How much time would you invest this week to gain $10,000? How much time would you invest to gain wisdom and instruction from the Creator of the Universe? Solomon reminds us that God-given wisdom is more valuable than gold or precious jewels (Prov. 2:4-5; 3:15). How important is gaining Biblical wisdom to you?
Wisdom is not the same thing as knowledge. Wisdom has little to do with IQ or the number of letters after our name. It doesn’t mean going to school or taking in more seminars. A lot of very knowledgeable people make some very foolish decisions. Wisdom has less to do with knowledge than it has to do with skillful application of knowledge.
In the Old Testament the word for wisdom (“hokma”) was used to describe anybody who had exceptional skill in some area (e.g., Exodus 31:3-5 God filled two men, Bezaleel and Aholiab, with wisdom (exceptional skill) in all kinds of crafts so that they might use it in the construction of the Tabernacle). Solomon used that same word in Proverbs to describe the skill needed by anyone who wanted to live life in the superlative – a life of excellence! In Proverbs, wisdom is the ability to live life skillfully from God’s point of view. That is, you will be good at living your life, at facing the problems of life, at handling what comes your way in a God-honoring manner.
The biblical book of Proverbs is concerned with the development of Godly character. One of the main purposes of the book is to teach us the skills we need to lead God-honoring lives (Prov. 1:2-6). The thirty-one chapters in the book of Proverbs are a gold mine of wisdom principles. Proverbs teaches us how to live skillfully. We desperately need its wisdom for handling money, resolving conflict, taming our tongues, honoring our parents, loving the needy, checking our attitudes, and knowing what to do when faced with temptations and evil. The book of Proverbs offers us a concentrated course of instruction that touches all aspects of our life.
Proverbs is a manual for successful living. It is a “how to” book that addresses life’s most important decisions, questions, and problems. It has been described as a resource book on skillful and successful living, communicated in ways we can easily remember. Commentator Derek Kidner has written, “Proverbs is intensely practical; it is truth in street clothes. It deals with everyday subjects such as laziness, pride, handling money and telling lies. We meet familiar folk such as the bargain-hunter (20:14), the neighbor you see too much of (25:17), the practical joker (26:19) and the ‘morning person’ who forgets that others take a while to surface (27:14).”
Unlike other manuals or guidebooks, Proverbs is the inspired Word of God, a fact that elevates it above all other works. It is reliable.
Two of life’s most tormenting words are “if only”. Those who heed the proverbs will prevent a life haunted by “if only.” The proverbs are like preventative medicine– those who learn and practice the lessons taught will prevent many problems from ever occurring that otherwise may have crushed them under their load.
A note in Harry Ironside’s Bible reads, “The wisdom that created the heavens now designs to show us a safe path through the world”.
Proverbs invites us to feast on Biblical wisdom but the choice to extract the valuable treasure it contains, or leave it untapped, is our decision alone– no one else can make it for us. If you are interested in what God has to tell us through the pen of Solomon regarding wisdom, you are invited to join us as we embark on this potentially life-directing journey. Let’s get ready to dig into this gold mine of wisdom, apply it, and watch how God uses it in our lives!
Until next time, HCV
Proverbs 1:2-7
WARNING: Serious contemplation of Proverbs will make you more sensitive to sin –
in your own life!