Proverbs 1 “Why Proverbs?”

 Why Proverbs? Let’s go straight to Solomon’s reasons…
       
             “for attaining wisdom and discipline;
               for understanding words of insight;
               for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
               doing what is right and just and fair,” Pr.1:2-3

 There’s more reasoning in the following verses, but we’ll stop there and skip to verses 8-9, where Solomon says instruction and teaching

      “…will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”

Reading that made me smile! You see, I like a little glitz & glam, some call it bling, and to me this sounds like a flower for my hair and a pretty sparkling necklace! Just go with me here….Wisdom and Knowledge are Godly bling!!! This excites me to no end!

 So what happens when we don’t want to wear this bling God gives us through His word & the Holy Spirit? Just like uncared for jewelry we become dull, our spirits tarnished. We will most likely participate in ill-gotten gain, which always results in sin & selfrighteousness.

        “Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
               it takes away the lives of those who get it.” (v.19)

Self seeking ways will always end up taking our very lives & everything we once held dear. I know a
60+yr old man, so stubborn in his ways, refusing to accept help or forgiveness that he loudly proclaimed to his family, “Go away and never come back!” He sits in his house dejected & alone because that’s what he wants. He has numerous health problems, which put him in a drugged stupor, hardly able to care for himself. He has lost most of what was once dear to him, and most recently, by his angry request, the presence of his descendants. My heart aches for his soul.

    “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?” (Pr.1:22)

 My NIV bible has a footnote saying the Hebrew word translated ‘simple’ usually references one without moral direction and inclined to evil. “How long will you [immoral] ones love your [immoral] ways?” Skip to verse 32. “For the waywardness of the [immoral] will kill them.” I see this happening all around our world and it breaks my heart. However, there’s only so much we can do, then each one must make their own choice to accept God’s bling! Praise the Lord for the power of prayer & the promise of hope as long as there’s still breath.

 So today let’s make a commitment to stay in God’s word for the 31 days of January as we read through Proverbs! Let’s keep adorning ourselves with wisdom, knowledge and discipline. Let’s keep polishing our Godly bling daily, so we can

     “live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” (v.33)

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