The first 9 chapters of Proverbs help us understand why the wisdom of Proverbs is so important. It lays out for us the ramifications of the choices we make daily to pursue godly wisdom or foolishness. Today we’re doing a summary of what this part of scripture teaches us.

Today’s Big Question: 

What has God taught you about Wisdom?

Verses in Today’s Episode

Happy is a man who finds wisdom

and who acquires understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels;

nothing you desire can equal her.

Long life is in her right hand;

in her left, riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant,

and all her paths, peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy. (Proverbs 3:13-18)

“In Proverbs, Solomon organizes people into three categories: the wise, the foolish, and the simple.  These categories are not dependent on age, class, race, gender, or socio-economic status. Rather, they are determined by one’s direction in reference to the Lord.” - Peter Krol

“The idea here is, “Yes, I want to give you practical, moral instruction. But I am not interested to spoon feed you only. I want you learn to think, understand wisdom so that you learn how yourself to make good choices. I want you to consider what a wise and successful life looks like and how to get there. I want you to understand the Scriptures and how to apply them to given situations so that when you are out on your own your mind and heart are well-trained and tuned to wisdom.” - Fred Zaspel

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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A Seductive Offer [Proverbs 9:13-18]

Last week we looked at the offer that Wisdom makes to us. Today we have a description of Folly, who also makes us the same offer.

Today’s Big Question: 

Where will you sit down to eat?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 9:13-18

Folly is a rowdy woman;

she is gullible and knows nothing.

She sits by the doorway of her house,

on a seat at the highest point of the city,

calling to those who pass by,

who go straight ahead on their paths:

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”

To the one who lacks sense, she says,

“Stolen water is sweet,

and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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The first major section of Proverbs (Chapters 1-9) are bookended by a statement of the theme of Proverbs. Today we’re talking about the fear of the Lord.

Today’s Big Question: 

How do you want to respond to correction?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 9:10-12

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For by me your days will be many,

and years will be added to your life.

If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;

if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

Other verses referenced in this episode:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"  declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24) 

“The fear of God includes, but is not limited to, respecting and reverencing him, for we are told to tremble at his presence. Holy fear gives God the place of glory, honor, reverence, thanksgiving, praise, and preeminence he deserves….God holds this preeminent position in our hearts and lives as we esteem his desires over and above our own, hating what he hates and loving what he loves, trembling in his presence and at his Word.

Hear this and meditate on it: You will serve whom you fear.

If you fear God, you will serve him. If you fear man, you will serve man. You must choose. Now you can understand why Soloman, after an entire life of both success and hardship, could say:

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)” - John Bevere

“The great choice of life, which Solomon repeated often, is the choice of wisdom. If you choose her, you will be blessed; if you reject her, you will be punished. There is no escape; your choice will be repaid. You will bear the consequences. Your wisdom cannot benefit God, nor does your folly hurt him (Job 35:5-8). You alone will bear the results.

The Preacher of the New Testament, Paul warned, “Every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal 6:5). Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; whatever you sow, that is what you will reap (Gal 6:7-8).” - Anon.

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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None of us likes to be corrected. Well, wait, maybe that’s not true? Certainly some respond to it vehemently, even violently. Who would welcome correction? That’s what we’re talking about today.

Today’s Big Question: 

How do you want to respond to correction?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 9:7-9

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

    teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Other verses referenced in this episode:

How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

    and fools hate knowledge? (Proverbs 1:22)

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15 )

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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Wisdom’s invitation is available to you, but what is she inviting you to?

Today’s Big Question: 

Will you come to Wisdom’s table?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house;

she has carved out her seven pillars.

She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine;

she has also set her table.

She has sent out her female servants;

she calls out from the highest points of the city:

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”

To the one who lacks sense, she says,

“Come, eat my bread,

and drink the wine I have mixed.

Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;

pursue the way of understanding.

Other verses referenced in this episode:

She cries out above the commotion;

she speaks at the entrance of the city gates: (Proverbs 1:21)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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Today’s passage teaches us some really amazing things about wisdom and then summarizes the fatherly advice we’ve learned in the first eight chapters on how we should respond to her.

Today’s Big Question: 

How will you respond to wisdom?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 8:22-36

“The Lord acquired me

at the beginning of his creation,

before his works of long ago.

I was formed before ancient times,

from the beginning, before the earth began.

I was born

when there were no watery depths

and no springs filled with water.

Before the mountains were established,

prior to the hills, I was given birth—

before he made the land, the fields,

or the first soil on earth.

I was there when he established the heavens,

when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,

when he placed the skies above,

when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,

when he set a limit for the sea

so that the waters would not violate his command,

when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

I was a skilled craftsman beside him.

I was his delight every day,

always rejoicing before him.

I was rejoicing in his inhabited world,

delighting in the children of Adam.

“And now, sons, listen to me;

those who keep my ways are happy.

Listen to instruction and be wise;

don’t ignore it.

Anyone who listens to me is happy,

watching at my doors every day,

waiting by the posts of my doorway.

For the one who finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the Lord,

but the one who misses me harms himself;

all who hate me love death.”

Other verses referenced in this episode:

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24)

(in Christ) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3)

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

    by understanding he established the heavens;

by his knowledge the deeps broke open,

    and the clouds drop down the dew. (Proverbs 3:19-20)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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God’s given us some clear instruction on what he hates in these verses. Let’s take a closer look at the list.

Today’s Big Question: 

Does God hate anything in your life?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 6:16-19

The Lord hates six things;

in fact, seven are detestable to him:

arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that plots wicked schemes,

feet eager to run to evil,

a lying witness who gives false testimony,

and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

Other verses referenced in this episode:

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. (Proverbs  21:4)

the haughty looks of man shall be brought low,

and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,

and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty,

Against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low; (Isaiah 2:11-12)

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, 

speaking against me with lying tongues. (Psalms 109:2)

A lying tongue hates its victims,

and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28)

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

but those who plan peace have joy. (Proverbs 12:20)

Do they not go astray who devise evil?

Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22)

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! (Psalm 40:4)

Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him (1 John 3:15)

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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Maybe you don’t think of yourself as lazy, but you might be surprised by the far-reaching warning that scripture gives about laziness, as well as the likely result.

Today’s Big Question: 

What can you learn from an ant?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, you slacker!

Observe its ways and become wise.

Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

it prepares its provisions in summer;

it gathers its food during harvest.

How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?

When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the arms to rest,

and your poverty will come like a robber,

your need, like a bandit.

Other verses referenced in this episode:

The son who gathers during summer is prudent;

the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful. (Proverbs 10:5)

Laziness induces deep sleep,

and a lazy person will go hungry. (Proverbs 19:15)

The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense. (Proverbs 12:11)

There is profit in all hard work,

but endless talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

“What is a sluggard? Think of the way syrup oozes slowly out of a bottle when it is cold. That is the sluggard--sluggish and slow and hesitant when he should be decisive, active, and forthright….He is lazy, constantly making the soft choice, losing one opportunity after another after another after another, day by day, moment by moment, until he lies there helpless in his wasted life. Let’s all admit it--there is a sluggard deep inside each of us.” - Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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God has some very specific financial instruction in scripture. Today we’re talking about what he says about assuming the financial risks of others, and what that means for us when we're not in that particular situation.

Today’s Big Question: 

Whose risks are you willing to take?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 6:1-5

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor[a]

or entered into an agreement with a stranger,

you have been snared by the words of your mouth

trapped by the words from your mouth.

Do this, then, my son, and free yourself,

for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power:

Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.

Don’t give sleep to your eyes

or slumber to your eyelids.

Escape like a gazelle from a hunter,

like a bird from a hunter’s trap.

Other verses referenced in this episode:

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,

but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure. (Proverbs 11:15)

One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security

in the presence of his neighbor.  (Proverbs 17:18)

Be not one of those who give pledges,

who put up security for debts. (Proverbs 22:26) 

“God wants every one of us to take responsibility for himself. But if you put your financial future in the hands of someone the banks already think is a bad risk, you are acting irresponsibly yourself and encouraging irresponsibility in the other person.” - Raymond C Ortlund Jr

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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It's easy to think that we can get away with some sins. Some are small (we think). Some are private (we think), but these verses remind us that we can't afford to ignore, hide, or minimize sin in our lives.

Today’s Big Question: 

What would it take to put wisdom in charge of your life?

Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 5:21-23

For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes,

and he considers all his paths.

A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him;

he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin.

He will die because there is no discipline,

and be lost because of his great stupidity.

If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

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