Book Theme:  “The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge”

Chapter 1 Theme:  “Fools* Despise Wisdom”
Author:  Solomon son of David, king of Israel
Purpose:  “Attaining wisdom and discipline” & “understanding words of insight”

Insight

“To have knowledge is to have under-standing or information about some-thing.  To have wisdom is to have the ability to apply know-ledge to daily life.”

Life Application: The Company we Keep

Verses 10-19 tell us to beware of the company we keep.  Seems rather simple but we all know that bad influences don’t always come right out and say to us, “come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood…”

Often times it’s much more subtle than that.  I need to make sure the people I’m allowing to influence my life are positive influences and not negative ones who may lead me down the wrong path.  Although being positive isn’t the only thing I should desire – I should desire the influence of wisdom and understanding.

Wisdom

Defined

Personified

·        Knowledge

·        Fear of the Lord

·        Requires action

·        A woman calling in the streets

·        Rebuking

Footnotes from my Bible:

*”The Hebrew word rendered “fool” in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denotes one who is morally deficient.”

“The Hebrew word rendered “simple” in Proverbs generally denotes one without moral direction and inclined to evil.”