January 22, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in some selections from Psalms & Proverbs? Here’s today’s reading:
Proverbs 4-5 (NIV)
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keeping the wisdom of God can protect us from so many pitfalls of man. This made me think back to the simplicity and yet totality of the 10 commandments. These simple rules that when followed would keep us on the path that God intended and away from the lure of evil.
In chapter 5 we see the sin of adultery. God intended for marriage to satisfy us in every way within that marriage. Again we see that if we guard our heart with the knowledge of God and keep His commandments we can avoid this pitfall that will bring not only destruction of our marriage but even the destruction of our health and life.
One of my favorite verses is found in this chapter. One that caused me to sacrifice much to pursue the word of God: Proverbs 4:7 (the NIV gives a better translation). And what benefits wisdom brings us, blessings in this life and the life to come. And the opposite course leads to brokenness and destruction. And how important wisdom is to follow when it comes to sexual temptation. So many deceptive enticements lie there and yet it is an open grave. Best to not even go near it. True warnings are presented here if we don’t. And far better to be satisfied by the one who is a reflection of commitment, longevity and true love established in the reality of life.
Proverbs4-5
Proverbs 4: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
Proverbs 4:18 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/pro.4.18.niv
Interestingly, in light of today’s culture/climate, while reading chapter 4, I was thinking of the importance of fathers. It almost seems like this father (is is Soloman?) spends way more time with his son than a mother. It is a team, the child is still “tender” and the only one in sight of my mother.
Also, interestingly, wisdom and knowledge are gendered as female. What greater level of honor and respect to the female gender than to have wisdom attributed to “her”!
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
Another thing I noticed in chapter four was the practical instruction of how to walk in righteousness. What we keep our minds focused on, what we pursue and where we let our minds and bodies go severely affects our participation in righteousness or evil.
“Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” – remembering, keeping fixed on.
“Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” – get it!
“Hear, my son, and receive my sayings” – hear, listen, receive
“I have led you in right paths.” – keep walking that path
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.” – do not enter! do not walk! Avoid! Do not travel on it! Turn away! Pass on!
He explains the goals of the wicked….this isn’t just blind obedience. He tells his son what the evil are up to.
“My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;” – give attention, incline, do not let them depart from your eyes, keep them in your hear
Here in is the crux, this isn’t just legalism, this is HEART obedience.
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.”
This is David (or Bathsheba) talking to Solomon.
Proverbs 4-5
23Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.