As We Think, We Are - Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV)

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

for they are a graceful garland for your head

and pendants for your neck.

As Solomon moves his pen against the scroll, he is about to layout for all parents and children great truths on how to live their lives in a way that causes them to fear the Lord.   He has just stated in verses seven the main premise of the book:

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Therefore, since that is the beginning of knowledge and instruction and wisdom, what will that look like if we actually take it to heart?  I will look like a garland for the head and a pendant around your neck.  Notice that wisdom, instruction and knowledge are all internal, but the garland and pendant are external.   The point that Solomon is making is that what we think, believe and set our hearts and minds upon will show in the way we behave and interacted with the world around us.  It does not take us long to tell how someone is built based upon observing their behavior.  This is going to be the constant theme of the book of Solomon’s proverbs.  Notice how Solomon will eventually say this same truth:

Proverbs 27:19 (ESV)

As in water face reflects face,

so the heart of man reflects the man.

Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

When we fear the Lord it is reflected in our walk of life.  When we fear the Lord it is like a garland on our head and a pendant around the neck.  All will know.