The Root of Wisdom | Proverbs 1-3

This morning, my assigned reading was in Proverbs; specifically, chapters 1-3. I absolutely love this book--I am a person who highly values wisdom. If any of you care about the Enneagram, I am a 6w5. This means that I am highly motivated to gain knowledge and wisdom, but specifically to protect myself and the people I love. Additionally, one of my spiritual gifts is wisdom...clearly, it is a prevalent theme in my life. Today I wanted to walk through my reflections on these chapters. I have a tendency to ramble on, so mentally prepare yourselves for a lot of rabbit trails--I am rarely a succinct person when it comes to expressing my thoughts, and I have a LOT of thoughts on Proverbs. (If you could see the pages of my Bible for these three chapters, you'd see a mess of purple highlighter and scribbled notes and brackets!) 

For the sake of a semblance of organization, I'll split this into three segments, with each segment covering a separate chapter.

Chapter One

I want to highlight verse 7, which sets the tone for the rest of the book. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Those who fear the Lord and walk in His way delight in wisdom, and those who are foolish spurn it. The source of wisdom lies in the fear of the Lord; verses 29-32 speak on the cause of the plight of the wicked. "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord...they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices."(v. 29, 31) Those who fail to fear the Lord fall to their own wicked ways.

Verse 20 says that "Wisdom cries aloud in the street"...wisdom is not only openly available to us, it cries out to be sought. That's such an encouragement to me, as sometimes it can feel like attaining the Lord's wisdom is something far out of reach for me. In verse 22, Wisdom asks "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?" This begs a deeper question--how long will you fail to fear and honor the Lord? Once again I refer back to verses 29-32. Those who continue being "simple" will be allowed to fall to the consequences of their sin. The Lord is patient and kind, but if there is an utter lack of repentance or acknowledgment then that is indicative of a spiteful soul; there is no room for Him to work.

Chapter Two

This chapter was so encouraging to me! It starts off by promising that wisdom is attainable to us if we only make our ears attentive to wisdom, incline our hearts to understand, call out for insight, and raise our voice for understanding. If we show we are willing to seek and receive His wisdom, "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity..." (v. 5-7) The Lord seeks to bless us and give us insight and discernment! He guards the righteous and is our shield! This semester has been a bit of a rollercoaster for me emotionally, but the knowledge that He is my shield and Defender has been so healing to me. 

Verses 16-19 speak of the "forbidden woman" who leads men astray with her "smooth words". She "...forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death and her paths to the departed; none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life." (v. 17-19) I used to read this passage literally and, while I still do think it can apply literally, the Lord allowed me to read it in a new light.
By the Father's mercy, I have been allowed so many new convictions and encouragements during my season of singleness. I have been recently been convicted to ensure that the Lord is my First Love. Ultimately, "...you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) He is the only one who can give me lasting joy and peace. Anything that I am placing before Him in my life is an idol; even in a good and stable relationship, your boyfriend or girlfriend can become an idol to you if you begin seeking fulfillment in them rather than in the Word and in His truths.

I think part of the reason I am still single is that He wanted to allow me more time to ensure that I do not forsake God as my first love. To ensure that I am planting myself firmly in Him and pursuing Him first and foremost. That way, whenever I do get into a relationship, I will not allow the man I date to replace God as my first priority. If I'm not loving and pursuing Christ first, I will not be able to love and pursue my significant other quite as well. This is so gracious of Him because He knows my heart so well. He knows that I can have a tendency to becoming overly-emotionally invested, and He wants to give me the strength and opportunity to guard my heart before I'm even being pursued.

Chapter Three

I have less to say about this chapter but will highlight a few different points...

Verses 5-8 are convicting for me, as I often want to lean on my own understanding. Leaning on my own wisdom to understand situations makes me feel secure because when I feel like I understand a difficult situation I am still in control--this is a point that the Lord has been working on in me recently. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." This brings me to reflect on something I have learned about myself recently. I love listening to people--I love letting people vent to me and then being able to encourage and build them up. In the past, I have always spoken out of my own "wisdom". Being a very analytical thinker, I can often deconstruct a situation well and assess methods of action. HOWEVER, this often left me feeling drained and worn-out, and is nothing near to the wisdom that comes from the Word. Now that my relationship with Him is more stable and secure than it has ever been, He has allowed me to speak truth into others' lives and encourage them with the Gospel rather than my own wisdom. This kind of encouragement is never draining, but, rather, fulfilling. The Lord is pouring into me, and therefore I can pour into others without depleting myself. How cool is that?

Verses 11-12 are also an encouragement to me..."My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." It is such a BLESSING to call Him "Father" and to be reproved by Him, for that is a reassurance that He delights in us and wants to instigate growth in us. He is so merciful and kind.

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All-in-all, Proverbs has been so fulfilling for me. Thankful for the constant reminders of His goodness and faithfulness--for His willingness to share His wisdom and insight with even someone as lowly and unfaithful as myself. I encourage you to draw near to Him and draw from His wisdom and to fear Him and pursue Him first and foremost. It is so so healing.