Saturday, February 2, 2013

Sunday Bible Study - Proverbs Chapter 1


Book-of-Proverbs-Revised
 
Welcome everyone!  I’m so glad you stopped by for the first post in my new series “Sunday Bible Study.”  If you don’t have a Bible or don’t have one handy and would like to read along, look for the Bible Study Tools on the sidebar. 
 
I wanted to start the study with the book of Proverbs.  It is clearly written to show the reader how to live disciplined and successful lives, to know right from wrong and to treat others fairly and justly.  The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for “proverbs” is comparison and we see many verses used that way. 
 
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
 
The book of Proverbs was mostly written by Solomon in the middle of the tenth century BC. As we get deeper in the book, it is clear that there were other wise men that helped.
 
2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.'
 
Wisdom is the key work of the book and basically means “skill in living.” Whereas instruction is not referring to classroom instruction but more like knowing the difference between right and wrong. In verse 4, “To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” In other words, a wise man will have the ability to seize opportunities for good and use it as an to increase his own learning and the “simple” is someone who is easily led astray. The last verse is kind of sums it all up, even a wise and Godly man does not know everything!  He still continues to learn.  We must all remember this!  We can learn a lot from each other.  This Bible study is a perfect example.  I am writing from my point of view but can and will learn more from others who comment with their point of view!  An unwise man thinks he knows it all!
 
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
 
There are a lot of views on God in today’s world.  Some people say God is Love and would never allow anything bad to happen.  Others say that He is a vengeful God.  Verse 7 has helped me with these views because there is truth to both.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge….”  Fear…well I do fear God but I also love Him as well but how do you explain this?  Yes, a parent is loved and feared at the same time.  When a child has done wrong there is fear present as to what punishment the parent will give. To me, the fear of God is more.  The Bible tells us of how God has punished His people severely for their disobedience.  I don’t think a Christian earthly father would dish out this kind of punishment. 
 
So, how has this verse helped me?  Well, it’s probably more of the footnotes in my Bible that helped.  It made a comparison between the fear of God and the fear of electricity. 
 
 
Yes, we all have electricity.  We love electricity because it helps cool off our homes in the heat of the summer, allows us entertainment though radios, dvd players, and televisions, and so on.  It’s almost impossible to live without.  On the hand, electricity will ELECTROCUTE you!!!  You know not to leave electrical cords around water.  It causes FIRES!  You know not to use an appliance that has faulty wires!  So it is to be respected, used wisely, and FEARED.
 
Do you see how this comparison has helped me?  I love the Lord, respect Him and try to live my life according to His word but I also fear His response if I don’t!
 
Please understand that I am NOT saying that God allows horrible things to us specifically as punishment.  I feel that He does punish us in ways but not in some horrible way like the death of a child or spouse.
 
Once we accept that God is to be feared, to be reverenced, served, and worshipped, this will mark the beginning of knowledge!  We will see  and understand things differently.  Things that were once cloudy, are now clear! 
 
“…But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Yes, I was once one of these “fools”, one who did not believe in God.  I did not want to listen!  I was actually scared to listen.   Maybe I should rephrase this, I have always believed that there was a God but had not accepted him as my Savior!  So, at one point I was scared to hear the words of God!  But NO MORE! I serve an awesome GOD and I hope, no, I pray! that this post blesses you and helps to deepen your relationship with God!
 
I think we’ll pick on on verse 8 next week.  I don’t want to get to rambling to where people lose interest!! I want everyone to contribute with your thoughts and views on these verses!
 
Have a blessed week,
Tammy
 
Sources:
My personal King James Study Bible and personal notes









8 comments:

  1. Tammy,I really enjoyed your Sunday Bible Study and looking forward to the next one. Proverbs is my favorite book in the Bible.
    Have a great Sunday.
    Babs

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  2. Love the book of Proverbs! Thank you for the Good Word this morning. Usually, by this time, I'm getting ready for church, but today I'm sick and will not make it to church, so I appreciate the Bible study!
    God's blessings on you!

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  3. A great study, Tammy. I love the book of Proverbs too. I once started highlighting everything that spoke to me in Proverbs and then gave up when I realized I was highlighting every verse! Yes, I do think it means a reverent fear. Sadly, most children today cannot even relate to that because they don't have that fear of their parents. The beginning of knowledge..
    I'm excited to see all that God reveals to you and us through this study :)

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  4. I'm so happy that you have enjoyed this week's study! I can't wait till next week! Have a blessed week!

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  5. I love Proverbs, but never began to fully appreciate it until I was well into my adult years. This will be a great study!

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  6. I don't quite understand God's punishment angle. Didn't he give us brains to develop and learn what is right and wrong, how to know the difference, ability to make decisions and suffer consequences? I'm not sure if multi-managing each individual is quite his deal. I just don't think he is sitting around waiting to find some just punishment for our mistakes (sins). I certainly don't think that it is up to us to determine whether or not we're being punished or what that punishmen is. How can you decide that the death of a loved one is or is not punishment? What is your idea of a proper punishment for your sins? Is there a list somewhere that has different levels of punishment for different sins? It may be a bit irresponsible to make statements when you have no knowledge of what punishments are or are not likely. It is not up to us to make those deteminations. Please leave that to God. I am one that does not fear God. Nor do I fear electricity. I have respect for it and know it's powers and because of that I don't fear. I know Jesus Christ as my savior and I don't fear his father (my father). Please be careful of passing along to people that they fear (healthy or not) our Lord. Each persons perception of fear is different and what may be terrifying to one may not be to the other... just saying.

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    1. Thank you for your comment. I can certainly see that you do not agree with my view and that's ok! God did give us "brains" in which we can make our own decisions as to how we each interpret His word. I don't feel that He does sit up around "multi-managing" us, He already knows what decisions we will make! I also do not know if possible tragedies are His punishment! However, that being said, the Bible clearly shows in quite a few situations were God has punished His people for not following Him and some were quite severe! In verse 7, it says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and fools despise wisdom and instruction", I chose to respect and fear the Lord, read His word and hold it in my heart, and live my life as He would have me to!

      Forgive me for rambling but I was trying to address your comment as clearly as possible. Have a blessed day, Tammy

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Thank you so much for all your lovely comments! I try to return the favor and visit each one of you! ~Blessings, Tammy~