June 1 – Proverbs 1:1-7; 2:4-8; 3:5-7, 11-12 – Your Ticket to Real Success   Proverbs 1:1 – A "Proverb" is a wise saying, as some similitude, comparison or parable, set in the poetic form of Hebrew parallelism [as a rhyming of thoughts], that bears repeating. Solomon specifically wrote those in Prov. 1-9, 25-29. 1:2-4 – Divine knowledge and godly wisdom are based in faith in God (through our Lord Jesus Christ), as being real and practical and eternally sighted. This is basically seeing things and all of life from God’s viewpoint. He has revealed this very viewpoint of His in the Bible. 1:5-6 – This is the challenge of the Book of Proverbs. The study of these Proverbs will help you to understand other proverbs and complex sayings. 1:7 – Obedience to God brings understand of life. The Fear of the LORD [literally, Yahweh] is a key to this book and to life. This "Fear of the Lord" can be well described, as an awareness of the continual presence of a holy, righteous, and almighty God who must judge one’s every thought, word, and deed. In the Hebrew Old Testament, yara’ means simply to fear or be afraid or frightened of someone or something. In the Greek New Testament, phobos and phobeō mean much the same. As to the subject, fear is fear. However, as to the object, there are two vastly different categories: The Fear of God and the fear of anything and everything else. The Fear of the LORD or God is unique, solitary, and singular in contrast to fear of anyone and anything else. It is healthy and safe and commanded in the Bible for believers to do here and in Prov. 3:7; Mat. 10:28; and 1 Peter 2:17. "The fear of the LORD is clean [unmixed with impurities], continuing forever." (Psalm 19:9) It is something helpful, secure, and encouraged. It results in awe but does not mean awe; it results in reverence but does not reverence. The fear of the Lord simply takes sins seriously! An extension beyond God, as a direct object, is properly ordained law-enforcement, as in Romans 13:1. In Romans 13:4 a law-enforcement officer is called a "minister of God." A believer who is doing evil is commanded to "be afraid" (phobeomai). This also is a healthy and safe fear. (Sometimes a driver not watching his speed will feel this healthy fear, as he sees some flashing red lights in his rearview mirror.) "Fear [of the Lord] is love on its knees." "A slave fears his master’s lash, but a son fears his father’s displeasure." Adrian Rogers. "The fear of man paralyzes, but the fear of the Lord purifies us." Chuck Swindol. 2:4-5 – This is what life is all about. Notice the parallel between "the fear of the LORD [Yahweh]" and "knowledge of God." They are two sides of the same coin. 2:6 – This is what the constant, daily study of the Bible is all about. 2:7-8 – Knowledge of God is not knowing about God but knowing God in faith and obedience and righteousness. 3:5-6 – "Trust [feel safe, fully confident, believe] in Yahweh with all of your heart, and you will not lean on your own understanding. In all your pathways know Him, and he will make your way straight [and smooth]." God’s promise of a life of faith, ultimately fulfilled in eternal life. When you are at a crossroads of a decision about what is right, ask yourself, ‘What is my natural inclination?’ and do the opposite. God’s way is often opposite to our natural, fleshly inclinations. 3:7 – This verse explains the purpose and goal of a healthy "fear of the Lord." Its results will be to "depart from evil" – which means obedience and godly living. Exodus 20:20 and Job 28:28. The fear of a perfectly righteous, holy, omniscient, omnipotent, and loving God is totally safe, secure, healthy, and right. It makes us more godly ourselves. It keeps us from fearing anyone or anything else. 3:11-12 – God, as our Heavenly Father: NKJV – "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights." This is quoted in the NT in Hebrews 12:5b-6 – "My son, do not think little of the discipline of the Lord, nor faint being rebuked by him; for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom he welcomes." Here the text reads very much like the Greek Septuagint (the early Greek translation of the Hebrew OT before the time of Jesus and Paul) – "Son, do not belittle the discipline of the Lord, nor faint being rebuked by him; for whom the Lord loves He disciplines and scourges ever son whom He welcomes." This is soundly based upon God’s extremely serious attitude toward sin and our sins. God omnisciently knows sin and what it will do to us, and He will do anything to keep us from sin, except stop us. God made for us fathers, that we might understand Him more fully, so human fathers ought to reflect God. When you feel bad about what you have done wrong, remember: God doesn’t spank the Devil’s children, but He will his own! Just as the feeling of pain is healthy and important to our physical body to keep it safe, God disciplines our spiritual nature to keep us safe. We are already saved but to keep us safe.   Questions to consider: Why did God put this Book of Proverbs in the Bible? What healthy, encouraging experiences have you had with the fear of the Lord in your life? How is knowledge connected to the fear of the Lord? What are some examples in your life of "leaning on your own understanding" in place of trusting the Lord? Where have you found in your life that God has disciplined you with His "tough love"? (no personal details) How do we have God’s discipline in our lives make us better instead of bitter?