A Father’s Wise Counsel, A Wise Comparison, A Wise Contrast

(Encouraged reading: Proverbs 4)

v. 1-5 A Father’s Wise Counsel

     This chapter speaks of the wise counsel Solomon’s father, King David, spoke to him about wisdom. David told his son to never forsake wisdom and understanding. His words had such a big impact on Solomon. In I Kings 3:3-14 God asked Solomon what he wanted; Solomon responded that he desired an “understanding heart”. Before riches and fame, he wanted to have wisdom to judge, lead, and rule the people of God. David’s instructions regarding wisdom were a message Solomon heard, received, and desired to live. What a beautiful testimony of a good father!

v. 6-13 A Wise Comparison

     David gives his son the comparison of wisdom to a wife. Someone to love, not forsake, attain, exalt, embrace, keep, and hold onto. Wisdom will in return honor, promote, preserve, deliver, and give life to those that remain faithful. We are to value wisdom as a man his wife.

v. 14-27 A Wise Contrast

     He also shares the contrast between those who keep wisdom close to those who do not. He again stresses the point that we need to keep wisdom close because without wisdom we will fall into calamity. Wisdom is not something we want to squander or take lightly. Wisdom will change the way we see and do things. Imagine how life would be if we didn’t have godly wisdom.

Application:

     David knew the importance of wisdom and conveyed his passion and appreciation for wisdom to Solomon. In turn, Solomon chose to value wisdom and wrote this book we are studying, so now, over 2000 years later, we can learn the importance of wisdom. But though we read about it, do we truly value wisdom as these two men did? Let each of us make the decision to keep wisdom close so that we may continue what started with a shepherd boy over 2000 yrs. ago.

Prayer:

     Lord, You are all wise and possess all wisdom. Help us to desire wisdom more and more, for it is from You and comes through knowing You. What better way can we please You than knowing what You would do or say? Please, pour the desire for wisdom into our hearts.