3 Reasons For Parents To Read Proverbs

Being a parent is a hard, busy, and tiring job. So why should I take the time to read Proverbs?

1. To Get Wisdom, Knowledge, Instruction, Words of Understanding, Justice, Judgement, Equity, Subtlety, Discretion, and Wise Counsels

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:" Proverbs 1:1-5 KJV

Proverbs provides lots of great tools in my parenting toolbox.

2. To Learn How To Get Wisdom and Knowledge
There are many ideas of how to get wisdom and knowledge in the world.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7 KJV

To get knowledge God's way, I need to have the fear of the LORD. I need to have an awe and reverence for God.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10 KJV 

The fear of the LORD is also how I start to have true wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge applied. I can know a lot as a parent, but I need wisdom to know how to use that information.

"My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;" Proverbs 2:1-6 ESV 

To find the knowledge of God I need to seek and call out for wisdom.

3. To Teach Our Children
Proverbs were written for the young men of Israel.  While our children now live in a different administration, there is much learning for our children even today.

My son, if your heart is wise,
My own heart also will be glad;

And my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak what is right.

Proverbs 23:15-16 NASB

What a great goal for our children. For them to have a wise heart and to speak what is right. As we learn about the wisdom and knowledge from God, we can teach this to our children.

Lots of Proverbs are easy to memorize and lend themselves to be taught and reinforced in daily life. For example:

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: " Proverbs 17:22a KJV

This verse is great to teach to a child and then bring up and reinforce in daily life.
 

Photo by Mathieu Nicolet

"Read Proverbs" Challenge:
Ready to read Proverbs? Join the "Read Proverbs" challenge by 1 of 3 ways:

1. Read a chapter a day during a month.  For example, on August 1st read chapter 1, on August 2nd read chapter 2, all the way the 31 chapters. (Printable reading plan checklist)
2.  It's Great To Read 8! Read an abbreviated reading plan of 8 selected chapters: 1, 3, 4, 8, 13, 15, 17, 31.
3.  Read a verse a day. During the month of August follow Humble Hearts on Facebook or Instagram where I'll be posting a verse a day from Proverbs for the whole month.

A great resource in helping to understand Proverbs is "Proverbs and The Wise Son" chapter 8 in "Scripture Consulting Select Studies" by Walter J. Cummins. 

Related Posts:
Google The LORD Gives Wisdom  


©Brigette Hill, 2015