There’s a reason why most sons grow up wanting to be like their dads either for good or ill. God intends for fathers and mothers to serve as examples of wisdom to the malleable minds of children. When the core unit of the family loses wisdom rooted in the fear of the Lord all of society begins to disintegrate. Proverbs frames wisdom not as an esoteric knowledge passed on by a spiritual guru to his devoted followers or a set of abstract principles taught within the confines of a university, but as practical knowledge imparted from a father to a son. Our parents aren’t perfect, but they do serve as an analogy of God’s fatherhood over us. He disciplines us because he loves us, and unlike our earthly parents, his discipline is always right and perfectly attuned to our need. When we entrust ourselves to the fatherhood of God we become like his son, Jesus Christ who embodies the wisdom of God in the flesh. That’s why getting a grasp on the fatherhood of God is so essential to growing our faith and trust in his words. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

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If God could grant you anything in the world what would you ask for? If you’re sick you may ask for healing. If you’re poor you might ask for wealth. Or if you’re lonely you’ll ask for a romantic relationship. These are not bad things to ask for, but it should give us pause that Solomon, the primary author of Proverbs, when pressed with this exact question asks for wisdom, and “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this (1 Kings 3:10).” God not only grants Solomon wisdom, but also a long life of riches and honor. It’s as if God is saying, “If you have wisdom all these things follow.” We know that life’s not that simple. Sometimes this leads us to approach this book with hesitation, but Proverbs recognizes the complexities of life in a fallen world. People are complicated. Relationships get messy. Life is often unpredictable. Proverbs anchors us with wisdom so that we can navigate the disorienting world we live in with confidence, faith, and joy. Because wisdom is ultimate the skill of living well in God’s world. This requires diligent attention, worshipful meditation, and disciplined application. Wisdom is not for the faint of heart. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

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As Jesus prepares for the cross and the redemption of God’s people, the chief priests and elders prepare to kill Jesus, and a woman prepares him for burial by anointing him with oil. 

Jesus describes the final judgement and the separation that will occur that will reveal who belongs in the kingdom.

Jesus continues to unveil what the kingdom is like through the parable of the talents. 

Through parables, Jesus reminds the disciples that their task as followers is to anticipate and prepare themselves to be ready for the return of the Lord. 

Jesus describes to his disciples what they should expect with his second coming and warns them to not be led astray by rumors and false prophets prior to his return.

Jesus answers the disciples questions about his coming and the end of the age by evoking imagery of the end times and exhorting them to endure in the faith. 

Jesus addresses the crowds and Pharisees warning them of the necessity to be both respectful and discerning of leaders, and calling out the hypocrisy of the leaders of the day.

Jesus questions the Pharisees regarding who the Christ is and leaves them silent as he makes them consider David’s own words about the Messiah.