Proverbs 5:1 my son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding
I was around fourteen years old and staying in a children’s home with several other children. I was the youngest there and was struggling to adapt at times. There was a risk that I would be moved to a much stricter setting if I did not start to listen to the guidance that was being provided.
The leader of the home decided to send me away on a two week “outward bound” course. This was to be in the Lake District in the north of England and it was in the late autumn.
Five am the first day, out for a run, down to the lake, out on the pier, kit off, jump in, swim to shore, get dressed, run back to the main buildings and into the shower. That was a shocker, but fun!
Most if not all the people on the courses were either outdoor enthusiasts or else their Company had sent them as part of a team-building exercise. I think I would be the only person under 16, or even under 18 on the course.
It was so packed full – we learned to use canoes, to go rock climbing and abseil. We went caving and I did my first 100m crawls, the roof of the cave touching your back the whole way. I giggled hysterically when I got out the far end of that one. We abseiled down waterfalls in the underground caves. We did a lot of camping, and were being prepared for a survival challenge involving a night out on our own in the mountains and then finding our way back to a given point to be collected.
On one camping trip, we set up in a beautiful flat spot, near a river and were camped fairly early. It was cold, cold, cold. We were instructed to make our food and then wash at the river, and never under any circumstances to take our stoves inside our tents no matter how cold.
The guys in the tent next to me took their stove into their tent, and then their tent went on fire. One of them jumped out through the flaming door flaps and was ok. The other went to the back of the tent which we now ablaze, he was screaming. The instructor ran in through the flames, grabbed him and pulled him out. The tent was ruined.
When we are learning new skills that bring life to us and others we really do have to listen with the intention to obey. So many times I saw people much older than me on that course who thought they knew better get themselves into serious difficulties.
I think I did learn something in those two weeks and went back to the children’s home with a new hunger for the outdoors and healthy pursuits.
KNOWLEDGE
Chapters two, three, four and five all begin with the same thought, the same testimony and the same tone……” my son”. Here we again are establishing the relationship between the writer (author) and reader (listener). For you and I reading this we understand that it’s the inspired word of God, written by Solomon under the inspiration of God and written to you and me. We are therefore the recipients that are called sons [children] of God. You are desired by God, He rejoices in you, you are his beloved, he is endeared by you and towards you, and the evidence of this love is his father hearted discipline. This is foundationally established in an overriding concern for your wellbeing in every sphere of life, in the moment and into the future.
God is calling to you as his dearly beloved child to come close, come into the inner circle, come as close as you want to, and come now. He has something for you.
Did your mum ever bake? When you went into the kitchen drawn by the smell of freshly baked cakes and bread, did you expect to be scolded or that there was going to be something for you there? God is calling you close, he has freshly baked bread, just out of the oven, and there is some for you, to receive from his hand today, right now, at this moment. It genuinely doesn’t matter at this moment what you have done, or not done. He has an experience that He wants to spend with you, to whisper his love, to tell you his secrets, to take you into his confidence and to set you up with heavenly wisdom, the very bread of heaven will live in you. This is a communion moment in the fullest sense of the words. Allow yourself today to spend time with God as your loving father and receive from him the wisdom of heaven to come and live in you.
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 “ear” in Hebrew is pronounced as ” ‘ozen” and appears 188 times in the Old Testament. It is translated in the ESV into English as, hearing; ears; revealed; revelation; heard, and, report. In Proverbs 5:1 in the context of sonship, the word carries the idea of coming close and so showing respect to what is being imparted.
WISDOM
Q – Where is your focus today?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: With your DISCIPLINE you are so open to doing what is required when it is required. Diary in daily devotions and expect to hear guidance as well as to share gratitude.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [my rejoiced in, beloved, desired and disciplined child, mark well, listen to the skills I want to impart to you. Skills for every aspect of your life. Stretch yourself towards me, giving all your attention and strength to the insights and abilities I have given you and want to grow on in you.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to continue moment by moment to seek you and to push in further each day. Thank you!
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
Thank you Pastor Allan for sharing the next chapter.
My focus is on God most of the time. Sometimes, I need to guard my anxious thoughts and get them captive. Knowing and learning to trust God makes a difference in our daily lives.
Wow what an an adventure for you. Love that you said through that you felt you learnt something.
Love this sentence – When we are learning new skills that bring life to us and others we really do have to listen with the intention to obey. So important when we are learning new things to be humble and listen whole heartedly.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder – God is calling you close.
Allow your self today to spend time with God as your loving father and receive from him the wisdom of heaven to come and live in you.
That time with Jesus is so important.
“Stretch yourself towards me..,” this got my attention this morning. The stretching is such a good discription of what is required of us to engage with our Heavenly Father.
I picture a young child standing before their earthly father arms outstretched, face looking up expectantly eagerly awaiting their fathers embrace where he reaches down and so loveingly picks up his beloved child into his strong embrace to a place of intamacy and safety.
Here the child recieves all they need to navigate the world around them. Their soul is nourished, they draw from the fathers wisdom and love ready, equiped to explore all the wonders of their world.
There are always lessons to be learned but the question is are we open and teachable! I love reading the learning experiences of your life Allan, thanks for sharing them.
Thank you Pastor Allan for another journey of discovery about God’s words. We are never too old to learn new things. It’s a good reminder to incline our ears and focus on the instructions. It just may save our life or someone else’s. God is a good Father who has given us the Holy Bible as a guide. Proverbs is full of instructions and I look forward to this journey of learning more in chapter 5. I also find your life story interesting Pastor Allan.
Thank you Ps Allan.
Just love reading your story’s.
This is so true – when we are learning new skills that bring life to us and others we really do have to listen with the intention to obey. It doesn’t matter if you know everything it is about obeying and staying humbled.
I love your Allan’s version. Thank you for that great reminder Ps Allan to stay focused on God and to learn and listen to new skills giving all my attention to God.
Thank you Pastor Allan once again for investing your time & effort in allowing me to go on a further journey of Chapter 5 of Proverbs with you.
How blessed are we to have such a wonderful Heavenly Father Who cares & loves us so much that He reinforces the critical need for us to gain wisdom & understanding essential for our personal happiness & success.
The analogy of a mother’s baked goodies awaiting us is so graphic as we are drawn into the Father’s presence by His love & to receive the bread of heaven to sustain & prepare us for what lies ahead as we trust our lives into His precious Hands. He is wanting our full attention in being taught His principles of life to enable us to learn discretion & to act in accordance with what we have been taught.
Allan so good . I see where you got your desire to challenge yourself and always look for opportunities to better yourself . Brilliant !. Your mention of ‘God is calling you close, he has fresh baked bread, just out of the oven, and there is some for you, to receive from his hand today, right now, at this moment. It genuinely doesn’t matter in this moment what you have done, or not done. ‘ time with the Lord is precious time to hear His voice to know His ways especially in seasons of our life when so much fills our time. To purpose time and to focus on Jesus can be such a challenge but so necessary. Without it , life really is all consuming and a battle in our minds. Solomon’s words of wisdom to come close to the Lord for understanding gives us hope in a troubled world .
The father’s invitation to his children ,to be wise in life choices.
To have understanding and discernment ,to be attentive to instruction and live life accordingly.
Thank you pastor Allan for chapter 5.
Thank you for Proverbs 5, Pastor Allan.
God calls us to Him every minute of every day. He is always there to instruct us with His words of wisdom. We are taught to lean in to Him and listen, concentrate , absorb and obey. Accept with gratitude His fresh bread which gives us life.
It always warms my heart and gives me such comfort knowing how much God loves, cares and wants what is best for us!
“Listen with intention to obey” is definitely a key to daily success. Thank you Pastor Allan for the reminder.
Pastor Alan before you even mention a stove in the Tent ⛺️ I was already laughing because I knew it would happen 😂, it really is a joy reading about your life experiences, it makes me think about my childhood 👏🏽👏🏽👍🏾😉
Reading/ hearing the evidence of you having relieved and are experiencing the deep love of The Father as HIS son. I can hear the great joy and depth in the tone of todays devotional Allan. How very great is our GOD to have seen you, had mercy upon you, and call you into HIS own. How very Blessed are you 🙌🏼🕊️