Posted by Jeff Short on January 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
– Proverbs 9:6
Any true call to wisdom necessarily means a departing from that that is not wisdom. The foolish, or the simple ones, are not fit companions and coming to wisdom means leaving their company. This is consistent in the call to wisdom throughout Proverbs (Proverbs 4:14-15; 13:20). Turning to understanding, i.e. discernment, is a turning into the way, which is a road put here for course of life. It is not momentary or isolated. It is a change of life.
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
– Proverbs 8:14
Verses 14-21 describes various physical and spiritual benefits wisdom brings to those who have it. Wisdom has counsel and so advises the recipient in the ways of life. Sound wisdom is proper judgment or good sense. Understanding refers to discernment. Strength is might or power. It is not typically listed with wisdom, but it is the force for good actions. We might contrast it with the halting steps of the uncertain or doubting man. He who goes in the straight path of wisdom, goes with strength of conviction.
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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 November 30, 2016 · Leave a Comment
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
– Proverbs 8:5
Simple means gullible or naïve. The simple person is thoughtless and careless. Fools are obstinately stupid in life. It is not a comment on their mental capacity, but rather their willfulness in foolishness. Wisdom is a broad term that means prudence, shrewdness, or discernment. Wisdom is thoughtful, deliberate, and careful. Understanding points more specifically to discernment and an understanding heart speaks of having good sense. The cry and design of wisdom is to give wisdom and understanding to the simple and the fools. All men are born simple and foolish. We must grow in wisdom and understanding by taking heed to the cry and words of wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 22, 2016 · 1 Comment
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
– Proverbs 7:24
Verses 24-27 conclude the chapter with the applied warning of wisdom. The conclusion begins with the familiar call to listen with intelligence and take heed to the words spoken. Again, we note the contrast with the words of wisdom and the words of folly. The adulteress use words of flattery and cunning to persuade. The mouth of the father speaks words of wisdom whereby the words of folly will not prevail.
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 26, 2016 · 1 Comment
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
– Proverbs 6:32
Understanding is from the word often translated “heart.” It can refer to the emotions, will, or intellect, and sometimes can take in all these meanings. Here a lack of understanding is the intention. A man who commits adultery demonstrates that he lacks wisdom. He demonstrates that he doesn’t fully grasp the consequences or depths of sin against others and the damage he does to himself. The consequences both immediate and in the future of this life are many, but if one goes on in this sin unrepentant, they inherit eternal damnation.
We also must never lose sight of the fact that Jesus taught adultery is also a sin within the heart, even if it never finds physical expression (Matthew 5:27-30). The lust he condemns is not merely a start of sin, but is sin itself. The warning accords with Solomon’s warnings to even stay away from the house of a strange woman (Proverbs 5:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 2, 2016 · 1 Comment
Chapter 5 has two main parts that are related. The first half issues a warning against the seductions of the adulteress. The strange woman, who was introduced earlier (Proverbs 2:16-19), is here characterized. Solomon unmasks her flattering attentions and reveals them for what they are. He warns of the steep price to be paid for going her way.
The second half of the chapter presents the blessings and delights of a faithful marriage. Regardless of what the strange woman has to offer, it cannot compare with the lasting delights to be had in marriage. Happiness in marriage is painted against the misery in the ways of fornication and adultery.
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
– Proverbs 5:1
Verses 1 and 2 start the new exhortation in a similar pattern by urging attentiveness and intelligent listening. The son is required to exercise humility to attend and bow to the wisdom and understanding of the father. Solomon later describes young fools who are devoid of understanding that are taken in the trap. Wisdom is important regardless of age but it is important that a young man begin in the way of wisdom and keep to it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 12, 2016 · 1 Comment
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
– Proverbs 4:7
Principal thing means wisdom is of first importance or the beginning. Obtaining wisdom is an aim of first priority. Acquiring wisdom has more to do with desire and pursuit through appointed means than intelligence (James 1:5-7). Getting refers to wealth or goods. Above all the earthly goods, get or seek wisdom. This shows the value of wisdom above all earthly treasures and worth all costs to obtain it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 10, 2016 · 1 Comment
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
– Proverbs 4:5
Solomon reiterates to get wisdom and to get understanding. It is already clear that acquiring these will cost a price and require continual effort. He also urges constancy to stay the course—forget not, decline not. He exhorts to pay the price to obtain wisdom and not let it go at any offer (Proverbs 23:23).
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Proverbs 9:6
Posted by Jeff Short on January 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Any true call to wisdom necessarily means a departing from that that is not wisdom. The foolish, or the simple ones, are not fit companions and coming to wisdom means leaving their company. This is consistent in the call to wisdom throughout Proverbs (Proverbs 4:14-15; 13:20). Turning to understanding, i.e. discernment, is a turning into the way, which is a road put here for course of life. It is not momentary or isolated. It is a change of life.– Proverbs 9:6
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