Proverbs 1: Listen to Wisdom

Events from today have really inspired me to read through the book of Proverbs. I have before, but I've never taken the time to really see what it's saying. I don't have a specific plan of action I'll be following, no schedule to stick to. I just want to go where the Holy Spirit leads me. I will be going through chapter by chapter, but other than that, there's no real structure. My prayer is that I can draw closer to God and allow Him to change me through this time of study.


I'm using three different translations for my study: TNIV, NASB, and God's Word Translation (I'll refer to it as GWT for simplicity reasons). On occasion I might use BibleGateway for a commentary. But I don't want to rely on man's understandings but rather let God speak to me directly from Scripture.


1:2-3 - The GWT uses the phrase "to understand deep thoughts." I feel like this is a great way of describing what the book of Proverbs is. Deep thoughts for us to ponder and to bring about a change in our lives. The GWT also says "to acquire the discipline of wise behavior." The TNIV and NASB say "to receive instruction..." Again, the word "acquire" to me feels like it's not simply instruction, but something that brings about change. It's amazing how this is exactly what I'm wanting for my life right now, and within the first few verses, this is what the book is all about. I want my life to reflect Christ and I want to listen to wisdom.
1:6 - this verse talks about understanding riddles. From what I remember of Proverbs, it contrasts those who are wise to those who are foolish. And there are some who won't understand what is being said and taught. I want to be one of those who can understand such "riddles."
1:7 - "but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (NASB, TNIV). I feel like I've done this plenty in the past, and I want to change so that I listen to instruction and crave wisdom.

1:10 - This verse talks about not letting sinners entice you and lure you in. Though it's easy to say, "I won't let sinners control me," it happens to us all. We get sucked into gossipping, complaining too much, cheating, lying, etc. Through the influence of nonChristians in our lives, we wind up sinning when we didn't want to.
1:15 - "Do not even set foot on their path." Not even setting foot on their path seems to me like even being associated with them in their sin is unwise. Avoid getting involved with anything sinful and evil.

1:23-28 - Here God is warning what will happen if sinners do not repent; He will laugh and make fun of them. He will not answer when they call, nor will they be able to find Him. This is a scary thought. That God Himself will do these things. However, in verse 23 He says that for those who repent, He shows love. I feel like this shows the nature of God being both loving and just, that He cannot stand sin. Verse 25 says, "You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you"(GWT). This seems like our very nature as humans. We think we can do what we want; we don't care about the consequences; we live independently from God. But we can clearly see what happens when we live that way.
1:29 - "because they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord." This verse explains God's actions. And it is also a frightening realization of what could happen if we choose to ignore God's wisdom and if we don't fear Him.