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By: Pastor Schlicht

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”-Proverbs 9:10

The inspired book of Proverbs was written and compiled by King Solomon around 1000 B.C. The introduction states that the words contained are useful for gaining wisdom. Now, wisdom usually just refers to knowing stuff, but the Hebrew word for “wisdom” (khokhmah) includes much more than mental activity—think “skill” or “applied knowledge”. So the book of Proverbs is really a collection of truths that, when put into practice,
help us live well in God’s world.

In fact, belief that this world truly does belong to God is the foundation of all wisdom: Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” This means that whoever wants to live well—even to live practically and effectively in this world—must begin with a humility spirit and a reverent heart before the LORD. This also reminds us that someone can be intellectually brilliant and yet a complete fool without God.

Overall the book of Proverbs teaches us general truths that lead to blessing and success. I say “general truths” because Proverbs deals in generalities, not exceptions. Take Job for example; bad things do happen to God’s people even when they are fearing the LORD and acting in wisdom. (In fact, sometimes precisely because they are following the LORD.) In this sense, we could say that the blessings contained in the book of Proverbs are
more akin to probabilities than promises. Yet the wisdom contained still holds true.

Those who fear the LORD as Proverbs outlines will live a life of integrity, virtue, and generosity, which generally leads to satisfaction and success on earth. Just as those who practice deceit and folly will live a life of selfishness and pride, which generally leads to shame and regret. This is the objective moral logic of the book of  Proverbs. Goodness and justice are objective realities, truths woven into God’s created order, that we ignore to
our own peril and to that of those around us. Proverbs doesn’t just offer us good advice, it is God’s own invitation that we might learn the truths of wisdom which run in line with the grain of his universe.

Over the next couple months in this series we will listen to King Solomon and explore his inspired proverbs. Trust that through the Holy Spirit we will become wiser—not intellectually superior, but practically and spiritually wiser through the process. Our goal is never to become smart merely in the eyes of humanity, but to focus on Christ. Proverbs gives us a chance to do just that: to live in light of Jesus’ death and resurrection—the
fear of the LORD—which gives meaning to all our actions and decisions. That is also what we celebrate this Holy Week, isn’t it?

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews
demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. -1Cor 1:19-25

Suggested reading for next month: Proverbs 1-9