The Proverbs Series: An Introduction
Walking the Wise Path to the Good Life
Dear #DailyFollower,
Introduction
Happy New Month!
Thankfully, we start this new month on Saturday. I hope your start has been restful.
As promised, I am starting a series on the Book of Proverbs to help daily followers get the guidance needed to translate God’s intention into their realities.
So, let’s dive in.
The Text
Proverbs 1:1-7, EXB
1 These are the ·wise words [proverbs] of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
2 They teach wisdom and ·self-control [discipline; instruction]; they will help you understand ·wise words [insightful sayings].
3 They will teach you how to be ·wise [insightful] and ·self-controlled [disciplined]
and will teach you to do what is ·honest [righteous] and ·fair [just], and ·right [virtuous].
4 They make the ·uneducated [simpleminded; immature; naive] ·wise [prudent]
and give knowledge and ·sense [discretion] to the young.
5 Wise people can also listen and ·learn [add/increase teaching]; even ·they [ those with understanding] can find good ·advice in these words [guidance].
6 Then ·anyone [they] can understand ·wise words [proverbs] and ·stories [or difficult sayings], the words of the wise and their ·riddles [difficulties].
7 Knowledge begins with ·respect [fear; awe] for the Lord, but fools ·hate [despise] wisdom and ·discipline [self-control; instruction].
Some Thoughts
The inspired words in Proverbs guide us (daily followers) on important life choices that we should make to access God’s promise of a good life; they aren’t guaranteed promises for a good life. It is critical to make this distinction as we study the book.
Every human has access to the inspired words in Proverbs and can use these words to build a respectable life. The words can make the simpleminded wise and the wise wiser.
The inspired words in Proverbs become more than words when we engage them from the lenses of reverence for God (the fear of God). Through the lens of the fear of God, the words empower us to take the wise actions we need to build and live a good life.
One Question to Ponder
Did the author of Proverbs live a good life?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. There are no right or wrong answers. I hope your responses provoke thought and help us meditate more on today's text.
Conclusion
The good life is available to all who follow Christ, but there are wise actions we must engage in to live in the reality of God’s promise.
I'd like you to join me tomorrow as we continue exploring Proverbs to discover these wise actions.
Yours faithfully,
John, a #DailyFollower.
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