Posted by Jeff Short on November 26, 2016 · 1 Comment
Chapter 8 presents wisdom as a noble woman with great dignity. There is obviously a contrast with the strange woman of the previous chapters. Verses 1-5 present the character of wisdom as open and accessible. This obviously contrasts with the furtive ways in the dark of the strange woman. Verses 6-13 reveal wisdom as common. Wisdom is common in the sense of being findable but it is never common in the sense of being worldly. Wisdom is always upright and righteous. Verses 14-21 show that wisdom brings reward or blessing. The reward of wisdom is both physical and spiritual. Verses 22-31 reveal that God himself always acts with wisdom. Verses 32-36 emphasize the spiritual nature of wisdom in that wisdom deals in issues of life and death.
Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?
– Proverbs 8:1
To cry is to accost or to call out to and to put forth is to make known. Though many voices clamor to be heard, the voice of wisdom is present. Solomon highlights the accessibility of wisdom. Wisdom is available (James 1:5). Wisdom actively cries out, but only hearing ears will hear (Mark 4:23). Solomon’s point is to urge us to seek out and listen to wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 23, 2016 · 1 Comment
Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
– Proverbs 7:25
To decline is to deviate, to get off course. The heart refers to the mind where the battle is really fought. Once the mind deviates to her course, the person is astray in her way. The mind and heart must be guarded so that no thoughts of the strange woman are entertained. You go astray literally and physically, so Solomon warns to physically stay away, or keep clear of her paths.
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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 November 2, 2016 · 1 Comment
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
– Proverbs 7:4
In chapter 5 Solomon set the blessings of faithful marriage over against the consequences of adultery. Here he refers to familial love and natural affections. The point enforced is to not only hear and keep wisdom but to love wisdom as one does his near kin. The young man has a special relation to his sister or other close female relation. He treats her with a certain tenderness and attentiveness to help and to protect. The young man must develop just such a love for wisdom to keep from errant paths. Charles Bridges captured the thought in his classic commentary on Proverbs:
Man must have his object of delight. If wisdom is not loved, lust will be indulged. The Bible therefore—not merely read, but the cherished object of familiar intercourse—proves a sacred exorcist to expel the power of evil.
The point is that we do not need or want a heart that is cleaned, swept, garnished, and empty (Matthew 12:43-45). We must fill our hearts and minds with good things (Philippians 4:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 16, 2016 · 1 Comment
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakes, it shall talk with thee.
– Proverbs 6:22
The intent of the keeping, not forsaking, binding, and tying is to exercise wisdom in life. The opening verses of this address parallel Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and this verse particularly reminds of Deuteronomy 6:7. Leading, keeping, and talking speaks of the continual presence of wisdom with the son who keeps it. Solomon speaks particularly of having wisdom in mind, thinking of life through wisdom as a filter, and being so fixed that even sleeping thoughts are of wisdom.
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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 25, 2016 · 1 Comment
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
– Proverbs 4:20
Verses 20-22 rehearse the exhortation to be attentive to the wise sayings. The repetition supplies emphasis to the command and the need for attentiveness. From this we gather some of the means of obtaining wisdom are diligently applying ourselves to the words of wisdom. He mentions different sensory parts of the body to illustrate the whole-man involvement in acquiring wisdom. He starts with the ear in this verse. The command is to listen, to listen intelligently, to listen for understanding. Solomon elsewhere commanded us to “be more ready to hear” (Ecclesiastes 5:1) than we are to speak. So our immediate response to wise sayings is not to speak but to listen.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 18, 2016 · 1 Comment
Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
– Proverbs 4:13
We have encountered several statements thus far in Proverbs that reveal the true seriousness of the issue. Wisdom is not a few tips for how to get along in life, it is life itself. The way of wisdom is an issue of life or death (Proverbs 8:36). Solomon three times exhorts what amounts to guarding judiciously—take fast hold, let her not go, keep her. The seriousness of the issue and the supreme worth of wisdom dictate that it be obtained at all cost and not let go for any.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 16, 2016 · 1 Comment
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
– Proverbs 4:11
Way means road or path and figuratively is put for the direction of one’s life. The way of wisdom highlights that wisdom is not philosophical or mere matter for thought. Wisdom is understanding and discernment that works out in life day to day. This idea is reinforced with the reference to right paths. Path is similar to way and refers to a track or trench so it is well marked. Right means upright or straight. The expression has a moral component in the sense of a morally good way and it has a physical component in the sense of being a plain or clear way. Solomon has given instruction in wisdom, but the son must listen and appropriate the teaching.
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Proverbs 8:1
Posted by Jeff Short on November 26, 2016 · 1 Comment
Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?
– Proverbs 8:1
To cry is to accost or to call out to and to put forth is to make known. Though many voices clamor to be heard, the voice of wisdom is present. Solomon highlights the accessibility of wisdom. Wisdom is available (James 1:5). Wisdom actively cries out, but only hearing ears will hear (Mark 4:23). Solomon’s point is to urge us to seek out and listen to wisdom.
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