The Beginning of Knowledge

Beyond the Present Time
Resurrection Hope
Equipped with Hope

Proverbs 1:2-7

The Message

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

1 ^1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
    David’s son, Israel’s king—
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
    to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living,
    for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
    and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
    still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
    the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with God

⁷ Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
    only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

For Reflection

So many people, so well schooled and so uneducated!  It seems that our educational systems fail to produce wiser people.  Compassion and justice do not seem to out weigh efficiency and maximizing profit at the expense of people.  Selflessness gives way to self-centeredness and vulnerability to corruption justified by the common place wisdom of our societies.

Paul tells us the wisdom that comes from God is interpreted by the common culture as foolishness.  The common wisdom of the world is opposed to God's wisdom. Those who are wise start with God.

Pray

Pray for the wisdom that comes only from God.  Pray for the Spirit to enter all of your decisions.  Hope for the wisdom of compassion and justice.