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Welcome to Day 2202 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 8:32-36 – Daily Wisdom  Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2202 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2202 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m excited to continue our journey through the book of Proverbs, where we uncover its timeless wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Proverbs 8:32-36, as translated in the New Living Translation. So, lace up your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the profound message of embracing wisdom’s call in these verses. Pause… In Proverbs 8:32- 36, we discover the importance of heeding wisdom’s call and its profound benefits to our lives. These verses offer a clear path to a life of purpose and fulfillment. Verse 32: “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.” This verse begins with a loving and inviting call from Wisdom. She addresses us as her children, emphasizing the familial and intimate relationship we can have with wisdom. She promises that all who follow her ways will find joy. Pause… Verse 33: “Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.” Wisdom urges us to listen to her instruction and become wise. The key here is active listening and a commitment to applying wisdom’s guidance in our lives. Ignoring wisdom’s counsel would be to our detriment. Pause… Verse 34: “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!” Here, Wisdom paints a picture of those who eagerly seek her. They find joy in listening to her, watching for her daily, and waiting outside her home. This imagery illustrates the dedication and anticipation with which we should approach wisdom. Pause… Verse 35-36: “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.” These final verses contain a stark contrast. Finding wisdom leads to life and favor from the Lord, while missing wisdom results in self-inflicted harm. The strong statement that “all who hate me love death” emphasizes the gravity of neglecting wisdom’s call. Pause… As we reflect on Proverbs 8:32-36, we must recognize that wisdom is not a passive concept; it’s an active pursuit that requires our attention and dedication. Pause… Take a moment to consider these questions: How can you actively listen to and follow the ways of wisdom in your life? What steps can you take to make wisdom a daily presence in your journey? Remember, wisdom is not just a concept to be understood; it’s a path to be walked. Pause… Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 8:32-36:

1. Embrace Wisdom’s Call: Wisdom invites us to listen to her and become wise, promising joy to those who follow her ways.
2. Active Pursuit: Seeking wisdom requires...

Welcome to Day 2201 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Does God Want – God Was Betrayed By His Family – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 02/05/2023 What Does God Want? -  God Was Betrayed By His Family   Last week, we continued our series with the overall theme, which is to answer the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered was that God wants you along with every person who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a human family. God wants co-workers to take care of His creation. God wants you to know/ who you are/ and why your life has value to him. /He loves you /and desires that you also love Him. Last week’s message explored the three rebellions in Genesis 3-11. After those rebellions, God chose to restart his human family with Abraham and Sarah, which resulted in the nation of Israel, God’s portion or, as we refer to Israel, as chosen God’s people. Deut 32:9: “For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. The history of biblical Israel was a long, meandering affair filled with triumph and tragedy. God wasn’t surprised. He knew what to expect from people. God had always known what he was dealing with. Wearing Out Your Welcome God let Abraham know that the future of his descendants would be challenging. He was honest. Genesis 15:13, Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. That was the bad news. God provided some hope in Genesis 15:14: But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. Sure enough, the descendants of Abraham, now led by his grandson, Jacob, whose name God changed to “Israel,” eventually wound up in Egypt under the thumb of Pharaoh (Exodus 1). They’d gone there with God’s approval to avoid a famine (Genesis 45:5-11). Where they went wrong was that they didn’t return to the land God had given to them after the famine was over. Instead, they stuck around in Egypt way too long.   While in Egypt, the Israelite nation grew numerically, so much so that Pharaoh got paranoid about being able to stay in charge of the country (Exodus 1:8-10). He put them into forced labor and exterminated new babies if they were boys (Exodus 1:14-16). But God intervened and made them grow even stronger (Exodus 1:8-21).   All told, Israel spent four centuries in Egypt under harsh conditions. Eventually, God intervened and preserved the life of a baby boy named Moses. God engineered circumstances, so the baby was raised in Pharaoh’s house, right under his nose (Exodus 2:1-10). Moses led a life of privilege but one day committed a capital offense, murdering a man in a fight that began as a defense of a helpless Israelite. He fled Egypt to escape justice. Moses found a new life in a desert place called Midian. God met him at Mount Sinai in a burning bush (pre-incarnate Christ), an encounter that would change the history of his people and the world (Exodus 3:1-15). God sent Moses back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh.

Welcome to Day 2200 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 8:22-31 – Daily Wisdom  Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2200 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2200 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m delighted to continue our journey through the profound wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 8:22-31 from the New Living Translation. So, fasten your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the wisdom of creation in these verses. Pause… In Proverbs 8:22-31, we encounter a majestic portrayal of wisdom as being present at the very inception of creation. These verses invite us to contemplate the divine wisdom that underlies the universe. Verse 22-24: “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.” These verses open with a profound statement that the Lord formed wisdom from the very beginning, even before the creation of the universe. Wisdom was appointed in ages past, before the earth and oceans came into existence. This paints a picture of wisdom as an eternal and foundational principle of the cosmos. Pause… Verse 25-26: “Before the mountains were piled up and before the hills, I was born—before he made the world and its fields or even the first dust of the earth.” The narrative continues, describing wisdom’s existence before the formation of the mountains, hills, and the very earth itself. Wisdom predates the physical world, highlighting its timeless and preeminent nature. Pause… Verse 27-28: “I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.” Here, we witness wisdom’s involvement in the creation of the heavens, the setting of horizons on the oceans, and the establishment of the intricate systems of the natural world, such as clouds and springs. This portrayal underscores wisdom’s integral role in the orchestration of the cosmos. Pause… Verse 29-31: “I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.” These verses culminate in the image of wisdom as the architect by the Creator’s side during the establishment of the earth’s foundations and the setting of the seas’ boundaries. Wisdom is described as the constant delight of the Creator, rejoicing always in His presence. This vividly portrays wisdom’s intimate connection with the divine and its pivotal role in the grand tapestry of creation. Pause… As we reflect on Proverbs 8:22-31, we are reminded that wisdom is not merely a human concept but a divine principle intricately woven into the...

Welcome to Day 2199 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Does God Want – God Still Wanted A Family – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 01/29/2023 What Does God Want? -  God Still Wanted A Family Last week, we began a new series, which should take us close to Easter in our messages. The overall theme of this series is to answer the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered was that God wants you along with every person who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a family. God wants co-workers. God wants you to know who you are/ and why your life has value to him. /He loves you and desires that you also love Him. In last week’s message, I made the point that God equipped people to image Him on earth. He did that by sharing his attributes (his qualities and abilities) with all humans. Now, both the supernatural beings in the unseen realm (angels) and humans are to be an imager of God. As wonderful as that was (and is), it’s where things get interesting—and scary. One of God’s qualities is freedom—what we often call free will. Because humans have free choice,/ it resulted in three major rebellions in the first 11 chapters of Genesis. So, if you’ve ever wondered why there’s evil in the world, here’s the Bible’s answer. We have much to cover today, so hold on to your hats. (Grab Hat) Rebellion #1 – Stand Up #1 God knew what it meant when he decided to share his attributes with his children. God knows everything, so he understood clearly what would happen. God had made the same decision earlier with the heavenly family he had created. They have abilities like intelligence and freedom. They got those gifts from their Creator. Sooner or later, God knew that his gifts would be misused or abused. /He knew full well that, /though his children (in the spiritual world and on earth) were like him,/ they were not him. They were less than him. They were imperfect, whereas He is perfect. So, at some point, one (or more) of his children would either make a horrible mistake or act in thoughtless self-interest, rebelling against something God wanted to be done (or not done).   That’s precisely what happened in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve rebelled. They violated God’s command not to eat from one of the trees in the garden. As a result, they sinned and lost eternal life in God’s presence. Every human born after that was born outside Eden, estranged from God. The apostle Paul summed it up well: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).   An even earlier rebellion brought on the Eden tragedy. One of God’s supernatural children chose to dishonor God’s decision to have a human family by tempting Eve, hoping God would destroy her and Adam. (Bulletin) Listen as I read Genesis 3:1-7. The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,”...

Welcome to Day 2198 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 8:12-21 – Daily Wisdom  Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2198 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2198 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m thrilled to continue our exploration of the profound wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re delving into Proverbs 8:12-21, as translated in the New Living Translation. So, put on your hiking boots, and together, we’ll uncover the riches of wisdom in these verses. Pause… In Proverbs 8:12-21, we delve deeper into the attributes and benefits of wisdom. These verses offer us a glimpse into the unparalleled richness that wisdom brings to our lives. Verse 12-13: “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.” These verses introduce wisdom as a companion of sound judgment. Wisdom has a deep understanding of where knowledge and discernment can be found. Her alignment with those who fear the Lord underscores her commitment to righteousness. She detests pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverse speech, highlighting her opposition to all forms of evil. Pause… Verse 14-16: “Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.” These verses illustrate the practical benefits of wisdom. Wisdom brings common sense, success, insight, and strength. Kings and rulers are guided by wisdom to make just decrees and righteous judgments. Here, we see how wisdom not only benefits individuals but also has a positive impact on society’s leadership. Pause… Verse 17-18: “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.” Wisdom’s love is extended to all who seek her. She is not elusive but can be found by those who earnestly search for her. The rewards of wisdom are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and justice. These are the treasures she bestows upon those who embrace her. Pause… Verse 19-21: “My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.” Wisdom’s gifts are described as surpassing the value of gold and sterling silver. She walks in righteousness and leads us on paths of justice. Those who love her inherit wealth, and their treasuries are filled. These verses emphasize the incomparable value and abundant rewards of embracing wisdom. Pause… As we reflect on Proverbs 8:12-21, we are reminded that wisdom is not just theoretical knowledge; it’s a source of practical benefits and guidance for righteous living. Pause… Take a moment to consider...

Welcome to Day 2197 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 8:1-11 – Daily Wisdom  Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2197 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2197 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m genuinely delighted to continue our journey through the book of Proverbs, uncovering its timeless wisdom. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 8:1-11 from the New Living Translation. So, lace up your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the melodious voice of wisdom in these verses. Pause… In Proverbs 8:1-11, we encounter a beautiful depiction of wisdom as a wise and inviting presence, calling out to humanity. These verses vividly depict the importance of listening to the voice of wisdom.   Verse 1-3: “Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud.” These verses personify wisdom, portraying her as a lady standing prominently at the crossroads and gates, crying out for attention. It’s as if wisdom is eager to share her insights and guide those willing to listen. Her location at the crossroads and town entrance underscores the relevance of her counsel in our daily lives. Pause… Verse 4-5: “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.” Wisdom’s call is universal; she beckons to all, regardless of their background or station in life. Her message is clear: use good judgment and seek understanding. Whether we consider ourselves wise or foolish, wisdom always has room for growth. Pause… Verse 6-7: “Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.” Wisdom’s words are not empty; they are filled with valuable insights. She is a source of truth and righteousness and abhors deceit in all its forms. Her counsel is trustworthy, making her a reliable guide on our journey through life. Pause… Verse 8-11: “My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” Here, the writer emphasizes the purity and value of wisdom’s advice. It is wholesome, clear, and straightforward. Wisdom’s worth is greater than precious metals like silver and gold, and even more valuable than the rarest of gemstones. The message is clear: prioritize wisdom above all else, for nothing is more desirable. Pause… Reflecting on Proverbs 8:1-11, we must recognize that wisdom is not passive; she actively calls out to us, offering guidance and understanding....

Welcome to Day 2196 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom What Does God Want - God Wanted A Family - Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 01/22/2023 What Does God Want? -  God Wanted A Family   Today, we will begin a new, much shorter series that, over the next 8-9 weeks, will answer the question, What does God want? Throughout this series, I will cover the entire Bible in a story overview so we can understand more clearly what God’s story is about. The last couple of messages in this series will be about the Gospel and Discipleship. Much of the information will be familiar, but from a slightly different perspective from your concept of an overview of God’s Word. As such, we will look at various Scriptures as crucial touchpoints throughout the story.   What does God want? It sounds like a simple question, but it’s really not if you give it some thought. Why? Well, for starters, you must know who’s asking the question. (different action poses) People will ask this question for a lot of various reasons. Is it a cry of anger from someone in pain? Perhaps it’s a barely audible whisper that surfaces from deep sadness. Is the motivation curiosity? Or is it just prompted by the desire to reflect and think deep thoughts? It’s not difficult to see that giving the correct answer depends on why the question is being asked.   Since, at this moment, I’m the one asking the question; it’s easy to clear that up, at least from my perspective. But first, let me tell you what isn’t motivating me. I’m not asking the question because I don’t know the answer./ I do./ From the overarching aspect of this series,/ I know the answer for everyone,/ at least in God’s response concerning us. And that’s precisely how I’m asking it. I’m asking it to help you think about some essential things. When I ask, “What does God want?” I’m asking: What does God want when it comes to every person in the human race? What does he want regarding me, my life, and your life?   Before I get to the answer, it’s pretty evident that the question is from a religious perspective. Questions about God naturally get filed in that folder. I’ve raised the question and will answer it because I’m interested in God. Many people still are,/ though they may not be interested in church. That’s fine, since you don’t need the latter to be interested in this question. I am speaking not necessarily from a pastor’s perspective but from a lifetime of Bible studies. So, since I’m the one asking, my answer, as close as possible, should be Biblical. That narrows the focus a bit more. My goal will be to explain how the Bible would answer the question, “What does God want?”  Now for the answer. It’s simple. God wants you.   That might surprise you. You may doubt it. That’s okay. But it’s the correct answer for this series. Unfortunately, though, it isn’t enough of an answer. You can’t get a sense of how amazing and profound the answer is by just that one sentence. You need some context to appreciate how much love is behind it. There’s actually a long, remarkable story behind the answer. Since that’s the case, this series is about what God wants and what God wants you to know. Yes, he wants you, but for you to appreciate that and (hopefully) feel...

Welcome to Day 2195 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 7:6-27 – Daily Wisdom  Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2195 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2195 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m delighted to continue our journey through the timeless wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 7:6-27 from the New Living Translation. So, as always, let’s put on our hiking boots and embark on this enlightening journey together. Pause… In Proverbs 7:6-27, we encounter a vivid and cautionary tale about the seduction of folly and the devastating consequences of yielding to temptation. These verses serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of wisdom in guarding our hearts and minds. Verse 6-7: “While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.” The passage begins with the writer recounting a personal observation. He describes looking out his window and noticing a group of young men, one of whom stands out for his lack of wisdom. This sets the stage for a cautionary tale about the consequences of foolishness. Pause… Verse 8-9: “He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell.” The narrative continues as the young man in question is seen near the house of an immoral woman. The setting is significant, occurring in the twilight hours when darkness begins to envelop the world. This time of day symbolizes moral ambiguity and the potential for making unwise choices. Pause… Verse 10-12: “The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay home. She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner.” The seductive nature of folly is revealed as the immoral woman approaches the young man. She is described as seductively dressed, sly of heart, and rebellious. Her presence in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner, symbolizes the relentless allure of temptation and the ever-present opportunities to make unwise choices. Pause… Verse 13-20: “She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, ‘I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. These verses vividly portray the seductive tactics used by folly. The woman throws her arms around the young man, kisses him, and entices him with promises of pleasure and intimacy. She claims to have fulfilled her vows and prepared her bed with luxurious linens and perfumes. Her persuasive words and gestures are meant to lure the young man into a web of temptation and compromise. Verse...

Welcome to Day 2194 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Gospel of John – 43 – Our Weakness…His Strength – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 01/15/2023 The Gospel of John – Part 5: Vindication Of The Word – Many Other Signs…Many Other Things   Last week, in our series of messages of the Good News according to John the Apostle, we looked at “Our Weakness…His Strength.” We ended with a focus on “Coming to Terms with Your Calling,” and concluded that We must fully understand that all work is kingdom work. There is no difference between secular and sacred work. All work is holy when we are Christ’s followers. After a year of studying the book of John, we have arrived at our last message. It will be a relatively short message, but the final two verses stand independently. Our scripture for today is John 21:24-25,  on page 1688 in the Pew Bible.  24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. Therefore, we know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.   Before our daughter Janet and her husband Rowan were married, they requested that the two fathers perform the marriage ceremony. I went through the process of certification to perform marriages in all states. I share this privilege with ship captains, judges, and justices of the peace. I am authorized to join two people in a state of marriage—a holy union and a legal partnership. Before the big day, the couple must go to the courthouse and obtain a marriage license. Then, after the ceremony, I place my signature at the bottom of the license as a testimony to the court—and, therefore, all who are concerned—that two individuals have been united.   Furthermore, two additional witnesses signed the document, testifying that I conducted the service and affirming that the officiator’s signature was mine. It was also customary in Rome, and throughout the empire, to have all legal documents signed and sworn, testifying to their authenticity. So, as John blotted the ink on his original scroll and prepared to roll it up for distribution to the churches, he added his sworn statement, testifying to the truth of all he had written under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. And he was joined by others, who witnessed his signature.   —21:24— John’s seal of authenticity affirmed three essential facts: First, every record in this scroll is an eyewitness account; not only as one of the Twelve/ but also as one of Jesus’ closest friends. (Five times in his narrative, John refers to himself as ‘the disciple Jesus loved) “This is the disciple” refers to the individual present with Peter and Jesus on the shore (21:20–23), the same disciple rumored to be alive at the Lord’s return.   Second, every word contained in this scroll was written by this same eyewitness. John likely prepared this statement in the first person plural, “We know that his testimony is...

Welcome to Day 2193 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 7:1-5 – Daily Wisdom  Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2193 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2193 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   In today’s Wisdom Nugget,  I’m thrilled to continue our exploration of the timeless wisdom found in the book of Proverbs 7:1-5 from the New Living Translation. So, let’s put on our hiking boots and embark on this enlightening journey together. Pause… Proverbs 7:1-5 contains a powerful message about the treasure of wisdom and its role in safeguarding our lives. These verses remind us of the immense value of acquiring and applying wisdom to our daily walk. Verse 1-2: “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye.” These opening verses are an earnest plea from a wise father to his son. The writer emphasizes the importance of cherishing and internalizing wisdom. To “treasure up my commandments” is like storing away precious gems. It’s a call to make wisdom a part of who we are, to guard it as closely as we protect the apple of our eye. Pause… Verse 3-4: “Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call insight your intimate friend.” Guthrie: These verses encourage us to take wisdom beyond mere knowledge. Binding wisdom on our fingers and writing it on the tablet of our hearts signifies a constant, conscious connection with wisdom. The comparison of wisdom to a sister and insight to an intimate friend highlights the importance of nurturing a deep and personal relationship with wisdom. Pause… Verse 5: “To keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.” The practical application of this wisdom is straightforward – it serves to protect us from temptation and destructive paths. By treasuring and internalizing wisdom, we guard ourselves against the seductive words and enticements of the world. Wisdom is our shield and guide, helping us make choices that lead to life and fulfillment. Pause… As we reflect on Proverbs 7:1-5, we must recognize that wisdom is not just theoretical knowledge; it’s a living presence that shapes our actions and decisions. Pause… Take a moment to consider these questions: How can you actively treasure and internalize wisdom in your life? In what ways can you nurture a deeper relationship with wisdom? Remember, wisdom is not a distant concept; it’s a treasure within your reach, waiting to guide you toward a life of purpose and fulfillment. Pause… Guthrie: Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 7:1-5:

1. Treasure Wisdom: Wisdom is a treasure that should be cherished and internalized, guiding us in our daily walk.
2. Guard It Closely: Just as we protect the apple of our eye, we must guard