Proverbs of Solomon, Chapter 1

What Psalms is to prayer and devotional life, Proverbs is to everyday life. Proverbs is used to impart wisdom so that we can live our lives in His reflection. Its author is Solomon son of David, king of Israel. Although his advice is directed towards youth (Chapters 1-9), all can benefit from his wisdom.

In Proverbs, there are focal themes:

• Wisdom
• Relationships
• Speech (words should be honest and well chosen)*
• Work
• Success (God views success as having a good reputation, moral character, and spiritual devotion to obey Him. A successful relationship with God counts for eternity. Everything else is perishable.)*
  

Some scriptures that stood out to me....

Proverbs 1:7- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This is a key verse for the book of Proverbs because it expresses the significance of gaining knowledge.

"Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it." (1:19) My study Bible states: Going after ill-gotten gain is one of Satan's surest traps. First, he plants the suggestion (possession or more money, etc), then the desire fans its fire into an obsession. Ask God to help you overcome/recognize these greedy desires.

"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (1:32-33)

Would you like to read the book of Proverbs, Chapter 1? Click here! Knowledge is power!

*Life Application Bible, NIV: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991, pg 1071.