More Than Proverbs
When I was in my mid-20s, I started reading through Proverbs once a month. While I read other scriptures often in preparation for Bible studies and sermon development, the book of Proverbs was my daily reading plan. Over time I added other things until I developed the practice of reading the whole Bible through each year.
It won’t hurt you to read Proverbs daily, but if that is your primary Bible reading plan, you will miss the grand story of scripture. You will also not be adequately prepared for life or for the kingdom ministry God wants for all of us.
In the first nine chapters of Proverbs, we read several speeches or lessons about wisdom and folly. Then, from chapters 10 through 29, we are given hundreds of individual proverbs that give practical advice on many topics and issues. Sometimes these proverbs come in groups, but usually they stand alone.
When you read Proverbs, it is important to understand that these proverbs provide practical advice that have proved to be true, but they are not promises. For example, consider this proverb:
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 10:2
We could make a long list of people who are enjoying wealth that was secured through unethical business practices. And there are some very rich people who are criminals. In the scope of eternity, they will receive no profit, but they might live decades enjoying their profits today.
Righteousness absolutely delivers us from eternal death thanks to the work of Christ on the cross. But there are righteous people who experience great suffering and sometimes sudden death by acts of violence or accidents every day.
Proverbs 10:2 is good general advice to live by, but it isn’t a guarantee that wicked people may not have a lot of easy days and that righteous people will have long fulfilling lives before their natural deaths.
So read Proverbs. Maybe even memorize a few and of course put them into practice. They are filled with wisdom, and you are far better off following these bits of heavenly wisdom than ignoring them. But remember that we still live in broken spaces waiting for Christ’s return, so we will have times of struggle and will often have to deal with people who are bent on destruction. But the more of us who live out the wisdom of Proverbs as a part of our discipleship will surely advance the kingdom of God here and now.
Father, thank you for the practical wisdom that is included in your word. Thank you for the many reminders in scripture that tell us that you are the source of wisdom. Forgive us for the many times we have sought bits and pieces of wisdom, hoping to find you. Increase our faith that we might fully seek you more than simply seeking answers and practical tips for life. You are our salvation, our hope, and the foundation for life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Proverbs 10:2-3, 9, 11, 19-21, 30, 11:1-14 ESV
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