As I read the first five chapters of Psalms and the first chapter of Proverbs I can not help but reflect upon the way I walk in this world.  Today I started my readings with Proverbs chapter one instead of first chapter of the Book of Psalms.   In the opening six verses Solomon gives ten reasons for writing the Proverbs.  These reasons are:

for attaining wisdom and discipline

for understanding words of insight

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life

for doing what is right and just and fair

for giving prudence to the simple

for giving knowledge and discretion to the young

for letting the wise listen and add to their learning

for letting the discerning get guidance  

for understanding proverbs and parables

for understanding the sayings and riddles of the wise.

As I study the book of Proverbs I have gained great insight in the study of human nature.  Just by reading over the ten reasons I realize that fools, sinners, murders, robbers, liars, simpleminded and those that do not have the fear of God will not be reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs.  However wisdom is still calling out to those in need.  Her presence can be heard and seen in the streets, in the gateways as she makes her speeches.  Wisdom speaks out and rebukes their foolish ways.   Wisdom pours out her heart to give them wisdom, to teach them discipline and show them knowledge and discretion.  However, they remain in their ways.  So when bad times over take them when they reject wisdom’s way she laughs at them, she mocks them and she does not answer them.  Why?  Because they choose not to fear the Lord and spurn the knowledge of wisdom.  They just want help out of their problems, they have no desire to change their ways.

As I read the words found in Luke 15:11-31 I see the father of the prodigal son follow the same path as wisdom does in the verses of Proverbs chapter one.  This principle of returning back to wisdom is importance for all parents to grasp.  We can add much to the story found in this parable but here are the facts: the younger son want his share of the estate, the father gave it to him.  The younger son squandered his share and then had to take a job which did not pay enough to meet his needs. It was not until he came to his senses that he returned to the father.  As we study the principle of returning home it is importance to realize that there must be a change in a person’s walk or way of life.  If there is no change they will just return to the condition that they were in before they were bailed out of the problems that they are experiencing at the time.  Therefore, offers to help, or forcing the foolish one to go the right way is not an option.  The wayward one must turn and come back home to the way of wisdom.

The final words of Proverb chapter one reinforces this principle.  “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.  Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.  For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”  These verses are sometimes difficult for a parent to heed who has a wayward child.  No parent who truly loves their child wants to see their child fail.  But the truth is everyone is accountable to God for the way in which they walk and it is more important to reinforce this principle then reinforcing a way of life without the fear of God guiding it.