I understand that Billy Graham read five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs each day. He said he read the Psalms for his heart and Proverbs for his head.
This week, with the study of Proverbs, we’re not reading quickly through a chapter of Proverbs. Instead, we’re taking a very slow walk, meditating and considering each word, especially with the early verses of the first chapter.
Why did Solomon write the Proverbs? The answer is in the first seven verses. Let’s look at verses 2 and 3 today.
For learning about wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
For gaining instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity. (Proverbs 1.2-3)
Yesterday’s blog article featured a discussion of wisdom.
The short answer about wisdom is, that it is derived from a relationship with God where people humbly receive direction from God and then manifest it in their behavior.
If you are like me, you spent many years in a classroom. When you see the word “instruction,” it probably brings to mind classroom teaching.
In Hebrew, “instruction” refers to corporal punishment or discipline.
When I consider the word “discipline,” I picture a coach having his players do in practice what they don’t want to do so they can enjoy winning at game time.
Spiritual Disciplines
Richard Foster’s classic book, “The Celebration of Discipline,” explores the idea of discipline.
Foster acknowledges that we are transformed by the grace of God, with the Spirit of God working in our lives.
However, he also understands that there are certain disciplines that when practiced create a spiritual atmosphere where the Spirit can work most effectively.
Foster’s book lists 12 classic spiritual disciplines. Some of the spiritual disciplines that have been very beneficial to me are prayer, Bible study, obedience, and surrender.
(1) Prayer and Bible Study: If you’re a regular reader of my blog articles, you know I have a hard time praying without reading the Bible.
I use Bible study as a way to listen to God, and then I turn what I hear in the Scripture into prayer.
The ancient fathers and mothers of the church called this Lectio Divina. They used Scripture as a way to commune with God.
If you haven’t tried this out, I would encourage you to do so.
(2) Obedience: The author I am studying for Proverbs made an interesting comment in his introduction.
He said you can memorize the entire book of Proverbs, but if you’re not doing what the Proverbs say, you are not wise, nor do you live in the fear of God.
Obedience is crucial to our connection with God. The good news is, that as we take steps towards obedience, the Holy Spirit will help us fulfill our commitment to the Lord.
(3) Surrender: Richard Foster’s book is over 25 years old. I read it when it first came out and I still remember one of his thoughts about surrender.
Surrender is giving up the idea that we always have to get our own way.
As we surrender to always having life on our own terms, we can count on the Holy Spirit to give us the power to follow through with that commitment.
The Proverbs are available to give us wisdom and instruction. As we cooperate with the Lord’s discipline, He will allow us to integrate what we learn from the Proverbs into our lives.
By doing this, we will experience life as God wants it to be lived.
Righteousness and Justice
Even though Isaiah wrote his message 700 years before Jesus walked in the Holy Land, they are appropriate for what is taking place in our era.
Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands far away;
For truth has stumbled in the street,
And uprightness cannot enter.
Yes, truth is lacking;
And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. (Isaiah 59.14-15)
When we follow the wisdom and instruction that comes from a relationship with God, we will take on very needed character traits for our day – righteousness, justice, and equity.
(1) Righteousness: Righteousness is essentially a character issue within a person.
The righteous are in a right relationship with God because they follow the direction He gives them.
They align their attitudes and actions with God’s direction for life.
(2) Justice: A person’s wise and righteous character will result in the fair and equitable distribution of justice in the world.
(3) Equity: The idea of treating people fairly and equitably is deeply embedded in the Bible’s ethical and moral teachings.
“You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor” (Leviticus 19.15).
When we move our self-centered desires off the throne of our lives and encounter God in a love relationship, humbly following His guidance and allowing Him to shape our character, righteousness, justice, and equity will take place.
Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs to encourage us to experience this way of living.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I have produced a YouTube video on this topic. It is on the Bob Spradling channe.
Real Voices 