Okay. Since Solomon was supposedly the wisest dude in the Bible (except for Jesus of course) why not take a closer look at what he had to say in the Book of Proverbs?  My plan -to read one chapter a day.  I figured since July has 31 days and the book of Proverbs has 31 chapters, this month is as good of a time as any.  I hope you’ll join me and share whatever insights you find. I’ll be posting the Message Bible version because well-I like it but feel free to check out the entire chapter or read other versions at Bible Gateway.

I decided to pull just a few verses that stood out to me where the first 7 verses with a major emphasis on the 7th. Information and opinion are all around but wisdom-knowing what to do with the information you have-that comes from God.

Proverbs 1

1-6 These are the wise 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’s going; 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.

7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Lady Wisdom

Another favorite portion is this business about Lady Wisdom  or the personification of wisdom in verses 20-24.  Funny how Wisdom finds the most distracting place in all the world to get our attention. Will you slow down to listen to her is the question?

^20-21 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 she calls out:

22-24 “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 pour out my spirit on you;
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.

An Opportunity for Offense

I must admit Lady Wisdom comes off a tad bit harsh in this translation. Its as though she’s speaking to “know it all” types. There is definitely an opportunity to be offended by her sovereign attitude.  This I believe is the true test. Will we walk away presuming to know better than she or will we listen Knowledge. That is the greatest proverbial challenge of all it seems. The ability to listen and do.

^29-33 “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.”

Read the Entire Chapter of Proverbs 1 Here.