A ProVERB is meant to be a VERB!

When I first started doing these Devo’s FB would only allow about 300 words. Then it grew and I also discovered blogging. The first 5 Chapters of Proverbs are so rich that I have decided to rewrite them. I will now be posting Devos from Judges 19 till we finish the book, Proverbs 12 till we finish the book and the rewritten first 5 Chapters of Proverbs.

Probing Proverbs 1:1-2 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

A verb is an action word, thus whenever we read a proVERB, we should keep that idea before us. No matter the source of the proverb, for instance:

"A Russian proverb says, `When going to war, pray once. When going to sea, pray twice. When getting married, pray three times.'"

Funny as this is, it does have a point. Do not take getting married lightly.

Our Proverbs are from the heart and mind of God. When we read one, the most important question we should ask is, “What action is God leading to in my life?” Otherwise all we have done is added more Data to our brain. 

Notice – there is no claim that wisdom only comes from the Word – what is stated is that the Word will enlighten us to understand and discern what is Truth and Wisdom. 

God has given us His Word as the Tool. If we yield to the Spirit of God, He will guide us how to dig out all the Wisdom of the Creator, no matter where we find it. The Scriptures claim to be the source that validates all Truth:

2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

However, they do not claim to hold all Truth. There is a big difference! Much of God’s wisdom concerning Creation is not specifically spoken of in Scripture…yet “real” science…not theoretical science is always validated in Scripture. A “theory” is not a fact and much of what modern science calls fact is either wrongly labeled, i.e. – 

Dinosaurs – are not scientifically proved, but are historically proved through fossils. The argument concerning age is based on theory which has quite a few “assumptions” built into it. So when I talk about “fact” I am referring to those things that cannot be denied or debated:

•         The shape of the earth: In 700 B.C. Isaiah gave us the “scientific” understanding of the shape:

Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

•         Jesus confirmed that when He spoke of His return:

Luke 17:31–36 “On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. “Remember Lot’s wife “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. “I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. “There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”

•         Notice that when the Lord returns for some it will be at night while they are sleeping, for others it will be at day while they are working! This validates that the earth is round. It took us a lot longer to understand that.

•         Humans, (both the learned and the unlearned) argued for centuries where the earth was and what was holding it. Yet, in 1000 B.C. Job revealed what the Creator knew:

Job 26:7 God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.

•         In 70 A.D. Peter, through inspiration showed us that everything can burn! God revealed that everything is made up of “elements” – this was way before man discovered atoms, molecules, etc.

2 Peter 3:10-12 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives  as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Elements = stoicheion {stoy-khi'-on} 1) any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise; an element, first principal 2) the elements from which all things have come, the material causes of the universe

“The so what?” How does what we have seen change us? Well, each person will have their own take-away point, but let me encourage with questions: What do you really believe about the authority of Scripture? Is it subjective or objective to you? What happens in our life if we have no “standard” of authority? Whose rules do you live by? Yours or the Scriptures...or do you try and select what you like and ignore the other?