Proverbs: A Book of Wisdom

In my personal time in the Word, I am reading through the book of Proverbs. Over the next several days, I will be writing about some of the nuggets of wisdom that have challenged me, as I believe they will be edifying to you as well.

Proverbs 1:1–7 (NLT)

1 These are the proverbs (wise teachings) of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

At the beginning of this book of wisdom, Solomon starts by giving us his purpose: that we may learn from and live in response to these wise words. Wisdom is not static; it is active. Wisdom is not meant merely to build our intellect but to change our everyday lives.

In this collection of wisdom, we are hearing from a man who was gifted with wisdom directly from God. When Solomon became king at a young age, his prayer was not for power, prominence, or prestige. His prayer was simply that God would give him the wisdom to lead the people because the task was beyond his capacity.

I bet there are places in your life that feel beyond your capacity. Is it your work, which has become a tremendous burden and created uncertainty? Is it your finances, which have tightened and left you unsure of the way forward? Is it parenting, which continues to throw you curveballs you cannot hit? Is it a relationship that is deeply broken? Is it a calling or question you cannot answer?

God, the author of wisdom, is showing us in His Word that wisdom is to be found in Him. By listening to the Proverbs—and to the greater scope of Scripture—we can attain wisdom that will buoy us in the crashing waves of life.

Read through the passage again today. Consider how you are actively seeking wisdom from God and how you are applying it to your life.