritual things and not fools.

Jonathan Edwards had some significant things to say about the importance of learning and teaching and truth. These are some things that I have been reading that were instructive to my own heart, and I hope they will be a good place for us to start together in our consideration of spiritual knowledge and wisdom.

He said, we cannot “come to knowledge of any part of Christian truth by light of nature. It is only the Word of God, contained in the Old and New Testaments, which teaches us Christian divinity,” or, the Christian life (Edwards, On Knowing Christ, p.12). And that is fairly obvious to us as believers, isn’t it? We know that if we want to learn and be wise we need to come to God’s Word.

What exactly does Edwards mean by "Christian divinity?” Edwards meant “the doctrine of living to God by Christ, or living the Christian life.” So from here on out, when you hear the word “divinity,” think about that referring to living the Christian life. Again, Edwards says, “It comprehends all Christian doctrines as they are in Jesus and all Christian rules, directing us in living to God by Christ. There is no one doctrine, no promise, no rule, but what some way or another relates the Christian and divine life, our living to God by Christ (Edwards, p.12). There is ‘no nothing’ in Scripture but that somehow relates to living the Christian life.

Now here is where it starts to come together. Edwards continues, “There is no other way by which any means of grace whatsoever can be of any benefit, but by knowledge.” God could have done these great and amazing things, but if you didn’t know about it, it would be of no benefit to you. “It is impossible that ony one should see the truth or excellency of any doctrine of the gospel, who knows not what that doctrine is.” This means that you are not going to think that God is great unless you know what He has done, unless you understand the truth of how great, in fact, God is.

Because these truths are so important, and because knowledge and wisdom are so intricate to living to God in Christ, Edwards says, “All Christians should make a business of it,” that is, of pursuing spiritual knowledge, seeking the wisdom of God as revealed in His Word. “They should look upon it as a part of their daily business, and no small part of it either” (Edwards, p.10). Each and every one of us should be concerned about this business each and every day. It is not an option, it is something that is critical to our spiritual lives.

We can receive no more benefit from the Scriptures than we understand. However much of the Bible we know, there is always room to increase our knowledge. There is always room for improvement.

So the reason that I go through all of that is because I do not want for you to be spiritual idiots. I have the strong desire that you grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you know truth and instruction. This is the reason behind the new blog - the proverb of the day.

While all of the Bible gives us wisdom, and though the entirety of Scripture provides us with spiritual knowledge, Proverbs is intended specifically for that very purpose. In fact, Proverbs is one of the ‘wisdom’ books of the OT. Proverbs will show us God's wisdom so that we will forsake foolishness and walk in wisdom before God. I hope this blog will be a resource to you in your lifelong pursuit of wisdom.