Circle of Grace

I’ve been reading the Book of Proverbs as part of my reading-through-the-Bible-in-a-year challenge, and I’ve marveled at the truth of the phrase, “reading is fundamental”. Outside of direct personal revelation from God, wisdom was handed to us in the pages of the Book of Proverbs.  In order to receive it, one would have to dedicate himself/herself to reading the book and making its instructions a part of their daily lives.  And it’s all practical instructions.

Here is the introduction to the Book of Proverbs from my Bible, The KJV Prophecy Study Bible:

“As the preface to the book states, Proverbs is about wisdom.  On one level, wisdom is a skill of living, a practical knowledge.  Wise people know how to say the right thing at the right time and to do the right thing at the right time.  They live in a way that maximizes blessing for themselves and others in the world that God created.  But at a deeper level, wisdom is more profound than an ability to navigate life well.  Indeed, it begins with a proper attitude toward God characterized by “fear”.  This is not the type of fear that makes someone run away, but it is more than respect.  It is the awe that a person should feel when in the presence of the sovereign Creator of the universe, Proverbs is a book about wisdom, and it intends to make its reader wise.”

FYI:  The Book of Proverbs is associated with Solomon, Israel’s wisest king.  Indeed, most of the proverbs were written by him, but there were other contributors as well such as anonymous writers of (Chaps 22:17-24:22), Agur (Chap 30) and Lemuel (Chap 31).

Solomon addressed his writings to his young son(s) but we know that they apply to all of us.  Chapters 1 – 3 gives a general overview of why the attainment of wisdom is so important and, these two verses have stayed with me from my childhood memorizations.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:  but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov 1:7)

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:  and with all they getting get understanding.” (Prov 4:7)

As many times as I have read the book, I find myself constantly stopping in the middle of reading, flabbergasted because I realize that Proverbs addresses the exercising of wisdom in any and every area of our lives. Finances, relationships, communication.  You name it, wisdom is there for the reading, understanding and execution.

As I continue to read the book, I concur with Hosea when he said in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  And it is true.  I have witnessed persons whom I consider having above average IQs, do and say the most foolish things and I shake my head and wonder.  But I’ve learned that intelligence does not equate to wisdom.  As the writing above said, wisdom has to be practiced.  Most of all, one has to be connected to the God of all wisdom, and be willing to hear what He has to say, to become wise.

Proverbs 2:6-8 (NLT)

For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
    He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of the just
    and protects those who are faithful to him.

The Passion Translation

Wisdom is a gift from a generous God,
and every word he speaks is full of revelation
and becomes a fountain of understanding within you. 
For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom
made accessible to his godly lovers. 
He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways,
protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right.

So, here is my advice.  There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs.  Why not challenge yourself to read one a day?  Today is the 12^th September so you would read Chapter 12 today, 13 the next day and so on.  I would like to hear what effect the exercise would have had on your daily life, if any.  Please DM me.  I’m anxiously awaiting your report.