Proverbs 4:1-9

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction… (v. 1) It has been said that when the Bible repeats something two or three (or more) times, one should take note. Are you beginning to sense, then, that perhaps getting wisdom is important?

When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother… (v. 3) Note that we have here an illustration of two important principles:

1. The author is passing on to his sons (v. 1) what he himself learned from his parents (vv. 4-9), giving us an example of passing wisdom down from one generation to another, generation after generation.
2. The author learned his lessons at a young age, indicating the value of teaching children early.

Teach your children well…

We again see that wisdom is to be loved, prized, and embraced, and that she rewards those who seek her. But I especially like verse 7: The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. That goes to say that the first wise choice is to get wisdom. (That sounds a bit like wishing for more wishes — another wise choice.) No matter what you do, get wisdom!

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On another note…

Assuming that the author really is Solomon, then in verse 3 “my father” is David and “my mother” is Bathsheba. (II Samuel 12:24) Think about that for a minute. Solomon is the product of a relationship that started as the height of folly and sin for David (II Samuel 11). And ultimately Christ descended from that line. One of the strange things about how God works is that He has a way of turning things upside down (or should I say “downside up”?) and bringing good out of evil. (See Romans 8:28.) That is not to say that everything was just dandy for David; there were consequences for his sin, including both the death of the first child and the rebellion of Absalom. (See II Samuel 12:10-14.) And Solomon himself, though blessed with wisdom, failed to heed his own counsel and did not fully walk in the fear of the LORD. (See I Kings 11.) Nevertheless, the Lord turned a very bad scenario around for His own purposes. Were it not for His ability (and willingness) to do so, there would be no redemption for us at all.

Proverbs 3:27-35

Do not…

• Withhold good when you can do it (Pr. 3:27)
• Put off your neighbor when you can provide his due (Pr. 3:28)
• Plan evil against your neighbor (Pr. 3:29)
• Be contentious without cause (Pr. 3:30)
• Envy a man of violence (Pr. 3:31)
• Choose the ways of a man of violence (Pr. 3:31)

In other words, love your neighbor as yourself. (Lev. 19:18; Mt. 22:39; Mk. 12:31; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8)

We can readily see in today’s passage that the way of wisdom is the way of righteousness. The two go hand in hand.

Proverbs 3:19-26

To Fred’s point yesterday, that knowing Jesus is wisdom:

• The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. (v. 19)
• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1,3)

Seeing as how the Word (Greek: “Logos”) is Jesus, and He was intimately involved in Creation, and the Lord founded the earth by wisdom, one might well say that there is at least a strong connection between Jesus and Wisdom. (You might also ponder Pr. 3:20 next to Heb. 1:3.)

In Pr. 3:21-26 we again read of the importance of Wisdom. And again we get a strong sense of protection, security, confidence. Yet the onus is on us: do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion. (v. 21)

Proverbs 3:13-18

Wisdom and understanding — what could be better? Not silver. Not gold. Not jewels. Nothing you desire. She offers long life, riches, honor, pleasantness, and peace. Seriously, what could be better? Only God Himself.

I am left having to ask myself some hard questions. How do I honestly regard wisdom? Do I really think she is worth pursuing? Do I actually seek her out? Do I spend more than a few minutes a day searching diligently for her? Really? Do I?

How about you?

Proverbs 3:9-12

Honor the LORD with your wealth… (v. 9) As I mentioned yesterday, I memorized Pr. 3:9-10 years ago. My guess is that Fred, our treasurer, may have memorized those verses, too. 🙂 While the immediate message may be that one should give financially to the church (and that reward will follow), I think the deeper message is an echo of Pr. 3:5-8; that is, trust in the LORD… without requiring an explanation of how everything will work out, no spreadsheet explaining the budget. (The same can be said for resting on the Sabbath, even when you have a thousand things to do — while our frenetic culture refuses.) Do we trust the Lord enough to part with the firstfruits, those dollars that come in before we see any surplus?

Trust is again hiding in the next two verses, Pr. 3:11-12. To not despise the LORD’s discipline requires that we recognize and trust that the LORD reproves him whom He loves. When we are in the midst of difficult circumstances or suffering, such trust can be a good deal more difficult than the trust it takes to tithe. I think I may need to add these last two verses to my memorization list, too. (And since they are quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6, that will be like a “two-for-one” deal! 🙂 )

Proverbs 3:1-8

The author (Solomon) again urges the reader (“my son”) to attend to his teaching, using language reminiscent of Deuteronomy 11:18-21. Again, intentionality is key: diligence; attentiveness; focus — certainly not apathy.

Long ago (40+ years) I memorized Pr. 3:5-6 (as well as Pr. 3:9-10 from tomorrow’s reading): Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding… These verses capture a core truth, that true wisdom is not a matter of being smart, of information gathering and thorough cost-benefit analysis; rather, true wisdom is found in wholeheartedly trusting in the LORD. I am very glad I memorized these verses, as they have assuredly saved me from many a disaster over the years (despite my inconsistency in heeding them). I didn’t choose those verses on my own, though; they were part of a list of good foundational verses to know. Reading them now again in the broader context of this chapter, I think I’ll add Pr. 3:7-8 to the memorization list:

Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8

Modern English poetry often employs rhyme, repeating similar terminal sounds. We don’t find that in Hebrew poetry; rather, the “rhyming” scheme is to repeat or restate a thought or idea (or a contrasting idea), not a sound. So Pr. 3:7-8 “rhymes” with Pr. 3:5-6, saying very much the same thing, but I especially like the image of “healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” I need to burn that in.

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By the way, I strongly encourage memorization of Scripture, to let the Word of God soak in, first into our minds, but ultimately into our hearts. As we go through these readings, pick out some verses each week and commit them to memory. You will not regret it: do not forget my teaching… (v. 1)

Proverbs 2:16-22

Today we see another example of how wisdom offers deliverance: So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words… (v. 16) This example illustrates both forms of protection that I mentioned yesterday. First, with wisdom one can recognize and choose to avoid seduction in the first place. Then, having avoided the seduction, one avoids committing adultery. So wisdom protects both ways, against being the victim and against being the culprit.

But this example does not just illustrate wisdom’s protection; it is a clear indication of the wise path. Listen to how strongly Solomon warns against sexual sin, painting a dark picture of its consequences:

For her house sinks down to death,
and her paths to the departed;
none who go to her come back,
nor do they regain the paths of life.

Proverbs 2:18-19

The wise choice, then, is to steer clear and avoid that trap. Wisdom offers a better path, with better consequences:

So you will walk in the way of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
For the upright will inhabit the land,
and those with integrity will remain in it,
but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 2:20-22

Wisdom points toward goodness, righteousness, and integrity, all of which are rewarded, while wickedness and treachery are condemned. But we must be careful in our interpretation here. As we saw in our study of Job, this life does not always work out so tidily. Some things work out only in eternity, and in that context, wisdom — resulting in righteousness — remains the best course of action.

Proverbs 2:9-15

As Fred indicated yesterday, today’s reading continues describing the benefits of seeking (and gaining) wisdom: Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path… (v. 9)

One thing that strikes me in both yesterday’s and today’s readings is the notion of God’s protection coming through wisdom. We read words like “shield”, “guard”, “deliver”, “watch over”. (See Prov. 2:7,8,11,12.) One form of protection that wisdom provides is to keep the wise out of bad situations so that they do not become the victims of evil. For example, we are advised to lock our doors, and heeding that advice can prevent (or at least deter) burglary. But there is another form of protection that wisdom offers (and this is what really strikes me): wisdom guards against becoming the perpetrator of evil. And that is far more important.

Proverbs 2:1-8

Wisdom. Insight. Understanding.

How does the author regard these things? With complacency? Passivity? Not at all! Do these things “just happen”? Do they just appear out of nowhere? No! The author makes it very clear that wisdom, insight, and understanding require intentionality. They are to be attended to, searched for, asked for. They are to be sought out diligently, as for treasure. Only then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (v. 5)

Can we honestly say that we share the author’s perspective? Do we seek [understanding] like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures? (v. 4) I’d like to say, “Yes. All the time.” But a more accurate answer would be, “Kind of. Occasionally.” I think I have some work to do…

Gladly, the LORD is the ultimate Source of wisdom, and with it He provides protection:

For the LORD gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a Shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of His saints.

Proverbs 2:5-8

That is where I want to be. How about you?

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice… (v. 20) Here we are introduced to the personification of Wisdom, a woman calling in the streets and markets, trying to get the attention of the “simple ones”, scoffers, and fools. And she has some good news: If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. (v. 23) That is, Wisdom is freely available to all who are willing to turn to her. Just turn away from loving being simple, turn away from delighting in scoffing, turn away from hating knowledge. Accept her reproof, and she will pour out [her] spirit. But then she has some bad news: she won’t wait forever; since the unwise refuse to listen now, she won’t be available to help later. (Prov. 1:24-31)

It is fairly clear that Wisdom does not expect many (if any) to heed her and to turn away from their present course toward destruction. And that is entirely consistent with what Jesus says:

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:13-14

The question for each of us, though, is not how much of the general populace “out there” is (or will be) wise or foolish. The question is, “Will I heed Wisdom’s call?”

For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.

Proverbs 1:32-33

Note that the issue here is not a matter of one’s IQ, but of one’s will. It is a choice. Will I listen, or will I refuse? Will I humble myself and choose the fear of the LORD (v. 29)? Will I heed or ignore Wisdom’s counsel? How about you?