The Beginning of Knowledge Proverbs 1:7-9

Practical wisdom for living...is the central concern...of the book of Proverbs.

We are told...that the beginning...and essence...of wisdom...is the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”

Proverbs 9:10.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Only fools...despise wisdom and instruction.

As you read through the book of Proverbs…you will often see a striking difference...between the benefits of seeking wisdom...and the pitfalls...of living a fool’s life.

Proverbs 4:19

“The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”

While the wicked stumble in “deep darkness”

“the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day” Proverbs 4:18

The Beginning of Knowledge Proverbs 1:1-7

“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

A Proverb is a short saying stating a general truth.

It is a piece of advise...

Advise in what?

Anger Prov 12:16; 14:17; 14:29; 15:1; 15:18; 16:32; 19:3; 19:11; 19:19; 20:2; 21:14; 22:24–25; 29:22

Children Prov 10:1; 13:1; 13:24; 14:26; 15:20; 17:6; 17:21; 17:25; 19:13; 19:18; 19:26; 20:11; 20:20; 22:6; 22:15; 23:13–14; 23:22–25; 28:7; 28:24; 29:15; 29:17

Contentment Prov 13:25; 14:30; 16:8; 19:23; 23:4–5; 25:16; 30:15–16

Courage Prov 24:10–12; 25:26; 28:1

Debt Prov 6:1–5; 17:18; 20:16; 22:7; 22:26–27; 27:13

Dishonesty Prov 6:16–19; 10:18; 11:1; 12:17; 12:19; 12:22; 13:5; 14:5; 14:25; 16:28; 16:30; 17:7; 17:20; 19:5; 19:9; 19:22; 20:10; 20:14; 20:17; 20:23; 21:6; 21:28; 24:28–29; 25:14; 25:18; 26:18–19; 26:23–28; 29:12; 30:8

Envy Prov 3:31–32; 12:12; 14:30; 23:17–18; 24:1–2; 24:19–20

Foolishness Prov 1: 32–33; 9:13–18; 11:29; 12:15; 12:23; 13:16; 14:1; 14:7; 14:8; 14:16; 14:18; 14:24; 14:29; 15:2; 15:5; 15:14; 15:21; 17:10; 17:12; 18:2; 18:13; 20:3; 24:8–9; 26:4; 26:5; 26:11; 27:22; 28:26; 29:9; 29:11

Friends Prov 13:20; 14:20; 16:28; 17:9; 17:17; 18:24; 19:4; 19:6; 19:7; 20:6; 20:19; 22:24–25; 27:6; 27:9; 27:10; 27:17; 3:27-28

Generosity Prov 11:24; 11:25; 14:21; 14:31; 19:6; 19:17; 21:25–26; 22:9; 25:21–22; 28:8; 28:27; 31:20

Government Prov 8:15–16; 14:28; 16:10; 16:12; 16:14; 16:15; 19:12; 20:2; 20:8; 20:26; 20:28; 21:1; 24:21–22; 25:1–7; 28:2; 28:12; 28:15; 28:16; 29:2; 29:4; 29:12; 29:14; 29:26; 31:4–9

Greed Prov 1:10–19; 11:26; 12:12; 13:11; 15:27; 17:23; 20:21; 21:13; 21:25–26; 22:16; 22:28; 23:10–11; 27:20; 28:8; 28:20; 28:22; 28:25; 29:4; 30:15–16

Honesty Prov 4:24; 11:1; 12:17; 12:19; 14:5; 14:25; 16:11; 16:13; 24:26; 27:5; 28:13; 28:23

Humility Prov 11:2; 12:9; 12:15; 13:13; 15:33; 16:19; 18:12; 22:4; 25:6–7; 25:27; 27:2; 29:23

Injustice Prov 1:19; 13:23; 15:27; 16:8; 17:15; 17:23; 18:5; 21:7; 22:8; 22:16; 24:23–25; 28:16; 28:21; 29:27

Justice Prov 2:6–8; 11:1; 12:5; 16:10; 16:11; 19:28; 20:8; 21:3; 21:15; 22:22–23; 28:5; 29:4; 29:14; 29:26; 31:9

Laziness Prov 6:6–11; 10:4; 10:5; 10:26; 12:11; 12:24; 12:27; 13:4; 14:23; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15; 19:24; 20:4; 20:13; 21:25–26; 22:13; 24:30–34; 26:13; 26:14; 26:15; 26:16

Marriage Prov 5:15–19; 15:17; 18:22; 19:14; 21:9; 21:19; 27:15–16; 30:21–23; 31:10–11

Neighbors Prov 3:28; 11:9; 11:12; 14:20; 14:21; 16:29; 21:10; 24:28–29; 25:8–10; 25:17; 25:18; 26:18–19; 27:14; 29:5

Patience Prov 13:11; 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:2; 19:11; 20:22; 20:25; 21:5; 25:15; 28:20; 29:20

Poverty Prov 6:10–11; 10:4; 10:15; 13:7; 13:8; 13:23; 14:20; 14:23; 14:31; 15:16; 16:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:23; 19:1; 19:4; 19:7; 19:17; 20:13; 21:5; 21:13; 21:17; 22:2; 22:7; 22:16; 22:22–23; 23:10–11; 23:20–21; 28:3; 28:6; 28:19; 29:7

Pride Prov 8:13; 11:2; 12:9; 12:15; 15:12; 15:25; 15:32; 16:5; 16:18; 16:19; 18:12; 21:4; 21:24; 25:27; 26:12; 26:16; 27:1; 29:1; 29:23; 30:11–14

Sexual Immorality Prov 5:1–23; 6:20–7:27; 22:14; 23:26–28; 29:3

Wealth Prov 10:4; 10:15; 13:7; 13:8; 13:18; 14:20; 15:16; 16:8; 16:19; 18:23; 19:4; 22:2; 22:7; 28:6; 28:8; 28:11

Work Prov 6:6–11; 10:4; 10:5; 11:1; 12:11; 12:14; 12:24; 12:27; 13:4; 14:23; 16:26; 18:9; 20:13; 21:5; 22:29; 23:4–5; 24:27; 24:30–34; 26:10; 28:19; 31:27.

Eternity Prov 14:32; 23:17-18;

“for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

the intention of the book is given (vv. 2–6):

Proverbs 1:2-6

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4  to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5  Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6  to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.”

The intention is to provide the reader with wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and understanding.

Verse 7 then presents...the motto of the book…it encapsulates all of these ideals…it guides individuals and families in God’s will.

As a reader of Proverbs...you need to seek and understand...the different types...of people...the book describes.

You have the wise…the fools…and the simple...

Proverbs urges us to be wise…we need to embrace these things…and live them out in every day situations…by “making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding” Proverbs 2:2

The fool...is the person...who constantly...apposes these things...

And the simple person...is easily mislead…they are not firmly committed to either...wisdom or foolishness.

“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps” Proverbs 14:15

God’s will...is intensly practical…it applies to every aspect of life...

A proper relation to God...involves trying hard to understand his truth…and then embracing and obeying that truth.

A life lived...by God’s will...is a happy life...

“My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22  and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23  Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 24  If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25  Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, 26  for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3:21-26

A life lived by God’s will...is a useful life...

Proverbs 3:27-28; 12:18; 25.

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 28  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.”

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

A life lived by God’s will...does not just happen…we must seek after it...

The Way of Wisdom

 “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2  She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3  She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5  “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6  Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Proverbs 9:1-6

Don’t be the simple man…don’t be the wicked man...

Read and study the book of Proverbs…Ecclesiastes…Hezekiah…know and understand the Ten Commandments...

Know the carachteristics of God...and what his will is for your life...

Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.