Proverbs 1 - 3

Click HERE to read the passage.

Arguably, one of the most informative and life-changing books of the Bible is the book of Proverbs. For many years, the great evangelist Billy Graham would dedicate his life every day to reading 5 chapters in Psalms and 1 chapter in Proverbs. He once confessed, "By reading five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs daily, you will be able to read them through each month. The Psalms will tell you how you get along with God, and the Proverbs will tell you how to get along with your fellowman." 

What makes it so fascinating is that it's a compilation of some of the wisest thoughts of the wisest man who's ever lived - besides Jesus Christ. The story of how Solomon received this divine wisdom from God is found in 1 Kings 3:5-12. You can read this amazing story by clicking HERE.

Solomon begins by identifying the PURPOSE behind the book. In chapter 1, Solomon, shares with us the 7-fold purpose designed to teach us the following...

1. What wisdom is, how to get it, and the infinite value it brings to our lives!
2. How to use wisdom to build a disciplined and successful life!
3. How this wisdom can offer a young person insight far beyond their years!
4. How it helps you live a life that's right, just, and fair...in the eyes of God and man!
5. How knowledge and understanding can combine with wisdom to help you become successful!
6. How to know which path to take in life's journey!
7. And, how learning from those older than you (i.e your parents) can jump start your life in the right direction!

Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?  I don't know of another author or book that offers all of these promises! Do you?

So, as we jump in and take a closer look at some of the beginning principles we realize some very interesting things!  Let me numerate these for you:

1. THE ENEMY OF WISDOM. The enemy of wisdom is a fool. You've see them. They're all around us. You can identify them as those who don't like to take advice. They're a know it all. And, they're people who reap the punishment of doing bad things but keep doing them anyway. They despise advice and wisdom.

2. THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM.  The beginning of gaining wisdom starts by "fearing" the Lord!  If you can't see God as a Holy God who hates sin and loves righteous living, then you'll NEVER find wisdom. Wisdom - true wisdom - is from God. And, fearing Him is the starting place. Understanding "who" God is and His Character is the beginning of wisdom.

3. THE AVAILABILITY OF WISDOM.  Wisdom is available to EVERYONE! In fact, Solomon tells us it cries out to us all the time. In the book of James, God tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom we should ask Him for it and He'll grant it to us.

4. THE CHALLENGES OF WISDOM.   While God wants to grant us wisdom, however, as you'll see in these chapters, you must not only ask for it, but you must search diligently for it as well. God only grants wisdom for people who see its value and search for it like a buried treasure.

5. THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM.  
   -  Common sense!  Who doesn't want this?
   -  Brings you joy!   Again, who doesn't want this?
   -  Keeps you safe!  How? By guiding your decision making.
   -  Keeps you from sin!
   -  Provides stability and success!  Again, who doesn't want to be successful?
   -  A long, satisfying life!
   -  Favor with God and man!  Probably the greatest benefit in my opinion!

As we end chapter 2 and go into chapter 3, we see some very important principles for living. I'm going to point out 7 powerful ones I see:

*  Trust God's ability, never your own.
*  Honor God with your income, and He'll bless you.
*  He corrects those He loves.
*  Wisdom is better than gold.
*  Help others when you have the ability to do so.
*  God loves to be the friend of Godly.
*  God's loves to pour out His grace on those who are humble.

You know, if you could print this lesson out, post it on your refrigerator, and meditate on each of these principles, your life would change immensely!

Just the 7 principles above are enough for us to chew on for a month!  If you'll learn those 7 truths, imagine what it would do for you.

And, we're just getting started!