# 45 2022 Dev. Prov. 1:2 Purpose and Theme! Read all of Chapter one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from the NIV.
V. 2 “For gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;”
Proverbs 1: 1-7 Is the purpose of the whole book; the purpose is to teach the reader the theme: wisdom, Prudent behavior, what is just and fair, knowledge and discretion and understanding. Proverbs in Hebrew is a parable, a riddle, a message, it is not a prophecy, or a promise. Prov. teaches by; contrasts, opposites, metaphors, figurative language and similes, as well as dialogue. The book is summarized as, instruction on how to live wisely and successfully in the fear of the Lord, resulting in quality of mind and quality of life. V. 7 says it all; “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom but fools despise wisdom and instruction,”
Vs.8-9 Is the prologue: Embrace Wisdom! “Listen, my son, (and daughter) to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”
Vs.10-19 A long dialogue, warning about Evil men and the evils of ill gotten gain, the bottom line is: “These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.” We may be able to identify, remembering when some one led us astray.
Vs.20-21 wisdom speaks: “Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out,at the city gate she makes her speech”: wisdom is personified as a beautiful women. It is our conscience speaking, pleading.
Vs.22-27 “Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.” But no one pays attention. Calamity and disaster will overtake you, where can you go from here, people, where is your help?
Vs28-33 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge.” But God has an out for us: “but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Draw close to God and he will draw close to you!
Heavenhigh 