Proverbs 1 through 5 Bible Reading Challenge Summary
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Tonight I’m posting from Austin, TX where I’m excited to spend the next two days at the If:Gathering seeing God move among women. I’m sure you’ll hear more about it before the weekend is over, but for now, it’s Friday and time to check in with our February Bible Reading Challenge!
What kind of crazy woman decides to read Proverbs for a second month in a row at one chapter a day? Ummm. Me. And wow, it is just.so.rich. I think I said that last month. In fact, I may have even said that last week! I’m not going to look at my weekly summaries from last month’s sharing until I write out this week’s. This week we covered Proverbs 1-5, so let’s summarize what we’ve learned so far, ready?
Proverbs 1
The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon as instruction to his son. The first chapter outlines the topics Solomon is calling his son to attend to; most specifically he emphasizes the importance of obtaining wisdom above anything else.
Why does Solomon feel that wisdom is the most important thing to obtain?
Proverbs 2
Chapter 2 continues to emphasize the benefits of wisdom and the life value that wisdom offers. The verse I honed in on for this chapter was verse 5. Sometimes I think we want to gain wisdom by osmosis. Solomon tells us we must seek it like a hidden treasure. Today I “lost” a check. Now I knew it was in the house and I just had it in my hand. But I thought I lost it and I immediately started looking. You can bet I was looking for it like a mad woman for a few minutes. Moving quickly, darting all around the kitchen, using all my best effort to recall what I did with it and search for it, I found it. God says that’s how we should search for wisdom- like our life depends on it.
Proverbs 3
I know, I’m a broken record on this one. But Proverbs 3:5 came alive to me afresh this week. I was seriously doubting a few of recent decisions and woke up asking God “Are you sure…??” When Proverbs 3:5 came right into the picture. It was like God said to me, “Oh yes. I’m sure. Now hush it, Girl.”
Have you ever felt God whisper to your heart to shush?
Proverbs 4
Solomon spends an entire chapter talking to his son about the importance of understanding and obeying authority, especially one’s parents. In the middle of the chapter though, he gives an admonition with purpose, Proverbs 4:23:
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
We live in a world that is beginning to be physically heart-healthy. If only we watched our spiritual intake for a healthy heart as closely as the physical.
Why do you think it is so easy not to keep an eye our spiritual heart health?
Proverbs 5
Chapter 5 is a firm warning against the adulterous woman and this week, today actually, I found verse 21 to be a wonderful summary of the chapter:
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
What does this verse mean to you?
I can’t wait to hear from you today! Will you share what you learned this week?
And if you’d like to see these graphics each day as you go through the Proverbs study, I post one almost every day on Instagram, just follow me over there!
Rachel
Oh, PS! If you want to take a peek at the summary post from the first week in January to see how the chapter summaries might be similar or different, look at Wisdom Is Calling Us.
These are the Verses which stood out to me and why:
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
>This really makes me think of today’s society…everyone who falls on hardship has someone else to blame. Very few will face the consequences for their actions and admit they made a mistake.
Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ”
>Go to God FIRST…before I turn to a friend or myself, PRAY about it.
Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. ”
> My all time go to verse! God always has a plan…trust in Him even in your darkest days. (Easier said than done)
Proverbs 4:4 “Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’ ”
> The end of the verse “live” really struck me…does this refer to longevity or quality of life? Food for thought.
Proverbs 5: 18 “May your foundation be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife your youth.”
> Look for reasons to be happy in your marriage and be thankful for spouse.
love your takeaways, Heather! So good- thank you for sharing them with us!!
I fell off track. I haven’t read my verses for two weeks. I am getting back on track now.
You go Girl!
Proverbs Chapter 1. Why does Solomon feel that wisdom is the most important thing to obtain?
So people will live godly lives. Solomon clearly points out the difference between living wisely or not. Vs: 32-33….“For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me (wisdom) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Proverbs 4:23. Why do you think it is so easy not to keep an eye our spiritual heart health?
We live in a fallen world. Sin and temptation are all around us. Entertainment that is not pure abounds, and it is enticing. We can become lazy in exercising our spiritual heart just like we can get lazy exercising our physical heart. We keep our hearts pure by studying God’s Word (this Bible study helps, thank you Rachel and everyone who posts here), attending Bible-based church services, and spending time with godly friends. A healthy spiritual heart is intentional. It is work, but it is life-giving.
Proverbs 5:21 What does this verse mean to you?
NIV: “For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths.” I love this verse and find it to be a keen reminder—God is always aware; he is interested in the paths we take and sees everything we do in FULL view. He knows what is in our hearts.
Elaine,
I think we think alike. 🙂 I agree with all of your points, but your answer about our hearts really struck me. I have been so discouraged this week with the hype over 50 Shades of Grey. I’m a teacher, and my high schoolers are so excited about this movie. They’ve read the book. I haven’t read it, have not plans to read it, and I’m actaully pretty embarrassed for the hype by women my age over this book.(I’m 38), but the fact that young girls are reading it just makes me sad.
There is an old hymn my grandmother used to sing that says something about “This world is not my home.” and I used to think what a weird thing that was to say, but as I get older, I truly understand what the song is about. If we are Christians, the world is not our home, and it is so easy to to get sucked into it. We have to use our bible study, prayer, and worship time very deliberately.
Thanks for your words. They put into perspective something I have been struggling with all week!
Hello Angie,
Thank you so much for your kind words. You made my day. Your grandmother sounds like a very wise woman and you are following in her footsteps:-)
I sympathize with your situation and respect that you care so much about your students and your friends. As a mother of two daughters now in their 20s, I would be mortified if I had teenage daughters wanting to watch that movie.
Incidentally, my daughter is 26 and teaches 6th grade in the public school system. She also taught high school English for 2 years before this position. While she admits 6th grade boys are challenging, she said the girls are still so sweet at this age and isn’t sure she wants to go back to teaching high school. It is such a different world now. I respect teachers more than ever. It is such an important job—more than ever before.
Have a great week!!
LOVE the graphics too! Chapter 1:22 struck a chord with me: “how long will you love being simple?” Praying for a renewed desire to not be content with where I am but desiring to be seeking what God wants in my life…seeking wisdom…seeking to trust Him more and more and more.
Solomon feels that wisdom is the most important thing to obtain because it affects all areas or aspects of life and not only the physical life but spiritual as well. I think it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines of living and forget about our spiritual needs. It takes wisdom to have balance. Wisdom comes from God and so he directs and orchestrates our spiritual food and exercise if we seek Him.
I feel God whisper shush all the time when I tend towards worry. It usually means I’m trying to control things and we know from these verses in Proverbs that that is God’s job.
that’s so good, Jill!!
I am doing the online Bible Study of Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman right now…I struggle with that internal monologue too much. I cannot just be quiet sometimes. I really enjoyed your post! This Bible study has enlightened me so much as well. I am really learning to hear God’s “hush”.
Rachael-
These graphics are perfect! Do you ever make a calendar of them? Some of these would also make great Valentines – just sayin’!
I agree with Be! I would love a calendar of these. Great idea!
I have been touched by 3:9 honouring God with my wealth and with the best part of everything I have. I realise that I didn’t understand this part as I have always given my tithes and offering after paying my bills.I have asked for Gods forgiveness and ask for wisdom to make him first in everything I have or do.