Proverbs 4:1-13
Wisdom is the most important thing of all. It’s what provides security in times of uncertainty and light in dark places.
1 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, 2 for I am giving you good guidance.
I didn’t grow up with my father, but I know the value of godly correction from a man. It saves you from pitfalls and quicksand that detain you for years from your God-ordained destiny. It pays to listen to those who have traveled down roads you have yet to traverse. Look at their scars and pay attention to their advice. A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from other men’s mistakes.
3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. 4 My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
I can’t help to think how this sounds like a talk your parents have with you right before you go to college. This is “the talk.” The “don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” talk. It seems fairly corny at the time until you have to make a critical decision in crunch time that tests your values and beliefs and you have to make a decision on your own.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Wise people know what to do in any given situation. We all have that one person that we go to or we are that one person that people go to for advice when they are stuck in life and can’t make proper decisions. Making the right decision can mean the difference between years of sorrow or years of happiness, poverty or prosperity, pain or healing. No matter how long or rough the journey wisdom always ends up in the right place at the right time.
10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
Three times he admonishes us to listen. Three times. Are you listening? Most of are only listening to reply. We live as if we already know the way, taking limited information into an unknown territory of life that without a guide destruction and disaster is imminent. Although it may hurt our pride to hear that we don’t know, we can’t afford ignore the wooing of wisdom as she guides us through the rough terrain of the human existence hoping we will avoid the missteps of our predecessors.
12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. 13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
The reward for wisdom is freedom from unnecessary hurt and harm. Listen, look, and learn from others. The writer mentions that his instructions are the key to life itself. Keys open doors. Keys unlock things. Keys gain entrance and access to places once prohibited. One does not have to struggle with the same challenges of the previous generation. A better life is possible and attainable when wisdom leads the way.
Photography: @klby