The Purpose Of Proverbs is set out clearly enough: these sayings are collected together that the person of God may “know wisdom and instruction …to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” (1:2-4). The book is written by the wise to provide wisdom to those who seek it.
The words “wise” and “wisdom” occur some 120 times in Proverbs, far more than in any other book of the Bible. Actually, those who seek wisdom have already evidenced they are wise, for a wise man listens and reads to increase his understanding (1:5).
It is interesting that the book is not easy to memorize. While dominant themes are evident throughout, most chapters seem to switch from one topic to another. This construction forces the wise to read the book over and over again, thereby indicating the book should frequently be opened and read.
Four steps to true wisdom
Proverbs 2 begins with four steps we should take to gain godly wisdom.
First, respect God’s words. Receive and remember them as we do with important pieces of information (2:1). The Bereans evidenced such an attitude when they received the gospel “with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). No other area of information compares with the importance of the Word of God. If we respect it as such, we will hide it in our hearts (2:1). Our ability to remember all kinds of facts in areas important to us proves how much our brains can retain. Let us apply this ability to God’s word.
Second, learn God’s word. We have no inborn knowledge of the precepts of the Lord. Therefore, we must incline our ears to hear it and apply our mentality to learn it (2:2). Listen to those who can teach us and read sound Bible expositions.
Third, pray for wisdom. Cry to God for it, give your voice in asking for it (2:3). The assurance is firm: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
Fourth, work for it. Seek, search by the means we have available. For most of us, this will entail concordance work, comparing one Bible version with another, making notes as we compare scripture with scripture and spending long hours poring over the Bible.
If we do these things, we are promised, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (2:5).
God the only source of light
“For the LORD giveth wisdom” (2:6). If we want true wisdom, there is only one source from which it can be found, the Creator Himself. The steps just considered all revolve around building a relationship with the Father, getting to know His ways and understanding His character.
It is no wonder those who know not God cannot find true answers to their dilemmas. The world is in darkness and is void of wisdom and truth. Knowledge from God is a very special blessing which, in the fullest sense, is a great treasure (v.4). This blessing is reserved for the servants of the Father and it must be used to glorify and exalt His name.
True wisdom brings responsibility
Solomon was instructed, “if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; then will I…” (II Chron. 7:17-18). Solomon had been given great wisdom and understanding but that was not enough. He must not only know God’s ways, he must also walk in them.
Right response means blessing
The blessings that come to those who walk uprightly are great indeed. God will be a buckler to us and will preserve our ways (Prov. 2:7-8). The word “buckler” indicates a shield or defender. What a comfort it is to know that in a world, often dominated by the rule of evil, we are protected by the hand of the Almighty.
With wisdom comes discretion
Discretion is something that is promised to those who meditate upon the Proverbs (1:4; 2:10-11). It is interesting that the Hebrew word translated “discretion” can have a negative connotation alluding to sly wisdom or what we might call “street smarts.”
Yet when we think about it, that is an appropriate word. The enlightened believer is not naive of the ways of the flesh. He has a realistic view of human nature; he knows to steer clear of the counsel of the ungodly, the way of sinners and the seat of the scornful.
The steps down to sin
Consider the four steps that are set forth in the next verses (vs. 12-15):
First, a froward tongue (v.12). Loose talk is the beginning of sin.
Second, walking where sin is present (v.13) If we want to avoid sin, we must not frequent those places where it abounds.
Third, taking pleasure in iniquity(v.14) Vicarious enjoyment of sin, so much a part of the appeal of today’s entertainment, is a critical step toward transgression.
Fourth, making sin the habit of our lives (v.15). Once sin becomes the predominant way in which we walk, we are apart from God and headed straight for condemnation. If that is our condition, we must forsake our present habits and redirect our path. In fact, the thing to do is to recognize when we are headed down the steps toward darkness and turn around before we reach the bottom.
The strange woman
Our God-provided wisdom can also deliver us from entrapment by the wicked woman (vs. 16-19). We can relate this to the apostate religious system which is depicted as a harlot. In today’s world, however, we should also take the point literally.
The world struggles to define morality. Having left firm Biblical foundations, its standards are now on the shifting sands of humanistic thinking.
We are spared such a condition. We know God’s standards. We must not, however, be seduced by what is going on around us and go to the house of the strange woman.
A wonderful blessing
The chapter closes with a beautiful summary exhortation. “Walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth” (vs. 20-22).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One