The Gift of Wisdom and Understanding

The eighth chapter of proverbs is rife with the imagery of wisdom. It speaks of wisdom standing and calling out.. and of understanding raising her voice. It speaks of knowledge, instruction and wisdom as being better than fine metals and gems.. as things that are priceless because they are given by God.

"Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (v10-11)

I find wisdom and understanding to be interesting commodities.. sometimes we seek them out and they seem to be nowhere to be found.. and often they present themselves at the oddest times. Like the Holy Spirit wisdom and understanding are things which we flow with as they are revealed to us.. as we navigate through life seeking the Lord these gifts are often simply manifested to us as we need them.. it is like the only way to get them is to not seek them but seek their source.. you know.. seek God.

"The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate."(v13)

In this verse we see a definition of what it means to fear the Lord. I want this verse to mean that I am to hate the evil in you.. but I suspect it means that if I fear the Lord I will hate and subsequently refuse the lure of evil in my life. I think that humility is the key to this kind of fear.

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." (v17)

I am glad that this speaks about wisdom and not about God.. i.e. God's love is not conditional on us loving Him. This verse does seem to contradict what I just wrote about wisdom and how we are not being able to find it when we seek it.. I don't think that is the case.. let me explain. In chapter 12 of 1Corinthians wisdom and knowledge are spoken of as a gifts of the Holy Spirit.. as such it is foolish to chase after these gifts because we are to pursue the Giver and not the gifts.

"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways." (v32) "For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord" (v35)

I think that it is always good to remember that there is a blessing to seeking the Lord.. and often one of those blessings is the gift of wisdom.

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Sins of a Weak Heart

The seventh chapter of proverbs is focused entirely on the temptations and consequences of sexual sin. It is so compelling to consider that Solomon, one of the wisest of all men, thought it so important to drill this information into the mind and heart of his son in so many psalms.

"Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend” (v4)

I have often said that wisdom is an inner quality.. something that only your heart or innermost being can possess. The mind is a great tool for accumulating and assimilating information but it is not equipped to lead you in wise and insightful ways. It takes a humble heart to navigate life. It takes a strong heart to defeat sexual sin. And it is good to remember that a strong heart comes only from pumping spiritual iron.

"I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense"(v7)

In this verse we see the definition of a fool.. one who is simple and lacking in sense about the consequences of sexual sin. The remainder of the chapter is an indictment against such fools.

"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life." (v21-23)

Throughout the psalm Solomon weaves imagery like those of these verses in warning that the path of sexual sin is the way of death. In each psalm I have considered so far Solomon has warned his son to keep himself sexually pure.. it is like he wants his son to escape the heartbreak and death that this kind of sin has wreaked on his own life.

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The Wisdom of Ants

In the sixth chapter of proverbs we read some dire warnings and admonitions about co-signing loans, laziness, inner sins and sexual immorality. We are instructed to be wise in our dealings with others.. to prepare for our futures.. to deal with the inner defects in our lives.. and to flee sexual temptations. We would do well to take these to heart.

"My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler." (v1-5)

What a graphic image of a bird caught in a trap. I have often heard that partnerships are very difficult because of the level of trust that is required to be successful in them. We so need wisdom when we enter into an alliance with another. Our words can ensnare us and cause us a lot of grief. My advice is to always get it in writing.. even when you are doing business with Christian friends.

"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (v6) “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man." (v11)

Hard work will bring you to places that nothing else will.. and laziness will do the same. In my late 30s I started to save for retirement through my companies 401k program.. each month I put a little bit away for my "golden years".. little did I understand that I would be retiring at age 49. That little habit of saving enabled me to take advantage of a great pension package by my company. It is good to remember that even the ant thinks ahead.

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:

1. haughty eyes,
2. a lying tongue,
3. and hands that shed innocent blood,
4. a heart that devises wicked plans,
5. feet that make haste to run to evil,
6. a false witness who breathes out lies,and
7. one who sows discord among brothers." (v16-19)

This list amazes me.. lying is directly mentioned twice (#2 & 6) and indirectly once (#7). The inner workings of the heart (#4) are on the same list as the shedding of innocent blood. The list leads me to believe that pride (#1) and other inner qualities are so important to defeat to lead lives that please the Lord.

"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself."(v32)

The last half of this chapter again addresses instructions about sexual promiscuity. It reinforces the idea that sexual sin has terrible consequences. I think that a person does lose their senses when they commit adultery.. they destroy their reputation and bring calamity to their family.. their delusion and deception is great.

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Solomon on Sexual Temptation

In the fifth chapter of proverbs Solomon gives instruction to his son about sexual temptation and marital fidelity. Reading between the lines it seems that he is speaking a bit from both his good and bad experiences in this area. This should be required reading for all young men and women.

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. (v3-6)

The text is very direct about sexual temptation. It speaks of the progression of temptation evolving from "innocent" flattery to death. Interesting that he seems to indicate that the woman is somewhat unaware of what she is doing.

“How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.” (v12b-14)

Being humble means that we are teachable. For so much of my life I was not.. I was spiritually arrogant and believed that all I needed was the Holy Spirit to teach me. Thank God for His mercy that opened up my eyes.

Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. (v15) Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, (v18)

The divorce statistics for church folks are shockingly similar to those outside the church. It is a sad fact that many do not find blessing in marital intimacy and for one reason or another engage in adulterous relationships. I think the operative word here is "rejoice".

For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.(v23)

I do not know about you but that phrase "eyes of the Lord" is a bit unsettling. True enough that God sees us through eyes of love and compassion.. but.. just thinking of how nothing is hidden from Him, and He is constantly there, makes me want to bring a smile to eyes :)

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Keeping Your Heart

The fourth chapter of proverbs continues Solomon's instructions about the importance of wisdom and of the relationship of the heart, or the inner being, to wisdom and to life in general. This chapter also speaks to the merits of following God's lighted path.

When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. (v3-4)

I love the imagery as this proverb begins.. the picture of a father teaching his son.. impressing on him the value of inner heart learning and how spiritual life comes from obedience.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. (v7)

I love the straightforwardness of this verse.. if you want wisdom then do everything you can do to get it. This captures the heart of the seventh verse of Proverbs 1 that teaches that wisdom begins when we fear the Lord.. it is an issue of priorities.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (v18-19)

These verses follow several other verses listing the perils of following wickedness and evil. Walking in the light is sometimes painful but I find it to be a benefit when I lay my head on the pillow at night with a clear conscience.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (v23)

Oh my.. what a verse.. maybe the most important thing we can do is to nurture and strengthen our heart. I think we err greatly when we violate the instructions of our heart because each time we do we allow our flesh to overrule our heart and suppress those rivers of living waters that Jesus told us about (John 7:38).

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. (v25-27)

Jesus spoke of our eyes as the lamp of our body.. I heard it said once that we become what we look at.. important lesson.. if you want stay out of one of those nasty ditches :)

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With All of Your Heart

The third chapter of proverbs is one of my favorites in the bible.It is replete with words about favor.. with admonitions about wisdom (which I have earlier addressed).. with instruction concerning heart faith and a few words about discipline and giving.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (v3-4)

Love and faithfulness are the hallmarks of healthy relationships.. it is really hard to have one without the other. Interesting how favor and success are related.. both on a human and divine level.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (v5)

One of the most important verses about faith and trust in the scriptures. I lived most of my Christian life leaning on my own understanding and really deceived about what faith looked like. Faith and trust are heart issues - our head usually just gets in the way because it wants to lead our heart.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (v6)

Interesting use of "all".. we error when we acknowledge him in "some" of our ways.. and wind up with crooked paths.

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. (v7-8)

There does seems to be a therapeutic effect to humility.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (v9-10)

I love the word "honor" in this verse.. it is a challenging one isn't it? So easy to tithe a tenth and not really honor God with the rest.. wonder if sometimes we do not honer Him with the tithe?

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (v11-12)

A lot of bad theology out there about this verse. Suffice to say that evil and sickness are not instruments of his discipline. Sometimes the hardest thing a parent can do is to let their child learn from their mistakes.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (v27)

If one ever needed wisdom it would be around the performance of this verse. I think that the key to that wisdom is the word "due". Many times we are not discerning about our giving and fritter it away to those who are "due" it.

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The Wisdom of Seeking

The second chapter of proverbs is rich with instruction about wisdom. It is good to remember when we read about seeking wisdom that seeking wisdom is really about seeking God.. wisdom personified. When we ask God for wisdom we are really asking God to reveal Himself.

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (v1-2)

When I read words like "receive", "attentive" and "inclining" the word humility come to mind. God has called us to be life-long learners.. but not all are humble enough to learn. In some sense it is impossible to learn or even seek God if we are not a little humble.

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (v3-5)

There seems to be this tension in how God reveals himself to us.. sometimes we seek and do not find.. yet sometimes He reveals Himself to us when we do not think we are seeking. My most meaningful times of revelation have come during worship. Maybe it is more about seeking the person of God rather than the wisdom of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; (v6)

So often my head wants knowledge and understanding when what I really need is wisdom of the heart.. interesting that they all come from the same source.

Following are some of the blessings of seeking the Lord:

• guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints (v8)
• discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you delivering you from the way of evil (v11-12)
• For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it (v21)
  

It is good to be reminded that blessings often come when we seek the Lord with good motives.

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If you liked this post then please click here to catch some of my other ponderings on the book of Proverbs.