June 22, 2008 / Volume 12, Issue 25
Get Wisdom!
Proverbs 4:5-7
Among the things which Solomon shared with his son were some words he had received himself when he was young; words received from his father David. He writes: Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
(Proverbs 4:5-7)
Solomon focuses on wisdom throughout the proverbs, specifically using the word in 54 verses, and the word "wise" in another 62 verses. His father had encouraged him to get wisdom, and in this record, encourages the same pursuit in his own son.
It may have been this jewel of advice from David, "Get wisdom", that prompted Solomon, when approached by the Lord in a dream to request, "...give to Your servant an understanding heart..." (1 Kings 3:5-9). God granted his request, stating, "...I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you." (v 12).
Let us consider in some detail David's words to Solomon, which he deemed appropriate to also share with his son.
"Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth." (v 5)
These are the words of a concerned father, seeking the best for his son. There were times in David's life when wisdom guided his course, and other times when it did not. A good father wants his son not only to learn from the good in his life, but also from the errors which he has made.
Elsewhere, Solomon stated, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child..." (22:15). Children are often not prone to heed wise counsel from those older than themselves. There are some teenagers who know everything and can't be told anything. David encouraged his son to heed his instruction.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. (v 6)
Not only did David want Solomon to heed his voice, but the goal was that his son might be trained by and tuned to wisdom. "Do not forsake her..." He personifies wisdom. Treat her with respect, do not abandon her, but cherish her. If you devote your attention to her, "...she will preserve you..."
Further, "...love her..." It is necessary to understand how precious wisdom is and to develop an affection for her. When we are motivated by love towards another, we will seek to do what is in the best interest for the other. When we are motivated by a love for wisdom, "...she will keep you." That is, wisdom will serve our best interest.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. (v 7)
There are a lot of important things in life, but David would have Solomon understand that wisdom is the most important. Many things will catch our interest and demand our attention, but let wisdom be the primary focus. Why? Wisdom will provide direction for every aspect of life. It will train us in the way we should go, and lead us in the paths which God would have us walk. Get wisdom!
Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Who forces non-believers to disbelieve? John 12:40 and 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 say that it is God, but 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says it is Satan. Is there a contradiction?
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