Christians are meant to be kings and queens, growing and expanding Christ’s dominion over the world. This is a great challenge, and it requires wisdom. This is where Proverbs comes in. The book of Proverbs was written by a king for his son, but the principles found in this book are for everyone--for we are all sons and daughters of the greatest King. Pastor Jared Longshore walks through the wisdom found in Proverbs and points to the ways we can apply this wisdom to our own lives today. Perfect both for young people establishing their households and older folks who want to rule their households more wisely, this book will send you back to Proverbs, hungry to get wisdom.
Helpful summary of the principles of Proverbs, began to feel a bit repetitive towards the end but that could be due to the nature of the book of Proverbs itself rather than Longshore's approach. Central theme that God's ways are the ways of reality itself, the proper standards for all of life and how life was designed to be...to go against any of God's principles is to go against the established and optimal means of living. Longshore infuses his walk through Proverbs in the gospel of Jesus, tying together intentional obedience with reliance on the blood-bought righteousness of Christ.
Solid book on Proverbs. I wish he had done all of the proverbs (he does the first nine chapters, and a smattering of other chapters). But the insights were great and I used it for my sermon series on Proverbs. Recommended
Interestingly, I read this alongside a second reading of Jordan Peterson's Rules for Life. Peterson is quoted by the author, which is welcome, but he also contrasts strongly. Peterson has so much wisdom (from God via natural law, and others like him), but in lacking Christ as the logos who holds all together and God as the reason life has meaning, his wisdom has not the life that you will find in this book.
The book itself is full of wisdom, the wisdom of one who has spent long hours absorbing the Proverbs. Excellent.
I have been wanting to read a book like this for a while. A beautiful synthesis of what Scripture says on wisdom and fearing the Lord. Highly recommended.
As a whole, this book, "Wisdom for Kings & Queens" is a very insightful book and one that many young people (and older people) would find helpful. It is, in essence, a very practical writing related to the book of Proverbs. Longshore's writing is clear and easy to read as he develops a solid argument for the importance of wisdom for life. He writes of how wisdom (true Biblical wisdom) will deliver the young person and challenges the young person to get serious about wisdom. He writes about how sexual sin, as highlighted in Proverbs, will kill a person, noting the foolishness of giving in to such temptation. He challenges the reader to embrace wisdom instead of the seductress and bolsters his points with a couple of chapters on the importance of wisdom for navigating life's challenges and temptations. Longshore also writes about justice, honesty, preparation for and victory in the day of adversity, as well as the problems with concealing one's sin. Lastly, he writes of the glories of being a woman who fears the Lord, ending his book with a challenge to the reader, both female and male, young and old, to grow in the fear of the Lord.
I'm still learning Jared's voice. Not his literal voice—I think I'd be able to pick that out in a crowd, and I cannot imagine hearing too much of it—but his authorial/pastoral voice. So it's good to have a book like this to help me practice.
Great overview of the teaching of Proverbs. I especially appreciated his take on how a Proverbs 31 woman's home-based ministry may overflow into more public settings. I've had weird arguments with people who think every Christian woman who pokes her head out of her front door to speak to anyone but her own children is on the slippery slope to Beth Mooredom. (I might be overstating it, but only slightly.) E.g., the generally sound fellow who retweeted a Rachel Jankovic webinar promo, saying, "This won't end well." If I run into this sort of thing again, I'll just point to Jared's book and walk away, shaking my head at such silliness.
“Ladies, evil men have told you that your most important beauty is external. Evil men have said that growing old is nothing but a drag. Evil men have told you that working quietly with your hands in your home is unfulfilling and unimportant. Evil men will corruptly affirm you when you are in a dangerous way rather than speak loving words of honest correction. Evil husbands twist scripture to rule harshly over their wives. That’s what weak willed, abdicating, perverted men do. But if you get the fear of The Lord and the wisdom that comes from Him, you will be delivered from the sick speech of evil men.”
A simple walk through of Proverbs, with plain explanations to help it sink in. Sometimes a sentence would feel a little too bold and oversimplified, possibly wrong, but it would move on too quickly to clarify or be too misunderstood.
Convicting book. Thorough exploration of the book of proverbs in a manner directly applicable to the family unit. Very big blessing for me and my family. To God be the glory!
As expected with Jared Longshore, this is a “meat and potatoes” approach to one of the most-used and least-understood books of the Bible: Proverbs. Longshore walks the reader all the way through the book, outlining the principles each step of the way in a way that is faithful to Scripture and helpful to one in our current culture. No flash, no commentary, just good application! As someone who rarely dives deep into Proverbs, I appreciated this book.
What wisdom is laid out and displayed here? Jared is in fact a person who has come to the realization that wisdom is not possible without fear of the Lord. Why should bible-believers read a book that spoonfeeds them biblical wisdom? It is a sad fact that we do not seek wisdom the way scripture urges us to do so. We must seek wisdom from the Lord. We must seek that wisdom with all our hearts open on display. As we recognize that this wisdom is what we need, this book is the ideal guide to what we should experience in our hearts. As usual, Jared does not miss the opportunity to bring us closer to Christ's love and what he did for us on the cross. Biblical wisdom requires biblical thinking and discernment. Why do we ignore the pages of wisdom in the book written by wisdom Himself? Well, sin. We are sinful we are so far from the wisdom of God. Yet! God says His wisdom is all the more wonderful when we seek it. We seek his wisdom and he delivers! Amazing! Furthermore, I hold this book and author so dear to my heart because of the love and kindness Jared has shown me. He showed such biblical love and pastoral care to me as soon as I was diagnosed with cancer. I am so thankful for this wise man and his years of seeking God's wisdom.
This was a very practical and easy to read book. I love the straightforwardness portrayed on the proverbs covered in this book. At times it did seem a little repetitive but it’s probably a good thing…sometimes the truth and wisdom needs to be repeated and explained in several different ways that are somewhat similar to gain more perspective and concrete truths further in our minds and hearts.
Phenomenal book! “If you would live well, then you must have the fear of the Lord. That’s what Proverbs teaches us about the fear of God” This book helps teach through the Proverbs what that means, looks like, how to attain it and the fruit to be reaped from it.
Anyone searching for wisdom in these dark days would do well to read this short book on Proverbs! Every chapter ends with an admonition to seek Christ, to know him, and to love Him since He is the one “in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3)
Excellent. Longshore surveys Proverbs. He unpacks the biblical book of Proverbs, applies it in real-world application, and simultaneously demonstrates the folly of suppressing and rejecting the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of knowledge.
Exceptional! Wisdom is precious and should be sought after like the precious jewel it is. Jared Longshore does a splendid job showing the need for wisdom and the foolishness that comes with the pursuit of folly
This was a pretty interesting read. I’ve never done any extensive reading on Proverbs, so much of it was helpful. I’m not sure the audiobook format was the best for it. I got sidetracked very easily while listening. I liked how he pointed to Christ being wisdom itself in every chapter!
I really enjoyed this accessible read on wisdom as found in Proverbs. The examples are relevant to all walks of life and encouragement for how to live in the times you may find yourself. Above all else, get the fear of the Lord and seek after the knowledge and wisdom that He provides.
Really good stuff. Made me realize I should be spending way more time in Proverbs.
The author’s tone and style both fit the subject matter really well. Not overly formal or verbose, but straight-to-the-point, matter-of-fact, and practical.
I used this for my sermon series through the Proverbs. It had some great application, as it was more of a devotional book than a commentary. I think when my girls get a little older, it'll be something I could read through with them to expound some of the Proverbs teaching a little more.
Commentary on Proverbs. Nothing wrong with it, but wasn’t my favorite read. In a lot of ways, I felt like just reading Proverbs would have been more helpful. I do see how this could be helpful in different season of life.
Honest, practical, and deeply piercing, Longshore puts our foolishness into words and teaches us to be wise - by loving Jesus Christ. An intensely practical and spiritual book, will read again.