Todays readings.. Numbers 3, Proverbs 1, Luke 15

“LET THE WISE HEAR AND INCREASE IN …”

Today we started reading the proverbs of Solomon and the opening chapters in particular, are really heart challenging.

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.…” [v.5-7].   Solomon then observes that “fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

Nearly all today would be horrified to realise that God sees them as “fools” because they despise the reality of God’s existence and the “wisdom and instruction” in his word, preferring instead the “wisdom” (!?) of TV  and videos and modern ‘action’ novels that include descriptions of godless ways of living.

Solomon says, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head” [v.8,9]  “A graceful garland”! Poetic words that describe healthy thinking.  The result for us today are healthy ways of thinking and acting..   

Then, from v.10, Solomon has wise words of warning that are particularly necessary today. “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.  If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for … the innocent …” [v.10,11] 

The challenge to us is that our world is largely full of those who do not believe in God:  they live by their own standards – which are not necessarily bad – but few give any thought or time to “hear and increase in learning” about their Creator and His Son,-  who seeks to be their Saviour. 

Does this spirit rub off on us? Does it lessen our desire to be “wise … and increase in” the knowledge of God?  Let us make sure we are among “the wise.”