Seeking Truth: What I Learned From Proverbs 1 to 6
Proverbs reads like a set of rules for living, written by King Solomon, known as the wisest man to ever live. These are my notes from the first six chapters. I'm not a Bible teacher; this is just what stood out to me.
One of the first lines is that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I didn't like that at first. It sounded like a tyrant dad or a tyrant boss. But dig into the word and it's better translated as reverence: deep respect and love. That makes a ton of sense to me.
Right off the bat, Proverbs says wisdom only works if you use it. How many of us know better and do it anyway? Proverbs often speaks of wisdom as a woman, and I picture the wise old grandma you don't always want to hear from but who's always right. You want your ears perked up for wisdom, like a coyote or a fox.
What stood out
Serve your spouse like you did when you first met. Love goes cold if you stop.
Spend your time with good people. Don't cast pearls before swine, and don't keep trying to change people who don't want to.
Know people by their fruit. Shiny people can fool you. Look at what they've produced and whether they're kind.
Don't fall for traditions of man. You don't need some ritual a man made up.
What you put in is what you get out. There are exceptions, but it's a good rule.
The wicked weave their own web. Watch out for associates who lead you down those paths.
Don't be lazy. Look at the ants. There are no lazy ones.
Wisdom saves time. It keeps you from learning everything the hard way.
Wisdom is worth more than silver and gold. Seek it, and you'll keep the rest.
I think God looks at us the way we look at our own kids: you know what's better for them, and sometimes they still don't listen. Proverbs is him telling us how to live.
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