Proverbs 1:4 “to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth”
Years ago, not long after my youngest daughter was born, and my wife was staying home to look after her, I had one of the best learning experiences of my life to that point. Coming home from work one night after a busy day, my wife was feeling stressed having been home with our daughter all day. Without thinking, and really immaturely I said to her that I did not know what the issue was as all she had to do all day was look after our daughter. The conversation went on, and we don’t need to record all that was said here, however the outcome was that I offered to stay home and look after our daughter, thinking that I would show how easy this was. (Oh how pride comes before a fall……)
So there I was at home, working away, and looking after our youngest. She was in the garden playing and I was on my laptop working, glancing out the window every minute or so to check everything was ok. Then she ran past the window in her black tee-shirt. Wait a moment though, I don’t think she has a black tee-shirt. So I went to the window, and there was my little darling under my car with her arm down the exhaust pipe and rubbing the soot all over her. I learned a couple of great lessons that day. Number One – listen to your wife. Number Two – if you are with your children, enter into their world and get lost there, don’t sit in your world watching them.
KNOWLEDGE
We see that significant and ongoing effort and focus is being used to help tell and demonstrate the right way to do things. The writer is revealing the purpose of moral purity and the lessons of the teacher. A great value is placed on being careful, thinking through our path and our seasons and helping those who are easily taken away from the best path. There is an exampling of intentionally wise living, to those around us who will most benefit from this.
In the culture of the day this was written in, the young unschooled, the slave, servant or attendant would be easy pickings for unscrupulous people. We all have a call on our lives to speak wisdom to the naïve and the youths. We are accountable for teaching and modelling wise living. Wisdom is a verb. Who are the vulnerable people in our world that could benefit from a greater understanding of wisdom through personal moral purity in choices and a more complete understanding in timing?
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 I would love us to look at today is, “prudence”. It’s a bit of an old-fashioned word for us now, it is pronounced as ” ‘ar’mah” in the original Hebrew language and appears 5 times only in the Old Testament. Twice in the ESV it is translated as “cunning” (Exodus 21:14 and Joshua 9:4) and three times (in Proverbs) as “prudence”. Webster tells us that this word means wisdom in the way of caution and provision – doing things in the right season.
WISDOM: who are you influencing by your actions and where will that take them? (family, friends, colleagues and others).
Strength’s Thought – “Strategic” is a beautiful Strategic Thinking Strength – you can naturally see and select the best way forwards. Your understanding of the “bigger picture” allows you to make instinctive choices that lead to the best possible outcomes. You have great awareness of alternative routes and options and take time to consider all the options before selecting the best and truest path. In the middle of setbacks, upsets, and settlements, you know another way to stay true and gain the best outcome. Others will gain confidence as they work with you through difficult and challenging seasons.
P.S. – Be willing to allow others to talk about the details, and take them on the journey with you.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [I’m intentionally living to help those worse off than me, to help them grow into people who can help other people, watching generations change from the very young first ]
PRAYER: Father thank you for who you are to me today. Please help me today to make time to really listen to others. Thank You!
Today’s verse teaches us how to impart the wisdom we learn to others in our lives, by being there for them and choosing our words carefully. People who may be swayed easily, young minds that are vulnerable.
Thank you, Pastor Allan.
Thank you Allan. I enjoy your personal story and insights each day, and love this thought – “if you are with your children, enter into their world and get lost there, don’t sit in your world watching them”.
It has me thinking on the humility that’s inferred in teaching and modelling wise living. It’s a mistake to think we have something to teach without also having something to learn. To bring relevant wisdom to those who are vulnerable and to help them grow, we must first understand.
Romans 15:1-2 immediately comes to mind, a passage being impressed upon me more than once lately. The Christian life is one that is about others rather than self, it is an outward focused way of life in every way. From winning the lost, to making disciples, to ministering to the poor and sick and so much more and of course to worshiping our great God! There is no room for self centred living as a Christian, only living for Jesus and others!
This is a great thought about wisdom and the passing on of knowledge !! Also love that idea: “ if you are with your children, enter into their world and get lost there, don’t sit in your world watching them.” That’s so powerful!
Prudence – the ability to see far and decide accordingly. “…the prudent give thought to their ways”
I certainly think that prudence is observed and learnt from being with the wise. Many don’t see far and settle for living for what feels good in the present, not because they want to live careless lives but because they have not seen prudence modelled and applied to life’s daily decisions.
I’m grateful for the people who, in different seasons, have taken an interest in my well-being and shared their wisdom and helped me become more prudent.
As a parent of 4 teenagers there is a desperate need for wisdom , to both be lead by and to lead our children into . The flow on continues also from our children to their friends and their choice of friends .
I am challenged by the strategic thinking strength you have used as an example. I know I’m not that kind of thinker however I would like to be . They are great qualities to exhibit and I’m encouraged to use those thought processes. Thank you Allen
A real encouragement to persevere in love with those around me who are vulnerable or “young” in their thinking. I was struggling with a work issue and feeling frustrated, wondering how to respond wisely. This has confirmed the approach I need to take. It has also reminded me to rest in Him and to let Him ease the tremendous weight of responsibility I feel in the work I do with vulnerable, hurting people.
A lesson I have learnt today is to be aware of the great value placed on being careful, thinking through the path of my season and helping those who are easily taken from the best path.
Also to realise the given call on my life and to speak wisdom to the naive and the youths, and being accountable for teaching and modelling wise living .
Great story Allan. I remember a time when I was watching the footy so intensely (when I was supposed to be helping with the ironing) and I didn’t see my daughter grab the iron. Funny now lol
It’s a great verse and great wisdom in reminding ourselves that when we do things people are watching…our kids, family, unsaved friends.
I am trying to make a conscious choice with my actions these days, but having great scripture like this can serve a constant refresher!! Great word!
to the simple
those easily deceived or persuaded, naïve,
This is for anyone in any social status or age. I feel for the elderly who are so vulnerable, trusting and have beautiful hearts in a world that can have ill intent. I’m praying for them and following them up especially in this season. Also my children have big hearts and need to lead the way in treating others the way they want to be treated. However have wisdom alongside and aligned with the Truth. Thanks!
When I read Proverbs 1:4 I read it as,” to teach someone who has no knowledge or little knowledge simplest way possible without complicating it”, I even think its knowledge onto people who’s teaching because we as human complicate life when its very simple.
Today’s proverb teaches us to be cautious and wise,and to have discernment in our lives.
My desire has always been to be a good influence on my children,
I would consider the impact I have on my kids in the manner I live,
For I believe moral purity and honestly is something I would not want them to compromise for,
My desire would be for them to strive to be the best version of themselves,and to always consider the impact they will have on others.
One day I hope to see them make wise desition in their lives, and to have the joy in knowing that i had an influence in them even in the slightest way
“Wisdom is a verb” and “who are you influencing by your actions and where will that take them?“ I absolutely love these very powerful thoughts!
And I’m so encouraged and challenged to invest more thought and energy into developing and mentoring those God has places in my world.
Take the time & be patient to come along side those who are less fortunate or younger than I am who haven’t had the teaching & experience of what I’ve learnt from the lessons of life to hopefully help them make good decisions & be good role models to their generation
Loved your personal story Allan, I must admit it made me laugh.
It is so true that our pride will bring us low. I think it’s our sinful nature which stirs that within us which is why it’s so important to continually seek God’s wisdom on all matters of our lives even the little things !
So many buzz words here
Constant
Accountability
Awareness
Influence
I always remember my dad who has now passed “trying” to impart wisdom on me ….. I thought I knew better
My dad was a good man but didn’t have Jesus in his world
Maybe that’s why I didn’t listen fully
So many questions to ask “self”
The biggest being
Who am I influencing
I would probably say no one
Because that’s just who I am
But others may say I am making a difference
We can influence not just by speech
But by respect ,posture,care, compassion….
We all influence in different ways
I’d like to think that my testimony shared with youth will help them see that there is Always another choice
And if I’ve lived my life and made mistakes and it helps one person not make the same mistake then it’s a life well lived
Awareness takes strength
Be constant and accountable to our god and know he has it all
Haha ! What a funny conversation that would have been .. love the business breakthrough thought and your unauthorised version !
Everyone I come into contact with in one way or another I’m influencing and they are influencing me. I would like to think that I’m having a positive influence on them and that they see something different in me and how I live my life. I know that over the last 7 years as a Christian I’ve been a positive influence over many men’s lives and feel called to help young men and nothing brings me greater satisfaction.
Great word
We are to be humble and grateful for everything the Lord has giving us specially if we are given the responsibility to guide others in any way
Sharing our testimony and breakthrough in any situation
Jesus gave us everything and served till the end that He May open our eyes to see those who serves and we take for granted that we show the same Love and servitude to those that needed and that we guide others through the narrow way so they can be saved and do the same.
Let us be an open book that shows the Love of Christ serving others till the end.
Great blog, very helpful practical insights on how we can invest in the people around us. Love the story at the start.
Thanks very much for sharing Allan.
I like the question as it enhance the scripture. I love the thought of helping others by imparting your knowledge as i get The opportunity to do so in my work life. Goal is to use Goodly wisdom by doing so.
Taking time to be fully present. To be alert to those who are easily influenced and taking responsibility of our daily actions.
Influencing – family, friends and colleagues-
I love how the wisdom does not just deal with you and your world. But it is alive and active and self-less for the benefit of others also.
Having your personal stories make reading these studies so much more relatable as it causes me to think about similar situations in my life.
I’m paying particular note to your postscript lately Allan.
‘ Be willing to allow others to talk about the details, and take them on the journey with you’.
It’s so very easy to get caught up in the big picture, making decisions and plans, and be off and running the course, before you look around and realise you have no one with you.
Love this insight Belinda!