01.17.24
‘A Message to the Willing’
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
As we move on to Proverbs 2, let us look back at what Solomon told in the first chapter.
The first chapter of Proverbs presented ‘Wisdom’ as the key to life. It contained the focal verse of the Book [1:7, noted above].
It is important to understand what it means to fear the LORD. It is to stand in awe of His mercy, majesty, power and holiness. It leads to respect, obedience, and love. It is called ‘the beginning’ because it is the basis of our relationship to the LORD, and it impacts every area of our life. It is the LORD, Jehovah, the Great I AM, that we are to fear.
In the first chapter, there was a warning given by ‘wisdom’ to the rebellious and the scoffer. In contrast now in Proverbs 2 ‘wisdom’ gives instruction to those willing to be taught.
We are told where wisdom comes from, its source – For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. (2:6) Jehovah is a personal God, a covenant-keeping God who is all-wise.
It is God who gives wisdom- it comes ‘out of His mouth.’ We are told often in Psalm 119 that wisdom is found in the Bible, the written Word. In the New Testament we are told that wisdom is found in Christ, the Living Word.
We also find that the LORD gives special wisdom to special people (2:7)- He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. Clearly, these special people are the righteous, those who have placed their trust in Christ and been cleansed through His precious blood. Only a child of God can understand the things of God because he has the Spirit of God.
We are also told how to acquire wisdom (2:1, 2).
The first requirement is to give close attention to the Bible. We must receive His words, incline ourselves to them, hide them in our heart, and apply them to our life. In practical terms, this means to listen to the Bible, read it, search its pages, memorize its words, meditate upon them, and then apply them to your life!
Prayer is the second requirement to the attainment of wisdom (2:3)- Yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding. God expects that we be urgent in our appeals to Him (2:4)- If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures. We need to want wisdom above all things, for it is of more value than anything on earth. This will demand that we seek for it with diligence. [compare Ephesians 3:17-21].
With this in mind, Solomon moves on to the benefits that accompany wisdom (2:10-19). This we will plan to take up next time.
In the meantime, if we can answer any questions or be of help to you, please contact us.