Good God Sunday Morning “Life Lessons”

The Book of Proverbs (in Hebrew: מִשְלֵי Mish'ley), commonly referred to simply as Proverbs, is a book of the Hebrew Bible

This wisdom literature is concerned with the realities of human experience, from the mundane to the sublime, and with the relationship between that experience and the divine.

Authorship

The authorship of Proverbs has long been a matter of dispute. Solomon’s name appears in Proverbs 1:1, "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, King of Israel." There are also references within Proverbs to Agur (30:1) and Lemuel (31:1) as authors distinct from Solomon.

Proverbs as wisdom literature

The book of Proverbs is referred to as wisdom literature along with several others: the book of Job, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, and certain Psalms, known as wisdom psalms. Among the deuterocanonical books, the Wisdom of Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon are wisdom literature.

Throughout Proverbs, wisdom (or the wise person) is compared and contrasted with foolishness (or the fool). 'Fool' in Proverbs indicates one who is lacking in morality and uninterested in correction, not one who is merely silly or playful. Wisdom is held up as something worth effort to attain and the reader is told that it starts with the person of YHWH: "The fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom." ^[5]

Not only that, we can also find many wisdoms of woman over and over, especially we find reference to Wisdom as a female figure who speaks to the young man and invites him into her house. When we talk about this Woman Wisdom, it speaks frequently in the first person ^[7] and identifies herself not just as the divine companion, but also as the source of order in society and success in life.

There is controversy of the settings of Proverbs. Several suggestions have been made.

Settings in this case in point means location, surroundings or situation.

Academia examples of Setting

Family: In the society of ancient Israel, the family played an important role in the upbringing and education of children. Some internal evidence hints to the use of Proverbs in a family setting; the phrase "my son" appears some 20 times throughout the book. The role of the mother is also listed some 10 times.

Court: The name of Solomon stands in the title of the book, thus suggesting a royal setting. Throughout the Old Testament, wisdom is connected with the court.

School: It is possible practical and reflective wisdom was transmitted in a house of learning or instruction.

Biblical examples of Setting

There is evidence in the book of Proverbs that can show the type of setting described above. According to Coogan in his Introduction to the Old Testament, the authors were most likely writing to a patriarchal society with some evidence of a monarchy. "While generally conventional in its values, the book of Proverbs testifies to some of the ideals of the ancient Israelite law and of the teachings of the prophets of social justice."

Here are some biblical examples of setting:

Family: The role of the mother- Proverbs 1.8; 10.1

Court: Critiques of monarchs- Proverbs 30. 24-28, 29-31

Wikipedia® for References /Works Cited /Further Reading

“You Just Keep on Living and Just Keep Getting Up Each Morning”

 “You Just Keep On Living” how many times have you heard those words? If an individual has been attentive to those words understanding the full importance of its meaning it has brought wisdom.  We have lived and learned that wisdom comes in many forms but the best learned is .that which has been experienced. I once heard the difference between a wise man and a fool is that a wise man learns from his mistakes while a fool continues to make the same mistakes over and over.

We have learned it was our merciful God who allowed us to see another day after day, year after year. We have become living testimonies of those prophetic and revelatory words “Just Keep on Living.” We have learned that everything must change; that nothing or no one stays the same BUT God and His Holy Word.  

Genesis 1:1 teaches us that everything has a beginning except God. “In the beginning, when there was nothing, only One was living. That One was God. Only He existed in the beginning and He was His Word. God is the Lord of Eternity. God is vast and has no equal! He has no beginning and no end. He has no needs or limits. God is spirit and can be everywhere at once. He is above everything and everyone. He fills everything. He sees everything. He knows everything. He is unique. He is matchless. God is sole and sovereign! That is why the Holy Scriptures say, "He alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever! Amen!" (1 Tim. 6:16) “(Quoted)

If we have been blessed to “just keep getting up each morning” we have learned God will meet us at our needs when we are obedient to His words of instructions. We have learned that we can take our hopes and our prayers to the altar of grace and He will be there. Whether this lesson was passed down in our family from generation to generation or it was taught by some God-sent person we have learned a priceless lesson and received a precious gift. We who seek to live better by being better have learned   that the book of Proverbs is given for instructions of how to live in the prosperity of God’s goodness. It is not only our duty but our privilege to teach this insight to the young and old.

What is important is to feed our youth’s inner man each day with God’s word and by living an exemplary lifestyle before them.

As I stated earlier in this message everything must change; nothing stays the same BUT God and His Holy Word. Every young generation has had to face growing up in a world of calamity worse than the generation before them. Today is no different with youth on youth violence, gangs, drugs, teen pregnancies and suicide. Today as before each generation expresses its identity in their unique way in the natural, reflecting their environment.  It is expressed in their style of dress, music and dance, even in the manner they speak. It is so easy for some to forget that they were once young.  The uneasy learning process that comes with self-awareness, discovering who you are and who you are to God.   (Must See Dance Video #2)

3Vital Lessons 3 Proverbs and 3 Videos

1. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1(KJV)

 ¹The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

 ²To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

 ³To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

 ⁴To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

 ⁵A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

 ⁶To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

 ⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction…

http://youtu.be/sB2oFDUl-v8

New Remake …11 Something About the Name Jesus, Pt 2 - Kirk Franklin

Featuring Rance Allen, Marvin Winans, John P Kee & Isaac Carree

2. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2(KJV)

 ¹My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

 ²So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

 ³Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

 ⁴If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

 ⁵Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

 ⁶For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

 ⁷He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

 ⁸He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

 ⁹Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path ..

http://youtu.be/zM_AyuTTzg0

I Am God by Kirk Franklin, HGC Dance Ministry

This video depicts being caught between the foolishness of arrogance and the insecurity of growing up in what can be perceived as uncertain times in an unstable world.  This choreographed praise dance is a perfect example of how if our youth fervently seek God they will grow in wisdom. The music represents the calamity and the impatience of the times while the youth dancers and mimes illustrate the process of learning to surrender to the Heavenly Father and learning “You’re God and I’m Not.” – Sandra Dukes

Higher Ground Church of Mesquite Youth Dance Ministry performs to I Am God by Kirk Franklin. The HGC youth did an outstanding job. They are under the direction and leadership of Jermaine & Misti Williams. Higher Ground Church, Pastor James L. Green senior and   founding pastor -Sunnyvale /Mesquite, Texas (Dallas Metropolis)

3. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3(KJV)

 ¹My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

 ²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

 ³Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

 ⁴So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

 ⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…

http://youtu.be/vi1oAnzRDfM

Kirk Franklin - The Altar (Lyrics On Screen Video HD)  Featuring Beverly Crawford and Marvin Sapp

Praying you have a Good God Sunday Morning,

Prophetess Sandra Dukes