WEEK FIVE: Well, my dear friend, we made it to the end of our study. I hope that this time has allowed you to grow in your faith and gain some Biblical wisdom that you can apply to your own life. Over the next three days you will continue to find many verses that center on the consequences and effects of not heeding wisdom. However, there is also so much encouragement and hope that provide us with useful tools to flourish! From the importance of discipline and simple notions that make big impacts, to how Godly character is what we are ultimately aiming towards. It’s all just so good! So, with that, let’s finish this study with eagerness, anticipation, and a heart ready to receive sound wisdom.
Day 29: Correction Is Necessary for Spiritual Growth
Prayer
Father God,
As I come to You and open up The Word, I humbly ask that You also open my heart to hear and receive it as if You are speaking directly to me. The wisdom that purposefully lay across the pages of Proverbs brings me such joy and comfort. Please etch these principles into the fabric of my life so that I can live by faith and conviction. If there is a blind spot or a sin I need to address and confess, place it on my heart now. I want to walk into Your grace today and change areas of my life that are not pleasing You. I ask this in Your Holy name.
Amen.
Read and Respond
Read Proverbs 29:1-27. This chapter starts with a dire warning for those that refuse to be corrected, and the devastation that follows. It brings forth a solemn reminder that in order to grow in our faith, we must be able to take constructive criticism and discipline from those that care for our well-being, and essentially our soul. What stood out to you as you read this chapter?
Reflect and React
Proverbs 29:15 and 17 really drive home the importance of giving and receiving correction and the discernment we must have as parents when it comes to raising our children with the right mixture of love and discipline. This theme is often repeated throughout Proverbs, almost as a means to extend encouragement, reminding us of the useful tools we have through faithful prayer, patience, and perseverance.
Other warnings call us to think before we speak (Proverbs 29:20), be careful of a prideful heart (Proverbs 29:23, 26), and not sway to our selfish ways (Proverbs 29:27). Is your heart open to receiving constructive and spiritually helpful corrections? Do you lovingly share that correction with those that you love?
Day 30: God’s Word Is Inerrant
Prayer, Read, and Respond
Start with prayer and then read Proverbs 30:1-33. This chapter is inspired by Agur, a Gentile philosopher who speaks out of humility through a puzzling prayer that leads into heartfelt questions. He proclaims the works and infinite mind of our God is incomprehensible, therefore we mustn’t add nor take away from His words (Proverbs 30:6-7). From that point he denounces several sinful actions such as pride and greed. What are your initial thoughts as you read this chapter?
Reflect and React
As I read this chapter, I immediately become mindful of the words and actions I exhibit, especially when sharing the gospel with others. While the interactions we have with God through His Word are personal and can touch us in unique ways, we mustn’t interject our own opinions or thoughts, miscuing or misrepresenting the truth.
Proverbs 30:11-14 share common sinful patterns of disrespect, pride, and greediness, and how these behaviors are expected in the world as it highly values personal strength, power, and motivational success. However, as believers we are called to live differently. Proverbs 30:24-28 capture how we can live out wisdom through the depiction of small animals.
- The ant. This creature has little strength but is diligent and hardworking, always preparing for the future.
- The hyraxes (rock badgers). They have mild power but keep a tidy home and care for simple necessities to find peace and protection.
- The locust. This critter may not have a leader in charge, so it builds a strong community for survival.
- The lizard. It may be bent towards temptations and sin but still shows perseverance and endures under trials.
These small (but mighty) animals bring valuable lessons to glean from. Which animal(s) do you feel you represent in your current faith journey? What animal could you take a valuable lesson from today?
Day 31: A Husband and Wife of Noble Character
Prayer Prompt
As you lift up your heart in prayer today, invite God to help you gain insight into what it means to portray Godly character traits. Are there personal areas for growth here? Share it with Him and invite Him into this sweet time.
Read and Respond
Read Proverbs 31:1-31. This very well-known and iconic chapter in the Bible has been the source of hope for many as they grovel with how to live a righteous life that honors God. However, there is more here than meets the eye. King Lemuel, who some claim is a pen name for Solomon, wrote this for his son. These were lessons that came from his mother. So, this is generational wisdom that has been passed down, marking the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy for our children.
Reflect and React
Proverbs 30:1-9 are specifically directed to the king’s son on how to live a moral life and he is practically begging his son to listen. He then dishes out plenty of warnings on entertaining the lustful ways of women and the ramifications of partaking in too much wine. He continues by commanding his son to speak up for the lonely, lost, and impoverished. Essentially this is a simple lesson on how to be a good king and husband by leading with truth and integrity.
Proverbs 31:10-3,1 the king is giving his son a valuable lesson on choosing the right wife in life. One that displays characteristics and qualities that will make her a good mate and mother. Then the lengthy list rolls out portraying a woman who is noble, trustworthy, confident, faithful, diligent, provisional, compassionate, wise, charitable, prepared, modest, and servant-hearted.
Seems like a mighty long and intimidating list, but it is a call for men to love and lead well so that their wife can tend to their needs of the family (and others) with gentleness and grace. God’s design for marriage is for both men and women to play an active and intricate part in the family unit to sanctify us and make us more like Him! Yes, these are hefty roles, and we won’t display them perfectly, but this Proverb is a reminder of what Godly character should look like. It just so happens to pay a bit more special attention and detail to the wife’s role.
Scriptures to Memorize:
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." - Proverbs 31:8-9
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." - Proverbs 31:30-31.
Closing Thoughts and Prayer
What makes Proverbs so special? Not only is strategically found smack dab in the middle of the Bible making it readily available and super easy to find, the timeless truths written in poetic form and with such concise measure, make it simply inviting. A book that calls for us to read it time and time again. The entire premise of Proverbs is a call to transform us, grow us, stretch us, and through repetition calls us to the Godly character traits that we should yearn to embrace.
My prayer is that you return to this book often, possibly daily, even if for a verse or two, and retrieve its divine truth. When life is hard, situations consume you, or your heart just aches, find peace and comfort in the words offered here. If you find you are in a season that wraps you in immense joy and you radiate God’s goodness, humbly meet Him on these precious pages and give Him your heart.
If you are questioning your life, Proverbs probably holds the answer. Keep the faith and keep growing in wisdom, fellow believer!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for tucking this sweet book of wisdom in the middle of Your Word, painting a beautiful depiction of what it looks like for a man and woman to live a righteous and wise life. May we hold these truths close to our heart and act upon them. Give us the eagerness and will to memorize and recall the verses that You lay out before us and come to You in times of need of redemption and grace. We love you and are so grateful for Your living Word.
Amen.
Applying the Wisdom of Proverbs to Daily Life: A Bible Study on the Book of Proverbs
True Wisdom Begins with God - A Bible Study on the Book of Proverbs, Part 1
Practical Principles for Daily Living - A Bible Study on the Book of Proverbs, Part 3
A Blueprint for a Life Built on Wisdom, Honor, and Truth - A Study on the Book of Proverbs, Part 4
Build a Life Rooted in Wisdom and Strength - A Study on the Book of Proverbs, Part 5
Printable Study Guide Coming Soon!
Photo Credit: SWN Design
