Proverbs 1: Unlocking Wisdom for Life
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 1 offers a compelling introduction to the book of Proverbs, laying out its purpose and highlighting the path to wisdom. This chapter, deeply rooted in Solomon's life experiences, serves as both a guide for acquiring wisdom and a warning against the allure of foolishness. It's an invitation to embrace a life grounded in God's perspective, leading to practical and righteous living. Proverbs 1 is relevant for personal growth, family devotion, and a deeper understanding of God's will.
The Purpose of Proverbs (1:1-7)
Proverbs 1:1-7 clearly articulates the book's intention: to impart wisdom. Proverbs 1:1 identifies Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, as the author, setting the stage for a collection of insights drawn from his life and divinely granted understanding. But what does it mean to be wise, according to Proverbs? It encompasses discipline, understanding, justice, shrewdness, and discernment (Proverbs 1:2-6). True wisdom is the ability to take God’s perspective and turn it into functional application. It’s spiritual understanding applied to earthly living; it’s the God-given ability to make good decisions.
The fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). This "fear" isn't about terror, but about reverence and respect for God. It means taking Him seriously and recognizing His authority in every aspect of life. Without this reverence, knowledge remains incomplete, and wisdom unattainable. Fools, on the other hand, despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7), choosing a self-centered path that ignores God's guidance and moral principles. The book urges us to cultivate a fear of God through a relationship with him. As Ephesians 1:17 states, being wise means knowing and fearing God.
Understanding key terms used in Proverbs is essential. "Learning" is the simple acquisition of information, short-term memory. "Knowledge" is information retained for later use, long-term memory. "Wisdom" is the capacity for action produced because of knowledge - the ability to make appropriate and compassionate actions, based upon knowledge. "Understanding" is the complete knowledge of a subject with a responsibility to pass on that knowledge. The book of Proverbs, therefore, is the fullness of understanding.
A Father's Appeal: Embrace Wisdom (1:8-19)
Proverbs 1:8 marks the beginning of a father's heartfelt appeal to his son, urging him to embrace wisdom and reject the path of folly. This section emphasizes the importance of parental instruction. "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching" (Proverbs 1:8). This instruction, Solomon says, will be a garland of grace on your head and a chain to adorn your neck (Proverbs 1:9). Parents have the responsibility to teach their children to know God, to see the world from his perspective, and to live in accordance with his agenda. And children have the responsibility to listen.
The appeal doesn't stop at honoring parents. It extends to resisting the allure of sinful behavior. Solomon warns against the enticements of sinners who promise easy gain through violence and wickedness (Proverbs 1:10-14). He urges his son to avoid their path, recognizing that "their feet rush into sin, they are eager to shed blood" (Proverbs 1:16). We often become like those with whom we associate. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 reminds us, "Bad company corrupts good morals". Therefore, choose your companions wisely, avoiding those who would lead you astray.
This section also provides a warning to parents; we must make sure we know our kids’ companions. If they are going out with friends, find out where they’ll be. Don’t be a wishy-washy parent: help your child. If they’re living under your roof, they’re under your authority. You have a right to know what they’re up to, and you’re responsible for knowing. Make sure your kids understand this: when foolish people look for trouble, they are simply setting a trap for themselves (Proverbs 1:17-19). What goes around comes around.
Wisdom's Call and the Consequences of Rejection (1:20-33)
Proverbs 1:20-33 presents a powerful image of wisdom personified, crying out in public places, seeking to be heard. Wisdom calls out in the street . . . makes her voice heard in the public squares . . . cries out above the commotion. Everybody has an idea or opinion, but there are only two answers to any issue: God’s answer and everybody else’s. And everybody else is wrong. Wisdom is crying out for someone to pay attention to truth. Are you listening?
Yet, her call is often ignored by the simple, the scoffers, and the fools (Proverbs 1:22). These individuals reject knowledge, hate reproof, and refuse to heed wisdom's counsel (Proverbs 1:25, 29-30). Solomon warns that it’s disastrous to miss wisdom. Those who reject God’s counsel will fall into calamity one day, and then it will be too late (Proverbs 1:24-32). The consequences of rejecting wisdom are dire, leading to calamity and destruction (Proverbs 1:26-27). As Galatians 6:7 reminds us, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
In contrast, those who listen to wisdom will live securely and be at ease, without dread of disaster (Proverbs 1:33). The choice is clear: embrace wisdom and find security, or reject it and face the consequences of folly.
Proverbs 1 is a powerful invitation to embark on a journey of wisdom. It highlights the importance of fearing the Lord, honoring parents, avoiding sinful influences, and heeding wisdom's call. By embracing these principles, we can unlock the path to a life of purpose, security, and fulfillment.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 1 offers a compelling introduction to the book of Proverbs, laying out its purpose and highlighting the path to wisdom. This chapter, deeply rooted in Solomon's life experiences, serves as both a guide for acquiring wisdom and a warning against the allure of foolishness. It's an invitation to embrace a life grounded in God's perspective, leading to practical and righteous living. Proverbs 1 is relevant for personal growth, family devotion, and a deeper understanding of God's will.
The Purpose of Proverbs (1:1-7)
Proverbs 1:1-7 clearly articulates the book's intention: to impart wisdom. Proverbs 1:1 identifies Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, as the author, setting the stage for a collection of insights drawn from his life and divinely granted understanding. But what does it mean to be wise, according to Proverbs? It encompasses discipline, understanding, justice, shrewdness, and discernment (Proverbs 1:2-6). True wisdom is the ability to take God’s perspective and turn it into functional application. It’s spiritual understanding applied to earthly living; it’s the God-given ability to make good decisions.
The fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). This "fear" isn't about terror, but about reverence and respect for God. It means taking Him seriously and recognizing His authority in every aspect of life. Without this reverence, knowledge remains incomplete, and wisdom unattainable. Fools, on the other hand, despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7), choosing a self-centered path that ignores God's guidance and moral principles. The book urges us to cultivate a fear of God through a relationship with him. As Ephesians 1:17 states, being wise means knowing and fearing God.
Understanding key terms used in Proverbs is essential. "Learning" is the simple acquisition of information, short-term memory. "Knowledge" is information retained for later use, long-term memory. "Wisdom" is the capacity for action produced because of knowledge - the ability to make appropriate and compassionate actions, based upon knowledge. "Understanding" is the complete knowledge of a subject with a responsibility to pass on that knowledge. The book of Proverbs, therefore, is the fullness of understanding.
A Father's Appeal: Embrace Wisdom (1:8-19)
Proverbs 1:8 marks the beginning of a father's heartfelt appeal to his son, urging him to embrace wisdom and reject the path of folly. This section emphasizes the importance of parental instruction. "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching" (Proverbs 1:8). This instruction, Solomon says, will be a garland of grace on your head and a chain to adorn your neck (Proverbs 1:9). Parents have the responsibility to teach their children to know God, to see the world from his perspective, and to live in accordance with his agenda. And children have the responsibility to listen.
The appeal doesn't stop at honoring parents. It extends to resisting the allure of sinful behavior. Solomon warns against the enticements of sinners who promise easy gain through violence and wickedness (Proverbs 1:10-14). He urges his son to avoid their path, recognizing that "their feet rush into sin, they are eager to shed blood" (Proverbs 1:16). We often become like those with whom we associate. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 reminds us, "Bad company corrupts good morals". Therefore, choose your companions wisely, avoiding those who would lead you astray.
This section also provides a warning to parents; we must make sure we know our kids’ companions. If they are going out with friends, find out where they’ll be. Don’t be a wishy-washy parent: help your child. If they’re living under your roof, they’re under your authority. You have a right to know what they’re up to, and you’re responsible for knowing. Make sure your kids understand this: when foolish people look for trouble, they are simply setting a trap for themselves (Proverbs 1:17-19). What goes around comes around.
Wisdom's Call and the Consequences of Rejection (1:20-33)
Proverbs 1:20-33 presents a powerful image of wisdom personified, crying out in public places, seeking to be heard. Wisdom calls out in the street . . . makes her voice heard in the public squares . . . cries out above the commotion. Everybody has an idea or opinion, but there are only two answers to any issue: God’s answer and everybody else’s. And everybody else is wrong. Wisdom is crying out for someone to pay attention to truth. Are you listening?
Yet, her call is often ignored by the simple, the scoffers, and the fools (Proverbs 1:22). These individuals reject knowledge, hate reproof, and refuse to heed wisdom's counsel (Proverbs 1:25, 29-30). Solomon warns that it’s disastrous to miss wisdom. Those who reject God’s counsel will fall into calamity one day, and then it will be too late (Proverbs 1:24-32). The consequences of rejecting wisdom are dire, leading to calamity and destruction (Proverbs 1:26-27). As Galatians 6:7 reminds us, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
In contrast, those who listen to wisdom will live securely and be at ease, without dread of disaster (Proverbs 1:33). The choice is clear: embrace wisdom and find security, or reject it and face the consequences of folly.
Proverbs 1 is a powerful invitation to embark on a journey of wisdom. It highlights the importance of fearing the Lord, honoring parents, avoiding sinful influences, and heeding wisdom's call. By embracing these principles, we can unlock the path to a life of purpose, security, and fulfillment.