Week 24 Proverbs 1
When I arrive in the book of Proverbs I get a feeling of something like relief. My comfort-level is slightly elevated. There’s a little less pressure and I can breathe a bit easier.
For one thing the writer talks to young or inexperienced or immature people quite a bit. About a dozen times in the early going it’s a lot of “my-child-this” or “my-son-that”. Like it’s advice for kids. And what’s not to like about a straightforward proverb like: lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. Pretty cut-and-dried. Manageable. Common-sensical. Something a young guy can understand.
But then the writer also says: let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.
So it looks like even if the proverbs are something like A Beginner’s Book of Successful Living they’re not only that. They’re also something like Heart-and-Soul Truths About Life. Ideas for mature people.
Proverbs – more than most bible books – has lots of easy access points for a young reader. A kid can read-and-understand. But they have depth too. A non-kid can explore the depth.
Complexity disguised in simplicity. Layers getting peeled back as I keep moving forward.
Proverbs are for kids. But I read them too. I don’t want to miss out.
Note: quotes from Proverbs 10:4 1:5-6 (NLT)