Proverbs
The Blueprint:
1) Wisdom for Young People ... Proverbs 1:1 thru 9:18 - The 1st nine chapters were to be seen as a father giving advice to his child. The wisdom shared is helpful to all people of faith whether men or women, young or old. If you are looking for greater wisdom in your walk with the Lord there may be no better place to start than the book of Proverbs.
2) Wisdom for All People ... Proverbs 10:1 thru 24:34 - These next fourteen chapters come in the form of short, pithy sayings that reveal to us practical wisdom for daily living. It would do us a world of good to study them thoroughly as a means of integrating them into our lives.
3) Wisdom for Leaders ... Proverbs 25:1 thru 31:31 - The final six chapters are general in nature; however, some are directed to kings and those who deal with the king. Scripture shows us that advisers to King Hezekiah collected many proverbs that Solomon or others wrote for guidance and direction. These wise sayings are very valuable for either leaders or those who plan on becoming leaders.
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Although we can find a multitude of examples of wisdom throughout Proverbs, I hand-picked one that I believe exemplifies the true nature of this book.
Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Our heart is what God is most interested in, for it is the home of our love and desires. Unlike man, the Lord examines the condition of a man’s heart to determine his intent.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
We can guard our hearts by making sure our desires always lead us on the right path. It’s important for all serious believers to place boundaries around our desires. Don’t ever be afraid to ask the Spirit to provide wisdom and/or guidance at any time. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by detours that could lead to sin.
That is how you use Proverbs for your own edification and encouragement so that you may live a productive life for our Lord. Our next posting will look at Ecclesiastes ... until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible
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