A Tale of Two Ladies--Lady Wisdom Proverbs 4

 

King Solomon starts this chapter with "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching."  As Solomon is thinking back in time to when his own father, King David,  taught him all about the commandments and the life they bring, he is also likely considering future generations--sons and grandsons and great-grandsons. (And granddaughters.  But when Solomon was writing Proverbs, typically only boys and men were taught to read.)  He wants his good teaching passed down.  A father may pass down a lot of things--in King Solomon's case, his royal blood, the throne, the crown, the kingdom would pass to his descendants.  But above all, he wants wisdom--the fear of the LORD--to be the highest prize.  He essentially says "If you hear nothing else from me, hear this...number one, get wisdom.  And whatever you do, get insight."   

The word "get" is repeated 6 times in 4:5-9.  Solomon is warning his son that he can't ride on the coattails of his father's wisdom.  Solomon can teach and instruct, but the son eventually has to choose wisdom (or folly) for himself.   The father longs for the son to have unhindered steps, growth and life;  light of dawn, progress without stumbling; eternal life.   He wants him to avoid the path of the wicked--tripping and falling; darkness and evil; violence, evil plotting in place of restful sleep; and finally eternal death.   In Proverbs 1, we learned the teachings of the parents is a graceful garland on the head and pendants on the neck.  In Proverbs 4, we learn it's wisdom that put them there. 

I wonder if the son is saying "I know, Dad, you've told me the same thing a million times!!!!!"  The king, a man prone to wander himself, pleads with him to listen again, to listen as many times as it takes for it to sink in that wisdom isn't interested in part commitment.  He needs to commit his heart to it, because out of the heart flows the springs of life.  He needs to commit his mouth to it, because crooked speech is a hallmark of the crooked path of foolishness.  He needs to commit to his eyes to wisdom, looking always forward to the prize and the goal.  And he needs to commit his feet to wisdom, taking deliberate, careful steps.  Remember--wisdom is the template--the pattern AND the trophy--the prize!!

We will move on to learn about Lady Folly on Friday (2/10/23).  We are not leaving Lady Wisdom behind (today, tomorrow, or ever!!); she will have her say, always calling out to give you a way to escape Lady Folly.  It's important that we recognize the enemy and her evil tactics.  May our wise King keep our hearts guarded and our steps sure as we step out to meet Lady Folly in the streets.