The Path of Wisdom

Introduction

Did you ever wish you had a manual on how to deal with personal life problems? We are surrounded and at times overwhelmed by everyday problems. Some days are good, other days not so good. Some days are encouraging; other days are very frustrating. Some days are joyful, other days are sorrowful. Life is full of ups, and downs. Life is chock-full with dilemmas, impasses, and sometimes dead-locks. So, when we are confounded with predicaments, we would like answers on what to do and how to solve our problems. We’d always want to know the best way to deal when situations arise.

Problems and questions come in many shapes and forms, ranging from simple questions like: “what job I should take?” or tough ones like, “what to do when terminally ill?” Questions manifest in our workplace; in relationships with friends or family; in our marriage; in personal finances; health issues; or whatever else. In our every day, we are confounded with choices that we must make. It is true that some of us have more significant problems to deal with than others at different times in our lives; but irrespective of the extent of our issues, we always want the best solution to all we face. Sometimes just pointing us in the right direction is good enough.

Growing up I remember an event that happened in high school. My school was not the best of schools nor did it have the best of students. There was a group of bullies that wanted to mess with this new kid. Word got around that a new kid came from NYC and he had a bad attitude. The first day of school the new kid got into with kid named Billy Bob, who was a real delinquent, and in fact, he got arrested years later. For a while, they messed with the new kid, harassed him, and bothered the crap out him until he befriended a regular Joe. It ended up that this regular Joe was the son of a somebody. As a matter of fact, that somebody was a known criminal. In effect the whole family were criminals. The students in the school knew that. As a result, the school hoodlums stopped messing with the new kid. As a matter of fact, they stayed away from the new kid altogether. It happened that the new kid was me. The regular Joe was my friend James, whose father was part of some organized crime syndicate, a Mafia of sorts. Some of the students were always careful around him, and it seemed that even the teachers were aware of him. He was not big; he did not look any different than any other kid. Regardless, people were careful around him. At first, I did not know anything about his background, so my friendship was not because I need him for protection. Later on, I looked up to James because he radiated distress towards other people. In my eyes, he had a father whom people feared. In my eyes, his father knew things. In my eyes, James had the upbringing to survive. The mere fact that people feared him was enough for me to believe that he was street smart. James’ family knew how to survive and get ahead of people, in a world that no one cares about anyone else but themselves. In my eyes, he knew what’s up. He knew how to navigate life. It was enough for me to listen to what he said, and what he said was true and gold. His advice came from his family, and whatever advice he gave me was true. He gave me plenty of advice and I listened. He was a treasure trove of wisdom. But there was this one particular advice that stuck with me many years, even to my adulthood. The advice was, “never trust anybody. Be careful with your own family. You have to take care of yourself first. That is how the world works” I took that too heart for many years. Needless to say, it wasn’t good advice. In fact, it worst advice that I was told, and I reaped the bad fruits of it. If I had kept that advice, I wouldn’t be here with you. I wouldn’t care for you. Regrettably, that advice marked me for a long time.

I want to tell that there is a real legitimate treasure trove of wisdom right under our noses that can guide us through our life’s questions. A guide that can teach us and we can teach others as well. However, it requires something. It requires that we understand where to go, how to get it, whom to get it from, and the attitude we need to attain this guide in the art of living.

1. Recognize the authority of the proverbs.

“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:” (, ESV).

Proverbs begin with a prologue, and the prologue wants to let you know what kind of book, what kind of genre you are reading. To know the genre is to realize the way you are going to read and understand this book. The prologue also wants to assert its authority by letting you know its authorship.

Beginning with verse 1, from the onset the writer is telling you that these are proverbs. Most Christians will quickly identify proverbs as one of the Bible’s books of wisdom. Thus, a collection of wise sayings. However, there is more to it than what we generally understand. The Hebrew word for proverb is ‘mashal,’ which covers a much wider range of meaning than does the simple English understanding. A much closer definition would be to say that a proverb is a “lesson” or an “artistic instruction.”

If you’ve read the proverbs before, you notice that it has some unique characteristics. I want to highlight three of them, in the hope that you journey into reading them more often. (1) If you have noticed most proverbs are composed of two parallel statements that teach one truth. The second statement generally present a likeness of the previous statement. (2) Proverbs often contain truths expressed by comparisons. For example, writes, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (3) Proverbs use images, words, or stories that convey and extended meaning. Jesus was apt in using this type of rhetoric to teach a concept. In fact, the word parable comes the Hebrew word ‘mashal,’ the same word for proverb.

You need to understand that proverbs are synonyms piled on top of each other meant to teach us wisdom. The repetitions are literary devices that Hebrew authors used to expand and reinforce the meaning of a concept. The teacher hoped that this cumulative style would add something to our understanding.

Next is the authorship, and the remainder of verse 1 tells you that the author is Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. He is asserting the validity, the truthfulness, and authority of what you are about to read. However, in my early Christian walk, I couldn’t stand reading anything that was written by Solomon. The idea that Solomon, a hypocrite who failed to live by what he taught, who led a sinful lifestyle, and who fell away from God could have a book worthy of the canon was unfathomable to me. In effect, I thought that whoever put the canon together made a mistake. You see, Solomon authored the Song of Solomon, a book on godly love, and yet we are told he accumulated a harem of 1000 wives and concubines. However, I recognized that I was not much different from him. In fact, as just as much of a hypocrite as any of us. How many of us have not lived inconsistently to what we profess? How many of us have not faltered?

We naturally lean towards the people we respect, like once upon a time my friend James. The reason why I rejected Solomon, is because I saw a little of myself in him. I could not respect that since I knew I had nothing to offer anyone. How could Solomon’s failed character offer me anything? I ultimately had to relent that Solomon had all the authority he needed. God chose him, and the Holy Spirit illuminated him. For we are told that Solomon authored more than 3000 proverbs, and his wisdom was incomparable to none. Although he failed miserably to live by his own teachings, he was also successful, for he had unparalleled wealth. It was because of his wisdom that Israel prospered and was envied by its neighbors. As God gave Solomon an extraordinary measure of wisdom, we recognize that truth is the truth, and is not dependent upon a sinful human being. Proverbs is God’s Word. In the end, we follow God, not man. Thus, we accept the authority of the proverbs.

2. Know the purpose of the proverbs.

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—” (, ESV)

Now we are going to delve into the purpose of the proverbs, and let’s break this down into three parts. The first part begins with the purpose to teach people wisdom, discipline, and understanding. To teach and to know is noted everywhere in the OT. It includes everything from revealing to teaching. Essentially it means that we ought to receive it, and absorb it like a sponge. We absorb wisdom, which is the skill and ability to do a job. It is with wisdom that the craftsman built the tabernacle and workers prepared Aaron’s garments to be used in the tabernacle. However, wisdom required hard work, and hard work meant discipline. God trained His people through discipline (). So recognize that wisdom is from God, and is only gained from disciplined pursuit. It means that we restraint our foolish desires and put ourselves through fire so that we can develop our God-given abilities. It says that we embrace hardship for the sake of learning. Verse 2 also emphasizes the idea of understanding the words of insight. Proverbs empower the discernment of good and evil, helping correct us from our fallen nature.

The second purpose of Proverbs is to help build people a wise and disciplined life. Receiving instruction in wise dealing means that we recognize the value of it and seize it no matter the costs. Solomon says in , “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” He is suggesting that there is nothing more valuable than wisdom. We are not born wise, nor do you automatically become wise as you get older. As you apply yourself to wisdom, you will gain instruction in wise behavior. As a result, you will know what to do in real life situations. Instead of messing up and fumbling around doing the wrong things in life, proverbs is there for us to be wise in our decisions. We are wise when we do what is right in God’s eyes. We are wise when God’s law governs our decisions. We are wise when we are fair and upright in all that we do.

The third purpose of Proverbs is to teach the simple to make good judgments and to give knowledge to the young. Proverbs offers prudence to the simple or naïve. Naïve is this case is gullible. The gullible are easily seduced by what the world offers. In a world that praises open-mindedness, the gullible become open-minded when it comes evil and error. In order to combat the errors of the world, wisdom helps us from falling into a dark hole. It helps us to discern right from evil companions and to distinguish false beliefs. The teacher of wisdom also teaches the youth knowledge and discretion. Young people are often clueless and without a clear picture of their future. There are people in their 20s and 30s still drifting through life without a plan or goal. The teacher of wisdom wants to give you discretion – the ability to form goals and achieve them.

I have a confession to make. Early in my marriage, I was not feeling it. I felt that I had made a mistake. I felt that marriage was not what I thought it was going to be. I felt that it was not what I signed up for. Allison was born, and things were difficult for my wife and me. Life became busy, and our life changed. My response to my marriage was to try to run away. Do you want to talk about everything that is wrong in what I just explained here, you name it? Biblical wisdom was out of the picture. I wanted to get out, not be put into a straitjacket. I did not want to put the hard work of making things better, I had enough, I wanted to part in discipline. I was gullible and open to a culture that said divorce is OK. It captivated me, and I contemplated. I wanted out, not to be brought back to a life I did not sign up for. I was dangerous because I started to profess and communicate self-made wisdom, I even tried to convince a friend no to get married. I called him up a week before his marriage and told him not to make the same mistake. Instead of encouraging him, I almost ruined his life. It is still on my mind today. Don’t follow the follies of this world, listen to the proverbs of God.

3. Listen to the proverbs

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.” (, ESV)

The day you think you know enough and feel that you had enough learning, is the day of you will atrophy. Socrates, the philosopher, once said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” I say that is the attitude we should have every day. The day you recognize that you do not know jack is the day that humility has befallen you and that God alone has the keys to true wisdom. No matter how old you are, you can never accumulate enough knowledge. Wise people continue to grow and learn. Wise people seek advice and counsel when making decisions. Wise people always want to learn and improve. Wise people remember the book the proverbs as manual for choices in life. Wise people prostrate before God in humility and gain guidance from Proverbs.

People who really want to learn wisdom will work to understand the meaning of riddles, sayings, and parables. Often in the Ancient Near East, elders imparted wisdom using these rhetorical tools. If you seek knowledge and truth contained in the proverbs, you have to stretch your mental abilities. There is a distinction between riddle and parables. Riddles are generally dark sayings in contrast to the parables. Parables were intended to help the understanding of a concept and usually simple enough. Conversely, riddles hid truths from people incapable of receiving them, but reveal to those who were able to obtain them. Jesus used this method quite frequently. As Jesus explains, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (, ESV) The wise want to learn the mysteries, not just for curiosity, but because they know the value of biblical truth. Only those who were willing to put in the time to learn them are worthy of the wisdom.

Many people, myself included, at times are guided by personal feelings. We follow what the world tells us. Many American try to find help in self-help literature, others are more extreme, such as visiting a fortune teller, and things of that nature. Before Christianity, James was my counselor. In my past, I assumed that James what was right most of the time. But that was apparently stupidity. It is interesting that Proverbs warns us into trusting in a man for wisdom. says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (, ESV).

My marriage was not doing well, and I felt that my life was falling apart. Allison, my daughter, was just one year old, and my issue was whether it would be better for myself and I to separate or stay together. I kept telling myself that it would be better to separate so we would stop fighting. I just wanted some normalcy in my life. However, internally, deep within me, I hoped for our marriage to work, but I just couldn’t see the light. Then a friend said, why don’t you come to church with me. It might help you up and give you a different way of looking into things. I had nothing to lose, and I said yes. In that following Sunday, I walked into the neighborhood church, and the pastor gave a little nugget of truth. He said, “Everyone will disappoint you. That is what people do, but God never disappoints. Cling to God, and you’ll find hope.” That simple piece of information began my Christian walk. My Christian walk changed how I saw my marriage and changed my attitude towards the world. I am here to tell you that I am living proof that man’s way leads to death, but God’s truth gives us life.

The challenge is yours. Are you going to cling to God’s wisdom that leads to life? Are you willing to work and discipline yourself to acquire it? I am sure that Towson is giving you a good education, but I am telling you that God’s wisdom is much greater than what Townson will ever provide you. The challenge is yours to seek it!

4. Treasure the key of proverbs.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (, ESV)

The key that unlocks the door of wisdom is stated in verse 7. Many people who seek wisdom reject this key. Instead, they try other methods that will never open the doors to true wisdom. The key to wisdom is, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (, ESV). Fear of the Lord is the foundational truth of all that follows. Fear of the Lord alone reveals the door of wisdom. So, we must understand what fear of the Lord means.

To fear God is to revere Him. God alone is holy and glorious (). God alone is worthy of our respect, for He is righteous. We need to be concerned about displeasing Him. To fear God is to submit to him, turning from selfishness and evil. We cannot be wise in our own eyes and must turn from evil (3:7). We do no assert our own will and acknowledge God’s sovereignty over us. To fear God is to know God, and to know God is to have life (19:23). To fear God is the foundation of our lives. As a house needs a foundation to build upon, fear of God is our foundation; everything else is built upon it.

As we fear God, we can attain wisdom, and wisdom alone is not found in just filling our heads with knowledge. Wisdom requires a relationship with God. A relationship that is only possible through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. For Paul asserts, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (, ESV). Christ is God’s revelation to us, for God revealed Himself and His wisdom in the person of Christ, the very wisdom of God for you and me. Apart from Christ, there is no wisdom ().

If for some of you, fearing God may be an obstacle, I challenge you to rethink it. Verse 7 is clear, don’t be a fool! For fools despise wisdom and instruction. Pray to God that you can overcome your rejection of God, pray to God to embrace discipline and stop wasting your life.

Conclusion

Let’s recap the key points: (1) recognize the authority of the proverbs; (2) know the purpose of the proverbs; (3) listen to the proverbs; and (4) treasure the key of proverbs.

What do you seek? Accumulation of crap, fortune, pleasures through education? It is possible to know a lot and still be a fool. Spurgeon once wrote, “to know is not to be wise.” There are a lot of people learning a whole bunch of facts but remain fools. Schools today no longer teach moral and spiritual values. We have to caution, not to be fascinated by materialism, hedonism. What need is to fear the Lord. Let’s not look at proverbs as merely a practical book for tips, but let us treasure the understanding and applying of God’s wisdom, through Christ. As parents, brothers, and sisters, we have to value the message of Proverbs and take the responsibility to learn and teach others. Let’s be a church unashamed to walk in the path of wisdom by treasuring and declaring God’s truth. Let’s pursue wisdom together!