Proverbs 1:6 “to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.”
As a very young boy, I remember collecting “batman cards” from packs of bubble gum. Each pack had 2 cards in it I think. Then if you had doublers, you would try to find someone to swap with who had a card that you needed. Once you had all the cards, and you turned them all over (each card had an image from the TV program, and the characters such as The Penguin, The Joker, and The Riddler on the front), then on the back was a part of the full image from the bat searchlight in the sky. It was only when you had all the parts that you could see the whole.
The word used for Riddles in the bible is “hiydah” and it means hard questions or hidden things, and could be used as an aspect of scorn towards the person being asked. [such as Samson’s riddles to the Philistines in Judges 14:12]
KNOWLEDGE
We are confronted by the writer here with some of the cost of wisdom, as well as some of the benefits. There is work for us to do, to fully understand and to be able to help others understand, the little choices and decisions that are connected to general rules for living. These all add up to consistency in healthy moral choices. We are to be fully engaged in our search for wisdom, to focus and consider and meditate and contemplate. We are to work hard and develop skills in our insights. This consistent practise leads to fruitful thinking and acting and it develops into an ability to understand even deeper and hidden things. Being able to discern prophecies and develop Godly insights.
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 “proverb” in Hebrew is pronounced “masal” and appears 40 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into the English words: discourse; proverb; byword; parable; song; and, taunt. Here in verse six of chapter one, its use indicates an easy to remember saying that has symbolic and wise meaning for life.
WISDOM: what was the last fresh revelation of God you had and what have you done with it?
Strength’s Thought – “Connectedness” is a beautiful Relationship Strength – you see the big picture and help others refocus. You can’t help yourself promoting understanding and acceptance. You proactively deactivate the “them and us” bomb and bring a unifying vision. You lean into interdependence. Let others know that you do understand how they are feeling, and guard against apathy or acceptance. You can make a way where there is no way, and you can bring clarity out of confusion.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [to have a revelation of hidden wisdom imparted by the Holy Spirit and by others who walk closely with God]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to have great insights today and to look for your leading with anticipation and faith.
‘The words of the wise’ was a great explanation and understanding the maturity we can attain with wisdom as believers.
Your inclusion of ‘ connectedness ‘ was a timely reminder and fresh revelation also. The last fresh revelation of God I’ve had relates to my identity in Him . It has changed the way I pray , what I believe He can do for myself and others. It has changed how I share my experience of Him and the tangible miracles I see him align in my life and the world about me.
Amazing Allan. Great unpacking of knowledge from this verse. It’s true that there is a cost to living in wisdom BUT the benefits far outweighs the cost. Would rather live life inside wisdom then living outside of it. “Consistent practice of wisdom, leads to fruitful thinking” love that
The question about fresh revelation of God and what have I done with it? God drop for me came yesterday morning….Talk less and listen more…especially when it comes to meeting unbelievers. Give them a chance to talk as much as they want and then wait for the right moment to love on them – I can only imagine how much listening God does with the many requests that gets throwing up.
The last fresh revelation of God I had was while thinking back seventy years. I realised that He was there every step of the way, through good times and bad, making right decisions for me. Nudging me forwards when I needed that push. Something I had taken for granted, when I was young. I now need to understand proverbs, incorporate them into my daily life and teach the young ones to live wisely.
“You can make a way where there is no way and bring clarity out of confusion”, is just beautiful. Thank you, Pastor Allan.
“Start with God”
there is no other way than this, until He becomes our goal.
“…to unravel the words and enigmas of the wise.” TPT version
We must guard against complacency, relying on accumulation of past wisdom or experience but seek fresh wisdom. This reminds me of Ruth gleaning her portion daily and I am encouraged to do so. These posts have helped me get back on track and the format works for me. I have also noticed how much gold there is in one small verse! Could you add a short prayer prompt.
Great thought about the prayer prompt – thank you Karen!
My revelation through the recent times is
To just seek First god In all situations
He gives us the understanding that we need
Fresh wisdom on a daily basis
And even if we keep asking in a daily basis he
never gets tired of our request
The line
Clarity out of confusion resonates with me
It’s so easy to get drawn into needless discussions
Just keep focused
Faith promotes fear in the unsaved
Only the separate parts together form a whole. It is only through discipline of choosing to go deeper that we can truly seek out answers! I love that idea of “a consistency in healthy moral choices”!!
For me Proverbs 1:5 and 1:6 are inextricably tied together.
I believe the Holy Spirit can give us revelation although I’ve recognised in my own life the Holy Spirit can use others to give clarity or understanding on certain ‘riddles’.
Sometimes we should “attain wise counsel” or “guidance” in order to have greater understanding.
I love the way the Msg says, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn! A great challenge and fact for all of us. Growth is a never ending journey while we take up space on this earth.
Last revelation I had was that God really is a jealous God. I’d heard it many times but he really is and doesnt like to be second of third in our lives, he wants all of us all the time in everything. Daily discipline and consistency, easier said than done.
Exploring the deeper meaning of a proverb and unveiling the hidden moral/message in the parables ,help us to be wise in our desition making .it is always great to seek first Godly council .
One of the most recent revelations to me has been ,is to trust God in everything.
Even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
He has always come through in his perfect timing.
He is able to turn your situation around and turn it to bless you and teach you something .
“What the enemy intended for evil,God turns it for your good”
Genesis 50:20
We are SO blessed to have the Holy Spirit as Our Teacher & He is the One Who will reveal the gold nuggets in God’s Word as we discipline ourselves to study & search out the meaning of God’s parables thus giving us greater understanding & wisdom as we navigate life’s journey for ourself & others in moral living & wise decisions. Fellowship with mature Godly people is a privilege also to glean understanding & wisdom from them & to provoke one another to dig deeper & keep learning in our Christian walk. One of my favourite scriptures in this season is Prov 3:5 TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him & He WILL direct your paths….
Proverbs 1:6 simple means to me, the one who walks with God and have the faith to let the Holy Spirit lead them will receive the revelation of the meaning behind the message who is the greatest teacher of all.
Who doesn’t have the faith won’t understand the meaning behind the word and will only read it black & white without revelation and doesn’t have the bible alive in them. Most time these are the ones who need help and let there flesh control the mines which leads sometimes to destruction and can take the faith away from that other person. This is so important as the sheep can be strayed away if there is more doubt and no faith, Proverbs has revealed so much to me……..
Father I pray knowing you have the power in your hands. Give us the overflow of the Holy Spirit so that our eyes are opened up continuously. Give us the thoughts so that we can build ourselves a foundation of faith & truth so the words of the gospel lives in us and we can understand & receive the revelation. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
My last fresh revelation from God was to reconcile my marriage. It’s been a series of revelations over time and He spoke to me so strongly. With this, after reaching out, I am just waiting on God and continuing to pray. It looks impossible, but I know nothing is impossible with God!
I think God is teaching me to just trust in him in this season. It looks to others like it’s impossible, but I know nothing is impossible with God!
To understand a proverb…even the interpretation, without which the Proverb is a nut uncracked when they hear a wise saying, though it be figurative they shall take the sense of it, and know how to make use of it.
The words of the wise are sometimes dark sayings.
Attentive to the word by listening carefully and praying for the interpretation will give us insight and revelation.
What the Holy Spirit is impressing to me is LISTEN (HEAR) AND OBEY TRUST HIM Fully!
Jer 17:7.
Thank you.
Last revelation I had was that God really is a jealous God. I’d heard it many times but he really is and doesnt like to be second of third in our lives, he wants all of us all the time in everything. Daily discipline and consistency, easier said than done.
“Message – still a thing or two for the experienced to learn – fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men” Always staying open to learning is so important.. I do think it shows so much wisdom to always be a student.
Also I wish we talked more about our personal revelations.. it truely unlocks things.. inspires you when you hear it, keeps things genuine and real. Connectness is also such a stunning strength!
“We are to work hard and develop skills in our insights. With consistent practice leading to fruitful thinking and actions… develops ability/understanding to deeper hidden things” what a word! This makes me think of the costs/sacrifices when choosing to act and be obedient when we have these deeper insights of wisdom and when I needed to be reminded and submit to Gods will and His ‘big picture’. With the deeper understanding revealed there’s that sacrifice and digging deeper that requires a lifestyle accountability to a higher standard because we now know better/more.
My latest refreshed revelation is Jesus is our intercessor. Studying more on different verses and word meanings helps me to follow in His example and share this facet of God to others to also intercede for others.
The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus spoke in parables many times but His greatest message was His sacrifice giving His life for us many times we don’t understand what this really means and we look for our own answers when the truth is right in front of us
His Greatness and how he gave it up for us.
Searching for Him with my whole heart when having nothing left open the door to See Him greater than I ever saw but the greatest revelation was at the lowest time when depression set in
He knew what I need it and that had no price
It was Him His Love and care His way to say I’m here
The riddle was gone His Revelation was real.
Thank you Jesus!
I love how the different elements that you have connect so much with each other. For me it’s not enough to read one section , but you need to read the whole thing to be able to maximise your learning and understanding. Though I am not a business owner, there is still that leadership component in that section to glean from which I can apply in my life. The question in regards to the fresh revelation, what a challenge! That really spoke to me to pursue.
My latest fresh revelation from God has been to be grounded in His word and stand firm on the foundation that is Jesus. With all the shifting sands of what is happening at the moment and the many voices around, to stand firm and solid in His word.
I am reading more, memorising scripture more and learning new things along the way.
God uses the riddle and makes the truth hidden instead of known to everyone is to help us focus on the person we are following, not what we do or the formula or pattern we can come up with.