Posted by Jeff Short on June 10, 2016 · 1 Comment
Chapter 2 provides a contrast between the virtue of wisdom and the wickedness of evil men and strange women. The chapter opens with a different perspective from chapter 1. In the first chapter, wisdom cries out to give instruction, but in this chapter we are exhorted to seek out wisdom as though we were searching for treasure. The first chapter depicts the accessibility of wisdom and the second shows we must seek for it diligently.
The first half of chapter 2 is an important passage of Christian discipleship. It deals with the need to seek wisdom as the foundation for life. That search must begin with the fear of the Lord. Regardless of where we are in maturity or sanctification, this is always a freshly relevant passage for us.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
– Proverbs 2:1
At first glance, we notice apparent repetition. This verse is similar to verses already read and some that follow after. This isn’t rote for memorization like it’s some limerick, but rather this seeming repetition emphasizes the need for continual seeking and attendance to wisdom. Wisdom can be both gained and lost.
Receive means to accept or to take in. Contrary to popular thought, wisdom is not latent inside of us but is rather outside of us. Most of the wisdom we learn will come in the form of teaching that we must pay heed to. Hide means to hoard up or to treasure up. We must take in and store up the teaching of wisdom. These dual commands have two important implications for us.
- We take in and store up in order to meditate on wisdom. The teaching of wisdom is not always immediately practical and applicable. As well, the understanding of wisdom is beyond the face value. We must meditate on them to come to fuller understanding.
- True wisdom must be stored up also because it’s not always immediately useful to us. If we have them treasured up, then we can bring them out as it were in the time of need.
Both of those implications reveal the necessity of patience. They also reveal the folly of those who constantly clamor to “just give us something we can use.” We are an impatient generation that doesn’t want to hear what we must meditate on in order to understand.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 9, 2016 · 1 Comment
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
– Proverbs 1:33
Contrast finally comes from the fools who refuse wisdom. Those who will hear with understanding (Proverbs 1:5, 8), shall find wisdom and the fruits of it. Evil is calamity and reinforces dwelling safely. It’s not that the wise will have no problems, but wisdom will keep them from many pitfalls the fools fall into. Having wisdom is having discernment, choosing the good way, and refusing the bad. It is to consider the end and not only the immediate payout.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 8, 2016 · 1 Comment
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
– Proverbs 1:32
Turning away points to the active refusal of wisdom (Proverbs 1:23). It is as though wisdom is considered and found detestable and discarded. Refusing wisdom is suicidal (Proverbs 8:36). Prosperity speaks of abundance and security. Every perceived gain by folly, no matter how small, only confirms fools in their way. Their way leads to destruction.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 7, 2016 · 1 Comment
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
– Proverbs 1:31
Wisdom is not natural with us. We have to receive it. Folly is natural to us. We have to refuse it. The judgment that comes on those who continually refuse wisdom is that they are allowed to go their own way to the end. In other words, fools plant a crop of folly and come to eat their own harvest in the end. Paul taught that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). When we refuse wisdom, we are given our folly to the full and the consequences thereof. When we thus suffer at our own hands, we have none else to blame.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
– Proverbs 1:30
Wisdom reiterates the reproof from verse 25 and provides explanation for the judgment to come in the next verse. It highlights the active refusal of wisdom by the fools who go their own way. This is a display of man’s depravity that he will only of himself choose sin and folly.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 5, 2016 · 1 Comment
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
– Proverbs 1:29
Fools actively reject wisdom. It is foolishness to them. This is in explanation of the previous two verses. Though wisdom cries long, there comes a time when she cannot be found. This verse describes the hardened, obstinate sinner who hated knowledge and refused to fear God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and no one starts in wisdom but they start there (Proverbs 1:7). By refusing the fear of the Lord, they show they try to come some other way, but none is found.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 4, 2016 · 1 Comment
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
– Proverbs 1:28
Though wisdom cries in the streets and bids the wayward turn at reproof, there is a time when it is too late. Fools were pictured as refusing wisdom and now are pictured as seeking for it early. Seeking it early conveys the thought of earnestness or diligence. This is not repentance but a desire to be delivered from the consequences of their own folly. No amount of seeking or calling will avail when it is too late.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 3, 2016 · 1 Comment
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
– Proverbs 1:27
Fear expresses alarm. Desolation, destruction, whirlwind, distress, and anguish point to suddenness and confusion. A part of the suddenness of a fool’s calamity is that it comes unlooked for. A fool thinks not too far ahead and doesn’t think they will come to ruin. It’s beyond question these will come upon the fool. It’s only a matter of time.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 2, 2016 · 1 Comment
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
– Proverbs 1:26
This verse continues from the previous one. God laughing at their calamity is an expression of just judgment (Psalm 2:1-4; 37:12-13). The picture is clear. Wisdom has long cried to the simple and the fools to turn at her reproof. Wisdom has long warned of the destruction that waits at the end of folly’s road. Yet, the fools, the simple, the scorners have refused wise counsel and went on their own way. When they come to the end of that way, they will want to escape the dread consequences but God will not hear their cries then. The call to forsake folly and embrace wisdom is an urgent one.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 2:1
Posted by Jeff Short on June 10, 2016 · 1 Comment
The first half of chapter 2 is an important passage of Christian discipleship. It deals with the need to seek wisdom as the foundation for life. That search must begin with the fear of the Lord. Regardless of where we are in maturity or sanctification, this is always a freshly relevant passage for us.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
– Proverbs 2:1
At first glance, we notice apparent repetition. This verse is similar to verses already read and some that follow after. This isn’t rote for memorization like it’s some limerick, but rather this seeming repetition emphasizes the need for continual seeking and attendance to wisdom. Wisdom can be both gained and lost.
Receive means to accept or to take in. Contrary to popular thought, wisdom is not latent inside of us but is rather outside of us. Most of the wisdom we learn will come in the form of teaching that we must pay heed to. Hide means to hoard up or to treasure up. We must take in and store up the teaching of wisdom. These dual commands have two important implications for us.
Both of those implications reveal the necessity of patience. They also reveal the folly of those who constantly clamor to “just give us something we can use.” We are an impatient generation that doesn’t want to hear what we must meditate on in order to understand.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 2, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Chapter Introduction, Commentary, Proverbs, Wisdom