For the past week I took on the bible study which I call the Proverbs Study Challenge. It is a study because there are 31 chapters in Proverbs which is the normal length of a month. I have started by reading a chapter a day a highlighting the verses and words that stood out to me. As I reflect on the past week the main ideas of the first couple chapters is about knowledge along with wisdom, trust, adultery, warnings, and instructions. Now, this lesson might seem very sporadic but I felt that this overall message seems insignificant but yet important. So this lesson is going to look a little different because I am going to just bullet my thoughts exactly how they are in my notebook then I will reflect on them.
The first section is Proverbs 1:
~The wise need to hear in order to keep learning
~If you understand guidance then you have it
~VERSE 7: Knowledge of wisdom is needed to fear the Lord
~Don't consent enticing sinners
~Sinners always follow the path back to the evil one
~As sinners take away their own life so do those who are greedy for unjust gain get their possessors taken away
~Don't be SIMPLE BE FULL of wisdom
Reflections: So the first Proverbs is based around knowledge and wisdom. I like the fact that the people that are wise still need to hear knowledge because they too need to keep learning. And those who understand the concept of guidance has guidance. The most important thing in this chapter is the fact that having knowledge of wisdom is needed to fear the Lord. We have talked about what it means to fear the Lord before and having wisdom is the key to make that hard concept doable in this world. This passage closes with a warning of being careful of sinners because their path connects back to evil which takes their own life. So above all else one needs to have wisdom so that our hearts build up stamina.
The second is Proverbs 2:
~Ear is wisdom as to heart is to understanding
~God stores wisdom for the upright and SHIELDS those with integrity
~When you expect wisdom the knowledge will be pleasant
~One will be rooted if righteous
Reflections: This chapter is pretty much a continuation of wisdom and knowledge. There is a lot of great idioms that have stuck in my mind. Our ears are what hears the wisdom but are hearts are what takes that wisdom and turns it into understanding to fuel our lives to help others. I'm sure your aware that God is full of wisdom which he stores only for the upright and those that receive it he will then shield them with integrity. When we think about receiving wisdom it might seem hard to be so obedient but only when you expect wisdom is when knowledge is pleasant. The one verse that really stood out to me was towards the end...the one about being rooted. I mean it relates to my blog:) But it is important to know that you can only be righteous if your rooted in Christ.
The third section is Proverbs 3:
~Bind steadfast love and faithfulness around your neck and write it on your heart
~Lean on God to make your paths straight
~If you take wisdom by giving yourself your rest will be sweet
*When it comes times for you to require help you will have no worries (Confidence keeps you alive)
~When you have the power to do good DO IT
Reflections: I always heard that your love is to be steadfast but I never heard the great idiom of binding it around your neck and writing it on your heart. If this is done, figuratively, then it will consume us and our actions which will cause our paths to go straight in God. And if one person takes wisdom they must give themselves up but this loving sacrifice is replaced with sweet rest. Having confidence through wisdom gives you the strength to give your worries to God when your in need of help.
The fourth section is Proverbs 4:
~Always be attentive
~If you don't forsake wisdom it will keep you and if you love it then you will be guarded
~Prize wisdom
~Avoid the wicked path by ALL means
~Keep your heart with all vigilance
~Let your eyes look to the path ahead
Reflections: This is the basic passage about how one shouldn't take the nature of wisdom lightly. Wisdom is more than just a bunch of thoughts that make us sound smart. Wisdom is a prized possession that everyone should feel privileged to have. It keeps you from the evil path and lets your eyes focus on the path ahead of you. It also makes one attentive with a heart full of vigilance.
The fifth section is Proverbs 5:
~Keep discretion so your lips will guard knowledge
~Forbidden words are like a double-edged sword against oneself
~Keep yourself away from this person and don't become it
~Don't become intoxicated!
*One's ways are before the eyes of God, making him ponder all paths
Reflections: I found it rather an oxymoron to tell one to guard their knowledge. God tells us to keep our discretion so that forbidden words don't work their way into our knowledge. Once it enters our system it creates a double edged sword that intoxicates our minds.
The last section is Proverbs 6:
~ Worthless person has crooked speech
~Perverted hearts continually devise evil and sow discord
*This person becomes broken beyond healing
~The Lord hates:
*haughty eyes-lying tongue
*hearts devising evil-feet running with haste run for evil
*false witnesses
~Commandments=lamp
~Teaching=light
*Don't desire this beauty because it captures you*
~One can't carry a flame close without being burned
Reflections: One misconception of this passage is thinking God is saying were worthless. I think the opening verse is pointing to the fact that a person that has crooked speech makes themselves worthless because they don't speak the truth and if you don't speak the truth it helps nothing. Also I believe that perverted hearts are beyond healing because all sinners an be saved with the right help and people by their side. But I do agree that people that have a perverted heart have gotten that way through a long period of continuous sin.
Word of the day: "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
~Romans 10:9-10
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