Proverbs 1:7-9 "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."
Proverbs 2:1-6 "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD giveth wisdom, out of HIS mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
Wisdom is the ability to live life skillfully; it is the right use of knowledge. Godly wisdom provides the direction to life a righteous life in an ungodly world. In the book of Proverbs, through Solomon, the LORD gives HIS people detailed instructions concerning how to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life. This book stresses GOD honoring life relationships (family, social, economic, civic, ethical, etc.), basing them squarely upon the believer's primary relationship -- with GOD.
Proverbs, though it may not seem so at first glance, tells a story. It is the picture of a young man starting out in life. His first lesson is in the first chapter, with a follow-up in chapter nine -- "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (v.7); "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 pictured above). The central theme of Proverbs is the "fear of the LORD." This "fear" entails a reverent belief and confident trust in GOD and in the "beginning" (the essential, crucial, basic part) of the wisdom that is then discussed at length in the whole book.
"Wisdom" is the instructor that teaches believers in the school of life. She [Wisdom] will protect her students (Proverbs 2:8), direct her students (Proverbs 3:5-6 pictured above), and perfect her students (Proverbs 4:18, 20-27), continually encouraging them to search for her as something precious and noting that the SOURCE of wisdom is GOD HIMSELF. When one seeks for wisdom, the LORD will reward that pursuit with the obtaining of it (James 1:5 pictured above). In contrast to the bleak darkness of evil, divine light will stream across the highway of the righteous. Look to GOD for wisdom -- it will protect, direct, and perfect you as a learner of the WORD.
Solomon makes two significant statements in Proverbs concerning knowledge and wisdom. In Proverbs 1:7, pictured above, he writes that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and in Proverbs 9:10, also pictured above, that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Knowledge and Wisdom -- these are two essential elements that a child of the heavenly FATHER must learn; he needs to apply GOD's truth for the direction of his life. King Solomon, of course, was teaching his own son in the way of knowledge and wisdom so that he might be established in the way he should go. We would do well to "fear" [reverence] the LORD and likewise profit from this instruction of a father to his son.
In the first six verses of Proverbs chapter two, we find the word "if" used three times in Solomon's instructions to his son: "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee" (v.1); he continues in verse tree: "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding"; in verse four: "If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures." Those are all conditional statements: If we fulfill the conditions stated, then GOD will fulfill what HE promises in verses five and six. Here is the outcome: "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD giveth wisdom out of HIS mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (vv.5-6). Solomon says next: "HE [GOD] layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: HE is a buckler (personal shield) to them that walk uprightly" (v.7). What a blessed truth ! Today, pursue the wisdom and knowledge of GOD as you meditate upon HIS WORD, for HIS promises are sure. JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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