As we begin our journey through the Proverbs we will start at, well, the beginning. Each week we will reflect on a chapter or a part of a chapter. Chapter 1 of the Book of Proverbs is more or less broken up into 3 parts: the invitation, the first teaching, and a call.

Let’s start by reading through the first part of the first chapter:

For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight,
for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;
to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young—
let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill,
to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Part 1 – Invitation (vs 2-7)
This is an invitation to the reader or hearer to be open to what follows. The audience it is first directed towards is that of the simple and of the young. Simple here is used to describe those who have not been given instruction or taught wisdom rather than to suggest mental ability/inability, and similarly the young are those who have not the experience of life.

The invitation is extended, however, to include those who are already considered wise: kings, counsellors and the like. In these first few verses, all are invited to benefit from the teachings that follow.

The first part closes out with a well known verse, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” On the one hand fear could translate as awe or respect, and those meanings would definitely be included in the word. On the other hand, there is wisdom in fearing something so awe-some, something that fills us with such awe and wonder, an entity so unknowable (at least completely) that it itself is the source of knowledge.

As we come into this season of fall, as we begin this journey through the Proverbs, and as with all new beginnings let us be open to the ways the God is calling us to. Let us have minds open to changing and hearts open to receiving and sharing God’s great love for us and for all. Let us pray.

Patient and Powerful God, the source and goal of all learning and knowledge: guide us on this path, this new journey; teach us in your ways and show us your truth. Empower us to be eager to learn, and humble us when we feel we have learned enough. Open our hearts and minds that we might come to know you more fully and love your creation more completely. All this we ask in the name of Christ who is our teacher. AMEN

See you next week for Parts 2 and 3 of this Proverb.

Blessings,
Rev. Richard