Wisdom Is The Better Choice

Proverbs 2:1-22

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5)

Several years ago, a gas station had a bear in a cage perhaps twenty feet from the building.  To get to their restrooms one had to walk around that end of the building where you could see the bear.  Some people respected the bear, being careful not to upset him and he seemed to enjoy having them talk to him.  While he drew a lot of customers, the station was unable to keep him because some people ignored the potential danger and warning signs and others deliberately teased or tried to humiliate him and they were afraid he would hurt somebody. 

Writing as a father instructing his son, Solomon tells his reader that if he will learn what he is trying to teach him and remember it, not just idly listening, but seriously thinking and learning as much as he can, then he will begin to understand why it matters to have a deep respectful fear of God, recognizing his power, and that he will not ignore certain kinds of behavior. 

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.  He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.  Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.” (Proverbs 2:6-9)

Colossians 1:16 tells us God Created all things.  “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”  As the creator, he knows more about how everything works than anybody, just as the manufacturer knows more about their cars than anyone else.    He is willing to share his knowledge and wisdom with those who will learn from him. 

He will protect and care for those who come to him for guidance and listen to what he teaches.  At the same time they learn how to do what is right in every situation, and how to have good judgment in different situations, understanding what is truly equitable or fair.  They will learn how to identify the good in every situation.

“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.  For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.  None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.” (Proverbs 2:10-19)

When a person develops some wisdom and they begin to enjoy learning things, they begin to make wise choices that keep them from getting into trouble.  They begin to recognize when a wicked person’s lies don’t make sense, when he is deliberately ignoring what is right and choosing to do wrong, and takes pleasure in being around those who do wrong.  They find a wicked persons basic dishonesty and hypocrisy unpleasant and avoid him.   That same  wisdom makes him distrust women he doesn’t know who is too gushing and flattering, who thinks her parents were too old fashioned and restrictive and that God’s standards don’t really matter. 

While the world says it is just meaningless sex and encourages people to enjoy it, Solomon says it tends to result in death.   Many people are killed as a result of jealousy who have messed around while others contact various potentially fatal diseases including hepatitis, AIDS, syphilis, and other diseases.  Once a person gets hooked sexual promiscuity, people do not stop unless something intervenes.  The tendency is continue until they die.   It is easier not to start than to stop once started.

“That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.  But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.” (Proverbs 2:20-22)

By learning what Solomon is teaching a person can live the life of a good man, doing nothing he will regret later.  God will enable him to live securely in the land without fear.  Those who do  evil things will be killed or eventually lose what they have.