Tuesday, September 17 – Proverbs 3, 4 – Additional reading, 1 Kings 3: 1-15; James 1:5-6

1. Based on the first sentences of Proverbs 3, what would you say is the purpose of this writing? (Proverbs 3:1)

2. In chapter 3, what are some negative traits or practices that the author advises his son against? (Proverbs 3:5, 7, 11, 27, 29, 30, 31-34)

3. What repeating theme does the author say is the beginning of wisdom? (Proverbs 4:7)

Commentary and Reflection:

Any parent can relate to the earnest spirit found in the words of the father in these proverbs, “Listen well, my son… do not forget.”  And the longer we live, the more we realize that when we were young, we thought we knew it all. We sometimes felt like the elders were sermonizing us, but surely, if they gave us a chance, we could prove that we had it all together. Apparently, not much has changed on this front in the 3000 years that have passed. The words of Salomon have been recycled into modern maxims, but their principles are still the same. 

One of the most sobering thoughts I had while reading the book of Proverbs is the insistence (almost an obsession) of Salomon regarding the search for wisdom. In 1 Kings 3: 1-15, we see that as a new young king, God approaches Salomon with an offer: Anything you ask for, I’ll give you.  I often stop and wonder, “What would I ask for if God were to make the same offer to me?” I would love to think that wisdom would be the answer. But think: Is this not the offer that the writer of the Book of Proverbs is extending to us today? “Listen my boy to my words. . . listen my daughter. . . listen sister or brother . . .” The voice of Salomon is traveling through time and space to assure us that wisdom may still be found if only we were to look for her as we look for treasure.

Did you notice that wisdom is referred to as feminine? “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you” (4:6). Wisdom – Hakmah in Hebrew, or Sophia in Greek is portrayed as a benevolent lady who is sometimes elusive yet always worth the effort to find. “Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown” (4: 8,9). Some of us may mistakenly think that wisdom is either something we are born with or unattainable/impossible to find. Yet King Salomon’s insistence on our looking for wisdom belies both thoughts.

If this is so, what can we distill from these chapters that will help us to find wisdom?

1. Listening to the elders’ teachings will give you prosperity and peace (3:1,2).
2. Being faithful in love will win you the favor of both God and mankind (3: 3,4).
3. Even when you think you are wise, don’t trust God more than your intellect (3:5,6).
4. Be humble in accepting that God is the one who guides you away from evil and towards good (3:7, 8).
5. Honor God by returning the tithe and He will honor you with more than you can imagine (3: 9, 10).
6. Expect God to redirect you if you are going in the wrong direction. Apathy would not be a sign of His love (3: 11, 12).
7. An anxious life should not be your reality if you trust God and follow His wise teachings (3: 21-26).
8. Do good any chance you get. Treat others with dignity and respect as you would like to be treated (3: 27-29).
9. Stay away from those who are wicked and anything that relates to them (4: 14-17).
10. Things that are good and honorable are usually in the open light. Beware of secrecy and darkness (4: 18, 19).
11. Guard your heart (4:23).
12. Say what you mean; mean what you say. Speak truth (4:24).
13. Have your sights on your goals (4:25-27).
14. Search for, thirst for, hunger for wisdom (4: 1-13).
15. Listening and obeying these wise sayings will add life to your years, and years to your life (4: 20-22).

In Proverbs 4:7 there is an apparent redundancy: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.” But when you look up beginning, you find that it is the same Hebrew word the Bible uses for Genesis, “reshith,” “In the beginning.” And suddenly there is this added depth to the message: In the beginning is wisdom; therefore, get wisdom. . .  By wisdom, the Lord laid the earth’s foundations; by understanding, he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge, the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew (3:19, 20).

So tonight, when you go to sleep, listen in the silence to the voice of Him who loves you just as much as he loved the young King Salomon. He’s offering you wisdom if only you would listen, obey, search, and find the elusive lady wisdom.

Prayer: Dear Elohim, You who made all from nothing and established it in wisdom, thank you for offering us this gift.  Help us to remember that we must ask so it will be given unto us, search and we will find it abundantly and without finding fault (James 1:5). We ask boldly and in faith in Jesus’ name.  Amen.