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The Wisdom Project, Newbury (2026)

10/07/2023

**Proverbs 10: Proverbs of Solomon**

This chapter signifies the start of a new section of the chapter. This is demonstrated through a change in writing style, adopting a 2 line comparison: something BUT something. Each individual phrase is a wisdom saying. The 'this not this' method to teach us further on how to be wise and righteous.

This chapter mostly compares the consequences of leading a righteous life over a wicked life.

V1-4 a young man leaves home and his initial thoughts are on pleasing his parents. He then goes on to discuss MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. This young man's instinct is to provide for himself and no longer rely on his parents. He struggles on his own, and so must remember God will provide for His children always.

V4-5 deals with the PHYSICAL BODY. Laziness will get you nowhere, you must work hard and be wise for wealth.

V6-7 deals with the CHARACTER OF A PERSON. A noble person has a strong mind, soul and emotional intelligence.

V8-9 deals with the MIND OF A PERSON. A noble man receives commandments and walks in the security of the Lord.

Proverbs 10-29 places emphasis on the spiritual journey of life. We have received the first 9 chapters of instruction and warning; we must now choose to walk either in the path of wisdom or of foolishness.

Verses 8-19 explain that those who are wise have a better likelihood of success. They are less likely to invite revenge, punishment, or judgment because of their actions

V20-32 further describes how those who are godly, and teach other to be godly give good advice. On the other side, those who reject truth lead other people into disaster.

Think today: what is your goal? Lead others to Godly wisdom or lead them to disaster?

10/07/2023

**Proverbs 9: Invitations of Wisdom and Folly**

V1-6 continues the theme of personification of wisdom, describing how she has created a beautiful platter of food and is calling people to join her. For those of you that know me will be very aware that I am a huge foody, so if someone is calling me to their house with a whole load of meat and wine… I’m there. This is exactly the effect that Wisdom is trying to have here. She is being inviting, persuading us to join us and making it attractive to further encourage us.

Think about someone wise that you know. Are they inviting? Do you find yourself wanting to be around them? Do you find yourself wanting to emulate their behaviours. Wisdom is an attractive and inviting thing!

V7-9 seems slightly backwards to me. We all know that those who need correction most are those that are foolish. But this passage is warning us against that, suggesting the unwise will hate you for offering correction. Think about this in relation to yourself? How do you receive feedback and criticism? “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser” - those who are wise proudly take on more instruction and continue to be wiser still. Don’t fall into the trap of hating those who are trying to help you!

V10-12 continues on a similar theme, suggesting those who are “mockers” of wisdom will only make themselves suffer. If you tear down those who are trying to be wise in their ways, you are only hurting yourself. How often do we see someone trying hard to be a follower of Jesus but find something small and tear them down for it? How often do we catch ourselves mocking those who are “too holy” or “too Christian”? That is damaging only to us!

V13-18 concludes the chapter by turning the attention to Folly. Here, we are being warned against other voices that may tempt us to take short cuts on our path or find easy routes in our journey. “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious” - she’s tempting us to stray from our path to Jesus and telling us it’ll be great. BUT v18 explains that folly’s house is a house of death. It is not somewhere we want to be.

Think about this today: what decisions should you make to keep you on the path of God? What decisions are tempting you because they are easy or seemingly ‘better’? Try to ignore these and make the next right step.

26/06/2023

**Proverbs 8: Wisdom's Call**

I absolutely love this chapter - the personification of Wisdom feels like a direct call to us. This completely hammers home the message of wisdom - if someone asks you to do something directly, there is a much greater impact than if someone tells you that someone else has asked for something!

Wisdom calls in the most public places ('beside the gate leading into the city' v8). Wisdom calls out loud ('does not understanding raise her voice?' v1). Wisdom speaks to everyone ('I raise my voice to all mankind' v4). She is literally calling out to everyone and anyone who will listen; its a true command for each and every one of us.

Verses 4-11 are promises of the goodness that wisdom offers, suggesting it is 'more precious than rubies' (v11). Some of these offers include prudence (v5), justice (v8) and knowledge (v9).

In verses 12-21, Wisdom continues to describe herself - what she has and what she gives. She explains that she hates pride, arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speach (v13); but she has counsel and sound judgement, insight and power, riches and honour, wealth and prosperity, and fruit that is better than gold. Not only this but she explains that those who walk with her can have this too - 'bestow a rich inheritence on those who love me and make their treasuries full' (v21).

V22-31 is a long history of wisdom. She explains how she was there at the very beginning, when each part of the world was crafted by God Himself. Solomon is explaining how wisdom was instrumental in creation ('I was constantly at His side' - v30).

V32-33 are verses I can relate to - they are wisdom's calls for attention. In v32-34, the world 'listen' is used in every verse. It is a persistent and firm demand. As with most of Wisdom's calls, there is no demand without an explanation of reward - 'blessed are those who listen to me' (v34) and 'those who fail to find me harm themselves' (v36).

So wisdom herself has called, no... DEMANDED, your attention and obedience. I think it might be time to really start listening and moving towards her path of life.

26/06/2023

**Proverbs 7: Another Adulterous Woman**

This is a very similar chapter to both C5 and C6 in that it continues to warn against adultery. Fundamentally the message is the same: adultery is bad, avoid it.

However, there are a few new things to pull out of this passage. In the first 5 verses, Solomon continues to hammer home that we need to REMEMBER these words. He commands us to 'keep [his] commands' and 'bind them on your fingers'. He wants us to keep these close to our heart so we can pull on them when we most need them.

V4 calls wisdom your sister and insight your relative. This emphasises the command to make these familiar to us; a part of our identity.

V6-27 is a poetic story where a young man is falling in love with a woman who is not his wife. In this particular situation, there is someone who is working to draw us in and seduce us. In this poem, Solomon describes the man as a 'youth with no sense', highlighting that he did not know where this decision was leading him. He then goes on in v22 to liken this path to an ox going to the slaughter.

Given we have already discussed adultery, I want to associate this passage to a broader topic of sin. Often, like this man, we are not aware of where our decisions and chosen paths made lead us. Often we can say one simple sentence, or commit an 'innocent' act and these set us up for failure; they set up us to be the deer stepping into a noose (v22).

Solomon is commanding us to listen to his words and protect our hearts to avoid this damage. He is calling us to have wisdom, to stop and think before we are blindly led to our doom. Its a tough challenge, and one that I've decided to take upon myself this week. I am going to make sure I am hyperaware of my actions and truly assess the full impact of my words and choices this week - why not join me?

14/06/2023

**Proverbs 6: A Warning Against Folly**

V1-5: Solomon is basically warning against a promise or bad deal that’s been made. He’s saying do not rest until you have got out of this situation (“go to the point of exhaustion”).

There’s a huge focus in this chapter about pushing and pushing to get to with good place, no resting until you’ve reached where you should be. It is further emphasised in V6 and V9 with the use of the name “sluggard” which literally means a lazy, sluggish person.

Solomon ties our laziness to our financial situations as in v10-11 he says ““A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” He’s being clear here: do not be surprised that you are in poverty if you are lazy with your financial well-being.

In V12-15, Solomon is emphasising that as humans, we are not born “bad”. Therefore, anyone who is evil, malicious, deceitful etc will be punished - ‘disaster will overtake him in an instance’. These are directly against God’s intentions and we are not called to be these people but instead people of peace.

V16-19: a list of things the Lord hates in simple language. These are all things that appear in other passages of the Bible and so are directly relatable to the receivers of this message.

The passage then returns to the issue of adultery. It continues to drive home the warning against unfaithfulness. Solomon couldn’t be more clear than in v23 ““For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life”.

V26-29 brings some imagery that adultery is like playing with fire. Like our nature instinct to recoil from fire, we should move just as quickly from adultery.

V30-35 changes the viewpoint against adultery vs chapter 5. It moves from “don’t be adulterous because it’s WRONG” to “don’t be adulterous because it’s DANGEROUS” (‘For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.’ V34)

Solomon continues to provide wisdom to SAVE us and PROTECT us.

06/06/2023

**Proverbs 5: Warning Against Adultery**

This chapter is a really short, punchy passage. It is interesting to me as this was written by Solomon, whose parents (David and Bathsheba) came to be due to an adulterous relationship. Nevertheless, Solomon talks confidently and wisely on the topic.

"The Wife of Your Youth" (v18) - did you know that of those who marry young, 50% of those unions end in divorce? The most common reason for this is due to the temptation (or the actual act) of unfaithfulness. In this passage, Solomon is advising us to avoid this temptation by taking a wide berth; "keep a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house" (v8).

Whilst I'm no expert on dating (sorry mum and dad), I think this passage can be taken more broadly; it can be applied to any temptation.

As humans, we are easily drawn toward the things we probably should steer clear of. Whether it is another partner, a 'white lie', a quick gossip, or an inappropriate action, its easy for us to get caught up in a 'rush' of adrenaline. I know there's been a few times I've thought 'ah well no one's watching, who's gonna know?' I'd bet my left arm that everyone has had moments like this. In this passage, Solomon completely discredits this as he says 'Your ways are in full view of the Lord and he examines all your paths' (v21).

Returning to the context of this chapter, its understandable why someone who'd married young may struggle with other temptations. People grow. As we get older, our personalities adapt, we become older, more mature, potentially less playful or jokey - you may find your other half simply isn't the same person you married. Not only this, but marriage naturally includes tough times. Learning to put your partner ahead of yourself sometimes or adapting to living with someone (especially if they're messy) - it all puts tension on a relationship.

BUT there is wisdom in what Solomon has to say in Chapter 5. "at you end of your life you will groan ... I would not obey my teachers or turn an ear to my instructors and soon I was in serious trouble in the assembly of God's people" (v11-14). The teaching here is to avoid adultery, and Solomon is saying that when you come to the end of your life if you have failed to obey this teaching, you will groan because you're in big trouble!

The passage, however, is not all negative. Its also a blessing. Solomon is wishing the best for married couples. He says 'may your fountain be blessed, may you rejoice in your wife... may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love" (v18-19).

I pray this blessing over all our married couples today. Particularly as we've seen some newlyweds in our church celebrating their weddings. I wish you all to have this satisfaction and abundance of love within your relationships.

There are still great success stories, even for young marriages! My parents are soon celebrating their wedding anniversary (Sunday). They defy these statistics! Despite being married young (23/25), this week they are celebrating 29 years strong. I can clearly see how much love is between my parents so I hold them as my role models for wise, loving relationships, just as Solomon talks about in Proverbs 5.

01/06/2023

Question time: on my daily bible reading journey, I have made it to Leviticus. For those more wise and knowledgable than myself, please help me understand the purpose of this book? I have read up to Verse 15 and have watched the Bible Project devotional videos but am finding it SUPER repetitive and quite frankly painful to read (sorry Big Man Upstairs). I understand its instructional on sacrifices etc but how is this important to us today?

01/06/2023

**Proverbs 4 - Get Wisdom at Any Cost**

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get Wisdom (verse 7)

I really like the first part of this verse as it feels like Solomon is taking a step back here and acknowledging his humanity. So far he has spent the first 3 chapters telling us that we must find wisdom, speaking purely as an 'expert' on the matter. In verse 3 of chapter 4, Solomon admits he was not always so wise as he says 'I too was a son to my father... Then he taught me'. Just like the rest of us, Solomon had to learn the ways of Wisdom, in his case from his father David (who was also very wise).

I actually want to rest on this knowledge as for me, the Bible is full of instructions, laws and recommended ways of living which I personally often struggle to live up to. Any sign of struggle, learning or human responses from our great role models is always welcome as it shows that my struggle is also OK; I too am learning.

Solomon is explaining here that we have to GAIN wisdom, be it through other people, experiences, challenges etc etc. It is not something we simply have. The command here is therefore clear: if you want wisdom, go find it. Put yourself out there; experience things, read the bible, listen to God (ideally learn from others so we don't have to make the mistakes ourselves - that is why testimonials are so important to be shared in my opinion).

In verse 7, we are told to get wisdom 'even if it costs all you have'. This may make us feel pretty vulnerable, but I love that this is quickly followed by 'cherish her (wisdom) and she will exalt you, embrace her and she will honour you' in verse 8. This gives hope that we may lose a lot searching but we will gain SO MUCH MORE.

V10-19: More instruction for gaining wisdom thorugh explaining the stark difference between the wicked and the wise. This is also a warning, be careful where you walk or you will stumble. Another acknowledgment that wisdom is not always easy; we must be aware and conscious of it. If we get complacent, we will stumble.

But V18 says being on the right path, the path of the righteous, 'is like the morning sun, getting ever brighter'. I love this imagery as personally, nothing is more beautiful than a sun rise that makes the world light. It is a stunning sight and a beauty that we should want in our lives.

V20 onwards continues on the warning path. 'Guard your heart for everything flows from it' (v23). If our heart is filled with love and kindness, everything will be better for us: relationships will be stronger, mindset more positive. But if our hearts are hard or bitter, things will feel more negative and less fulfilling.

'Keep your mouth free from perversity' (v24). I find this one a challenge; I know I rarely think before I speak and often find myself immediately regretting what I've said, whether its a gossip or a lie or rumour. Solomon is giving us a simple command here: think first, then speak and speak only in true, acceptable nature.

'Let your eyes look straight forward, fix your gaze forward' (v25) - an easy piece of advice to be forgotten. How often do we dwell on the past? Solomon is saying forget whats behind us, whatever we have done, said, been; look forward. You can make a change from now on, no matter what has happened.

Today I pray that we all learn wisdom; that we keep our hearts guarded from negativity, our lips free from perversity and our eyes forward to the future and what we can be.

29/05/2023

**Proverbs 3 - Wisdom Bestows Well-Being**

V1-6: Another focus on taking the right PATH. If we choose to take the right path, we will be blessed with long lives, peace and prosperity. Verse 5 is a key verse here - a very well-known and one of my personal favourites. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". This is true wisdom; knowing that God's way is the best way and so choosing to take it even if your own understanding may present a seemingly better option.

V7-10: Each 2-verse couplet here is a different thought or instruction i.e. don't be wise in your own eyes but fear the Lord (reminder, fear means love and respect), honour the Lord with your wealth, etc. But how do we honour the Lord? This is using your wealth for God's purposes. I can confidently look through my bank statement and say very little of it is in honour to God (unless God loves deliveroo). This is a challenge for us in a modern, material world. Perhaps we take this as our challenge for the week - commit just 10% (more if you can) to God and his name.

V11-12: DISCIPLINE. Here, this discipline is not related to punishment but to love and expertise i.e. the 'discipline to run a mile'. We should not despise the discipline God is giving us because it is Him guiding us and pushing us to be GOOD PEOPLE.

V13-18: This passage continues the personification of wisdom, referring to it as 'she'. It is a passage that speaks highly of wisdom, and the wonder of it (she is more profitable than silver, she is more precious than rubies, she is a tree of life).

V19-26: Be wise and be safer - this passage explains how life may look better with wisdom in our lives.

V27-31: Further guidance on what we SHOULD NOT do in order to live a more wisdom-filled life. Do not withold good from those who deserve it, do not plot harm against others, do not accuse anyone for no reason'. These are all commands that seem obvious, but we can often fall short on.

V32-35: How God will respond to those who are wise or not. There is a constant contrast of this will happen to the wise BUT the fools get .... This shows a direct comparison that should drive us to be more wise. It is so black and wise in this passage that we'd be mad to read this and still opt for foolish lives.

24/05/2023

**Proverbs 2 - Benefits of Wisdom**

A short but clear chapter!

V1-8 Solomon is explaining how you should search for understanding as if it is hidden treasure. He suggests we should truly value this understanding. This reflects Solomon's actions when he becomes King as God directly asks him what he wants and he responds 'tell me how to govern your people, give me wisdom'.

These verses can be summarised simply as 'if you search for wisdom, you will find it'. God wants us to be wise and make good decisions. He wants us to understand and have knowledge.

The rest of this chapter (v9 onwards) lists all the benefits of being wise, providing further reason why we should search for it. According to this, wisdom will fundamentally make you walk in the ways of good.

God desires us to be righteous, and when we aren't we see evidence through the bible that there are consequences. God may either penalize us or allow us to walk into trouble (because of free will). This puts us alongisde those who walk in guilt and shame or joy for the darkness.

Wisdom allows us to walk in the light and act with a full heart, as righteous followers of God. Therefore, we should be seeking the path towards God and thus seeking wisdom.

24/05/2023

Good morning lovely family… what a beautiful day it is ❤️

Just a little reassurance that I have not forgotten about my wisdom project already; I will be doing my extended study of Proverbs 2 today.

A big thank you to everyone for encouraging me so much already and providing advice. I’m proud to say I decided to tackle the Bible in a year on top of my extended study sessions and am already 35 chapters through Genesis in just 4 days, who knew the Bible was so addictive?😂

Thank you all and sending love ❤️

17/05/2023

**Proverbs 1 - Wisdom**

What better way to kick off The Wisdom Project than with Proverbs - the book of wisdom?

Verses 1-7 set the theme of the book, with verse 7 being the key takeaway - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction’.

This passage sets out clearly what ‘wisdom’ is throughout proverbs. It is the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God and the understanding of the right way of life.

Its important to note here that when we talk about the ‘fear’ of the Lord, we don’t necessarily mean being scared of Him. Having ‘fear of God’ is understanding His power, His strength and His reign. Its understanding God is a being of great magnitude and great influence. Fear of God is to acknowledge and stand in awe of His majesty, power, justice and mercy.

Its key to differentiate wisdom and knowledge in Proverbs. Knowledge is understanding what to do. Wisdom is knowing what to do and actually doing it. Learning from your mistakes is good, but learning from other people’s mistakes is wise. Hence, ‘let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance’ (v5).

Verses 8-19 explains that you should not follow those sinful people who entice you (v10). The passage implements a sense of karma, that ‘they ambush only themselves’ (v18), explaining how those who act sinfully are taking only from themselves. They will suffer the consequences of their actions.

Verse 20-33 continues to explain that we should listen to God and His teachings. The passage shows wisdom criticising the ways of the ‘foolish’ (meaning those who are not wise), suggesting they laugh at others and make jokes and deny wisdom. It explains how failure to listen to God will lead to bad things, ‘the complacency of fools will destroy them’ (vs32).

‘Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm’ (v33). We live in a broken world where bad things still happen to good people; we cannot always be protected from the actions of others. However, this verse explains how by listening to God and having wisdom, we can protect ourselves from bad things we could otherwise get OURSELVES into. We can make better decisions for ourselves.

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