Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 1-4.

The writer of the Book of Proverbs starts out by telling us that his purpose in making this compilation was to aid in the gaining of wisdom and understanding.  He writes that the simple (someone who is gullible and inclined to evil) who read and follow the words contained here will learn prudence.  The young will gain knowledge and discretion.  While the wise will become wiser.  He then tells us that the beginning of knowledge and wisdom is fear of God, but that wicked fools (which is redundant) refuse to accept instruction and despise wisdom.  Those fools think that they have it all figured out and will not be held accountable.  In the second chapter the writer tells us that if we search for wisdom they way that prospectors search for silver, or the way many seek to find hidden treasure, we will find knowledge of God and learn to fear Him.  As we continue to pursue wisdom and the knowledge of God (which is also redundant) we will learn what is just and right.  The writer goes on to warn us that we must never think that we are wise.  Instead, we must constantly seek to gain wisdom.  The foolish think they can pursue wicked pleasures without consequence.  The wise recognize that doing God’s will brings true joy.

Reading today’s passage reminds me of some of the Youtube videos I have watched recently where various apologists for Christianity debate with atheists.  The atheists argue that one can be moral without believing in God.  The Christians agree, but argue that without God, morality is meaningless.  That latter argument is the case which the writer of Proverbs makes here.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.