The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity;
To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:1-7
Solomon makes lofty claims of the value of the Proverbs. They are useful, practical, and spiritual. I agree with him. Solomon had talent on loan from God in this area. He was (second only to Jesus), the wisest man who has ever lived and perhaps the richest as well. During his rule, the kingdom experienced amazing peace and prosperity. His example is what is afforded to us spiritually in Christ. The Bible says that we have “riches in Christ” and access to “the mind of Christ”. When I read the proverbs, I see glimpses of our great and wonderful God who shared these truths with Solomon.
Do I know wisdom and instruction, discernment, understanding? Does my life reflect wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity? Am I sharing prudence, knowledge and discretion with younger people?
God, I have a reverence and fear of You. In a wholesome sense, I know that You are God, the maker of all things and that I one day will stand before You. Thank you that because I have come to You for mercy and placed my life in Your hands, that I have received the beginning of knowledge. Please impart to me the wisdom I need each day.
