July 2, 2024

“To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— prov 1:2-4 nkjv

The chapter heading, chosen by the editor/publisher (The New Open Bible, Study Edition; by Thomas Nelson, Inc.) of my NKJV, 1982 edition, captions Chapter 1, “The Purpose of Proverbs.” Do you [we] have purpose for our pursuits? Do you think we should give attention to (and have respect for) what Yahweh’s Word says is HIS PURPOSE for HIS Word? For me, there is nothing more succinctly stated than the Psalmist words, in ps 119:9-11 nkjv:

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”

To me, Proverbs 1:1-7 nkjv,  specifically defines the “purpose” for the caption of Chapter 1. What could be more important for us than to deeply appreciate and understand these seven verses from Solomon's pen... from nearly three thousand years ago… and they stand eternal and infuse substance for faith and lifestyle for all serious disciples following Yeshua. Do you think He would agree with Solomon’s words? How about you, do you seriously agree with these words? Let’s look a little closer.

Prov 1:2,  “words of understanding,” represent Yahweh’s opinion, which I submit is the only valid opinion believers should receive; in fact, Yahweh’s Word is truth, and Yeshua prayed that He would sanctify us by His truth, jn 17:17…  and, verse 3 says, “To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity;” now, how do you think our surrounding foolish, perverted, and woke culture will deal with that?

Prov 1:7 nkjv,  says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” In my observations of today’s world, in every venue, we see their [fools] display of what Yahweh calls fools contempt and hatred for His instruction, flaunting their perversion and fleshly attempts to follow the “Nimrod” [rebellious] spirit, which Yeshua said was the spirit of this age, as times become more like the days of Noah. They fully oppose the idea and concept of godliness, truth and justice… thus, they can’t “incline their ears to wisdom, And apply their hearts to understanding;… And search for her as for hidden treasures; and thus they don’t understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.” Consider Paul’s words concerning this.

“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.” 1cor 2:6 nkjv    And…

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” eph 6:12 nkjv

It is my opinion and observation that we who desire to have Yahweh’s Purpose written upon our hearts and in our minds… renewed in the spirit or our minds, and who seek to have the “mind of Christ” in us, that we must embrace and ingest the powerful message that Chapters 1 & 2 of Proverbs teach us… we must understand where the battlefield is (in our heats and minds) and who our adversary is sending against us… truth, equity, justice and knowledge of Yahweh is being attacked everywhere, and more as the days move along. The words of the Psalmist are once again remembered here, “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you [Yahweh].” And so it is… it always has been. Always remember the words that Yahweh gave Joshua, as he took command of the Children of Israel as they crossed into Canaan land…

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” jos 1:7-8 nkjv

That was Yahweh's advise then, and it is the same now, as we journey into the unknown… we must be like Joshua, hear and do the words of life and truth… follow our Lord Yeshua’s ways and let the faithful Holy Spirit counsel us and, “turn neither from Him, to the right hand or to the left.”

Shalom, John