The 'BARKING OWL' always has something to say, and like the feathered version, can be either WISE...............or ANNOYING!







Sunday, January 1, 2012

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting January 1st on Proverbs 1:1-4

January 1:  Proverbs Chapter 1:1-4

Christians looking for a simple way to review the Bible regularly have long been convenienced by the fact that the book of Proverbs has 31 chapters.  Each chapter includes multiple bite-sized verses (uhm, proverbs) and can be read through simply in one sitting, one appropriately numbered chapter per day through a month.  My simple mind balks at the idea of trying this pattern in any month with less than 31 days  (It just does, all right?), but there are 7 months every year that are suitable for the effort.

My idea here is to share about 1/7 of the verses of each day's chapter on my blog throughout this year, every time a 31 day month pops up, along with a few comments from The Barking Owl.  So in January, we will get through the first few verses of every chapter and then in March, the next group, so that by the time December comes around we can finally get to the last set of verses in each chapter and complete the book's reading.  If you  are smarter than I am, you will read the whole chapter related to each day, every 31 day month, and then you will have read the whole book 7 times this year!  By then you are guaranteed to be wiser than Solomon AND The Barking Owl together!

January 1:  Proverbs Chapter 1:1-4

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
   for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
   doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
   knowledge and discretion to the young— 


Solomon was the third king of Israel, and when God asked him what he wanted, he asked for wisdom.  God appreciated the fact that Solomon did not ask for something stupid like cash, so He made Sol the wisest man ever, and then He threw in the riches as well.  Here Solomon introduces the book by describing the great benefits anyone can gain from pursuing wisdom.

Wisdom helps even the simple and the young to recognize good advice when they hear it.  And it helps with the next, crucial steps; receiving the good advice and then living by it.  How many of us have failed in one or both of these last two important steps?  (Yes, I am holding up both hands.)

2 comments:

  1. Thanks Mike..your page is really gorgeous. Now I have to find out how to sign up for email notices. sigh. My techie skills are eons behind yours! Kate
    Yikes..I do not even know which profile to choose, so picked Name/URL

    ReplyDelete
  2. As is often the case, inspirational and entertaining! That's my Mikey.

    ReplyDelete

I can't wait to see your response so, unless you can leave a pizza, please leave the next best thing; your comment!