Proverbs Intro

A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

When you think of correction and wisdom, what comes to your mind? A gentle talk with your child? A corrective action taken by a parent? When I think of correction and wisdom, I think of the book of Proverbs. My Heavenly Father uses this book daily to show me where I have erred. He also uses it to gently lift me up out of the miry clay when I have fallen and refuse to get up. When I pick up my Bible each morning, God has a fresh word for me regarding my behavior from the day before. Sometimes it is encouraging. Most times though, God uses it to teach me the error of my ways.

We are not sure who the actual author of the book of Proverbs is, however, most scholars believe that Solomon had a lot to do with it. He was a man of wisdom, and shared freely with those around him. The book of Proverbs begins by telling us exactly what Solomon had in mind and what the purpose of this book was:

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple,
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. (Proverbs 1:1-6)

Solomon knew that the people in his kingdom would need wisdom and discipline. These two things combined can cause a person to live a life pleasing to the Lord. When you combine the two, the heart of man becomes the heart of God.
One of my favorite chapters in Proverbs is of course, Proverbs 31, The Virtuous Woman. From the moment I gave my life to Christ, and found this chapter in the Bible, I set about trying to learn who she was, and why she did what she did. To this day, several years later, I still read it over and over again hoping to glean something new from her way of life. She loved her Lord, she loved her man, and she loved her family. She gave of herself to those around her. She is the ultimate Proverb in itself.
Today, as you begin your day, try to read one chapter in Proverb a day along with your regular daily Bible readings. There are 31 chapters, so it works out well to correspond the day's reading with that day's date. Try it and see if it doesn't make a difference in your own life. Remember wisdom, correction, and discipline will turn a woman's heart back to her Lord.

Jennifer Sikora