On Wisdom

This chapter of Proverbs lays a heavy emphasis on the relationship between man and God in regards to man's plans. Though we have free will our actions are, in a way we cannot fully comprehend, always in the hands of God. 1. Man Plans but God Answers (Proverbs 16:1,2,3,7,9,11,25). We are full...

I found this chapter of Proverbs to be particularly enriching and I hope and pray that these sayings will become ingrained in our hearts and minds. 1. Let your words be of peace and knowledge (Proverbs 15:1, 2, 4, 7, 23, 26, 28). As peacemakers we should use our words to bring healing to...

Chapter 14 contains a lot of sage advice but also some proverbs (such as those concerning our inner feelings) that are less advisory and more just general spiritual truths about the human condition, which I found to be refreshing. 1. Don't be your own enemy (Proverbs 14:1, 3, 14, 23) Oftentimes...

This particular chapter has, amongst others, a variety of sayings on wealth that should remind us to seek the true wealth that is in Christ Jesus and not the bread that perishes. We should also be mindful of the words which we have been taught and the company we keep. There are other sayings as...

I have found Chapter 12 to be a little more difficult in terms of organizing into broad themes. Also, I think some of the "one-offs" are worth elaborating on so in this post I am going to play it a little more loose and try and organize some proverbs into themes but also highlight other proverbs...

We continue our study of Proverbs with Chapter 11. 1. Righteousness Provides Protection; Wickedness Ensures Destruction (Proverbs 11: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 18, 19, 21, 23, 30, 31). When we are walking in the way of Jesus Christ then we are walking securely for "[t]he integrity of the upright guides...

This chapter of Proverbs changes in terms of format from the previous chapters. Here, we are now presented plainly a series of proverbs without additional commentary. Commentators have tackled this chapter in a variety of ways. Some go verse by verse and others try to pluck out some themes. The...

This chapter of Proverbs continues with a discussion of the nature and ways of Wisdom (and later contrasts it with those of Folly). You can imagine the spirits of Wisdom and Folly going here and there throughout the town competing for the souls of men and women and calling for us to listen to...

Having ended our discussion of Chapter 7 warning against the ways of the adulteress we proceed to Chapter 8 with a description of the ways and nature of Wisdom, who serves almost as a foil to the adulteress. 1. Wisdom Seeks Out Man. Like the adulteress, wisdom seeks out man, but not to destroy...

We continue this discussion of Proverbs with Chapter 7. In this chapter there is again a repetition of the admonishment to make wise choices (choose the good!); to observe and become wiser and to flee adultery and the adulteress. 1. Choose Life. We are instructed to "keep the commandments and...

Our Proverbs discussion continues with Chapter 6 below. 1. Do Not Put Up Security for a Neighbor or a Stranger. We should be reluctant to put up for the debts of another as we should be prepared to pay all if that person is not able to pay their loan (Proverbs 6:1-2 ESV). As pointed out by...

We continue our discussion of Proverbs with Chapter 5, which continues many themes presented in previous chapters. 1. Discretion is Important. We should "keep discretion" that "our lips may guard knowledge" (Proverbs 5:2 ESV). If we track the Lord's ministry we see that he had at various times...

Chapter 4 wraps up with a variety of directives specifically related to our members and how we should control them (please see David Guzik's commentary). 1. Mind Your Heart. We should be diligent and watchful shepherds of our heart "for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23 ESV). Our...

We continue our series on Proverbs by turning our attention to Chapter 4. I lay out some key takeaways below. 1. Cultivate a Loving, Loyal Relationship With Wisdom. I'm currently reading In Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer and he speaks about cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ (who is...

This last part of my discussion of Chapter 3 highlights, among other things, some practical advice that Proverbs provides in terms of social relationships. 1. Do No Evil to Your Neighbor (Not Even in Your Thoughts). This is from Proverbs 3:29 (ESV) and as I think many of us can attest if we...

Below please find a continuation of my discussion of Chapter 3 of Proverbs. 1. Give to the Lord. "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits…" (Proverbs 3:9 ESV). I think the use of "honor" here is appropriate. The Lord does not need anything from us so when we give something to...

Today I continue the discussion of Proverbs with Chapter 3, which provides us with some rich and practical advice as to how to have a good relationship with God and man. 1. Remember the Commandments. Proverbs 3:1 tells us that we should remember what God has told us to do. This memory can be...

There are a few interesting concepts in Chapter 2 that I would like to flesh out below. 1. The Way of the Righteous. There is a way of the Lord, who is "guarding the paths of justice" and watching over his saints (Proverbs 2:8 ESV). Those who walk these paths of justice are righteous, whereas...

There is much in Chapter 2 that echoes Chapter 1 and reaffirms certain principles laid out therein. I highlight some of these below. 1. Listen to Instruction. As noted in Proverbs 1:8 (ESV) you must hear by "making your ear attentive to wisdom" (Proverbs 2:2 ESV). Oftentimes we hear but we...

I want to wrap up this analysis of Chapter 1 of Proverbs by highlighting an interesting aspect of wisdom. Per Proverbs, wisdom is an active force (it is mentioned as a spirit in Ephesians 1:17). It "cries aloud in the street" and raises its voice "in the markets" (Proverbs 1:20 ESV). Wisdom...