Proverbs 1 - Seven Characters
In Proverbs 1 Solomon introduces three main themes: Knowledge, Wisdom, and Correction. These three words eventually become the framework for the whole book of Proverbs as well as provide the definition for four important characters.
In chapter 1 verses 1-6, we are introduced to the simple, the youth, the wise, and the discerning. The listing of these characters are in sequential order and are progressive in their stages of moral and spiritual maturity. The simple becomes a youthful, knowledgeable person if they heed correction and the youthful, knowledgeable person can become wise if they continue to gain knowledge, and the wise person will become discerning if they hear, obey, and put into practice what they’ve been learning. The discerning has the greatest ability to discern between good and evil, but only if they are willing to pay the price demanded of seeking out wise and discerning counsel. They go the extra mile to obtain wisdom and discernment.
A story comes to mind that I think will illustrate this idea well. When I first met my dentist I had broken a back molar in half. It was the night before flying to London to do a recording and the pain was unbearable. The case looked hopeless as it was noon on a Sunday and I was out of state! Who could I call? I called my secretary and asked if there were any dentists on our customer list that practiced in western NY. Surprisingly, she found one. She gave me the phone number and I called and he actually answered! Only God could have arranged this. He told me that he would meet me at his office at 2 pm. What kind of dentist takes a call on a Sunday and is willing to see a patient no less?It didn’t matter…I was in a lot of pain and there was no way I would be able to travel to London for the recording unless I saw someone.
When I arrived, I met a dentist who was far from a poor, penniless beginner. His walls were lined with more framed degrees than I had ever seen before! Walking down his hallway was like walking down a hall of fame. His office was organized and pristine…this was not any ordinary dentist. And to think that he was willing to see me on a Sunday afternoon…just wow.
When I sat in the dentist chair and he began to repair the cracked tooth, he verbally walked me through each step. He didn’t have an assistant so he had to do both jobs. And to top it off he treated me like I was royalty. The pain was gone and the tooth was like new. I was amazed. Before I left I asked him about all of the degrees and awards posted on his walls. He then shared how he had traveled to Europe when he finished college to be mentored by several world-renowned dentists that he had read about.
He became an intern at his own cost and gained the dental foundation that he had been searching for—and has been building upon that foundation ever since. I usually hate going to the dentist. But this time I felt calm throughout. Why? I had complete confidence in him. He had gained such mastery skills that I was able to trust him and now 10 years later, with two implants and several other dental visits, I continue to trust him.
I will never forget what he said about helping to make his clients feel relaxed. He said that he tries to treat each patient as if it were Jesus himself in that chair. A dentist like this is a once-in-a-lifetime find. And I share this story because he defines what it means to be the fourth person on this list of characters—discerning. Discerning people like him pay a price to get where they are and as a result of their sacrifice, they have earned the title of Doctor—one who has wisdom and discernment—a master of their craft.
As we revisit the text, we see in verse 7 two more characters. The fool, who despises wisdom and correction, and later in verses 22-24, the mocker, who delights in his mocking. In total, we are introduced to six characters—with the son, whom the father is teaching, being the seventh character. Throughout this story he has to choose which person he will endeavor to become. Similarly, all people will become one of these characters.
Let’s define each: the simple are easily enticed, gullible, thoughtless, and naive. The simple are given many opportunities to turn from their simple ways and pursue knowledge and wisdom by accepting and embracing correction. If they won’t heed correction, they will turn toward becoming a mocker and eventually end up as a fool. The mocker according to verse 22, delights in his mocking. The reason a mocker delights in their mocking is because it covers their insecurity. Their absence of knowledge and discernment causes them to be vulnerable so they mock to avoid shame and blame. They try to protect themselves by putting others down and treating the weak and innocent shamefully.
In verse 22 we read that mockers delight in their mocking. They get to a point in their hardened condition where they actually enjoy their mocking spirit. It has become their identity. The fool, different than a mocker, has graduated in a sense. He despises wisdom and correction according to verse 7.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and correction.”
A fool is incorrigible and uncorrectable. Furthermore, verse 22 states that they hate knowledge. The hating of knowledge shows that they don’t possess any fear of the LORD which is the beginning of knowledge.
In conclusion, Proverbs starts by introducing these six characters, with the son being the seventh. The son now is introduced to 12 Wisdom lessons. And with that said, I think I’ll continue this on the next blog post. Stay tuned…these 12 wisdom lessons are game-changers!
