Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter One
The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Knowledge
Today we begin a new study – it is on the Book of Proverbs. If I were to outline the entire Book of Proverbs – I would divide it into three parts.
1. WISDOM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (Chapters 1 — 9)
In this section Solomon instructed the young people of his day like a father giving advice to his child. Although these proverbs are directed toward young people, the principles supporting them are helpful to all believers regardless of age or gender. All of us could use more wisdom and anyone reading these chapters will benefit greatly from these sayings.
2. WISDOM FOR ALL PEOPLE (Chapters 10 — 24)
In this section Solomon wanted to impart wisdom to all people – regardless of their age, gender, or position. These sayings give us practical wisdom for daily living. We should study them diligently and integrate them into our daily lives.
C. WISDOM FOR LEADERS (Chapters 25 — 31)
This section not only includes Solomon’s proverbs but proverbs by other authors as well. Many of these proverbs are general in nature – but some of them are directed specifically to the king and those who dealt with the king. Therefore, these are particularly useful for leaders or those who aspire to be leaders.
Chapter one could be outlined:
Proverbs 1 -
Introduction to Proverbs (Proverbs 1:1-6)
Fear God/Honor Parents (Proverbs 1:7-9)
Avoid Bad Influences (Proverbs 1:10-19)
The Call of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-33)
INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-- 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. Proverbs 1:1-6 (NKJV)
Verse 1: Solomon was a wise son of a wise father – but his wisdom was far greater than his father. The Bible says:
“God gave Solomon wisdom—the deepest of understanding and the largest of hearts. There was nothing beyond him, nothing he couldn’t handle. Solomon’s wisdom outclassed the vaunted wisdom of wise men of the East, outshone the famous wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone…. He became famous among all the surrounding nations. He created three thousand proverbs.” 1 Kings 4:29-32 (MSG)
Of the three thousand proverbs we know that they are not all listed here – but God in His infinite wisdom has given us what is useful for our lives.
What the book of Psalms is to prayer and devotional life – the book of Proverbs is to everyday life. Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living. This book is not just a collection of cute sayings – it contains deep spiritual insights for daily living.
Verses 2-6
In these verses we find the reason that Proverbs is written:
1. To know wisdom
2. To know instruction
3. To perceive words of understanding
4. To be instructed in wisdom
5. To be instructed in justice
6. To be instructed in judgment
7. To be instructed in equity
8. To give understanding to those who are naïve
9. To give the young knowledge
10. To give the young discretion
11. To increase the wisdom of the wise
12. To give those who have understanding – wise counsel
Matthew Henry said: “The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon’s Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom.”
There should be no doubt that the study of Proverbs will become of great benefit.
FEAR GOD/HONOR PARENTS
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:7-9 (NKJV)
Verse seven is a shining pearl. Knowledge comes from the fear of the Lord. To gain true understanding – one must fear the Lord – there must be reverence and respect for God and His power – without the fear of God knowledge can easily be misused. Wisdom and knowledge go hand in hand. In my understanding – knowledge is information – wisdom is the proper godly application of that knowledge – therefore to the believer wisdom and knowledge are to be inseparable. All information is to be used to the glory of God. Psalm One Hundred and Eleven says:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalms 111:10 (NKJV)
Job tells us:
’Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ Job 28:28 (NKJV)
Barnes has said:
The beginning of wisdom is found in the temper of reverence and awe. The fear of the finite in the presence of the Infinite, of the sinful in the presence of the Holy, this for the Israelite was the starting-point of all true wisdom…. This fear has no torment, and is compatible with child-like love. But this and not love is the “beginning of wisdom.” Through successive stages and by the discipline of life, love blends with it and makes it perfect.
Clarke says:
This fear or religious reverence is said to be the beginning of knowledge…. No man can ever become truly wise, who does not begin with God, the fountain of knowledge; and he whose mind is influenced by the fear and love of God will learn more in a month than others will in a year.
The Life Application Study Bible notes – In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot. It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life. The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord—to honor and respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his Word. Faith in God should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes, and your actions. Trust in God—he will make you truly wise.
The second part of verse seven gives us a warning:
“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)
Our lives are to be ones that constantly seek the Lord and His wisdom and instruction. There is only One who knows it all and it is not the person that you see when you look in the mirror. Only God is all knowing and all wise – all of us still need understanding.
The Life Application Study Bible notes – One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it-all, a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Don’t be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. Remember, only God knows it all.
We are instructed throughout the scripture to head the instruction of our parents:
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)
And:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-3 (NKJV)
In verse eight God speaks to us a parent would to its child. Listen to the instructions of the Father and the guidance of the mother then – you will have an ornament on your head and golden chains around your neck. You will be decorated with honor.
AVOID BAD INFLUENCES
10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"-- 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; 18 But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.
Proverbs 1:10-19 (NKJV)
How many of us have heard: “Birds of a feather – flock together.” Bad influences can have a bad impact. Here the parent is giving good advice – practical advice – if a sinner wants you to sin – don’t consent – you can’t get more practical than that! Verses eleven through fourteen shows the sinners reasoning:
“Come on – we are stronger than they are. They expect nothing – they have no clue of what we can do – we can over take them in a moment. We will fill our houses with good stuff – we will take all their possessions. Join the group – get wealthy along with the rest of us.”
This reasoning sounds easy enough – doesn’t it? But verses fifteen through nineteen gives the warnings:
1. They run to do evil
2. They have murder on their minds
3. They will be caught in their own trap
4. Their own blood will be shed
5. Their own lives will be taken from them
6. They are greedy
7. In their greed – their own lives will be taken from them
Sinners love company when they sin. The way of sin is down-hill. Men promise all kinds of “things” – but the end is destruction. Greed never leads to glory. Children listen to the instruction of the Father – He wishes to speak to you and lead you away from temptation and evil.
“Do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13 (NKJV)
THE CALL OF WISDOM
20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. 23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil." Proverbs 1:20-33 (NKJV)
Verses twenty and twenty one: Wisdom in these verses has become a person – she call aloud for all to hear. She is outside the house, she is in the open square, she calls from the middle of the road or on the busiest street corner – wherever we turn – if we listen – we can hear her voice. The remainder of the chapter tells us what she says:
Verse twenty two says:
1. Simple ones love simplicity
2. Scorners love their scorning
3. Fools hate knowledge
It is much easier for a person to remain where they are than to change. Water that does not move becomes stagnant and begins to smell. Where there is no growth there is decay. Muscles of the body – if they are not used will decline in power and in strength. Spiritual growth is to be our constant goal. Wisdom offers the opportunity to grow.
Verse twenty three reminds us that it takes our effort to grow spiritually. The first word of this verse is “Turn”. “Turn at my rebuke” – listen to me and heed the warning. If we hear the sound of the alarm and do nothing – our own blood is on our own hands. Ezekiel tells us:
"Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ’When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head.” Ezekiel 33:2-4 (NKJV)
God sounds the warning – it is not enough to hear the warning – we must also heed the warning. The warning does no good if it is not heeded. Spiritual growth does not come to those who are stagnant – but to those who are actively seek God. God always offers a blessing for those who seek Him – Second Chronicles gives us one example of this fact.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV
Verse twenty four through verse thirty two is a great warning:
Because – I called to you and you have refused to listen
Because – I reached out to you and have not responded
Because – I gave you counsel yet you despised it – and have shunned me
1. I will laugh at your calamity
2. I will say, “I told you so.” When terror comes:
a. Terror will come like a storm
b. Your destruction will come like a tornado
c. You will feel anguish and distress
Then on only then will you try to call out to me – but:
1. I will not answer
2. You will not find me
Because – you hated knowledge
Because – you did not fear the Lord
Because – you hated My counsel
Because – you despised My every rebuke
Folks I have heard of deathbed conversions – but if that your approach to dealing with God – this passage of scripture is a great warning. If you think you can wait till the last minute and seek God’s grace and mercy – this passage of scripture does not support it. Can God forgive you at the last minute? Of course He can! Will He? That is quite a different question and it is a question that only God can answer. Putting off to tomorrow or next week or next year what should be done today – is foolishness. (To be truthful none of us know when death will knock at our door.) Isaiah tells us:
“Seek God while he’s here to be found, pray to him while he’s close at hand.” Isaiah 55:6 (MSG)
Let me encourage you to seek Him now.
But verse thirty one continues with the warning. This verse begins with the word “therefore”.
Therefore they will eat the food that they have prepared with their own hands
(You reap what you sow)
Therefore they will live in a fantasy world which will consume them
Therefore their simplicity will slay them
Therefore their complacency will bring destruction to their doors
Verse thirty three begins with the biggest word in the English language – BUT. The word “but” in this verse brings a ray of hope.
But – whoever will listen to Me will dwell in safety
But – whoever heeds My words will be secure
But – whoever follows Me will live without fear of evil
The question today is – “Will you heed God’s voice? Will you fear Him – reverence Him – respect Him – follow Him?” He gives you a choice. I pray today that you will choose to follow God.
