Thoughts on Proverbs 1
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction(Prov 1:7)
I remember in my childhood years, one of the high points of any visitation to the village then was the inspiring stories told by my grandmother.
Some of these stories were narrated as songs and in between one story or the other, were parables, riddles and sayings whose interpretation our young minds could not fathom.
But when over, we compulsorily learnt the morals of each story and some the lessons drawn remain till date. Am guessing this is the experience of some of us too.Although most of this generation do not have the same opportunity to learn the wisdom that resides with the aged.
Proverbs draws us into an opportunity for learning and gaining wisdom. About 3000 Proverbs are attributed to king Solomon and the writing assigned to his mature years when he was at the height of his power.
Verses 1 to 6 of today’s chapter outlines to the reader the purpose of studying the book of Proverbs.
Whether young or old, there is understanding and insights for everyone. I recall in yesterday’s Green pastures, out teacher made reference to the number of times the word fool appears in scriptures, pointing out the need to study more and understand why this word appears so many times in both the old and New Testament. Reading Proverbs will surely help. In today’s chapter alone, apart from highlighting the purpose of reading, we encounter two important words –
Simple (vs 4): this denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and susceptible to good and bad influences.
Fool(vs 7): As used in Proverbs this denotes a person who is morally deficient.
Neither of the 2 words should describe a child of God. We are hopeful that as we read through Proverbs for the next 31 days, times of naivety, gullibility and susceptibility to negative influences will give way to wisdom.
