1 Peter 1:1 says, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  First, Peter identifies himself as an apostle of Christ, then he identifies those he is writing to.  We should always identify ourselves as Christians, or followers of Christ.  We should also know who we are talking to, whether they are fellow believers or not.  We do not have to share the gospel with someone who already accepts it,but we can still share the results of living by faith.  Of course, we need to share the gospel with the lost.  Verse two states, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  This pretty much lays out the gospel.  God knew before creation that there would need to be a way to salvation, and He sanctifies it through the work of the Holy Spirit once we accept the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  Verse three proclaims, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  We, like Peter, should praise God for His abundant mercy for allowing us to be born again through our faith in Christ.  We should have a lively hope.  We do not have to question our everlasting relationship with God once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  Verse four adds,  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  The promise of our everlasting relationship with God cannot be stated more clearly.  It is incorruptible, undefiled, and will never fade away.  Salvation is ours forever, and we will fully enjoy it in heaven.  Verse five concludes, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  The reason we can be certain of our everlasting salvation is because once we accept Christ as our Savior, then God Himself keeps us as His by His power.  We never can earn or keep salvation by our own power, but it is a free gift of God, secured by our faith in Him.  Verse six declares, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  We are called on to rejoice in our salvation, even if we are suffering in this world.  Though we may have manifold temptations, we are to remain strong and rejoice in our faith.  Verse seven adds, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  Though our faith may be tried by fire, if we remain true to God it will only be purified.  We are to remain true to our faith in Christ until we die or He returns.  Verse eight continues, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  Though we, like those Peter was writing to, have not physically seen Jesus, we believe in Him as our Savior and Lord, if we have accepted Him by faith. Because of this, we should be filled with unspeakable joy.  Verse nine concludes, Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  The end of faith in Christ will always be the salvation of our souls.  Anything beyond that is simply a bonus.  Verse ten says, Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  Salvation through Christ was not some new or secondary plan, but was in place from the time of creation.  The Old Testament prophets looked ahead to the coming of Christ.  They prophesied of the grace of God to come.  Verse eleven adds, Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  These prophets testified even before His coming about the suffering that Christ would endure.  Then verse twelve concludes, Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.  The Old Testament prophets never saw the fulfillment of their prophecies, but all those who have come after Christ have.  The Old Testament pointed to the coming of Christ, and the New Testament points to His accomplishing salvation for all who accept Him and to His return.  We, as followers of Christ, are to hold firm to our faith and rejoice in our salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Also, in Proverbs, we learn to listen to and obey our parents.  I believe this refers to parents who follow the teachings of God, but to the best of our ability we are to always love our parents, even if they are basically unloving towards us.  We love and treat them with respect because of who we are, if we are followers of Christ.  Of course, if we aren't, then we are not going to be guided by God's teachings anyway.  Another thing that we learn is God expects us to be honest in our relationship to others, whether they are in a position over us or below us.  We can never justify cheating the rich because they have so much and we have so little.  Neither can we justify doing as little as possible for those that we work for, but as followers of Christ, we are to work in such a way as to bring honor and glory to Him.  Neither can we justify cheating those who are below us, the poor and those who may work for us, just because we are in a position of power over them.  The book of Proverbs also calls on us to be good citizens.  As long as the government, or those in power, does not come between God and us, we are to obey the law.  We cannot follow God and cheat on our taxes, for example.  We can never glorify God by choosing to ignore the law, unless it affects our ability to follow God's law.  We also learn that material things do not determine whether or not we are following God.  We are not promised material blessings simply because we are followers of Christ.  As a matter of fact, the opposite may be more true.  Nor are people necessarily followers of Christ simply because they are poor.  To be a follower of Christ, we cannot allow material things to control us.  We are also warned against being controlled by sexual desires or alcohol, which often occur together.  Finally, we are to be diligent in our relationship to God and at work to advance His kingdom.  These are but a few of the things we can learn from Proverbs.  Next, we will look at the book of 1 Peter.

What have we learned from Proverbs?  The first thing that we can say is that true knowledge and understanding come only from God.  No matter how intelligent or educated we may be, if we deny God and His laws we are but a fool, which we know God defines as anyone who denies Him.  We will never find wisdom through gaining the material things of this world, and gaining them will not prove that we are wise.  Solomon, one of the richest and wisest men in the eyes of the world at that time attempted to find the meaning of life through every pleasure imaginable and declared them to all be vanities, or nothing.  He concluded that only knowledge of and obedience to God mattered, and so must we if we are to become God's children.  Though this may be stated more clearly in the book of Ecclesiastes, it is still expressed in Proverbs.  We next learned that God expects us to help the poor.  This is repeated so many times that we cannot see it as an optional thing.  Just as God has mercy on the poor, so must we.  I don't believe that God ever expects His people to live in luxury and ignore the poor.  If we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God, then we have to acknowledge that the way we use what we have should be directed by God.  We cannot just look down on the poor with disdain, but must look at them with compassion guided by God's love.  Also, we learn that we are not to hate anyone, even those that may hate or wish to harm us.  Just as God loved us even when we hated or attempted to deny Him, we are to share with everyone the love of God.  If we hate them, we will be unwilling to do this.  We also learn that God expects those who are His followers to be productive and not to just sit idly by while someone else provides for their needs.  We should know that God always has a purpose for those who follow Him, no matter how rich or poor we may be and we should be busy accomplishing that purpose.

Proverbs 31:10 says, Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  I believe that this is more a rhetorical question.  This implication is not that a virtuous woman cannot be found, but who would know enough to look for one.  Such a woman is of more value than any precious stone.  Verse eleven states, The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  This is a very simple statement.  Her husband can trust her without worry.  Verse twelve adds, She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  A virtuous woman will do what is good for her husband as long as she lives.  She will not suddenly be looking around for someone who might be better, nor will she do anything just to hurt her husband.  Verse thirteen states, She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  We don't have a lot of weaving going on today, but we can say that the virtuous woman insures that her family is well clothed to the best of her ability.  Verse fourteen says, She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  The virtuous woman will do what she must to see that her family is fed well.  Verse fifteen adds, She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  She is not only concerned with her family, but with those who work for her as well.  Verse sixteen states, She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She is capable of conducting business wisely in addition to taking care of her family and home.  (I don't believe that this means that she must do everything, but that she can do so and does so willingly.)  Verse seventeen proclaims, She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  I believe this means that she not only takes care of others, but she takes care of herself as well.  Verse eighteen states, She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  The virtuous woman knows when merchandise is good, and she doesn't allow darkness to rule her home.  Verse nineteen states, She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  Once more, we don't make our own cloth as a general rule, but we can again say that she does what she needs to in order to ensure that her family is well clothed.  Verse twenty declares, She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  The virtuous woman reaches out to the poor and needy out of compassion.  Verse twenty-one says, She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She doesn't worry about cold weather, because she has her family prepared for it.  Verse twenty-two states, She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  I believe this would mean that she makes her house look as nice and be as comfortable as possible.  Verse twenty-three says, Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  Her husband is known and looked up to by those he encounters.  Verse twenty-four says, She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  I believe we can say that she engages in work that brings money into the home.  Again, I don't believe that this means that a virtuous woman must do everything, but instead that she willingly does everything she can to help her family.  Verse twenty-five declares, Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  This doesn't say she will be clothed in riches, but in strength and honor.  I believe this is because the virtuous woman first does what God directs her to do.  Verse twenty-six says, She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  In order to speak with true wisdom, she must know God in a personal relationship, then He will lead her to show kindness to others.  Verse twenty-seven states, She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  She is diligent in caring for her family and home, and does not just sit idly by while things go undone.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Her family respects her.  I believe this is the highest accomplishment in this lifetime.  Verse twenty-nine declares, Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  I don't believe that this was speaking about any particular woman, but means any woman who lives a virtuous life.  Verse thirty declares, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Beauty and worldly praise are fleeting at best, but being obedient to God brings everlasting rewards.  Verse thirty-one concludes, Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.  This is the most someone could ask for.

Proverbs 31:10 asks, Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  I don't believe that this implies that there are few virtuous women, but is more a rhetorical question.  How many men look for a virtuous woman would be more the implication, or how many men finding one recognize her value.  We are to look beyond appearances and look to the character of a woman.  Verse eleven states, The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  A husband can trust a wife who is virtuous.  He need never wonder if she is doing something that will harm their relationship.  Verse twelve proclaims, She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  Her actions will not be just a one time or sometime thing, but will last a lifetime.  She will always do what is best for her husband and family.  Verse thirteen says, She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  We may not have a lot of weaving going on today, but we can say that a virtuous wife will do all that is necessary to ensure that her family is clothed well.  Verse fourteen states, She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  Just as she does whatever she needs to do to clothe her family, she does the same to see that they are fed properly, even if she has to go out of her way to do so.  Verse fifteen states, She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  I realize that this is not what we often expect today, but a wife and mother should be willing to work long days to ensure that her family is properly cared for.  I believe that we should acknowledge that these are not things that a woman is required to do, but that these are things that a virtuous women will want to do.  (Of course, the husband and father should likewise put his wife and family above himself and do everything he can to help her and them.)  Verse sixteen says, She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  We see that she is more than just a housewife.  She wisely considers, buys, and utilizes things that will help her family.  Though we are no longer an agricultural nation in America, the concept would apply to doing those things necessary to improve the family situation.  Verse seventeen proclaims, She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  This tells us that a virtuous women is not concerned simply with looking good, but will do what she must to use her strength to help provide for her family.  Verse eighteen says, She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  She will make sure that what she buys is good, and that she has enough of the necessities to last through the night.  Verse nineteen states, She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  Again, we don't really spin cloth anymore, as a general rule, but I believe that we can say that she does what she must to keep the family clothed.  Verse twenty proclaims, She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  A virtuous woman is not just concerned with her family, but has compassion on the poor and needy as well.  This does not say that she simply helps them if they come to her, but that she reaches out to them.  Verse twenty-one says, She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  She isn't afraid of cold weather, because she has her family clothed and prepared for it.  Verse twenty-two states, She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  Not only does the virtuous women provide for her family's needs, she provides for her own as well.  I don't believe that this means that she is vain about her looks, showing off, but that she simply wants to look her best.  Verse twenty-three states, Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  Her husband is well thought of, and is looked up too.  He sits among the elders, or those who rule over the people.  Verse twenty-four says, She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  Once more, this speaks of more than being just a wife and mother.  She helps provide for the family income.  I don't believe that this means that a wife and mother should do it all, but that she will willingly do everything she can to help her family.  Verse twenty-five declares, Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  I believe that this implies that she is strong in her faith in God, and because of this she will be honored by God,, and hopefully by her family and friends.  Verse twenty-six says, She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  A virtuous woman speaks with wisdom and kindness.  This pretty much eliminates gossip and unkind words.  Verse twenty-seven adds, She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  I believe this has already been stated in all the things she is said to do.  There is no room for idleness.  Verse twenty-eight proclaims, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  She is loved and cherished by her family, I believe not so much because of what she does, but because of her character.  Verse twenty-nine concludes, Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  I don't believe this was speaking of a particular woman, but of any woman who lives a virtuous life dedicated to God and her family.  Verse thirty says, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  If a woman lives just to please those around her and to look good while doing so, she will find these things to last but briefly.  True beauty comes from following God's will, and it is neither physical nor temporary.  Verse thirty-one proclaims, Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.  I guess in today's society we might say these traits are outdated, but when done under God's guidance, even if they must be updated to really have meaning today, they are still God's guiding principles.  When a woman lives by these guidelines, she is due praise.

Proverbs 31:1 says, The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.  Matthew Henry says that most think that Lemuel was Solomon, and maybe the name was an affectionate name that his mother called him.  Whether Solomon, or another king, we accept that the One Who inspired the words is God.  The writer says that these are things his mother taught him, and mothers, especially Christian mothers, should teach their children the values of God.  Verse two asks, What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?  I believe this is just a call for the son to listen, based on the fact that she is his mother.  We should always listen when our mothers give us instruction.  As Matthew Henry says, it can also mean that she was questioning some of the king's actions.  Verse three declares, Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.  The king is warned against giving away his strength to women.  This is a warning against giving away one's character, or strength, chasing after things that could ultimately destroy a king, or even an ordinary person.  Verse four says, It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:  I believe this is a warning against being drunk.  Those in power should never allow their decisions to be influenced by alcohol, or any other mind altering substance.  Verse five tells us this, stating, Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.  Again, too much wine can alter a person's judgment, so those in power should never allow themselves to be controlled by it.  Verse six states, Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.  I believe that this means that strong wine or strong drinks should be used for medicinal purposes.  If someone is about to die or is very depressed, it may help them.  Still, we are not to become reliant on alcohol or drugs to relieve our heavy hearts.  Verse seven says, Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.  This is still referring to those near death or in extreme mental anguish.  Of course, it could mean that when people are drunk, they tend to forget everything else.  Verse eight says, Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  Then verse nine continues, Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.  Kings, or rulers, should speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.  They are to judge righteously and defend the poor and needy.  The same is required by God for all those who follow Him.

Proverbs 30:17 says, The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.  I believe that this means that those who do not honor their parents will ultimately pay a price for not doing so.  It is not so much about the parents deserving honor or respect as it is about the child's attitude.  Verse eighteen states, There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:  Then verse nineteen adds, The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.  Some things are unpredictable.  When an eagle is in flight, we don't know which way it will go, the same as with a serpent on a rock.  A ship, in the time this was written, was dependent on the wind for its direction and could often be driven off course.  I believe the way of a man with a maid means the way that he will treat her.  Verse twenty says, Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.  Though this speaks of a woman, I believe that we can just as easily apply it to men as well.  Some people feel that they have done nothing wrong if they commit adultery.  This seems to be especially true in the world today.  Verse twenty-one states, For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:  Then verse twenty-two adds, For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;  Then verse twenty-three concludes, For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.  These three verses speak of four things that disquiet, or cause problems in,  the world.  The first is a servant who somehow feels that he or she should rule over his or her Master.  We could say employee to employer instead of servant and master.  The next is a fool when full of food.  When their needs are met, foolish people, or those who do not acknowledge God, are even more difficult to reach with God's word.  Next is a woman who is hard to get along with being even worse after she is married.  Finally, the servant who inherits the estate of the master through making Him or her self seem indispensable.  Verse twenty-four says, There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:   Verse twenty-five adds, The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;   Verse twenty-six continues, The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;  Then verse twenty-seven adds, The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;   Then verse twenty-eight concludes, The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.  These are simple animals that act wisely, which is more than can always be said of people.  We need to learn to be as diligent as they are.  Of course, we need to do this under the leadership of God.  Verse twenty-nine says, There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:  Verse thirty adds, A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;  Then verse thirty-one concludes, A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.  These three verses speak of powerful things that hard to overcome.  A lion does not turn aside from other animals, a greyhound is nearly impossible to catch, and a male goat will rule his flock.  Then, there is the king who is so powerful that none will challenge him.  Matthew Henry says that this means that we are to be strong in our faith, fast to share the gospel, protective of our families, and most of all, submissive to the will of God, our great King.  Verse thirty-two states, If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.  If we are tempted to exalt ourselves or have evil thoughts, we are to at least keep ourselves from speaking these things.  We may not be able to completely control our thoughts, but we can control our speech.  Verse thirty-three says, Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.  Somethings just bring obvious results, and the one we really need to understand is that when we act out of wrath, or anger, we are going to cause strife.  We, as followers of Christ, are called on to always act out of love and concern for others.