Rev. Don Campbell
Proverbs 1-3
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, June 3, 2019
“THE PRINCIPAL THING”
Solomon declares “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (4:7, NKJV). Wisdom is often described as the ability to use knowledge, especially in a practical way: “life skills.” It is important to distinguish proverbs from prose, which is an extended examination, explanation, and application of a theme. A proverb is “a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice.” There may be exceptions to these general truths, but these exceptions are not stated in the proverb. For this reason, one must be careful not to interpret a single proverb as absolute truth to which there are no exceptions. For example, Proverbs 22:6 is often interpreted to mean that if parents bring up their children in the Christian faith, the child will never depart from that faith. First, Solomon is not writing about the Christian family. Second, 19:27-28 shows that this absolute interpretation is not valid: “He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” One last word. God brought up sons and they rebelled against him and so can our sons and daughters rebellion against our teachings and way of life: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: ‘Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand” (Isaiah 1:2-3).
The truly wise person never boasts of his learning or his IQ: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
The truly wise person is eager to learn even from those of humble estate: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles” (Proverbs 1:5-6).
As you read Proverbs, do so eagerly and with an open mind. Your life will be enriched greatly.
COMMENTS
1. In chapter three, Solomon gives 10 prohibitions (do not’s). What are they?
2. In Proverbs 2:5, Solomon says, “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” What things seven does he point to with the word “then”?
