The Ways of Wisdom

Paul Peters

Description

Biography, Belief, Bible
The information about the book is not available as of this time.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: Xlibris US
• Date de parution: 31 octobre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781669826682
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

THE WAYS OF WISDOM
Paul Peters

Copyright © 2022 by Paul Peters.
 
Library of Congress Control Number:
2022920410
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-6698-2669-9

Softcover
978-1-6698-2667-5

eBook
978-1-6698-2668-2
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
 
Scripture quotations marked KJV are from King James Version (Authorized Version) of the Holy Bible,. First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rev. date: 10/31/2022
 
 
 
 
 
Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
842321
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
 
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
 
Conclusion
Glossary
PREFACE
As I begin this book, I am reminded of a Robert Frost quote: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.” The ways of wisdom are not the path most typically taken because it entails challenges that most will not take on, but in those challenges are the answers that lead to a successful and fulfilling life. As I have gotten older and I am learning to reflect more on life, I am brought back to when I was a boy and I was asked what it was in life I most wanted. And I must be honest—“wisdom” was not what I said, or even considered, although that was what I most needed in order to prepare for what life was going to throw at me. There is an amazing conversation in the Bible between God and Solomon, who was appointed king of Israel upon his father’s death, about what he wanted most in life that best illustrates:
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
1 Kings 3:1–15
3 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh King of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD , and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD , until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the LORD , walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the LORD , that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD , and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all of his servants
Knowing he would have to make a lot of difficult decisions as a king with so many people he would be responsible for, Solomon “wisely” asked for wisdom to guide him with those decisions. I think now, as an adult, how foolish I was as a youth thinking I knew best and didn’t need wisdom and guidance. Most of my learning, or should I say lack of learning, came from the many mistakes I made—as well as the lessons I failed to learn If I had followed the lessons I learned, I would have spared myself much pain and heartache. Wisdom’s very purpose is to protect us from the consequences of poor choices. Confucius said, “There are three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is noblest, second by imitation, which is easiest, and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Wisdom promises us protection, peace, and safety. Wisdom is recommended to be taught to children to prevent future errors in life, so as to protect them. If we use and apply wisdom, we will safeguard ourselves from most unnecessary consequences suffered by those who do not apply wisdom. Typically, as parents, we want to protect our children from the foolish mistakes we had made to protect them. Unfortunately, not all children heed or listen to the learned knowledge their parents acquired from the many painful lessons they experienced. Because of this, the children are apt to repeat and continue the unwise choices and consequences their parents are trying to prevent them from making. The book of Proverbs could easily be the story of a Father seeking to counsel His children. In fact, that is exactly what God did by directing Solomon and other authors in writing the book of Proverbs. The Ways of Wisdom takes the inspirational writings of Solomon and other authors to lay out and explain the lessons God wants us to learn to live the successful life he intended for us. In this book, I will define the terms used to better explain the teachings that will help you all grow and succeed in life. Like a good Parent who loves their kids and always seeks their best, so it is with God. He is not only the Creator of this amazing universe, but, as its states in Psalms 139:13–16, he is also the Creator of us:
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Knowing God created us, He also has a special plan and purpose for us. For us to live out that plan and purpose, we must follow the instructions he has laid out, or, to put it in navigation terms, we must follow the GPS instructions to arrive at our destination. Most of us don’t have a clue as to our purpose or what we want to accomplish in life. Most people would state that they want to be happy and successful as defined by their terms, but few know how to do that. God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us the steps, guidelines to frame the things that matter most in life, with a lot of freedom to take into consideration all our differences and preferences. For example, my purpose or destination may not be the same as yours, but I can bet we both want to be happy, loved, and successful. Most of the problems we face is because we fail to read the instruction manual on what it takes to succeed in life. There is a reason why the Bible is the most popular and read book of all time.
For those that are skeptical or have limited knowledge, or haven’t even considered reading the book of Proverbs, my hope is you will consider this book as maybe an introduction manual on life. I am hoping that you all will at least test out the instructions given in this book to see if they bring you the things you are searching for or by applying what you learn, provide direction and guidance on areas you previously struggled with. My purpose is to instruct and provide information that will, hopefully, not only entertain but also challenge you all to consider the counsel given in Proverbs. I will prepare you, for many of the instructions