PLEASANT RUNPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PLEASANT RUNPRESBYTERIAN CHURCHThe home page of the PRP website includes three selections for daily devotionals. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and you have your choice of d365, Sacredise, and Our Daily Bread. The Daily Bread selection for today was from Proverbs 12. Most of us know Proverbs as a collection of practical wisdom drawn from daily life expressed in brief, succinct sayings. I decided to do a “deep dive” and found that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs. Most scholars agree that while Solomon wrote the majority of the book, he may have borrowed from other authors; and in fact the last two chapters were written by other men. I found the introduction to Proverbs almost as compelling as the subsequent chapters. From Proverbs 1:1-7 (New International Version):
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.
Solomon wants us to listen and heed the wisdom of those who have come before us. When it is our turn, we must impart our wisdom to those who follow us. But we are to especially respect the Lord, for that is the beginning of knowledge.
My challenge to you is to read the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters, so if you read one per day it should take you about a month. I guarantee you will recognize yourself in all the situations presented here. And you will benefit from this ancient, yet timely, wisdom for living.
Betsy Hall
