A Proverb a Day

Do you remember the old saying, “An apple a day, keeps the Doctor away?”

Have you heard this one? “A Proverb a day, keeps the devil away.”

Those are just some fun sayings, but there is truth to both.

It’s November 1, 2022. I’m reading Proverbs 1 along with my other daily Bible reading. I’ve done this over and over again and each time, something new pops out to me.

Today, Proverbs 1:33 stuck out. “But whoever listens to me dwells safely, and is at ease from the dread of evil.”

The Hebrew for listen is Strong’s #8095 “shama”. I couldn’t help but think of the Hebrew word for hear, in Deuteronomy 6, because they are so similar, “shema”. Shama/Shema both mean listen, hear, obey…but what we don’t know in our Greco-modern English minds is that shama/shema, is an action. The Hebrews would know this word doesn’t just mean listen or hear, but do what is being said. It’s a call to action. Whatever the author is saying, requires you to hear and obey.

It was so fitting, for the first of the 31 Proverbs in our Bibles, to start with the verses it does. I encourage you to read the whole chapter for yourself, but below are the main words or phrases that jumped off the pages to me.

“Wisdom - Understanding - Discipline - Wise one hears - Fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge - Do not forsake the Torah - I make my words known to you”

The first chapter of Proverbs is filled with words that require us to read, listen, and obey. When we learn to think Hebraically we know that means with action. The book of Proverbs isn't some cute little sayings we can put inside fortune cookies or make fun memes out of, they are meant to lead us to all wisdom, understanding, and truth that places us on the path of sanctification toward Abba, Father.

“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of YHWH they did not accept my counsel, they despised all my reproof. Therefore let them eat the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own counsels.” Proverbs 1:29-31

We are given free will and the choice to choose if we want to trust and obey YHWH Elohim, Creator God. He writes out His glory all around us. If we learn to discipline ourselves through studying His Word and take the time to slow down and listen we can actually hear His voice in the midst of the day-to-day chaos of life.

These Proverbs are filled with little nuggets of blessings and can help lead us to lives of abundance. First, we must choose to read them and then apply what we have read. When we do this, we are inviting the Almighty God, El Shaddai, into our day and letting Him know that no matter what we think, we choose His will for our lives, in that very moment. Then, we get the chance to apply what we read and do what He says when the opportunities arise each day going forward.

In order to hide YHWH's Word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11) and use His Word as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 110:105), we must take the time to read through the Bible and study each and every page in that book. If our purpose and agenda is to get through it as quick as we can in order to check off a box, then we are just reading a book and probably shouldn't expect much to happen in our lives, if we aren't willing to put in the time, on our end.

If we want to experience the supernatural power of His Word being alive, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) then we must get to know our Messiah through the Scriptures. Yahusha (Jesus) was quite literally the Word that became flesh and dwelt among them (John 1:14). Our Messiah coming down to the earth and embodying the very Scriptures that we are able to hold in our hands and read every day made a way so that the Words on those pages can be more than just history and stories in an ancient book, He invites us to listen and hear the messages that were written thousands of years ago. Now that we know what listen/hear means in the original Hebrew, we know it is more than just a daily box check. He wants us to live out what we read.

Shema - Hear....Do....

I pray this blesses you and reminds you to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word, as well.

Be blessed. Seek YHWH. Share the truth.

Ashley Austin

“notmessmama”