Beyond the Weekend: The Way of the Wise
Week 1 Verses: Proverbs 4:10-17
Week 2 Verses: Proverbs 14:1; 15:31; 27:12
Week 3 Verses: Proverbs 1:7; 14:26-27
Week 4 Verses: Proverbs 15:17; 17:1
Week 5 Verses: Proverbs 19:20; 12:15
Week 6 Verses: Proverbs 23:10,11; 25:13; 10:5
Week 7 Verses: Proverbs 13:20; 18:24; 27:17
Week 8 Verses: Proverbs 7:6-10, 21-27
Week 9 Verses: Proverbs 6:6-8
Week 10 Verses: Proverbs 24:30-34
Week 11 Verses: Proverbs 4:20-27
Week 12 Verses: Proverbs 18:21, 12:18, 17:9, 26:22
The World of the Proverbs
#AdaWisdomChallenge
READ Proverbs 25 (listen). WRITE out one verse and SHARE with someone.
Proverbs 25 is part of the second collection of Solomon’s proverbs, collected by King Hezekiah (Proverbs 25-29). This section contains vibrant and varied proverbs with many explicit comparisons. Some of the proverbs are longer in length, with two or more verses. The first part of the chapter directly addresses rulers.
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: For gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. Proverbs 1:1-4
Read: Proverbs 1:1-7
Listen: Proverbs 1
TODAY'S MESSAGE
Picture the opening scene in some movies. On the lower third of the first shot runs an important text such as Germany, 1917, or Britain, 1942. This sets the viewers up for the way people will talk, dress and act for a particular era in this part of the movie.
Watching films, we recognize the importance of knowing the culture. But we sometimes forget the same is true with the Bible. For instance, both Proverbs 1 and Proverbs 25 (today’s reading in The Wisdom Challenge) tell us King Solomon wrote these words. Widely considered the wisest man at the time, his name meant instant credibility. If Solomon said it—it was worth listening to.
Fortunately, understanding the culture of Proverbs and the Bible isn’t just for scholars and those with seminary degrees. This information is available to all of us. A great way to begin to understand the culture is to use a study bible. Sometimes a little digging in a study bible can offer really big insights. A good study bible gives us book introductions, word definitions and insights into biblical culture. All of it helps us understand the world of the Bible a little bit better.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Spend a few minutes reflecting on how you can grow in your understanding of the culture of the Bible. All of us have room to improve. Today, commit yourself to grow in how you read the scripture and apply yourself to understanding the culture of everything you read.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
