His Ambassador Blog

Proverbs is a book known for its applicable wisdom. Written by Solomon, the son of David and the third king of Israel. The Lord told Solomon that He would give him anything that He asked for. Instead of asking for riches, power, or anything of these sorts, Solomon asked for wisdom and the Lord greatly blessed him with such. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs so for the next 31 days of May we’re going to take a look at the wisdom in each one. 

Chapter One: A foundation of wisdom, the way of wisdom, and the call of wisdom.

“A wise man will hear, and will increase in learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (v.1)

Solomon had a beautiful gift from the Lord and that gift was wisdom. This is not a material thing that can be held but rather a treasure even greater. In this first chapter Solomon spells out three key points that we’re going to see today which are: the foundation of wisdom, the way of wisdom, and the call of wisdom.

A Foundation of Wisdom

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”(v.7)

It might be easy to first look at this principle as a step in the process. Once you get wisdom then you move on to the next thing. But the word ‘beginning’ here has more of a connotation of ‘foundation’ rather than ‘step’ or ‘level one’. We do not move on from wisdom, it is not something we gain automatically but gradually as the Lord teaches us and we gain in life experience. While wisdom is not only for your grandfather who’s spent his whole life learning, making mistakes, and growing, there is value in the wisdom of those that have many years on us. But don’t write off those who are younger just because of their age, the Lord gives wisdom to those who ask. Solomon is writing to his son and tells him in the verses following to hear this instruction and listen to the wisdom that his parents have to offer him. We should be teachable people not only in our childhood, but well into adulthood as well. A mark of true wisdom is being able to learn from mistakes and to take advice from those who have lived more than we have. As the verse says, to despise instruction and teaching is to be a fool. 

As Christians we are to act with wisdom. Our decisions and actions should be rooted in the wisdom of the Lord. This looks like making plans that revolve around the word of the Lord. It looks like seeking God through prayer and fasting before making decisions. Let’s take a deep dive into the way of wisdom.

The Way of Wisdom

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.”(v.10, 15-16)

A person with wisdom as their foundation will naturally walk in the way of wisdom, but what does this entail? Walking wisely is fleeing from evil. We have to be careful of the company that we surround ourselves with. It is easier to fall into sin when those around us are also sinning. There will be people trying to entice you to join them in their evil doings. But you get a choice on whether or not to join them. Someone said, “Not even the devil himself can lead a man to sin unless he consents.” The Lord has given us the power to overcome temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” We have a choice on whether or not to give into the temptations of this world. The Lord provides us with wisdom to know when to flee. You’ll find it easier if you do not even walk in the way of those who do evil. There is a difference in loving the lost and becoming like them. Those who do not have wisdom will run to evil, but wisdom pushes you to run to goodness.

The Call of Wisdom

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”(v20, 23, 32-33)

The word uses a woman as the symbol of wisdom. Picture her calling in the street, inviting you to join her, and gaurunteeing blessings and goodness. She is like a guide, leading you to the right way. Wisdom wants to find us. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” If you want wisdom, as for it! The Lord wants to bless you in this way. It’s critically important not to fall prey to foolish ignorance and pride that keeps us from the correction that wisdom brings to us, as we see in the last half of chapter one. The verses describe to us how wisdom works, it is not something you ask for and it is immediately recieved within your soul. It is a built-up thing and those fools who rejected the call of wisdom cannot gain it when they are in the midst of destruction. When they’ve ruined everything around them they will reach for wisdom, but they will nto find it. The end result of foolishness and a life lived without direction from God is death and destruction.One final thing I’d like to note from this chapter is that fear of the Lord is where true wisdom comes from. This fear is a healthy respect and reverence for our Creator. You cannot know wisdom without knowing God, He is wisdom. When you have a proper respect and love for God, you will begin to understand the importance of correction and redirection, and from that, wisdom.