A proverb is a sense of mental action; a pithy maxim, a simile; wisdom gained through practice, over a long period of time.
The Old Testament Book of Proverbs was written almost 3,000 years ago, in which we find Biblical wisdom literature, which raises questions of values, moral behavior, the meaning of human life, right conduct. Its theological foundation is that “the fear of God (meaning submission to the will of God) is the beginning of wisdom”.
Wisdom is praised for her role in creation; God acquired her before all else, and through her, he gave order to chaos; and since humans have life and prosperity by conforming to the order of creation, seeking wisdom is the essence and goal of the religious life.
Perhaps another way of looking at this is that wisdom is knowing what to do with the knowledge you possess.
It is an undeniable fact that access to knowledge in America and around the world is abundant and increasing and accelerating. Daniel 12:4 told us about this, saying that, “many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” But, wisdom is largely missing in all our knowledge.
It is not uncommon to see a sign or a social media post by Christians, telling the reader that we need to put God back into our schools. But, is that wise? Is it what the Bible tells us, and is it what the evidence shows us?
Proverbs 9:10 tells us that
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
And, Hebrews 8:10 tells us that God says
God has designed us to acquire knowledge and to apply that knowledge with wisdom. Deuteronomy 6:5-11 tells us that
“Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied”
We are reminded, in Joshua 1:8, to continue in the success that wisdom brings us, that
Finally, in order to insure generational success, Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to
Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
The Bible tells us that the Word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing, and they cannot be entrusted with His Word, and they cannot be entrusted with our children. It is clearly the Christian parent’s responsibility to teach their children.
God’s Word says that we need to put God into our hearts, minds and souls, and to insure generational success, parents need to plant the word of God into their children’s hearts, minds and souls.
The Bible and human experience tells us that it is the right and responsibility of the heterosexual, two-parent family, to raise and train children.
Are there exceptions? Of course, there have been exceptions. But, when a culture has deliberately abrogated long-held Biblical familial practices and discards the successful social norms therein, the results have always been catastrophic for that culture. Always.
Secondly, a society cannot rule itself or its formulate its culture as a nation, ruling by exceptions. Knowing that a certain social aberration works for only small portion of the population, then applying it as a “normal” or routine practice for the entire society is inviting societal fragmentation, calamity, chaos and collapse.
We, Christians, can make a difference. We can correct the course of our nation and our world. It will take time and effort.
1. I am challenging all who read this, begin today, and store up God’sword in your own heart, that you might not sin against Him. (Psalm 119:11)
2. I am challenging each Christian parent to begin, today, to train up your child in the way they should go, so that, even when they are old they will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
3. Let’s return to the ways of God and adhere to His Word, in all we do. Let’s remove all those things from our lives that are counter to Godliness and an offense to God.
4. Let’s put aside our greed and self-indulgence, humble ourselves before God and before one another. Please. Let’s consider one another as more important that ourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
If we do these small things, GOD will do the big things, and, we will find God back in our schools. He will once again rule in our courts. God will once again be found in the sanctuaries of our churches.
Prayerfully
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Whitestone Fellowship 