March 9, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 9
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13. A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15. To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." - Proverbs 9:10

The second half of today's verse is the part that I would like to focus on. It says that "the knowledge of the holy is understanding." I think that there are several different ways that we can view this statement, all of which will be beneficial to us.

First of all, wisdom is found in the knowledge of the One Who's very name is holy, Jehovah God. The more we know about Him, particularly His holiness, the more we will understand what He desires and how He would want us to react in various situations. It is our knowledge of Him that brings us to maturity (II Peter 1:3), and mature people are the ones who are capable of discerning between good and evil (Heb. 5:14).

Second, we not only should learn about the One Who is holy, but we should also invest our time into learning about that which is holy. Ezekiel 44:23 states,

"And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."

Third, I believe that Solomon is teaching that knowledge is most beneficial when it is in the hands of holy people. It is not just learning about holiness, it is being holy ourselves. To give an unholy man wisdom really serves no purpose, for he is not going to use what he has learned properly. II Peter 1:5 says that a believer first must possess virtue before he can effectively possess knowledge. Thus, it is only the man who is separated unto the Lord that can understand and use knowledge appropriately.

Where we go for knowledge, and what kind of people we are, will determine how wise we will become.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery