Good verses evil. It’s the classic story if struggle between those two opposing forces. Read Proverbs 10. Characteristics of Righteousness vs. Characteristics of Evil – Proverbs 10:1-32 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked. Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest…

A choice. We each have a choice how we will proceed amd whether or not we will choose wisdom. Read Proverbs 9. Wisdom’s Invitation – Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. “Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way…

Wisdom is calling. We’ve seen how important wisdon is, but it’s not just something to find. Wisdon is actually reaching out to us. Read Proverbs 8. The Call of Wisdom – Proverbs 8:1-14 Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. “O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And…

Adulteress. When it comes to giving wisdom to the son, Solomon wants to make sure to warn him about the temptation of the adulteress. Read Proverbs 7. The Lure of the Adulteress – Proverbs 7:1-12 My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend; That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words. For at the window of my house I…

Parental advice. Solomon now moves to giving pieces of advice like a father would give to his son. He touches on several areas with practical wisdom to live out each day. Read Proverbs 6. Money and Work Ethic – Proverbs 6:1-11 My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger, If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor…

Temptation. It comes in all forms and is often designed to distract us from what we know to be true and right. Read Proverbs 5. Temptation’s Appeal – Proverbs 5:1-7 My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not…

A Father’s Advice. Part of the responsibility of parents is to impart advice to their children. As Solomon continues to write about wisdom, he is reminded of all the advice that his father has given him over the years. Read Proverbs 4. A Father’s Advice: Acquire Wisdom, Proverbs 4:1-13 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding, For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words;…

Discipline. The word has a couple of meanings that both apply here. First, it can refer to the correction that is needed when someone goes off track. Second, it can be the unwavering focus to stay on track in the first place. We’ll see this in Proverbs 3. The Rewards of Wisdom – Proverbs 3:1-10 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor…

31 Days of Wisdom. I’ve spent the last several months diving deep into verses and focusing on only 1-2 verses each day. Over the next month, we’re going to pull up a bit and look at an entire chapter each day as we go through the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re going to focus on Proverbs 1. The Purposeful Appeal for Wisdom – Proverbs 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, A…