Proverbs, Part 1: Explorer or Fool

Join us this week as we start our brand new series, Proverbs. Title:  Explorer or Fool?   (2 Chronicles 1:1) Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.   (2 Chronicles 1:7) That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”   (2 Chronicles 1:8-9) Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.   (2 Chronicles 1:10) Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”   (Colossians 1:9) For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,   (Colossians 2:1-3) My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.   (2 Chronicles 1:10) Give me wisdom and knowledge, (Daniel 11:35) And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.   (Proverbs 1:1-4) (NLT) These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.   (Proverbs 1:5-7) (NLT) Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.   Are you going to be an explorer or a fool?    (Proverbs 1:8-9) (NLT) My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.   (Proverbs 1:10-14) (NLT) My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.  Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.   (Proverbs 1:15-19) (NLT) My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.   (Proverbs 1:20-23) (NLT) Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.   (Proverbs 1:24-27) (NLT) I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you.   (Proverbs 1:28-31) (NLT) “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. (Proverbs 1:32-33) (NLT) For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”   An Explorers Toolbox: 1.    Metal Detector (Proverbs 1:20) (NLT) Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. 2.    Sledge Hammer (Proverbs 1:24) (NLT) I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.   3.    Heavy Duty Equipment (Proverbs 1:32-33) (NLT) For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.   (2 Chronicles 1:11-12) God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”