01.24.24
‘Blessings for the Willing’
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
We continue our journey though Proverbs. We are in the second chapter. Last time we considered how to find wisdom and some of the blessings that follow. Presuming that wisdom is in my heart, and that I love it, I will be delivered from the way of evil (10).
Today we will find out what happens when we fail to find and follow wisdom. Solomon personifies evil first as a man, and then as a woman.
The evil man’s character is clearly dark, twisted, devious and perverse (12-15). His language is proud against God. He is bent on ruining the lives of others.
You might think that Solomon would be tender in his treatment of the fairer gender, but no, his picture of evil as a woman is quite stark (16-19). He describes her general character as ‘strange.’ While, strictly speaking, this refers to being an alien, metaphorically it means to be outside of the will of God. Her language is smooth and her heart is rebellious.
While she has known about God from her youth, she has forsaken Him (17a). She has also forsaken her marriage vows (17b), and thus her husband and children.
Hers is a tragic end, a path to destruction, death and hell. This is true for all who follow her.
Continuing now in Proverbs 2, we focus on the spiritual success promised to those who love and cherish wisdom. Then shall you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God (5).
What does spiritual success look like? It is to bring forth spiritual fruit in one’s life. Just as in an orchard or at a grocery store, we find in the Bible several types of fruit.
First, there is the fruit of the Spirit presented to us in Galatians 5. These character traits are the product of the work that only the Spirit of God can do in the human spirit— love, joy, peace, etc.
The second aspect is the fruit of speech (Hebrews 13:15). Our lips can be a source of great evil, or they can be a tremendous blessing, all depending on who is controlling what we say.
Service is the third type of fruit (Colossians 1:10). When we put ourself last, with Jesus first and others second, then we can find true joy in life.
Helping other souls to find Jesus is a major form of fruit-bearing. Solomon will later tell us that “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
Holiness, or sanctification, is the final type of fruit. This is a life-long pursuit under the guidance of God’s Spirit that often involves trials and challenges.
Rather than the destruction promised by the way of evil, the path of wisdom brings preservation (8, 11, 20, 21). This preservation may be temporal, but is surely eternal. There are only two destinies for our souls presented in the Word of God, heaven or hell. Only Jesus has provided for us the way to heaven.
Where are you on the path of life? If we can be of any help to you, please feel free to contact us.