Foundations Week 20, Day 1

Scripture Read: Proverbs 1; 2
Title: The Importance of Wisdom 
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction"  Proverbs 1:7

(E) Explain:  The author of most of Proverbs is widely believed to have been King Solomon.  According to the Jewish Study Bible, "Proverbs guides individuals (not nations) in how to do what is wise in their day to day lives.  It teaches the attitudes and chourse of actions that are right, just, and pious, and the ways of behavior that facilitate and strengthen personal relationships, the forms of communication and commerce that make the life of the community gongenial and secure, and the types of prudence and industry that help one achieve financial security." 
Wisdom is the subject of today's passages.  The proverb of Solomon is written as instruction of a father to a son.  Wisdom is also portrayed as a woman as it is often referred as she or her (1:20, 21).  Solomon says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge."  I think the simplest definition of wisdom could be in stating what wisdom is not… It is not just knowledge or intellect, it means the ability to understand and as a result act wisely.  It is a way of taking knowledge and understanding it and applying it to everyday life to make the right moral decisions. 
When we "fear God" we are effectively keeping ourselves from evil that is done both in secret and in the open, and keeping to the commands of God.  The beginning of wisdom and knowledge begins when we openly heed and obey the commands of God.  We will not walk in the way of the sinner who entices, we will not despise knowledge, and we will not hate discipline.

(A) Application: :  I likt the New Testeament description of wisdom found in the book of James.  James describes what wisdom as one who is...

1. Pure – blameless, upright, innocent, faultless, and pure from carnality.
2. Peaceable/peaceful – Promotes peace and brings peace.
3. Gentle – Mild and fair
4. Open to reason – Not completely close minded, one who is compliant. 
5. Full of mercy – Kindness and goodwill towards the afflicted and miserable.
6. Full of good fruits – These are the acts that are produced from true wisdom and faith.
7. Impartial – Shows no favoritism because of status, wealth and race.
8. Sincere – Genuine, transparent… You are who you say you are. 

(R) Respond: We all desire wisdom in our lives.  My prayer is that I may be a person who pursue wisdom in every aspect of my life not so that I may look smart to others, but so the righteousness of God can be see through me to others.