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?

Proverbs 1:8-19

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching… (v. 8) In other words: Listen up! Pay attention! Don’t be one of those fools who despise wisdom and instruction. (v. 7)

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. (v. 10) If that is not good advice, I don’t know what is. It goes hand in hand with Psalm 1:1. In case there is any confusion over what “enticement” might look like, we get a pretty good word picture of plotting an ambush — highway robbery, if you will. And what are the natural consequences for such evil?

[T]hese men lie in wait for their own blood;
they set an ambush for their own lives.
Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.

Proverbs 1:18-19

Although the word picture describes a particular type of crime, the principle is much more general. It really applies to any sin. Whatever the temptation might be, the “prize” is not worth it, and the sin ultimately leads to death.

Proverbs 1:1-7

Today we get the preface to Proverbs. In the first verse we see that King Solomon is the primary author, though we learn later that there are other contributors to this book. We then learn that the purpose and goal of this book is to convey wisdom in its various forms: instruction, understanding, insight, knowledge, prudence, discretion, learning, guidance. But wisdom is not just a goal unto itself; it is directed toward righteousness, justice, and equity. (Pr. 1:3)

Most importantly, we see in Pr. 1:7 that we must begin with the fear of the LORD. The importance of the fear of the LORD is reinforced throughout Proverbs. (See Pr. 1:29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16; 15:33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17.)

We also see that fools despise wisdom and instruction, which sets up a contrasting theme. That is, we see that although the goal of this book is to encourage and cultivate wisdom founded on the fear of the LORD, there are those (i.e., fools) who deliberately choose to reject wisdom. As we look around us today — 3,000 years after this book was written — it is obvious that such fools abound, lacking any fear of the LORD and despising wisdom and instruction. Let’s not be among them; rather, let’s pay heed to what Solomon (and others) had to say. Let’s accept instruction and seek out wisdom, treasuring it and walking in the fear of the LORD.

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Finally, before we get too far into Proverbs, let’s just sort out the difference between knowledge and wisdom:

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Miles Kington

🙂

As you may have noticed from the reading schedule, tomorrow we’ll detour away from the Psalms for a bit and dive into the Book of Proverbs, perhaps the central book of Old Testament “wisdom literature”. The first verse is a bit misleading as it appears to attribute the entire book to King Solomon, but Solomon was not the sole author, as later chapters clearly indicate other authors. (See Prov. 24:23; 30:1; 31:1.) Solomon is nevertheless a driving force for much of this book, and rightly so, as Solomon was famous for his wisdom. (See I Kings 3;4:29-34.)

The majority of the Book of Proverbs consists of, well, proverbs; that is, adages, aphorisms, axioms, maxims — short sayings that present general truth, advice, or life observations. It is important to note that such proverbs should not be taken as prophecies or divine promises. Instead, they provide practical advice for living well — otherwise known as wisdom. For example, take Prov. 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. That is not a promise that if you do a good job as a parent then your child is guaranteed to grow up to be an upstanding citizen. (I am sure we can all find examples of “rogue” offspring.) But it is a call to teach your children well and to set a good example — with the recognition that, for the most part, things will work out better that way. Of course, the other side of the coin is likewise generally true; that is, if a child is neglected or is encouraged toward bad behavior, then he is more likely to become a “ne’er-do-well” as an adult. (Yet we can likely point to exceptions to that, too.)

This month we’ll start on Proverbs with just the first nine chapters, which ironically do not contain many proverbs per se. 🙂 These early chapters instead contain longer passages that extol wisdom in contrast to folly (personifying both as women) and urge the reader (“my son”) to pay attention, to listen to instruction, and to gain wisdom that derives from the fear of the LORD.

Finally, as we read through Proverbs, bear in mind James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

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For a more thorough introduction, see the following (among any number of other resources on the web):

• https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/
• https://www.studylight.org/commentary/proverbs.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Proverbs

Today, verses that are so familiar to us from music and from their use in penitential services. I have a hard time simply reading verses 10-12 without singing them! Verse 15 is another verse that we recognize from liturgical use.

Verses 16-17 spoke to me today: For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. A few days ago I posted that God prefers our prayers of thanksgiving, praise, and asking over our “sacrifices” of service (our time, talent, and treasure). Today we see that He also prefers our broken and contrite hearts to these “burnt offerings” of service. That is, we need to add repentance to our prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and asking.

One other item with reference to verses 16-17. My more liberal academic Study Bible suggested that verses 18 and 19 were added later by “liturgists” who did not want sacrifices of burnt offerings to be so soundly diminished. Interesting…