Proverbs. Chapter 1

 Proverbs: Chapter 1  (from The Message)

These are they sayings of Solomon, David's Son, Israel's king--Written down so we'll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it goes wrong; A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There's something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn--Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with GOD--the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD, only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee. Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers. Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you, don't go along with them. If they say-- "Let's go out and raise some hell. Let's beat some old man, mug some old woman. Let's pick them clean and get them ready for their funerals. We'll load up on top-quality loot. We'll haul it home by the truckload. Join us for the time of your life! With us, it's share and share alike!"----Oh, friend, don't listen to them for a minute. They're racing to a very bad end, jurying to ruin everything they lay hands on. Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching. Yet that's what these people are doing---they're doing themselves in. When you grab all you can get, that's what happens: the more you get, the less you are.

 Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts. At the town center she makes her speech. In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand. At the busiest corner calls out: "Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn? About face! I can revise your life. Look, I'm ready to tell you all I know. As it is, I've called, but you've turned a deaf ear; I've reached out to you, but you've ignored me. Since you laugh at my counsel and joke at my advice, how can I take you seriously? I'll turn the tables and joke at your troubles! What if the roof falls in and your whole life goes to pieces? What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes? You'll need me then. You'll call for me, but don't expect an answer. No matter how hard you look, you won't find me. Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-GOD, because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you, well, you've made your bed--now lie in it; you wanted your own way--now how do you like it? Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills; complacency is murder. First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy--you're in good hands."     

Well, our journey has started out with warning and advice concerning knowledge. This is the warning: without a base, a foundation, wisdom for life, you will end up in the gutter...miserable and empty. The advice: with wisdom, you can be secure with your life.

 

How does one attain such wisdom? With an open, teachable spirit and through the direction and reading of God's Word. God gave us the Bible to lead, guide, and direct us. He has also given us preachers, mentors, friends, parents, and family to help us along the path He has for us. It is up to you whether you heed this advice and direction or not.

 

You see, knowledge is acquired through books and the like. This is referred to as "book sense." Wisdom, however, is applying the knowledge one acquires and the ability to live skillfully and make wise decisions. Doing life is not as complicated when you have a bank of wisdom in your life to guide you.

 

We are being taught from the moment we enter this world. We should never stop learning. When you stop learning, you stop living. You might as well crawl up into a dark whole and die. There is ALWAYS something to learn. God has created a vast universe to explore. And we, the simple human, must devour all He has for us. It (learning) makes life worth the living. There are infinite gifts He has for us, but to obtain those precious gifts, we must be in line with Him. Our heart should be filled with nothing but Jesus and His love for the world, the people and the things in that world.

 

Perhaps you have been taught all the wrong things. You watched people in your life make terrible decisions. Maybe you've never heard of God, the Bible, or Jesus. It doesn't matter what life's circumstances have been up to THIS POINT RIGHT HERE. You have been divinely directed to this point in life, and you can begin right here and now. You have the choice to gain knowledge or be idol.