PROVERBS

Today is Friday.  I'm looking forward to a great weekend.  I am in Proverbs today, and here are a few jewels to share: 1) MY SON- Prov. 1:8 says:  "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"  Solomon is the author of Proverbs, and he is writing to his son Rehoboam.  Twenty three times in Proverbs we see the phrase:  "My son".  Solomon who has been gifted by God with wisdom, wants to share this wisdom with his son.  The word "son" is mentioned 45 times in Proverbs.  We know from the Bible that Rehoboam did not listen to his father.  He was the scorner described in the book.  We can be the wise and the prudent.  We can read Proverbs as if Solomon is writing to us.  God sees to it that he is!  Let us decide to be wise and not the scorner, or foolish man described.  As you read Proverbs, pay especially close attention each time that Solomon uses this phrase:  "My son", and then let us apply that wisdom to our lives. 2) THE PRIORITY OF WISDOM- Proverbs 4:5-7 read:  "Get wisdom, get understanding:  forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.  Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee:  love her, and she shall keep thee.  Wisdom is the principal thing:  therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding."  Solomon exalts wisdom.  He goes on to say:  Proverbs 9:10  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."  Wisdom comes from God.  Knowledge is knowing facts; wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective.  We need wisdom, not just more facts.  With all thy getting..... get wisdom! 3) SEVEN THINGS GOD HATES- Proverbs 6:16-19  "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."  Now, there are many sins that a person could commit, but I think that by all means you ought to avoid the very things that God says He hates!!  Well, this is my short list of jewels to ponder for today.  I hope you have a great Friday and a wonderful Saturday tomorrow.  May God richly bless you and yours! Pastor Mike Mutchler