Proverbs 3 Lean not on your own understanding

Proverbs 3

Still the instructions continue - we are 3 chapters in and remarkably short of soundbites!

Let love and understanding never leave you, bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart - says verse 3. I guess that is pretty sage advice, plus you get the benefit of favour and a good name in the sight of God and men. 

Trust in the LORD with  all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. (Verses 5+6) 
So what is this saying? - trusting in God is better than education and thinking for yourself?
I don't think this is actually what is being suggested here, I think that perhaps it is suggesting that human understanding and logic are sometimes selfish and illogical, cruel and downright wicked. One only has to look at totalitarian regimes and ideologies to see that.
Perhaps it is saying that at the end of the day there is a higher way that may suggest a different action from your original feelings?

The chapter continues with instructions not to think too much of your intellect "Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and shun evil"

Careful use of resources is suggested here too "Honour the LORD with your wealth" 
There is a prayer in the church of England that has the line "All things come from you and of your own do we give you" - It is humbling to think that we will be called to account for the things we have owned and thrown away as well as our treasured possessions.

The rest of the chapter is mostly a description of the benefits of wisdom - 
Wisdom is more valuable than silver or rubies, nothing you can desire compares with wisdom.

God made the foundations of the earth by wisdom, and understanding set the heavens in place, by his knowledge the watery depths were divided and the clouds let drop the dew.
This is poetic language rather than a scientific treatise, but there is a deeper truth here, the earth may be a fluke of chance and happenstance and life on earth just be a mathematical coincidence caused by some, as yet unknown, interaction of complex amino acids.
It is odd that the scientific name given to orbits similar to the earth is known as "Goldilocks zone" (not too hot, not too cold, but just right)  

Wisdom suggests doing the right thing here and now and living in peace with all as far as it is possible, yet still not follow the ways of wicked or evil people.

Certainly verse 27 is a good summary - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due.

Hey - what do you know - we got short soundbites!

Proverbs 2 Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 2

It has been said that the difference between knowledge and wisdom can be found in the tomato.
Knowledge says that the tomato is a fruit, wisdom says "Don't put it in a fruit salad"!

Having told my joke for the day, lets have a look at the chapter

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding.
Indeed if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

I find it interesting that wisdom and knowledge are not handed out on silver platters, they take effort and perseverance and habit to cultivate.
Jesus used similar language about the kingdom of God - we will get to this when we get to the gospels.

Wisdom is a gift from God, according tot he book of proverbs. 

Verse 7 in interesting - I'm not sure I agree totally with this - 
He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

I think the book of Job shows that this is not true in all circumstances?

Those who are wise, just, fair and honest - paths that are good.

Wise people avoid the ways of wicked men who have left straight paths and walk in dark ways delighting in doing wrong.

Wise people are safe from the adulterous woman - I don't think this only means women here, I think there is a moral degeneracy that it is wise to avoid.
It is not my place to pass judgement on how people live their lives, but those who seek to break families and destroy people.......

I will try my best to seek out wisdom, understanding, truth and justice.
Try to walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
I'll have to see how it pans out, but I'll at least find out with a good conscience! 

Proverbs 1 - the beginnings of wisdom?

Proverbs 1

The book of proverbs is regarded as one of the "wisdom" books, they are attributed to King Solomon, son of David, who, if you recall, asked God for wisdom.

The stated aim of the proverbs is to gain wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight and how to live prudently, doing what is right, just and fair.
To teach prudence to the gullible (a footnote suggests that the word "simple" means gullible or easily led, with little moral compass)
To teach knowledge and discretion to the young and to add the the learning of the wise, and guidance to the discerning.

Something for everybody here I think.

Now we get probably the most famous verse in the book of Proverbs.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge"

Fear of God is Theophobia or Zeusaphobia, is this what the Bible says? Theophobia is the beginning of knowledge?
I don't think so - phobias tend to be irrational (or semi rational)fears ranging from Pogonophobia (fear of beards) to Logizomechanophobia (Fear of computers) from Ablutophobia (Fear of washing or bathing) to Zoophobia (Fear of animals). 

 Should we be afraid of God? I don't think that this is what is meant? I'm an engineer and design thermal equipment that could be lethal if it is not properly operated and looked after.
With this equipment we have to respect it, understand the risks and take steps to ensure that we and others are safe. The same applies to other things that are all around us - fire and electricity to name but two.

In engineering we have things like risk assessments and HAZOP (Hazardous Operations) where we take a look at what could possibly go wrong, what the effects would be, and how we can reduce or eliminate the threat.
I respect the hazards of the equipment I design, but it does not mean that I am particularly nervous standing next to it while it is operating
In this case Fear of the LORD is not theophobia, but respect.

Meanwhile fools (or those with loose or no moral character) despise wisdom and instruction (they probably don't even read the manual!) - if it comes to that, I often don't either!

The middle section of the chapter is advice to not ignore wise and sage advice, don't follow wicked and sinful people who are out to make themselves rich at the expense of others.

The end of the chapter is titled Wisdom's rebuke

Wisdom is not something to seek in solitude - she shouts out from the rooftops and the city square.
Those who are wise listen and learn.
Those who refuse wisdom lose out and eventually come to rack and ruin.