Wisdom matters : Proverbs 1: 1-19 (Part 1 of a series on Proverbs)

[Mendalla]

Back when I was playing D&D regularly, one of my favourite character classes (= profession of your character) was the cleric. In fact, one of my clerics was named Mendalla Justric, hence my current online ID. And of the six values that defined your character (Strength, Constitution, ...), the one that matter most to a cleric was Wisdom. There was a minimum wisdom to even be a cleric and higher wisdom made it easier to gain clerical spells (yes, clerics/priests cast spells). Apparently Gary Gygax and friends thought, not incorrectly, that wisdom was important or relevant for religious/spiritual matters.

So I guess I am naturally interested in the subject of Wisdom. And Proverbs is basically all about Wisdom, or so it seems from the prologue .

Bible Gateway passage: Proverbs 1:1-19 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: Prologue - For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young— let...

www.biblegateway.com

So there are two parts to this, really.

Verses 1-7 are the intro/prologue. They really just give the purpose of the book, which is to teach wisdom. Of course, 7 is one of the most famous verses in all of Proverbs, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

And I can't really disagree with the premise given here for Proverbs. Learning and wisdom ARE important to life, both spiritual and in general.

Verses 8-19 then gives a dire warning about falling in with the wrong crowd. It's kind of interesting opener to a book on wisdom. Is it something wisdom will save you from? Or is avoiding it the path of wisdom? In the end, it talks about the bad folks getting their comeuppance, illustrating the wisdom of not falling with them.

So, what are your thoughts and comments, both on the idea Proverbs as presented in the prologue (save specifics until we get to those verses) and the importance of avoiding those who would lead you astray?

 

[Luce NDs]

I'm a negative thinker, or so I've been told, thus I am more subtle regarding some things ... thus humility if caught face to face ... you wouldn't even note my presence! There is a old adage about things going up before the descent ... thus we dig!

Life seems to come in waves with ups and downs! Has nothing to do with me because I'm directed that I am non existent in some domains ... like the alternate powers respect for humility! Like Cephas and Jenny ... a deep carrier (or mule) ... few observe this! Imagine isolated clerics within the woods people's crowds ... some in wee green suits! Spouts ...

 

[Waterfall]

So far it seems pretty good advice...fearing the Lord as the beginning of wisdom may suggest we should respect that we are just starting on a path of unknowns.
Staying away from a bad crowd seems to be reasonable to support a journey towards more enlightenment.

 

[Mendalla]

The whole keeping away from a bad crowd has got to be one of the most timeless pieces of advice in the Bible, really. Forget any of the theological stuff or even Jesus' social teachings. The number of times someone has got into trouble because of who they associated with or took advice from has to be uncountable.

 

[Waterfall]

The whole keeping away from a bad crowd has got to be one of the most timeless pieces of advice in the Bible, really. Forget any of the theological stuff or even Jesus' social teachings. The number of times someone has got into trouble because of who they associated with or took advice from has to be uncountable.

Of course we do learn from our bad choices also, and some are wisdom building IMO

 

[Mendalla]

Of course we do learn from our bad choices also, and some are wisdom building IMO

Which is an important point. How do we know who the bad eggs are if we've never dealt with one before?

 

[Mystic]

Verses 8-19 then gives a dire warning about falling in with the wrong crowd. It's kind of interesting opener to a book on wisdom. Is it something wisdom will save you from? Or is avoiding it the path of wisdom? In the end, it talks about the bad folks getting their comeuppance, illustrating the wisdom of not falling with them.

So, what are your thoughts and comments, both on the idea Proverbs as presented in the prologue (save specifics until we get to those verses) and the importance of avoiding those who would lead you astray?

Before urging avoidance of the wrong crowd, the sage points to the "figures" and "riddles" of the wise (1:6). Jesus' take on the sage's policy is applied to His parables:
"But for those (hostile) outsiders, everything is in parables, in order that they may look, but not perceive, and indeed listen, but not understand (Mark 4:12)."

One crude paraphrase might be: "Never get in a pissing contest with a skunk"--or as Jesus puts it,

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs and do not cast your pearls before swine, or they will trample then under foot and turn and maul you (Matthew 7:6)."

 

[Luce NDs]

Thus hidden gems drop into the hands of leaders of avarice ... gross power! Powerful mystics? I have doubt about these and thus stay down hidden in the mosaic ... kind of an enigma to the edifice that wears the cover! Shell company's ... implications for the ordinary????

Even the pious support sacred matter and hide it ... Moe La! Some say mone' t ... some say mulligan ... it is a given like ad onus ... mere image, strange icon!

The prehistoric smudges on rock faces ... before whatever!

 

[Mystic]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (1:7)."

How would you answer these 2 questions about this verse?
What exactly is "the fear of the Lord?"
Why does the sage mean when he says this emotion, or any emotion, is the beginning of wisdom (= spiritual knowledge) , as opposed to just an important aspect of wisdom?
Later, I'll share my answers to both questions.

 

[Luce NDs]

Spiritual knowledge the essence f the thing that powers despise ... the more they know the less hesitant abut plunging on blindly ... some can relate some have n ability to relate.

Thus stories of Sato, Seti and other things that may demonize a brain without adequate essence (to respect wisdom)! The powers fight to deny and reduce wisdom to nothing ...

There are folks that take note of "nothing" as the root of IO's ... it is tense crossing the void, some would rather not ponder it ... thus schemes to make Lucifer un enlightened and covered up ... Aurora Morningstar as the Shadow withdraws ... one should be familiar with all the misty myths! They are somewhat cloudy in our understanding as we avoid understanding when leaning on great wiles ... thus thoughts descend ... and Samæ picks up on them ... over the horizon, eh?

Never forget; the reaper cometh ... for whatever thou hast cultivated ... dame!

 

[BetteTheRed]

I wonder how we feel about replacing "fear" of Godde with "awe" of Godde?

 

[Luce NDs]

I wonder how we feel about replacing "fear" of Godde with "awe" of Godde?

Some respect and onus required and todays procedure is to do away with appreciation for anything else ... El Ci ... is that you?

It may be Lucille's mate ... the slick one ... sat 'n ah ole ... really there's not much to it! Some say that was Aurore Morning Star ... that spark at the beginning of Dais ... after a dark and stormy Nacht! The way it was in the initiation ... when we observe Goddes alternate side ... the John instead of J' aimes t' Jew edom all ... all hidden in WORD ... isn't that a Geme? Jam ...

 

[Luce NDs]

Every man for themselves and all else can go down ... unless dominant! Imagine the means to do that ... a real screw-up!

In some traditions and mores ... this is ineffable ... thus silence when the doings are going on ... only in essence? There's a traveling tho'T ... transient?

Probably an atheist asking questions or at least doubting the god's measure ... rod, staff ... after that someone takes a beating because it is just the way of gods ... the devil carries away the remains ... left overs ... gang? There's a crowd denied by God's emotion ... beat it up! That's emotional blast ...

All about bias 'd sects ...

 

[WhyCzar]

What exactly is "the fear of the Lord?"

Proverbs 8:13

(save specifics until we get to those verses)

We'll climb that hill no matter how steep when we get up to it?

 

[Luce NDs]

Have some appreciation and respect because of how the light on the Laam comes over the thing ... fuzzy as the items laid out in the vale ... chi nun doa*?

There the doubter was hung as Thomas ... a bit behind ... following ... hanging back there! Any doubts ... a grand enigma ... mother what do I do with that?

Thus the skewering ... and no one was brighter for ide ... well almost except for the BPD! A fringe ... something was opened ...

 

[Mendalla]

I wonder how we feel about replacing "fear" of Godde with "awe" of Godde?

The two oft go hand-in-hand though. I mean, I am in awe of the power of nature shown in a volcanic eruption or hurricane but if I was actually in an area affected by those, I would also be just a tad fearful. And lets face it, the concept of a overarching, all-powerful Creator of all that is can be rather scary, even if one accepts that they are a loving parent at heart.

 

[Mystic]

The two oft go hand-in-hand though. I mean, I am in awe of the power of nature shown in a volcanic eruption or hurricane but if I was actually in an area affected by those, I would also be just a tad fearful. And lets face it, the concept of a overarching, all-powerful Creator of all that is can be rather scary, even if one accepts that they are a loving parent at heart.

Yes, the Hebrew word translated "fear" has no 1 to 1 English equivalent; it contains the nuances "awe, reverence, wonder," and, yes, even "fear."
Fear-based spirituality is offensive to many moderns because they equate it with the threat of divine wrath. For many believers, "God" is little more than a working construct on which they build meaning into their lives--an abstraction to justify their beliefs and lifestyle, both of which are automatically presumed to be beyond divine reproach. The possibility that "the will of God" for them might be more elusive than they imagine rarely occurs to them and the many mysteries of the biblical God barely make a dent in their rigid concept of a personal loving God:

e. g. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are my ways your ways (Isaiah 55:7)."

So they freeze like Bambi in the headlights when confronted with Paul's cautionary instruction on the role of "the fear of the Lord" in the believer's life:

"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and work for His good pleasure."

The practical application of "the fear of the Lord" will be the topic of my next planned post.

 

[Luce NDs]

Yes, the Hebrew word translated "fear" has no 1 to 1 English equivalent; it contains the nuances "awe, reverence, wonder," and, yes, even "fear."
Fear-based spirituality is offensive to many moderns because they equate it with the threat of divine wrath. For many believers, "God" is little more than a working construct on which they build meaning into their lives--an abstraction to justify their beliefs and lifestyle, both of which are automatically presumed to be beyond divine reproach. The possibility that "the will of God" for them might be more elusive than they imagine rarely occurs to them and the many mysteries of the biblical God barely make a dent in their rigid concept of a personal loving God:

e. g. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are my ways your ways (Isaiah 55:7)."

So they freeze like Bambi in the headlights when confronted with Paul's cautionary instruction on the role of "the fear of the Lord" in the believer's life:

"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and work for His good pleasure."

The practical application of "the fear of the Lord" will be the topic of my next planned post.

So much for respect of maintaining a reputation of virtue ... when it is so easy to screw up ... given the command to avoid thought, intelligence and any drift towards wisdom ... that's evil!

God I've heard so many times that mental functions are evil and blind matters of the heart (Lem) are best! Thus the caldron is agitated ...

 

[unsafe]

verse 7 ------The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.


So how is Bible knowledge defined

Hebrew word for Knowledge is

Strong's Concordance
daath: knowledge
in highest sense, knowledge of God (including obedience) Proverbs 1:7


The Greek word for knowledge is

Strong's Concordance
gnósis: a knowing, knowledge
knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; "application-knowledge," gained in (by) a direct relationship. See 1097 (ginōskō).

1108 /gnṓsis ("applied-knowledge") is only as accurate (reliable) as the relationship it derives from.

For example, the Gnostics boasted of their "applied knowledge" gained by their personal spiritual experiences – and it was (is) disastrous!

["Gnosticism" is literally, "the cult based on having special, personal knowledge" (1108 /gnṓsis).]

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How is Bible Wisdom defined

Hebrew word for Wisdom

Strong's Concordance
chokmah: wisdom

of man: to get wisdom is principal thing Proverbs 1:7; its fundamental principle is to fear God
and know the All Holy , beyond the reach of scorners God giveth it to the good

intelligent, denotes one who can 'put things together' (συνιέναι), who has insight and comprehension; φρόνιμος prudent (A. V. uniformly, wise), denotes primarily one who has quick and correct perceptions ---

 

[unsafe]

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