Today the message comes from Proverbs 1:1-9

Before I give you my interpretation of today’s message, I have to say I was surprised that Pastor John would go from the New Testament to the old. That shows you what I understand about pastoral preaching.

I am almost to the end of the NIV. I believe I have six more books and then Revelations. I guess I figured Pastor John was doing the same, but I am learning why not now.

Proverbs are the the basics of wisdom. Like Proverbs 7 says;

The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instructions.

Here are the purposes of Proverbs:

To learn wisdom and discipline

To discern counsel

To receive moral instruction

To make the naive shrewd.

To understand riddles, sayings, and teach critical thinking

Critical Thinking

Asking questions

Analyzation and evaluation

Deciding whether to accept it or not

A. It is possible to think and live well in this life. (1:1-6)

B. If we approach God properly, we can know wisdom that will help us live well.

Back to the subject of fools, there are three kinds.

1. Thickheaded, stubborn, rejects other’s insights, lazy
2. Arrogant, flippant, course, and mocking
3. Lack spiritual perception -like atheists

Proverbs 1:8-9 talk about how listening to the wisdom of your parents and their instructions and teaching are like a garland for your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

I take that to mean that listening to parents provide a child’s moral compass.

It is going to be a long study, but I’m looking forward to learning more so that I can understand how they tie the whole Bible together. I’m sure I have learned some along my life’s journey, and I’ll be reminded of them as we move forward.