Proverbs 1:3 “to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity.”
When we were running eye tests in the remote villages of Nicaragua we learned that we had to be very patient with the people we were caring for. We would give them a lens to look through and ask them if they could see “better” or “worse”, and they would all nearly always say “better”. Ron, who was the optician, did not have a lot of Spanish language then, so I would ask the questions and translate for Ron. The villagers did not want to seem ungrateful for what we were doing, so they would nearly always just say, “yes that’s better!” (mucho mejor)
We were so aware of the real and desperate needs faced by each of the families we cared for. The ladies always have a lot of sewing to do, and the family would also work through the bean harvest after the beans were sun-dried to remove any damaged beans. Most of these activities were in poor light at the end of a long hard day.
Being able to see well made a huge and critical difference, so for instance, if damaged beans went into the sack (after they had been dried in the sun) with the good beans they could cause the rest of the sack to rot and the family could lose 3-6 months food supply. So we would test their eyes and their statements (very gently) until we were really certain that we had the right solution for each person. We would have a line of people waiting from early to late, and then in the evening we would hold a church service in the village, and most nights everyone came along.
KNOWLEDGE
In our search for true wisdom, we are to adopt a position of continual readiness for God to visit with us through any means he chooses to use and in that position of readiness we expect God to deal with us to bring about change. The change will be to move us closer to doing things God’s ways in every situation, and especially when dealing with the disadvantaged. This scripture speaks to a steady condition of repentance, and the fruit of this is that we are becoming more like Jesus each day.
Is my heart ready, is my mind ready, every day? Do I sense the joy of handing over the old in exchange for the new, or am I comfortable in my old rags? Does the thought of change cause me to think about others, and how they need to change, or me and my condition. Once again the platform is set for us to grow in moral purity, to be a light in the world, and to model wisdom.
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? The word for “instruction” is pronounced as “musar” in the original Hebrew. It is used 49 times in the Old Testament. The English words used to translate this word are; discipline; censure; instruction; chastisement; correction; punishment; and, warning. As we read Proverbs 1:3 we pick up on the idea that as we enter into a relationship with God, He will bring wisdom and teaching that will deal with our errant behaviour.
WISDOM: how do you include the concept of “moral purity” into all aspects of your life?
Strength’s Thought – “Restorative” is a beautiful Executing Strength. Rather than find a way around a pothole – let’s stop and fill it in – then we can drive faster every day.
The instructions provided in Proverbs 1:3 have the fixed purpose of restoring our thinking and decision making to its Maker’s original handbook guidance. Holy Spirit conviction is at the heart of our quest. We are being careful not to become fixated on the problem, we prefer to rather focus on the person. ‘Insightful’ is our middle name, as we seek out the root cause, and bring the big picture solution. We frequently take time to consider how to help others fix their own problems, resisting the urge to fix them for them.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [I’m waiting at home for the most important visitor who is going to be always helping me become more like Jesus. The journey will be enlarging and the legacy will be lasting]
PRAYER: Father thank you for who you are in my life, please help me today to become more patient and helpful with those who I am in contact with today.
I hadn’t really thought about needing to be home (to receive ) with space (from others) and time to have the opportunity to receive instruction and teaching ie specifically isolation, until this season . The fact that we have been forced to be home ( apart from distractions/ busyness / the norm / a certain freedom) to be able to receive from The Lord and to give Him time to prepare in our hearts and minds for His work to be done on the earth in the next dispensation of time , has been a blessing for me . I’ve received when I’ve give Him time, my honest time in preparation for what he will do next with us on board. It has therefore taught me and given me an opportunity to build disciplines in my life I intend to keep out of this experience. Being close to Him , hearing from Him has never been more comforting, reassuring, equipping and a time to mature until such a time as this. I’m learning tangibly the heart of the father while seeking His face his presence for understanding and truth .
“Waiting in “is a fresh revelation for me
And God is drawing people to me seeking truth in uncertain days . #Prepare me Lord
Thank you
The joy of exchanging the old for the new, or remaining comfortable in one’s rags, seems to indicate a fascinating personality difference. Some are content with what they have, others are not. The restorative people appear to be discontented, as they seek to change the world. I imagine it could tip over into restlessness and dissatisfaction quite easily. Thank the Lord for them, though, otherwise the Developed parts of the world would not be so.
I love your AUV today, Ps Allan. thanks for always sharing your thoughts, they are truly an impartation of God’s wisdom to us who hears and thirsty for God’s word.
Often, the ones that cause disappointments, and heartaches are even far more important visitors. Because that is when we are asked to draw more strength and wisdom to be like Jesus. When we empathise, instead of turning our backs and when we look at them with compassion, instead of being judgmental, is when we truly open and welcome them in our home of our hearts.
God often teaches me lessons and I find great wisdom when I am challenged. 🙂
I love AUV. Thank you.
To receive: Needs to be prepared before we can receive. Make right decisions, setting up Ot time,space,attitude and right actions.
Yes our middle name should be “INSIGHTFUL “
We all need that ingrained as wearing our name with true identity and fully dependent on the precious HOLY SPIRIT.
HIS WISDOM, His Counsel, His Righteousness, His direction and discernment becomes our victory!
Ps: May I use Insightful as my middle name?
Thank you
This is a very interesting thought about our ever-readiness! Am I constantly prepared to receive from God, and is my heart teachable? Or rather am I focusing on the problems at hand without allowing God to intervene? Love it!
“Rather than find a way around a pothole – let’s stop and fill it in – then we can drive faster every day.“
Thanks. This really spoke to me.
Following on from yesterday… humility facilitates the development of wisdom but pride- doing things with only human ledge or skill without alignment of the latter with the Holy Spirit’s guidance is an obstacle to wisdom. My challenge in this area is that I have more reading to do, podcasts to watch, chores to get done, so many distractions – even my own ideas can be distracting! When they take me away from God’s instructions I am at risk of moving away from wisdom.
I live your version of this verse. The thought of the journey being enlarging, as I desire to always be growing, and the legacy will be lasting, as I am always mindful of the legacy I’m building.
This legacy is obvious as something I desire for family but beyond that, I am conscious of the legacy for the wider family we call the church. I want my life to somehow have made a lasting difference in lives of those He puts within my circle of life. A difference that will make us all that little bit more like Jesus .
Thank you Allan for an amazing study.
To be more like Jesus
Our Father in Heaven
Gives us His best we are only human and fail all the time but a righteous man gets up and walks again
We need to walk hand in hand with Jesus
Know his ways see his ways and share his Love
We will crumble but He will lift me up
We will cry but He will comfort me
We will sing and He will rejoice
Our hearts will be broken but He Loves me
And we are to do the same and keep trying.
Share our lives our experiences and what He is done for me.
Justice is Love Justice is His Justice is right
Lord may I receive you every day may I walk with you everyday but if I fall let me know you are there.
Blessings
Amen
“The change will be to move us closer to doing things God’s ways in every situation”. This is a powerful thought. Thank you
My take on today’s explanation of scripture is “This scripture speaks to a steady condition of repentance, and the fruit of this is that we are becoming more like Jesus each day”
It’s impossible to achieve near close to Purity of Jesus, applying “moral purity” into all aspects of our life in all situations will help to live more closer to Gods expectations of his Children!
Hi Allan,
Revelation I got from Proverbs 1.3
(To Receive) to be ready with the renewing mind of Christ.
(Instruction) information receive must be in line with Christ pointing at the cross
(In wise dealing) Where a seed can be planted
(In Righteousness) So this seed can be watered with the word.
(Justice) So it can flourish for the Kingdom
(Equity) Then it can be shared to others (Testimony) to help & bring more soles to the kingdom with abundance.
It shows me the instruction that should be taken to be abidance and leads you on the righteous road acting on the holy spirit but not of the flesh.
The ungodly world we live in is so full of challenges and temptation. The question that you posed Allan about moral purity is something we should always remind ourselves. To think Jesus experienced similar day-to-day trials like we do and overcame them through keeping God’s commands, the law and doctrine is amazing !
He knew we’d fall short and thank God for his son Jesus who has given us salvation. However, now that we are saved although it’s not easy living a godly life our words, actions and even thoughts should be a light to others and as you’ve mentioned model wisdom.
We have a manual in front of us ‘The Bible’ and we should read and follow it as best we can in order for our lives to work and properly function the way our maker ‘manufacturer’ intended !!!
I would like to position myself in readiness by God’s standards. It’s in this position of readiness that helps me each day at work. I have the prilivilege to care for the elder and the challenges they face each day. I like that what I do makes a difference in their lives. Just like those who provide eye care for people in remote areas and make a difference. I believe in a God given purpose and He alone positions and prepares us through the scriptures. Blessings Pastor Allan for making me realise certain things about myself, that I take for granted.
I’m expectant when I ask for wisdom from God in all situations that He will help me to choose what is right & just & fair & in so doing I will become more Christ like
This verse tells us to be wise to receive Godly instruction,and to be disciplined and obedient to his teachings.
Living a morally just life,reaps many blessings.
By taking to consideration on how we lead by example to our families and our surroubdings.
To try to learn and apply God’s character and very nature.
By doing so we live in a manner pleasing to God,
And leaving behind a legacy of obedience
to generations to come
So much to think about from this. The awareness for principles and core values being on target for moral and ethical growth is something that really got me to stop. Coming from ones of yesterday’s point – ‘scheduled thinking time’ in today’s circumstances it made me think about the projection of my core values and principles and if beliefs/actions needed to be realigned. when you wrote about ‘do we sense joy when exchanging our old rag for new, or are comfortable with our old rags?’ was a personal reminder for me to keep pushING through limiting beliefs regarding my own ‘old rags’.
Reading through this
The thing that struck me was how I take things for granted….like sight
It’s not a given I have sight but I should thank god everyday for the things that i(we) take for granted
God fixes on the person not the problem
He has it all mapped out already
We need faith
God has given us the manifest
With
Wisdom comes
Understanding to
Observe and
Transact
On the topic of taking for granted
On a personal note I went for a haircut
The young lady that cut my hair is deaf
…..imagine the stereotypical traits of a hair dresser/barber
she has overcome in that industry…
I’m sure there were people that said she couldn’t do it but she has
She was AMAZING
Attention to detail and smiled the whole way thru
Definitely going to go back to her
She gave me more to think about by not being able today anything I was humbled
Thinking about the question of moral purity….I think when I realise that I am actually not that good and only God is good, i know I am not going to have moral purity in all areas of my life. However knowing this and spending quality time in the word, I am going to be more aligned to His ways and make decisions more in line with His word!
In regards to Moral purity, As a Christian i always try to be in pursuit of holiness, and becoming more like Christ like and becoming a better version of me everyday. I fall short often and have to be conscious to catch myself and not let guilt keep me from moving forward. My core values I believe are strong, I’ve come far and still have a long way to go but I’m on the right path. I could definitely improve in many areas in my life but discipline in certain things is needed. I’m have very strong discipline in some areas of life and others not so much.
I found this so encouraging and challenging to read tonight.. really love how you explained the scripture and so helpful to think about the continual stance of our heart.. “This scripture speaks to a steady condition of repentance, and the fruit of this is that we are becoming more like Jesus each day”.
I like the fact that in our search for true wisdom we adopt a position of continual readiness for God to visit us through any means He chooses and that position of readiness we expect God to bring about a change which will lead us close to doing His will in every situation we find ourselves .
Receive
To position yourself so that it is part of your pasture, to be expectant
instruction
Be open to it even if you are set in your ways and advanced in years and maturity. Always be open to learning new ways and correction.
in righteousness
doing what is right in all situations according to God’s standard( I love this as all that is done in the darkness will be brought into the light)
justice
Being just in our dealing with others. Being fair a nd equitable. Displaying empathy in our dealings with others.
Message – A way of life that leads to truth in ourself and the ability to honestly and openly love others.
Being comfortable in my old rags… I think sometime when we become Christians and throw off the old rags, the old life as it was, we are thrilled with our new life and walk but after a while do those rags become old and tattered as we do not take care of them? We become careless in our attention to prayer and reading God’s word. We patch up the rags instead of coming to God and allowing Him to daily renew us and reclothe us in all that He has for us. Our tattered rags do not make us attractive to the world and our light does not shine so bright. Our core values are in doubt and need to be reassessed. I’m probably way off the beaten track Allan but the Phrase “are we comfortable in our old rags” really grabbed me. Still is so I had better stop there!
This is a deep blog. It’s really good. I need to read it more than once to reflect on the messages in it. A personal take away is the Strengths thought “Restorative” – another one of my top 5. Good thoughts there that I need to reflect on and see where I need to apply this wisdom. I just realised that your story at the start is a great example of being “Restorative” for the people of Nicaragua; ‘filling the pot hole’ & bringing a big picture solution for them. This is inspiring. Thanks Allan 👍 God bless!
Thank you Pastor Alan for given us insight or more appropriately wisdom as each verse is broken down.
Proverbs of Solomon purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives to help us to do what is right, just and fair
Prov1:3 teaches me how to understand wisdom and then to be able to import wisdom to others, so they may be able to lead a life that is fair and just. And compassionate.
Thanks pastor Allan, this is so good!
I like that in the search for true wisdom, I’m to adopt my position of continual readiness for God to visit me through ways He chooses and puts in a position of readiness and expectancy of change which will move me close to doing things God’s ways in every situation.
This is brilliant. Loved the pothole statement. Do not avoid it but deal with it fill it so you can move on swiftly without delays and hold ups.
The posture of receiving and preparedness requires active participation as getting ready to welcome visitors everyday.
Righteousness only found in Him.
The moral purity requires seeking justice and fairness and pursuing holiness.
Having empathy for the other and open to receiving instructions.
I am particularly drawn to the words “a steady condition of repentance.” Spiritual growth is hard. I am thankful for the patience and persistence of God to instruct us in His ways.
I read this post and used it to reflect on my day and week thus far. Like many I would like to act wisely, to be more patient and helpful in my responses to situations. But so often, I am not ready to receive instruction from God, from the Holy Spirit. It’s not that I don’t want God’s help either, it’s simply that I haven’t asked for His help, I haven’t invited His wisdom, the posture of my heart is self-reliance and I end up feeling frustrated by how far my actions fall short of being like Jesus.
It is encouraging to know and be reminded that God longs to give me wisdom and to help me to apply it. I can position my heart to be ready to receive His instruction and the ability to apply it to life daily.