June 07, 2020 | Books of the Bible | Proverbs by Faith Cross
Proverbs 4:1-9
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” (ESV)
The subtitle printed above these verses varies according to the Bible translation you’re reading. The English Standard Version has “A Father’s Wise Instruction,” whereas the New King James Version titles it “Security in Wisdom.” This second title points to the fundamental teaching of this passage, as expressed in verse 7: “Wisdom is the principal thing” (NKJV), or also “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom…” (ESV). The father in this passage vehemently instructs his son: “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” (verse 5).
Wisdom is referred to as a woman, as she is throughout the book of Proverbs. She will “keep you,” “preserve you” and “guard you” (verse 6). This passage ends with the seeker of wisdom receiving an ornament of grace and a crown of glory (verse 9).
So the question for the reader is, “How? How do I get wisdom?” We desire to live lives of wisdom, to have this guarding. Where can we find this wisdom that ensures us of grace? We must remember where wisdom originates: “The fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). We must also not forget who embodies all of God’s wisdom - Jesus Christ, “who became for us the wisdom of God…” (1 Cor 1:30). Therefore the answer to the questions we ask is not a place or a set of rules, but a person, the person of Jesus. When we are in Christ, we have access to every spiritual blessing through him (Eph. 1:3). He walks “in the way of righteousness… granting an inheritance” to those who love him (Prov. 8:20-21). We are a people adorned in His saving grace, crowned with His righteousness. Only when we are in Him is it possible to get wisdom.
Consider
Do I seek Christ first as my source of wisdom and guidance? Or am I searching for wisdom in other places?
Prayer
Lord, you are the source of all wisdom. Apart from you, I have no good thing. I am guilty of not seeking you first in all my choices and decisions. “Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me” (Prov. 19:12-13). Thank you for providing a way for me to walk in wisdom through Christ. Lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake (Ps. 23:3).
