Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 1:1–6

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 

To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

These are the Proverbs of Solomon. Herein is a treasure trove of gold nuggets, wonderful insights into divine wisdom. There is no higher wisdom than what God has revealed to man. When Solomon asked for understanding to wisely govern the people of Israel, God gave him a “wise and discerning heart… to discern between good and evil” (1 Kg. 3:9ff ). The Proverbs are quoted nineteen times in the New Testament by Jesus and the Apostles, and they are to be considered part of the revelation of God’s truth to man.

The intended audience for these writings is all persons, but especially young men and women, boys and girls, and those who are young in the faith. We need this! By nature, every person is deceived and sinful. By natural birth, we are all ignorant. Newborn babies, two-year olds, and young people make poor choices because they are lacking in knowledge. But, thanks be to God, His Word provides the basic foundation for all true knowledge!

Right knowledge is very important. An ignorant person walking out into thin ice will fall through it and potentially drown. At one point, the Lord God points out concerning Israel: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you” (Hos. 4:6).

There is a dearth of knowledge everywhere today. Year by year, maturity and marriage for young men and young women is delayed. Extended adolescence is encouraged. Too many middle-aged men act like they are fourteen years old. The need is desperate now. “Get wisdom. With all your getting, get understanding!,” comes the cry of this Book. Where young men see no need for this urgency, they admit to being satisfied with their own foolishness.

As described in the first three verses, the purpose of Proverbs is to train a person how to think, how to discern a wise person, and how to discern between good and evil. Rather than simply providing answers for every situation in life, this book is intended to train the young man or woman how to work out the problems and come to wise conclusions.

“To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of
understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment,
and equity; To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge
and discretion…”

God’s truth revealed to man includes the subject area of right and wrong. How might we know when someone is doing something wrong? What is the just treatment of those who do wrong things? Children and young people who are doing the wrong thing require correction and reproof. They are in need of knowledge when they are
misguided, deceived, or ignorant. They need wisdom so they will do the right things. They need skillful knowledge to handle relationships and get a job done. They will also need a subtle knowledge for figuring out how to work through complex problems and conflicts in human relationships. This is the purpose for God’s book of wisdom.

“A wise man will hear and increase learning.” The wise man is teachable
—quick to hear and slow to speak. He listens to the teachers God has
assigned to him. Whether the word comes as a rebuke, a teaching,
an encouragement, or a challenge, this man is eager to grow in his
knowledge and wisdom. Moreover, the wise man will improve in his
ability to understand a proverb and the deeper things there are to
know about the nature of God, the will of God, the nature of man,
the material world, the Gospel, and the mystery of godliness. Over
the years of his life, he will have obtained a sum-total increase in true
knowledge and wisdom.

He will attain unto wise counsel. By listening to wise counselors, the
wise son steers the ship of his life in a better direction. He actually
makes course corrections according to the counsel he receives. The
New Testament Christian recognizes this as the life of repentance,
whereby he is ever and always transformed by the renewing of the
mind, in order that he may “prove what is that good, acceptable, and
perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What is the purpose of this Book of Proverbs?

2. What is a wise person defined in these verses?

3. What are the dangers of ignorance, or the drawbacks for the person who lacks wisdom?

4. Are you interested in increasing learning? Are you a good listener at church or in family Bible reading?