To Know

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; Proverbs 1:2 KJV

To know wisdom, and instruction:   To understand the words of prudence: Proverbs 1:2-3 Douay Rheims

It is interesting to note that King James and Douay Rheims versions use different words in "Prudence" and "Perceive" and flip them around. Still, it does not change the central message.  For a person to be prudent, they are cautious of something.  For a person to perceive, they are aware of something.   They could be interchangeable as most people would be cautious and aware when understanding life's ebb and flow.  Th  is especially true because most people are guarded.  

One consequence of wearing masks since the pandemic, is that people can now go out in public and not communicate with others.  It is their shell.  I have seen this on multiple occasions.  It is their crutch to withdraw from society even further.  Don 't get me wrong, some people have health issues and are 100% correct in protecting themselves.  I'm talking about a few individuals who are using masks as a means of not communicating or as a way to guard their life.

Let's turn to Exodus 31:3

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. KJV

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of work. Douay Rheims

I wonder if Solomon had this verse in mind as God filled Bezaleel and his companions with the Spirit of God in making things of Gold, Silver, and Brass.  The Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God is the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for the instructions for building things and/or people. We  are the workmanship of God in saving souls, but we have to have the knowledge of the Lord in doing so.  I hear wrong instructions through sermons I watch on TV or hear in person.  So many unbiblical truths are preached.  

I was struggling in life when I first became a Christian.  It was tough.  I prayed daily for wisdom from the Lord and gave all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. A very dark moment in time for my soul.  The pruning of the Lord was a tough pill to swallow.  It was like pruning a young grapevine where I was a barren and empty stick void of any fruit.  You would have thought their was no life in me.  After several painstaking years, the Lord worked His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and workmanship into my life.  All my worldly success is due to the Lord, where I proclaim to the world it is all Him.  Like Bezaleel and his companions, the  Lord gave me this wisdom to be successful in my work.  

There is a second and more critical piece, saving souls.  Jude teaches us the two ways we can save souls in Jude 1:21-23: "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." KJV  

There are two ways compassion and fear.  it is my belief most people would take to compassion over fear.  Proverbs will be a great teacher to better understand the dark ways and sayings of the world to lead people to the truth and salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is much needed.