I don’t have much to add to today’s study – perhaps the key statement is: “We must learn how to trust while at the same time exercising a certain amount of caution.”

The verses set for reading and meditation – Proverbs 14:14-26 (NIV): “The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Evil men will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”

It’s important I feel, that we test everything that is said or written in regard to spiritual issues; there is often a balance and we must depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us in these matters.

Selwyn considers the first of his seven pillars of wisdom – trust. He uses a dictionary definition of trust, as follows - ”trust: a firm belief in the reliability, honesty, veracity, justice and strength of a person or thing.” He goes onto say: “Basically, trust is confidence – confidence that what we believe about a person or thing is true.”

The verses set for reading and meditation, Proverbs 3:1-18 (NIV): “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.”

I agree with the main thrust of what Selwyn and Rabbi Bar Kappa are saying – trust in God is a foundation stone upon which our relationship with God is based.

Selwyn, now starts to look at the main theme of his study of Proverbs. Using the verse, Proverbs 9:1 (NIV): “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.” His intention is to give us, what he considers, to be the seven chief aspects of wisdom.

His main suggestion, in today’s study, is to sit down and read the entire book of Proverbs (preferably in two or three sittings) because he will not be going through the whole book, verse by verse. Overall, a good idea as the ‘poetic’ language of Proverbs does, at first, sound strange to our ears.

Any early views on this study of the book of Proverbs?

I liked Selwyn’s introduction: ” … The more you read and study Proverbs, and the more you apply its words to your life, the more you will find that its wise and witty sayings ‘work’. They work because God has set things up to work this way.”

However, I’m not sure about the concept of ‘common grace’,  I have read about it – but the more I think about it – the more I feel that it’s a general theologians’ explanation for something that’s beyond our understanding. What do you think?

I think the key point in today’s study can be found inthis following extract, from the quote Selwyn used: ” … I was drawn to search for the One whose hand was so clearly present in the book (Proverbs) and also in my life. After reading the instruction manual I wanted to know the Instructor.”

I feel this is very important – they are many people who know the Bible very well, and who can quote large slabs of it; yet, they don’t know the Instructor. Entry into heaven does not depend on us passing a test of our knowledge of the Bible. It depends solely on our relationship with God. What say, you?

In reading today’s study, I thought about those Christians who don’t understand the importance of the Old Testament. Because of this attitude they rarely read it.

It’s my view that if you don’t have a good appreciation of what is being taught in the Old Testament then you will find it very difficult to place the New Testament in its proper context. Thankfully (for God’s love), the Holy Spirit will guide those who love God, yet fail to see that the important truths of the New Testament, have their genesis in the Old Testament. [  :) could not avoid that play on words, sorry.]

Selwyn describes the various writings of the Old Testament, as follows: “(It) consists of three sections: first, the Law, second, the Prophets, and third the Writings. … Included within the category of the Writings are the wisdom books – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. While the prophets and the priests dealt with the religious life of Israel, the wise men were called upon to give advice about more philosophical matters. They were the ones who made the point that the world was designed for wisdom, and those who followed wisdom would find that the world was made for them.”

In a very real sense, the main exercise of wisdom is in living our lives for God’s glory, being fully aware of God’s role in creation, and understanding that, (Proverbs 5:21-23, NIV): ” … a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD,  and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.”

[In regard to the set verses for reading and meditation, I think it's best to start at verse 1, of Chapter 5, and read the whole section on 'Warning Against Adultery'. Otherwise, starting from verse 15 may cause some initial confusion regarding intrepretation of the poetic language being used. As it did for me!]

Selwyn continues to describes the nature of wisdom. He writes: “Knowledge is the capacity to comprehend and retain what we are taught; wisdom is the ability to put that knowledge to best effect. … A ‘fool’ in Proverbs is not someone who can’t pass a simple literacy or numeracy test; he or she is someone who thinks they know what life is all about but does not.”

I thought it interesting that the word ‘sophomore’ is a “term derived from the Greek words for ‘wise’ and ‘foolish’ – a wise fool.” Perhaps, a better expression would be; a fool with little knowledge. Wisdom is, I think, the ability to use common sense in association with knowledge and life’s experience. It is, for me, our ability to understand and comprehend the reasons behind what ‘works’ in building harmonious relationships between members of family, groups, community, nations and environment. The success of our implementation of what ‘works’, depends entirely on our relationship with Jesus – our Lord and God. 

What’s your view?