No Prescription Necessary

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
To give prudence to the naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NASB)

A visit to the doctor’s office would hardly be complete without a reminder of the importance of proper diet and regular exercise. That’s advice that holds true as long as we draw breath! From infancy through advancing years, our physical health reflects our day-to-day practice in those areas of our lifestyle.

The first several verses of the book or Proverbs describe both the people and the purposes the book was written for. It’s meant to make us wiser and more discerning and to teach us to understand and follow wise advice. It’s meant to help us understand and benefit from proverbs, puzzles, and pithy sayings. It’s meant to help us behave wisely and fairly and well.

The Proverbs were written for wise people and simple minded folks, youngsters and old-timers. But there’s a condition attached: we must respect and honor God enough to accept the advice He has to offer us through His word and His people.

If we’re not too proud to listen and learn, the Proverbs offer healthy food for thought and a wisdom workout that will help us keep our hearts and minds healthy as long as we live.