How well do we understand the Words of Insight?
Posted: Saturday, July 02, 2011
by Chiradeep
e-Counseling
“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:1-7)
The Purpose of Writing Proverbs:
- for gaining wisdom and instruction.
- for understanding words of insight.
- for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair.
- for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The above self-explanatory list spots out two major aspects. Number one is, the words like, wisdom, instruction, insight, prudence and understanding are important in our practical life, thus acquiring it in life is necessary. Number two is, the proverbs are written to make them simple and crystal clear for the people to comprehend.
My Findings: Understanding the words of insight
In the above list of purpose, one particular statement really caught my attention, “understanding words of insight.” I was just pondering on this. Finally when I came across what Albert Einstein said, during the cold wars between world’s two super powers from 1947 – 1991. He said, “I know not with what weapons World War-III will be fought, but World War-IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” He knew the devastating power of nuclear bomb. He knew that there won’t be anybody to even fight with stones and sticks also after using the bomb in the next world war.
What Albert Einstein said is the “words of insight.” And working on what he said is, “understanding the words of insight.” Understanding is not only accepting but implementing on what we understood.
So many times we just hear the words of insight from our elders, parents, brothers, sisters and most importantly from the scriptures yet we fail to understand it, accept it and work on it. And we end up in devastation in many ways in our life.
I myself have suffered many times when I didn’t listen to the words of insight in my life, in my work and even while making small decisions of life. There may be a small word of insight but has much greater effects for both obeying and not obeying it.
Summarizing the passage in verse 7, the wise king says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This is so true.
Let’s not be fools by despising wisdom and instruction (‘discipline’ in NIV). May God bless us…see you with more thoughts on Proverbs next time.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Nicely done, brother. I am reading through Proverbs. I've done so many times since learning to read as a child. Still, there is so much more to learn!
Looking back, I can clearly see that the times I failed to follow my "insight" were some of the greatest mistakes of my life . Not seeking God's counsel brought even worse results.
Keep up the great work, brother!So right Doc...when I keep regretting, God says, work on it don't just regret...ha ha ha...So struggles are on...
Excellent Chiradeep: I made a summer of studying the Proverbs in the Summer of 1969. As it happened, I was at the age when one tends to "explode" all over creation. The study slowed me down, made me consider a little longer concerning the proverbs I was learning and the situations I was in. Insight is so important. I remember the proverb that said "A man who will have an ox must take care of its crib." At one level you say sure, of course. The insight is if you are going to benefit from the things an ox gives you, you may have not only to work cleaning and feeding it, but you might also have to invest more of your time and money taking care of it. This thought leaves you with a deeper realization. This is an excellent article and you are obviously a superb carrier of proverbial thought.I am humbled Sir...
Thanks for giving that powerful insight...It added such a value to my article...
Thanks for reading and commenting...
What an article? The king and his wisdom is so special and the way he had described the life and living...is just great...
Truth FThanks TF for reading and commenting...
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