So we just started working through proverbs in our girls bible study and we are doing one proverb a week for the next 31 weeks! Yeah I know that's a long time!! But proverbs has so much great stuff in it. After reading the first chapter, I just wanted to keep going. But I know I need to sit with this chapter more and pick it apart. So an overview of the chapter is basically all about wisdom. Doing a little research in my bible, I find that the word wisdom appears 41 times in the book of proverbs! This chapter is written from a father to a son/teacher to a student, the father being seen as the teacher and the son the student. So here's the chapter:
Proverbs 1:1-19 (NIV)
Prologue: Purpose and Theme
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.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.
Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against Enticement
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, "Come along with us;
let's lie in wait for someone's blood,
let's waylay some harmless soul;
12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [b]
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot with us,
and we will share a common purse"-
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into sin,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
in full view of all the birds!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves!
19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it.
The impression I'm getting initially is that for those who listen to their parents will gain respect in their lives. (vs 8-9) The father/teacher urges the son/student not to fall for the tricks that the sinners may play on him. He gives an example of the sinners waiting in hiding for an innocent person only to attack them (kill them? not sure yet, needs a little momre research...) and steal their valuables. He tells the son not to follow their path because they unknowingly only trap themselves in the long term outcome. (vs 11-19)
That's all for tonight... I've run out of energy... part 2 to come tomorrow!