Introduction to Proverbs

The older I get, the more I realize how much I need wisdom. Over the past two years, I have been focusing on the Proverbs in my times of devotion. I regret not meditating upon the Proverbs more when I was a young Christian. I hope this blog encourages others to start sooner rather than later to begin their journey through the Proverbs.

As you read through the book of Proverbs, you realize that we lack wisdom in our day and age. It is apparent that foolishness abounds all around us. One of the first signs of humility is to admit we need wisdom. The second sign of humility is that we are willing to submit to God's wisdom. Modern man prides himself on wisdom, but the wisdom they pursue and possess is not divine wisdom. They are content to restrict themselves to the limited wisdom of man. As we journey through the Proverbs, it will become obvious that our culture is full of foolishness. Remember, foolishness (Biblically speaking) is a refusal to acknowledge God and submit to His infinite wisdom.

In our study of Proverbs, we want to see how one gains wisdom and how to apply wisdom in the different situations that confront us in this life.

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is the skillful use of God's Word. It is not enough to just study God's Word, we must be a people that know how to apply His Word. This means that wisdom is the skill of godly living that allows us to honor God while living in a world that is currently under the curse. And when we walk by wisdom, it brings God the most glory, brings His people the most benefit, and brings the most confusion to the enemies of God. By contrast, the fool is one who refuses to submit to God's Word and is content to live independently from God's wisdom. A fool is one who is self willed, morally undisciplined, and unteachable. As Christians, we want to avoid the traits that characterize the fool. In humility, we must come to the book of Proverbs and seek the Lord with an obedient attitude. The book of Proverbs will teach us the skill of living a life that is pleasing to God.

How to Approach the Book of Proverbs

When we go through the book of Proverbs, the basic assumption is that God alone is wise and that wisdom starts with the fear of God. There is no wisdom separate from the the Triune God of the Scriptures. There can be no neutrality here. As Christians, we must start with an unconditional commitment to the wisdom of God. Also, a study of wisdom does not end with a fear of God, but rather wisdom begins with a proper fear of God. And as we begin to recognize the wisdom of God (as found in the Proverbs), it will cause us to praise and acknowledge God for His wisdom.