Week 39, September 21–27: Proverbs 7–26

• Sun      Sep 21 Prov. 7–8
• Mon     Sep 22 Prov. 9–11
• Tue      Sep 23 Prov. 12–14
• Wed     Sep 24 Prov. 15–17
• Thu      Sep 25 Prov. 18–20
• Fri        Sep 26 Prov. 21–23
• Sat       Sep 27 Prov. 24–26

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (9:10)

Various forms of this general statement are repeated all through Proverbs, as well as in Ecclesiastes, Job, and other places in Scripture (Prov. 1:7; Deut. 4:6; 6:2; Ps. 111:10; Job 28:28; Eccl. 12:13). The way to grow in wisdom is to revere the living God. If we wish to understand this world and our life in it, and if our desire is to live in the way that works best, we must know the God who created all things and we must worship him and follow in his ways. This is the overarching principle the book of Proverbs is trying to get us to understand. This is what it means to be wise.

Wisdom is often thought of as practical advice, and that is part of what it means. But it is much more than that. It is not just about getting ahead in life or being good at life, it is about living a life pleasing to God and in line with the way he created us and the way he made us to live in the world he created. Wisdom does have a practical aspect to it, but biblical wisdom is also fundamentally ethical, spiritual, and devotional.

In this week’s reading, the author uses a word picture we have already seen earlier in Proverbs, and we have seen it in Deuteronomy too. He tells his son, and us, to keep his commandments and live, and to keep this teaching (literally, Torah) as the apple of our eye. We are to bind these instructions in wisdom on our fingers and write them on the tablet of our heart (Prov. 7:3; see also 3:1–3; 6:20–23). The way Proverbs is extoling wisdom and encouraging us to pursue it sounds very similar to other biblical calls to listen to and walk in the law, or Torah (Deut. 6:4–9: 11:18–21). The point is that pursuing wisdom is the same as pursuing the law, the Torah, the teaching that has come down from God to his people.

Sometimes biblical law and biblical wisdom are thought of as distinct, or even contrary concepts in the biblical perspective. However, that is not how the Bible itself presents things. God has given his people insight and instructions to know him and love him, and both the wisdom we read of in Proverbs and the instructions included in the Pentateuch help us see what it means to please him and walk with him.

As you are reading through Proverbs, notice how often the idea of righteousness is associated with wisdom. On the other hand, the opposite of wisdom is folly, and folly is a serious characteristic to avoid. It is not exactly the same as sin, but it is often very closely related to sin and unrighteousness. That is to say, when we are urged to pursue wisdom and to choose its way, it is not just advice or a good suggestion to put into practice in the gray areas of life. Walking in wisdom means living in God-fearing righteousness. This is something to pursue with our whole being so we grow to know God more, worship him for who he is, and live the life he designed us to live before him.

As you move into chapter 10 and on to the later portion of Proverbs, you will see a wide range of topics covered in the book. You might find it somewhat challenging to read three of these chapters each day, and that is understandable. Proverbs is written in a format and style that is not meant to be read quickly. Rather, it is best to linger and ponder what you are reading, slowly and meditatively. Do not be discouraged if you feel there is not enough time to let it fully sink in. Give as much time to the reading as you are able but remember, doing a read thru like this is not the only way to read the Bible. Reading through the whole Bible in a year is meant to give us broad exposure and the build our literacy and familiarity as we read it, hopefully many times, over the course of our life.

As you are reading through, maybe jot down a few of the verses you find particularly meaningful or relevant to what you are going through. Then find a time to come back to these verses. Set aside more than just a few minutes and read the section, or even just one or two verses. Then sit and prayerfully reflect on what it means, how it relates to other parts of Scripture, how it points to Jesus, and how you could put what it is saying into practice in your life. This would be a good practice to do with Proverbs and really with any part of the Bible as you are going through the reading. The Bible is rich with wisdom to guide our lives towards the God who made us and loves us and revealed himself to us.