Prov. 2 - Kim

Mona - I agree, walking a straight, clear path is much easier, and safer. That doesn't mean it's not challenging, just clear where we should be.

One of the things that strikes me in Prov. 2 is in the first verse: "... if you will..." . That means I have a choice. I can choose to receive God's instructions and treasure them in my heart, or I can choose to throw them out the window and do things my own way. The last three verses clearly state the outcome of the choices, but it's still my choice. God isn't going to force me to seek Him. I also know that if I choose to seek Him that I can ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and He'll freely give it, without shaming me for asking.

The next thing I notice is that there are two "then"s. One is in verse 5. If I will recive, treasure, be attentive, incline my hear, cry for discernment, lift my voice for understanding, seek wisdom as silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then I will discern the fear of the LORD and discover knowledge. Those words are all action words, meaning, I don't just sit like a bump on a log waiting for this sudden flash of understanding. I need to be in prayer and in His Word.

Also, verse 9 says "Then I will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course." Again, I'm not going to be able to do these things if I'm not actively seeking after the Lord.

The final thing I noticed is that the word "discern" or "discernment" is used 3 times in the first 9 verses. Websters defines discern as:1. To make out as with the eye or by the mind; to see; to understand; to detect. 2. To identify as separate and distinct; to discriminate. ie. To see or understand the difference; to make a distinction. A synonym is perceive. Plug these definitions into where the word is used and it kinda opens up some meaning.

Lord, may these thoughts first and foremost be Yours, and may they not go in one ear and out the other. May I be willing and seeking. Amen.

Proverbs 2

I have to tell you if you have not visited the link Bible Gateway you really need to... I enjoyed reading this chapter in "The Message" although I did my views on the NIV. In this chapter at the beginning where it talked about searching for wisdom, understanding and knowledge like you were seaching for silver or for a hidden treasure. This made me think of the movie National Treasure, they were consumed about finding the treasure. It was all they thought of and that it was something that he had studied for almost his whole life. It was also not an easy to find some of the clues. I think so many of us think as Christians our lives will be easy and it is really not. I love how later on in the chapter it talks about about victory and walking blameless... I think what that means to me is that we can not let what others do or believe let us stray... We have to be responsible for our own actions and words. I love in Proverbs 3:6 it states In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight. I have done a lot of hiking and would rather hike a straight path then a crocked one. It also speaks of how wisdom will enter your heart I never thought of wisdom in my heart to me it seems like a brain thing... And knowledge in my soul. I have to think about these things for awhile... It describes wicked, evil, crooked, adulteress and other horrible things. I would much rather walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of righteous and live in the land. To me i think that is where accountability takes hold.. We as sisters and brothers in Christ need to be able to say things like I don't think what you are doing is okay.. or meet with other believers and study His word to help some of us choose a path that is crooked.
I look forward to hearing what you have gotten out of this chapter. If I can pray for you for anything please let me know. Love Ya and carry on!!

Proberbs 1 - Kim

I really enjoy looking at what is said about "the fear of the Lord." We'll see this phrase many times in the book of Proverbs. This kind of fear is what I always felt for my dad, magnified hundreds of times. I never wanted to hurt my dad or see him disappointed in me. Magnified over and over is what fearing the Lord is, not wanting to do or say anything that would hurt my heavenly Father. In this case not wanting to do anything to hurt my Father is the begining of knowledge.

I also think about the fool who despises wisdom and instruction. Psalm 14:1 says,"The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God.'" A fool is someone who has no need of God. I can even be a fool for a time when I'm living life on my own, not trusting in and seeking the Lord. When I'm living that way, I do despise wisdom and instruction, as I generally am not in the Word and prayer. It's a good reminder to be walking with the Lord, not on my own.

Proverbs 1 - Mona

As I read this first chapter several things come to mind. It talks in parrables which is hard to understand and leaves a lot to how each one reads it in certain times of there lives. I keep going back to To fear the Lord is the begining..... What exactly does that mean to me??? It is hard to think of fear for me I feel respect is more how i feel. Then to achive a diciplined and prudent life.... This actually sounds like music to my ears. Very predictable and easy although I am sure that is not what was intended. My life seems to be running in several directions and not to prudent. In a footnote it says translation for a fool is morally deficient.... and simple without moral direction, inclined to evil. So I guess I don't want to be a simple fool that is for sure.

I am so excited to see what others bring to the table with chapter one in Proverbs.... I would like to say a special THANKS to Bekah for spending so much time making this site look so beautiful!!