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Proverbs 1:1–7 — The Beginning of Knowledge · A Tithe of Time Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to a tithe of time, rooted in wisdom, growing wiser, one passage at a time.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: Today we'll be looking at Proverbs 1, 1-7, reading from the ESV, the Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, King of Israel, to know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity, to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: The opening tells us whose proverbs these are, Solomon's.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: It also identifies him as David's son and Israel's king.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: Then before giving us a single proverb to live by, the passage tells us why this collection exists.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: Notice how often it speaks about learning.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: These proverbs are meant to help people understand, receive instruction, and gain guidance.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: Wisdom here reaches beyond knowing clever sayings.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: The passage connects it to the way a person deals with others, with righteousness, justice, and equity.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: And this book is for more than one kind of listener.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: It offers knowledge to the young, but it also tells the wise to keep learning.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: No one has reached the point where they can stop listening.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: Some of its lessons may take thought.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: Verse 6 mentions sayings and riddles.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: That prepares us to slow down, pay attention to the wording, and ask what a proverb is showing us.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: Then verse 7 gives us the foundation for everything that follows.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Why fear?
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: Here it means taking God seriously because he is God, respecting his authority, listening to what he says, and recognizing that we answer to him.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: That goes deeper than simply being frightened.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Elsewhere, Scripture speaks of fearing the Lord alongside loving and serving him.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: And why is that the beginning of knowledge?
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: Because we can collect facts and still refuse correction.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: When we recognize that God's wisdom stands above our own, we become willing to listen, learn, and change.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: That is the starting point Proverbs gives us.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: It also explains the contrast in the next line.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Here's the picture Proverbs 1, 1-7 leaves us with.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: Wisdom begins with taking the Lord seriously, and a teachable person keeps listening and learning.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: This concludes Proverbs 1 1 7, the beginning of wisdom.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: Next, we'll continue with Proverbs 1 8 19, where a father warns his son against joining those who seek gain through violence.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, tithe your time.