Prov. 1:1-7, Distinctives of Wisdom (2)

Let us work hard as we continue to consider the nature of wisdom.  This is critical to our ability to please our Creator and to “get it right” in life.

·       v4: prudence: the idea here is to be shrewd or crafty.  This has a bad and good connotation.  A criminal might be shrewd; but one who desires to know wisdom is prudent or resourceful in finding things out.

·       v4: simple: this refers to someone who is foolish in the sense of being open to anything that comes along.  You cannot be wise if you are unwilling to hear or discern the truth.

·       v4: discretion: the root idea is to devise something.  As with prudence this term has good and evil uses.  The wicked devise evil; the righteous devise a way out of evil.

·       v5: attain: this is gaining something by paying the required price.  Gaining wisdom requires the price of diligence and humility.

·       v5: wise counsel: the wise get guidance and advice from others who are wise.

Verse 5 draws some things together.  The “wise man” (the one with wisdom, v2) increases in “learning” (that which is received or acquired in v3).  The man of “understanding” (perception in v2) will “pay the price” (do what is necessary), to get good counsel.  This is seen throughout Proverbs: those who have a good understanding of life are those who are willing to pay the price of hard work.  Finding the richest wisdom requires hard work, like finding the richest of gems (Prov. 2:4).

Verse 6 speaks of what this book by Solomon contains that we are to understand (perceive, as in v2).  They are proverbs  (parables or sentences with wisdom), enigmas (mocking songs, which is what wisdom is to fools), words of the wise, and riddles (difficult or perplexing issues).  Wisdom is increasing as we grow in the practical knowledge of such things.

We have learned about the nature of “wisdom”.  We should ask if we have such a view of these things, and a desire to “acquire” this wisdom.  To become wise one must humble himself with the thought that he is not as wise as he should be.  The Bible has many illustrations that contrast wisdom and foolishness: Cain and Abel, Abraham and Lot, David and Goliath, and so forth.  In our own lives we may know of people who seemed exceptionally wise or foolish.  And likely we can point to choices we have already made in our lives that were either foolish or wise.  We must recognize our need and ask if we are willing to pay the price.

  The truth is, however, that apart from the teaching of verse 7, no one will actually have the deep desire for this wisdom.  Let us return tomorrow to consider how a life of wisdom must begin.