Rejoicing In The Word For Ladies – Accessible Wisdom (February 2024)

We all tend to have Bible verses that show up in our lives on repeat, don’t we? That is certainly true for me as a parent! There are verses that practically live on my lips, such as “Be ye kind one to another,” “Be ye angry and sin not,” and “Thou shalt not kill!” (just kidding! hahaha). However, if there is one book of the Bible I find myself quoting most often, it is definitely the book of Proverbs. Please allow me to share a few family favorites.“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.” (Prov. 1:5a)

“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” (Prov. 13:15)

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” (Prov. 14:4) (Please note that where there are many oxen, the crib is dirty!! 😊)

Proverbs is a book that can be read and re-read with “new” information revealed every time. Primarily written by King Solomon, it is a book of wisdom. We are told how “Wisdom” behaves, we are taught about the Source of all true wisdom, God Himself, and many wise sayings are revealed.

There are three thoughts I want to mention that have been most helpful to me when approaching the book of Proverbs.

1) Proverbs is topical, not contextual. I laugh now to remember, but I was properly taught growing up to read the Bible according to the context of the verses (rather than lifting a single verse out a passage and possibly twisting the meaning). Because of my childish misunderstanding, I distinctly recall reading the Proverbs as a teenager and trying to figure out how in the world these verses fit together! No wonder I had such a hard time! Especially from chapters 10 – 29, we are really reading a list of proverbs (general sayings of wisdom).

2) Speaking of general sayings of wisdom, I think a lightbulb went off in my head the first time I heard a preacher say, “The Proverbs are better understood as principles than promises.” Of course!! That makes perfect sense. That is the idea of a proverb. In this case, the wisdom comes from above, therefore we know the truth being given is holy and just. However, if the book of Ecclesiastes teaches us anything, it is that this world is not always holy or just. Sometimes the man or woman who lives righteously does not prosper in this world. The wicked man often receives an earthly reward. The blessing of rain falls on the just and the unjust. And even a child who is trained up right has a free will to choose. But the principles remain true! And we can guide our lives by the accessible wisdom found in Proverbs.

3) Proverbs 1:7 may be seen as the central theme of the book: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” One focus of Proverbs communicated in this verse is that of wisdom vs. foolishness (righteousness vs. wickedness).

My favorite verse as I’ve read through Proverbs 1 this month has been verse 33. Wisdom says, “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” This is a principle I’d like to practice in my life in 2024! How about you? (V.K.S.)