Proverbs 1:1-7
Q.1. Who is the author of Proverbs? Why were the proverbs written down? How does the writer explain what wisdom is all about? – (Prov.1:1-4 c.f. 1 Kgs.4:32; 2 Chr.9:23)
The book starts out – The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel (Prov.1:1). When God met him in his youth and said – ask what you wish Me to give you … His response was a classic – Give your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern what is good and evil (1 Kings 3:5 c.f. 9). It is recorded of Solomon that – he also spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five (1 Kgs. 4:32). Also – all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had placed in his heart (2 Chron.9:23). Solomon wrote this early section to his sons – Hear my son your father’s instruction (Prov.1:8,10,15; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 7:1 etc.). The meaning of wisdom in the opening seven verses could be summed up as follows – Learn to see life from God’s point of view, and respect, obey, and accept the advice of those placed by God in authority over you.
Q.2. What difference will wisdom make? How do you acquire wisdom? Do all people fear? What makes the fear of the Lord so crucial? – (Prov.1:4-7)
You will gain much by being wise – 4 To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (Prov.1:4-5). Instead of naivety, you will grow in knowledge and discernment. Instead of impulsiveness, you will become more controlled. A wise person is open to learning and counsel from others. The key to knowledge and experience is found in building on the foundation of – the fear of the Lord (Prov.1:7). We all fear something or someone. These fears may restrain us or may lead us astray. Ultimately, we should fear God above all others. That will help us to see life from God’s point of view. The fear of man will prove to be a snare … Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe (Prov.29:25). Education may cause pride, but we must recognize that our learning and experience cannot even begin to compare with God’s supreme wisdom and knowledge. (c.f. Rom.11:33-36; 1 Cor.1:25; 8:1). For all his wisdom, Solomon recognized the source of it all – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov.1:7).