Posted by Jeff Short on February 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
– Proverbs 10:14
To
lay up means to hide or hoard. It isn’t a mere accumulation of knowledge here. It’s the picture of the wise householder Jesus painted (Matthew 13:52). Those who are wise know to take in knowledge and store it up to be used at the right time. This isn’t a utilitarian view of knowledge but rather a picture of discernment and discretion. The
foolish cannot store up knowledge because they speak more than they listen and readily devour foolishness (Proverbs 15:5, 14). Rather than storing up knowledge then, they are
near destruction (Proverbs 13:3; 18:7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 7, 2016 · Leave a Comment
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
– Proverbs 8:12
Wisdom dwells with, or resides with, prudence, indicating their compatibility.
Prudence is shrewdness or discretion. It can be positive or negative depending on the context and refers to cunning or craftiness.
Witty inventions are plans or plots. We might even refer to schemes. The word here also relies on context to supply the gloss. They are here paired together indicating that wisdom gives shrewdness and the skill of planning. Wisdom is street-wise and knows how to navigate life, as demonstrated in the prudent man who foresees and avoids evil (Proverbs 22:3). Such a description disabuses us of any notion of a wise person as lofty, detached, and void of common sense or any practical knowledge.
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 5, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
– Proverbs 8:10
Instruction is discipline and correction. It is the training in wisdom we are exhorted to receive. Knowledge refers to discernment and not just a store of facts. Receiving the training of wisdom and discernment are more valuable than money—silver and choice gold. A choice is presented suggesting that you cannot pursue both.
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 4, 2016 · Leave a Comment
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
– Proverbs 8:9
Plain means straight or clear. Understanding points to discernment. Those who truly seek for wisdom, find it. Right here means straight or upright. Finding knowledge also points to the desire and pursuit of wisdom. Wisdom does reward those who come to her.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 3, 2016 · 1 Comment
That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
– Proverbs 5:2
Regarding discretion indicates to set a guard over or to keep diligently. There is also a sense of distinguishing a good plan from a bad one. Discretion carries the thought of a plan or scheme and can be good or bad depending on the context. Keeping knowledge with the lips is a safeguard of wisdom in the heart. Solomon’s aim is that the son will recognize the plan of folly and give a wise answer to it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 21, 2016 · 1 Comment
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
– Proverbs 3:20
This verse adds to the previous concerning how God governs his creation by wisdom. Solomon refers to the maintenance of the hydrological cycle of earth. Though the earth is under a sin curse, it functions remarkably well and the wisdom of God’s design is evident. If wisdom can found the earth and run the universe, it is certainly good to direct our paths upon the earth. Solomon began by urging us to seek diligently after wisdom and has thoroughly justified that searching by wisdom’s superior worth.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 14, 2016 · 1 Comment
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
– Proverbs 2:5
Verse 5 is the first consequence of the conditions in the previous four verses. So if we receive, hide, incline, apply, cry after, lift up the voice for, seek, and search, then we will understand or perceive or grasp the fear of the Lord and obtain the knowledge of God. The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom; it is also the end of it. This verse specifically separates Proverbs from the realm of advice because it reveals the obtaining of wisdom is to know God. The Proverbs is a deadly serious book. It is a matter of life and death.
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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.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 5, 2016 · 2 Comments
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
– Proverbs 1:4
Subtilty means trickery or shrewdness. It can be used positively or negatively. Here it is positive and so refers to discretion or prudence. It is what the simple are lacking. Simple means silly or foolish in the Proverbs and refers to one easily led astray. It comes from a root that means open, like a door or an empty room. It pictures one who lacks wisdom and is open to anything.
Knowledge means cunning or perception and is paired with discretion. The word for discretion means a purpose, plan, or plot. It can be used of a good plan or evil and so the context determines which. Here the discretion is good whereby the young man who attains it can wisely plan his way.
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Proverbs 10:14
Posted by Jeff Short on February 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
To lay up means to hide or hoard. It isn’t a mere accumulation of knowledge here. It’s the picture of the wise householder Jesus painted (Matthew 13:52). Those who are wise know to take in knowledge and store it up to be used at the right time. This isn’t a utilitarian view of knowledge but rather a picture of discernment and discretion. The foolish cannot store up knowledge because they speak more than they listen and readily devour foolishness (Proverbs 15:5, 14). Rather than storing up knowledge then, they are near destruction (Proverbs 13:3; 18:7).– Proverbs 10:14
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