Proverbs: Chapter 1: 2 (NKJV)

As we saw last time, Solomon wrote the book of proverbs and verses 2 through 7 tell us why he wrote it. Today, we will look at verses 2-4, and discuss verse 2.

2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, 3 to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion---“

Wisdom is the main theme of this book and it is used 41 times throughout its pages. This word speaks about the competence with which we live our lives… being wise means to gain the skill and proficiency to live in a way that avoids the pitfalls that crop up in our lives. We do that through following the instruction of others who are wise in the area of study that we are working on. We look at their lives to see if they are successful… successful in living a life that God would approve of, not necessarily of what the world considers “successful.”

God’s ways are NOT our ways, and many things that the world says SHOULD work a certain way, often work the opposite in the Kingdom of God. Think of the example that Jesus gave as He, the great God and King of the universe, came down to be a SERVANT to mankind. He said in Matthew 19: 30 “Many who are first will be last, and many who are last, will be first.”

We should find people to be around, who are showing the fruits of the Spirit in their lives: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. James 1: 22 says “Do not merely listen to the word and so, deceive yourselves. Do what it says,” and in verse 26 & 27 James goes on to say that we need to keep a tight rein on our tongues, and that true religion that God accepts as pure and faultless, is to look after orphans and widows (the poorest and destitute) AND to keep one-self from being polluted by the world.

People that strive to follow God closely enough to be examples of these virtues are the people that we should become friends with. Through their examples, and through the ultimate examples (Jesus and those that follow God in the Bible), we can “perceive the words of understanding” we seek, to help us grow in wisdom.