Lessons from Proverbs

For the past few months, my husband, Michael, has been going through a broad overview of the Old Testament.  A couple weeks ago, he went through Proverbs.  Seeing that it is a wisdom book, there are several truths that resonated with me.

1.  Be teachable-Wisdom isn't so much about what you already know as your humility in continuing to learn.
2. Fear the Lord-Live life in relation to who God is.
3. Wisdom is knowledge in action.
4. Wisdom comes from God.
5.  A sluggard is distracted rather than diligent; he wastes opportunity after opportunity.  He tends to want an easier life, rather than one spent on doing good.
6. The wise person sees life as an opportunity for displaying God through productive and meaningful work.
7. Proverbs is filled not only with the parents' provision of the children's practical needs but also the provision of the children's spiritual needs.
8. We must teach our children, which includes correction and discipline. (Proverbs 19)
9. Use your words carefully.
Proverbs 13:3-Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 17:27-Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 25:11-A word aptly spoken, is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
10. Wisdom is found through listening to the words of others.  Listening should be given priority over speaking.
Proverbs 1:8-Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
11. Wisdom begins with fearing the Lord and is then displayed through right living before others through Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 1:7-The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 24:3-By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
12.  Being a godly woman, wife, and mother (Proverbs 31)
"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." (31:10)
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." (31:28)
"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (31:30)

Many things to ponder and pray over as I strive to live each day in the fear of the Lord.

*Many of these notes on Proverbs are from Capitol Hill Baptist Church.