[Feature Story] The Way of Wisdom and Understanding in the Book of Proverbs
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April 29, 2012 |
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The Book of Proverbs enhances our life's values and enriches our souls. The Student Bible Study Book Wisdom and Understanding has been published based on the wisdom found among Solomon's Proverbs.
Proverbs has 31 chapters and 915 verses. This book has chosen from among them and contains 12 helpful lessons for our application in real life. There are three chapters: 'The Way to Coming Close to God', 'How to Cultivate our Hearts', and 'Guideline for Practicing Love toward Neighbors.' In the first part of each lesson are Dr. Jaerock Lee's columns that have appeared in the major daily newspapers. In the body of each lesson are short messages which facilitate students—and even adults who live within time constraints of busy lives—to easily get closer to God's Word.
"The Heart of Solomon, Recorder of the Book of Proverbs"
Just as written in Psalm 147:5, "Great is our LORD and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite," God's understanding is infinite. When we have such understanding, nothing is impossible for us and we can do everything—even things well beyond our own strengths and abilities. The representative person is Solomon. He received unprecedented wisdom from God and amazing blessings. Then, how was Solomon able to receive such amazing understanding?
Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to God with all his heart when he became a king succeeding his father, David. God was pleased with his offerings and said to him in a dream "Ask what you wish me to give you." Then, Solomon asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge His people to discern between good and evil. There were so many excellent teachers around him, but He didn't rely on them. He relied on the origin of understanding, God.
God delighted in his heart's desire so He gave him not only an understanding heart but also the things he did not ask for, including wealth, fame, and authority.
However, though Solomon enjoyed all this glory, when he looked back upon his past life he had regret at the end of his life. He loved foreign women who didn't know God and took them as his wives. He ended up worshipping the idols that the women brought to him.
If King Solomon had lived according to the Word of God he would have been revered by people until his death and gotten a glorious place in Heaven. But he left the Word of God and worshipped idols. Because of that, he had to undergo trials and afflictions, which caused the country to be divided into the North and South.
Since Solomon experienced both blessings of obedience and curses of disobedience, he wrote the Book of Proverbs frequently using "My son" as a father who had gained much in life experience and wanted to teach wisdom to his son who would still have many years to live. Solomon wanted to give advice and teach God's will so that we would not make the mistakes like his in our lives and regret it.
Chapter 1 - Coming Close to God
Wisdom and Understanding - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)
Life of Leaning on God - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
Keys to Receiving Love - "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me." (Proverbs 8:17)
Love in Instruction - "He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray." (Proverbs 10:17)
Chapter 2 - Cultivating a Heart
The Result of Arrogance - "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." (Proverbs 16:18)
The Toxin of the Heart, Anger! - "An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression." (Proverbs 29:22)
Wisdom Learned from Ants - "He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys." (Proverbs 18:9)
The Best Choice, Honesty - "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who watches his way preserves his life." (Proverbs 16:17)
Keeping Things in the Heart - "My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 7:1-3)
Chapter 3 - Love for Neighbors
Wise Companionship - "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20)
The Fruit of a Man's Mouth - "From the fruit of a man's mouth he enjoys good, but the desire of the treacherous is violence." (Proverbs 13:2)
The Wisdom of Peace - "Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife." (Proverbs 17:1)
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