Day Four

Proverbs 4:1-9

1.) Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 

2.) for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 

3.) When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 

4.) he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. 

5.) Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 

6.) Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 

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

8.) Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 

9.) She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown." 

         Just to set the stage a bit, the Book of Proverbs was gathered together by King Solomon, son of David. Most of the book consists of proverbs common among the Jews and their neighbors. But part of it is Solomon’s own thoughts. This is one of those sections. The words ‘wise’ and ‘wisdom’ are used literally hundreds of times in the Scripture. It is the great desire for the faithful and the great arrogance for the proud and haughty. In the Old Testament the word for wisdom, the word used in this passage, is ‘chokmah.’ In the New Testament the word is ‘sophia.’ In both cases, the words are feminine nouns. You can see how David’s words to Solomon reflect that gender case.

         David was telling his young son to always seek wisdom. In verse 6, David says this about ‘wisdom;’ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. This became Solomon’s guiding light. A man known to be wise. When the Lord offered him anything at all, he likely thought back to his father’s teaching and chose wisdom.

         Throughout the Word, there are people with great wisdom and insight. These are humble people before the Lord. People who seek to serve Him first. Isaiah comes to mind. But there are also those who think they are wise. They feel their words ring with truth. They might give the Lord lip service in public, but privately they feel that they are in control. King Herod was one such. They often find out different before they die.

         The world is full of wise fools. Scattered throughout the world are the truly wise. The wise fools create a world of darkness and despair. The truly wise offer light and rejuvenation. Which are you?

         Today, let’s pray for wisdom in our lives. Never think that you have enough wisdom or that you are pretty wise without prayer. Let’s be the light in the darkness.