This is the beginning of the Proverbs which were largely written by king Solomon, son of King David. These passages say, “The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction and wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity: to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion, a wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel…”
The Proverbs basically provide wise counsel regarding how to properly live our lives. They give us an awareness of how to apply the Word of God in our lives. The Word of God, the Bible, provides us with a general approach to life. Whereas the Proverbs provide us with more detail in applying this general approach.
The Bible tells us to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” The Proverbs give us instruction on how to love our neighbors. For example, the Proverbs give us wise counsel in choosing edifying words to speak rather than harmful and damaging words.
Some of the proverbs are difficult to understand and may require deep thought and meditation. It may require us to pray for God’s guidance in gaining understanding. The Bible says that those who desire wisdom and understanding should pray and ask God to provide them wisdom and understanding. The Bible further says that God will grant us with wisdom when we ask for it.
