THE DAILY

[Proverbs 1:20-33]

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street,

in the markets she raises her voice;

21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

23 If you turn at my reproof,

behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

25 because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when terror strikes you,

27 when terror strikes you like a storm

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

30 would have none of my counsel

and despised all my reproof,

31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,

and have their fill of their own devices.

32 For the simple are killed by their turning away,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure

and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Take a minute to think about the last movie you watched. Perhaps it was a drama, or a thriller, or a mystery, or a love story? Regardless of the genre, can you recall a moment when a character had a choice to make? From your position, the right choice was obvious. In fact, it was obvious to everyone, except, of course, the character. From the audience you wanted to hit pause, walk right into the movie set and tell the character to “wake-up!”

Perhaps you have been that character in your very real life? Perhaps you wish you could hit pause and walk right up to your younger self (by minutes or days or weeks or years or decades) and shout “wake up!” “Listen to wisdom!” “Claim the promises freely offered by the Lord.” “Don’t go your own “better” way. Heed the voice of the Lord. Turn. Receive. Walk in the Lord’s clear wisdom. Obey.

Here is the good news. It is not too late! The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. Though you and I may be “eating the fruit” of past bad decisions, we don’t have to continually make them. Jesus promises “whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Will you and I choose rightly today? Will we choose Jesus, the Prince of Peace?

-By Kimberly Williams

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Paraphrase what wisdom asks in verse 22. Where is it asked? How is it asked? What strong verbs in verses 20 and 21 inform your answer?

+ What is wisdom’s promise in verse 23? What is remarkable to you? What is precious?

+ How can the reader know generally how wisdom’s question was/is answered?

+ Why might the “hearer” choose not to hear? Why might you and I choose not to hear?

+ In Verses 24-25 what does wisdom do? How do the people respond to her call? What stark contrasts do you see?

+ Verses 26-29 share a few of the consequences of not heeding wisdom’s call. List them.

+ The root of disobedience is found in verses 29-30. What is it?

+ What is the ultimate consequence for disobedience in 31-32?

+ What is the precious promise for those who heed wisdom’s call? Verse 33

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take?

+ Have I asked Jesus to show me through the Holy Spirit where I am not heeding wisdom’s call?

+ Will I, in humility, turn, accept reproof, and grow in my fear of the Lord?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for in order that they might know Jesus?

+ What truths about Jesus and His Word are we helping others remember on our journey. How can we be more intentional about doing so?

+Who am I discipling as I live and grow and learn to obey Jesus? If this hasn’t been a priority, pray today about who God wants you to reach out to in His Name.

+Who do I look to for accountability and godly wisdom? Do I have the courage to ask another if I am heeding wisdom’s call in big and little things?

[Proverbs 3.1-12]

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom is passed from one generation to another, and often we want guidance to know what the right or wise choice is. Thankfully, the Lord provides a blueprint for how we may live wisely and well.

Proverbs is structured as a father passing wisdom down to his son. The father begins by telling the son to remember. So often we forget. Remembering is one of the practices of a Christ-follower– remember His sacrifice in communion, remember His promises in His Word. Which of the wisdom in today’s passage do you need to remember and live in light of?

– By Monica Godfrey

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+Why does the father instruct the son to remember these teachings? [v.1-4]

+What do you think it means to live trusting God? [vv.5-6]

+What does it mean to fear the Lord? What does it look like lived out? [vv.7-8]

+How should the wise man use his money? Why should he do this? [vv.9-10]

+Who does the Lord reprove (chastise, discipline) and why? [vv. 11-12]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+Are you living trusting God more than yourself? Are there areas of your life that you are holding on to?

+How can you remember and keep these truths at the forefront of your life this week?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

[Proverbs 3.13-18]

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Today’s passage invites us to pursue wisdom. The writer says of wisdom that it is a treasure more valuable than silver, gold, or rubies. Beyond material wealth, wisdom promises enduring rewards. Like a tree of life, wisdom nourishes our souls and bears fruits of righteousness. As we reflect on these verses, may we ask ourselves: Are we actively seeking wisdom in our lives?

-By David

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ How does scripture describe the one who has found wisdom?

+ How would you define wisdom?

+ How does wisdom compare to wealth, according to this proverb?

+ What are your thoughts concerning wisdom's comparison to the tree of life?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

[Proverbs 4:5-9]

5 Get wisdom; get insight;

do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;

love her, and she will guard you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

and whatever you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head a graceful garland;

she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

In these five verses, the author of Proverbs exhorts his readers to gain wisdom. He does this by personifying wisdom with feminine imagery. He states that the person who does not forsake wisdom but loves, prizes, and embraces her will be kept, guarded, exalted, honored, and crowned by wisdom in return.

Wisdom can be a source of protection, abundance, and honor, which leads to the question: how does one get wisdom? Thankfully, the author explicitly answers this question in verse 7. He says the beginning of wisdom is to get wisdom! If you’re anything like me, this feels incredibly unhelpful. If a friend comes to you and asks “How do you get joy?” and you respond, “You get joy.” Your friend would likely think that your answer was sarcastic at best or downright rude at worst. Though it seems this is what the author of Proverbs is doing, he is making a profound claim about the attitude someone needs if they are to get wisdom. By saying that the beginning of wisdom is to get wisdom, the author is saying that wisdom must be one’s top priority. How does one make wisdom a priority? The ancient Israelites saw wisdom as uniquely coming from God. God is the source of all wisdom and the one who can make humans wise. Making wisdom a priority ultimately means that God must be one’s top priority. In Job 28:28 the author claims that “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” In other words, the reverence, awe, and

respect that one has toward God leads to respecting God’s desire for one’s life. Wisdom then is the result of living with respect and reverence for God.

–By John Barzal

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does this passage say about how we become wise?

+ What does it look like to make wisdom a priority?

+ What is the benefit of wisdom?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How does my life reflect my reverence and awe of God?

[ WHO ] am I walking with (and praying for) to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

[Proverbs 9:10-12]

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Today's passage references the fear of the Lord. Some commentators will soften this, saying this means respect for God. These ideas do work together here, but this fear also means fear. Abraham used this word in Genesis 20:11, when Abraham thought people would kill him and his wife because they lacked fear of God, implying fear would make people do right because of what might happen if they did wrong. Deuteronomy 2:25 couples this word with dread and references trembling as a result. Possibly the oldest book of the Bible, Job, in 28:28, references this concept of the fear of the Lord being a good thing, not only because it brings wisdom, but it keeps us from evil. This fear spurs useful action for good. The wisdom and knowledge that comes with the right mind about God benefits us in multiple ways. Understanding God and why we should fear Him makes His love for us all the more powerful, as well.

May the word of God instill in us a healthy fear of our loving and sovereign God, who is with us always, encouraging us to good and life and away from sin and death.

As my family and I transition into the next chapter God is calling us to, this is my final post for the Daily. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the body in this way for a time. I hope the most prominent thread through all of these has been to use the Word to understand the Word. There is compounding goodness for you, for others, and most of all, glory for God as you read, meditate, search out, and apply the loving truths God has given to us through His Word, and the Holy Spirit uses this mightily for His purpose. Continue to place high importance on this.

-By Luke

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is the outcome of the fear of the Lord? [v. 10-11]

+ What is "the knowledge of the Holy One" and why would this yield insight? [v. 10]

+ Is v. 11 literal? How do we know? What indication do we see of the veracity of this verse?

+ Who does v. 12 point out is impacted by our decision to live in holy fear of God?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Where are you acting without fear of God? What is the root of this mind- and heart-set? What steps can you take this week to address this?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?