The first 7 verses of this chapter lay important ground work in an outline for the entire book of Proverbs.
1:1 — introduction to the book with vs. 1 as the title
1:2-6 — as the purpose
1:7 — as the theme
In today’s reading (Proverbs 1:1-19), 1:5a stood out to me as striking: ‘Let the wise hear and increase in learning...’ Even the wise are called to continue learning, seeking guidance from those who went before them. As long as we are here, we should never stop learning, never stop trying to increase in wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but there is no “end” or finish line. --- 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— 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. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:1-7 ESV
