Meditation on Proverbs 1-2
The way I approach reading and studying the scriptures is to first read it and then write it the way I would say it, rephrase it, and make it personal to myself. I read it as if I was saying it to a friend. It’s like it becomes a little more real to me. At this point, it’s not a theological word study or a deep commentary, but more like, life application and thoughts about what it is saying.
Proverbs. A Manual for Life. That’s basically what this book is all about. From the wise sayings and practical advice with good thoughts, it’s essentially a primer on how to live life well and understand a little about where you are going and how to get there.
1:1-6
Israel’s King Solomon, son of David, wrote this advice down so that we we can know and understand about life – what it means, where it’s going. It’s a manual for life — to know what is just and fair; to share experience to those who are still learning — especially young people — and give them a grasp on reality. At the same time, for the mature men and women, there’s plenty more we can learn as well. Fresh wisdom is never a bad thing.
1:7-19
The first step in acquiring wisdom is to start with the Divine. Start with something or someone bigger than you. Remember that you dont know everything, and only someone who is arrogant and full of themself thinks they do. Similarly, pay attention to what your parents teach you as you grow. Don’t forget their wise counsel. Wear it like a wreath of flowers in your hair or a gold ring on your finger. If you are being tempted by bad associates (notice I didn’t say friends), probably the best idea is to run away from them and don’t stick around to get involved with their schemes and shenanigans. They might try and convince you that it’s going to be the time of your life, but for real, don’t even waste your time listening to them or give them a second thought. They are heading down a path that will end in certain ruin — and they are grabbing all they can on the way down. Truth is, the more you try and grab on the way down, the less you actually end up with.
1:20-33
Wisdom is portrayed as a lady, who stands in the streets; at the busy corner; at the town square; and gives a speech — she calls out to anyone who would listen. Hey out there! Naive ones! How long will you stay ignorant? Cynics! How long will you continue to feed your cynicism? Stubborn! How long will you beat your head against the truth of what I am telling you? Listen! All of you! I can completely change the way you think and live your life. I have been calling out, desperate to show you another way, but so far you have ignored me. You’ve laughed and made snarky jokes at my advice and counsel. Which is ironic, because how am I supposed to take you seriously? It’s nothing for me to turn the tables and point out all the stuff you are about to deal with. When your world crashes down and your life goes to hell, I guarantee you are going to come looking for me. You’ll call but I won’t answer. You’ll search for me, but you won’t find me. You know why? Because you wanted nothing to do with understanding the Divine. You despised knowledge, wouldn’t take advice, and pushed me away when I offered to train you. Truth is, you made your bed, so you have to just lie in it, dont you? You wanted you way, and you got it. This is what happens. Carelessness and complacency ultimately lead to death. I know that sounds harsh. But it doesn’t have to be this way! If you pay attention to me, honestly, you can relax because will be in good hands.
2:1-8
Insight needs to be a priority. So, my friend, really consider what I am sharing with you. Store these nuggets of counsel away in the treasure chest of your heart and guard them carefully. Your ears need to be attuned to the sound of wisdom. Your heart needs to be focused on a life of understanding. If you search for wisdom and insight like the prospectors of old — panning the rivers and streams for gold; or like an adventure seeker who follows a treasure map where X marks the spot — before you know it, you will encounter the Divine and, I tell you now, it will change your life. The amazing thing is that Divine wisdom is free! It’s knowledge that is easy to understand and grasp. The Divine is like a deep well of common sense for those who seek it — for those who live honestly and sincerely.
2:9-15
There are many paths you can follow. So choose the ones that are true and fair. On your journey, Lady Wisdom will be with you as a close friend, Brother Knowledge joins you as friendly company, and Good Sense will run ahead, looking for danger, keeping an eye out for perils along the way. All of your companions will keep you from going the wrong way, from listening to people who give you bad directions, or worse, are lost themselves and have no idea where they are going. Most of the time these kind of people are traveling down paths and side roads that go nowhere, and they end up wandering labyrinths of dead ends and confusion.
2:16-22
Surround yourself with wise friends. Pay attention to wisdom. You will be seduced by smooth talkers who are unfaithful and don’t care about breaking promises. Their way of life is doomed because of how they live, and quite frankly, they find themselves living in a hell of their own making. If you join their company, it’s hard to ever come back to a path of good living. So stay with good people. People of character, of honor, of truth. They will walk with you on the paths that are tried-and-true. They are steady, mature, and will walk straight and true. These are the people of integrity and they will still be here long after others — the corrupt and dishonest — have come and gone.
Seeking Divine wisdom is a lifelong pursuit. It never ends. But the richness and value that I have discovered along the way has not only changed me as a person, but (my prayer is) it has affected and influenced those I have encountered along my journey.
The journey continues… onward, forward, and ever upward.
