Posted by Jeff Short on August 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
Chapter 4 teaches the pursuit of wisdom is a lifelong pursuit. There is no time that we can think we are all stocked up on wisdom and we can leave off the pursuit of it. Such thought is the thought of folly and not wisdom. This chapter continues the fatherly exhortations, which method communicates that wisdom is best taught and learned in close relation and handed down from one to another. We can learn from teachers from afar, but wisdom designs we are most benefited from those we know, can observe, and talk with (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17).
The chapter divides into three sections. Verses 1-9 teach the beauty and value of wisdom. Teaching involves both positive and negative. The negative perspective involves warnings and showing negative results or consequences. The positive perspective involves showing the benefits and good results. This first section is primarily from the positive perspective—truth, goodness, and beauty. Verses 10-19 contrast the ways of folly and wisdom. Verses 20-27 reinforce the lessons and repetitively urges hearing, listening, and attending to the words of wisdom taught.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
– Proverbs 4:1
Hear means to hear intelligently and attend means to pay attention. It is a double call to the learner’s responsibility to actively listen and think on what he’s being taught. It puts us in mind of a parent instructing a child to do several things and laboring to be sure they have heard and understood what they are supposed to do. Instruction involves teaching and correction or warning. It is the instruction of a father, which speaks to the teacher’s motive of love for the “children” and earnest desire that understanding, or wisdom, be known.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 20, 2016 · 1 Comment
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
– Proverbs 3:19
Verses 19 and 20 close this section on the true value of wisdom. At first glance, these verses might seem unconnected to the previous. Founding and establishing both have to do with setting something up. Here they refer to the creation of the universe and the establishing of the order of creation. By wisdom God has created and sustains the universe. The universe is run by wisdom. The implication is that wisdom should be sought and valued more highly than earthly commodities. Living and walking by wisdom is obviously to walk in harmony with the Creator and his creation.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 14, 2016 · 1 Comment
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
– Proverbs 3:13
Verses 13-18 teach that wisdom brings every good gift that we could receive. The word for happy is often translated as blessed. It refers to a state or condition of blessedness. So is the state of the man who finds wisdom. To find means to reach out after or to gain something by going after it. To get is to draw out, like digging some precious metal out of the earth. Once again, the pursuit of wisdom is mentioned but the rewards are also given in this section. The pursuit for wisdom is not a vain pursuit so long as we start with the fear of the Lord.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
– Proverbs 3:5
Trust and lean both point to being fully supported. It indicates a full reliance and not just a little help or aid. Our full reliance and full confidence is to be in the Lord and his wisdom. Solomon warns that we have a natural inclination and tendency (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25), but we are to abandon that for the heavenly wisdom. Paul speaks similarly that the natural mind has a bent and needs to be renewed (Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10; Romans 12:2).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 5, 2016 · 1 Comment
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
– Proverbs 3:4
Solomon gives the result of binding mercy and truth about your neck and writing them on your heart or mind. Favor is grace and understanding is discretion, some say success. This verse reinforces that mercy and truth have to do with personal relations. The qualities of wisdom make a man well received in general. The sight of God and man teaches that no one needs to advertise they have wisdom. It will be apparent to others. Solomon elsewhere reminds us that the wise don’t always find lasting favor (Ecclesiastes 9:15).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 20, 2016 · 1 Comment
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
– Proverbs 2:11
Verse 10 describes the pre-condition for verse 11. The condition is met when wisdom has entered and shaped our way of thinking. Wisdom is not a checklist or flowchart for decision making. Wisdom is a way of life, a way of thought, and a way of viewing the world around us. When wisdom has so entered into our hearts and minds, the consequence is a manifested discretion and understanding. The word for discretion means purpose. It has the thought of moving in a direction deliberately. The word for understanding means reason. When we have wisdom, we have a purpose in life that we are not easily moved from. When we have wisdom, we are able to reason out what we encounter to discern if it is good or bad.
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Proverbs 4:1
Posted by Jeff Short on August 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
The chapter divides into three sections. Verses 1-9 teach the beauty and value of wisdom. Teaching involves both positive and negative. The negative perspective involves warnings and showing negative results or consequences. The positive perspective involves showing the benefits and good results. This first section is primarily from the positive perspective—truth, goodness, and beauty. Verses 10-19 contrast the ways of folly and wisdom. Verses 20-27 reinforce the lessons and repetitively urges hearing, listening, and attending to the words of wisdom taught.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
– Proverbs 4:1
Hear means to hear intelligently and attend means to pay attention. It is a double call to the learner’s responsibility to actively listen and think on what he’s being taught. It puts us in mind of a parent instructing a child to do several things and laboring to be sure they have heard and understood what they are supposed to do. Instruction involves teaching and correction or warning. It is the instruction of a father, which speaks to the teacher’s motive of love for the “children” and earnest desire that understanding, or wisdom, be known.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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Filed under 4, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Chapter Introduction, Commentary, Hear, Proverbs, Understanding