Pondering the Proverbs

The Psalmist wrote of the blissful man whose:

Delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Some folks associate meditation with the practices of eastern pagan religions. In reality, meditation is nothing more than focusing one’s thoughts on something to gain a better or deeper understanding. It is good to pause in our Bible reading to focus and think about what we have read. I find it productive to ask myself questions about the things I’ve read.

If you have caught up on reading the Book of Proverbs (see last week’s blog), then you may remember the following from chapter 1:

Wisdom shouts in the street,

She lifts her voice in the square. (1:20)

Wisdom is personified as a woman. Why is she shouting? What would that look like if it were taken literally, that is, if a woman actually stood in the streets shouting? (Focus and think.)

In verse 22 Wisdom calls out:

How long, O naïve ones, will you love being simple-minded

And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing

And fools hate knowledge?

What is the relationship between:

• The naïve and simplicity?
• The scoffer and scoffing?
• The fool and knowledge?

What is the difference between the three individuals: the naïve, the scoffer, and the fool? (Ponder.)

The naïve ‘loves,’ the scoffer ‘delights,’ and the fool ‘hates.’ What is the significance of these action words? (Meditate.)

When we pause and ask ourselves questions about the things written, we tend to look more intently at the text. We envision the scene and all the moving parts. It may help us to see connections not seen before, grasp a deeper meaning, remember things more easily, or remember longer.

Simple observation is a part of meditation. What do you remember about Proverbs 2? 

For me it is the ‘path’ chapter. The word path, or a synonym (way, course, or track), appears twelve times. Why is there such repetition? Is there an overarching message or emphasis? If so, what is that message?

Sometimes the text seems to jump off the page with a pattern of thought. It may be a mere poetic device or it may suggest a deeper meaning. Either way, it makes the reader stop and look...and ponder.

Sometimes the text seems to jump off the page because the text does not meet the reader’s expectation. For example, Solomon addressed “my son” numerous times in the first seven chapters, but in 4:1 and 5:7 he addressed, “my sons,” plural. Why? Is there significance? (Think.)

Some questions may be easily answered in the surrounding text. Others may be answered when considering the book as a whole and its repetitive themes. Some questions may go unanswered. Even then, our minds are sharper as we continue to read further in the book, as we re-read, and as we explore other sections of scripture.

Pondering the proverbs is not a science, but rather a simple means of delving more deeply into God’s word. What will you see today!?

Mark Stinnett

December 14, 2025