Proverbs 9

<READ PROVERBS 9 ON BIBLE GATEWAY>

Proverbs is all about attaining wisdom, which is the ability to make godly choices.

If you think about it, pretty much the entire trajectory of our lives is a result of the choices we make. Someone once said, “We make our decisions, and then our decisions make us.”

Ancient cultures had an appreciation for this truth. That’s why wisdom literature was so prevalent in many of those cultures. There are a lot of similarities in the Proverbs and some of the extra-biblical wisdom literature. But there is one very important distinction that sets the inspired biblical wisdom apart from its ancient counterparts.

And it is found in this one verse:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

So what does it mean to fear God?

Andy Stanley defines it this way:

“The fear of the Lord is the recognition and reverence that leads to submission, or it is to recognize that God is God and respond accordingly – in surrender.”

There is a difference between God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom (James 3:13-18). And the very first step in biblical wisdom is a proper knowledge and understanding of who God is.

For many of us, the root of our folly is a low view of God. If we view God merely as our buddy or “the man upstairs,” why would we choose to submit to His authority in our lives? 

The proper view of God will lead to humility and submission.

When our girls were younger, we were continually reminding them of important truths such as:

1)     We know more than you do about pretty much everything.

2)     Full obedience does not require full understanding.

3)     Just trust us. You’ll thank us one day.

Wouldn’t our relationship with our heavenly Father, our decision- making, and the path of our lives be enhanced greatly by applying these simple truths?

What did you hear God say to you as you read chapter 9?

Blessings,

John Tanner