The Wise Man, Attaining Wisdom, Wisdom Takes Action

(Encouraged reading: Proverbs 1)

v. 1-6 The Wise Man

     Proverbs begins by listing the abilities of a wise man: he can perceive understanding words and receive wise instruction. The wise man learns and retains wisdom, as well as shares it with others. He is both a student and a teacher, a doer and a hearer of godly knowledge.

v. 7-19 Attaining Wisdom

     Verse 7 opens with “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…”; to be a wise man one must have a fear of the Lord, for the Lord is the embodiment and source of wisdom. In living reverently before God, you will grow humility and learn to receive instruction from those He has placed in authority over you, such as your parents.  

     As we studied in Psalm 1, a wise man knows the foolish and destructive ways of the sinner and removes himself from their company. The fool that goes with them does not know it will ruin him; the cost will be great.

v. 20-33 Wisdom Takes Action

     Wisdom, which is personified as a female, is not idle. She calls out, pleading for all to listen. She says, “Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you” (v.23). She knows what foolishness costs man and entreats them to not waste their lives on vain and vile pursuits. There is no good end for the fool adamant on living without any care for the ways and knowledge of God.

Application:

     There are plenty of smart, well-educated men and women out there, but lasting wisdom poured out from the Spirit is lacking in their life. True wisdom is only attained by those who revere and seek after God. It doesn’t matter how many days or years you have walked with God, there are ALWAYS more ways we can learn and grow in. Continue this study and learn to live wisely!

Prayer:

     Lord, help us to be students like Mary, who sat at Your feet absorbing Your every word, to be like Solomon who when asked what he desired, requested wisdom. Lord, help us to know the true value of wisdom and in so doing get to know You deeper. Help us to not turn to the right or left at the beckoning of sinners, but to heed the voice of wisdom.