Life isn’t easy, is it? The holiday season comes to an end, the credit card debt needs to be followed up, often, these are times when counseling and financial consultation are most acquired based on statistics and census reports.
We may be able to retreat from the battle for a little while, but life is full of complex situations that make us feel like we are in the middle of a machine gun arsenal of World War 3. I would even suggest that we live in perhaps the most complex time in history! That could be a compilation of minor issues to major issues such as.
- Serious terminal illness.
- Loss of an intimate relationship,
- Nation at the rage in globalization,
- In the nonstop anxious digital world,
- Hurry culture that idolizes technology,
Obstacles in life: how do we find a “way” around those? Should we run and hide? Can we bulldoze through those obstacles? Or just face and freeze in the face of navigating through the way of life?
Don’t we need wisdom to navigate through those obstacles of life? How to be sane during all life’s changes and circumstances? Proverbs gives us great wisdom to help us through all life circumstances.
1. The Purpose of Wisdom
The quest for wisdom is the same ancient story of all mankind, isn’t it? Proverbs is one of the most practical books in the Bible. There are about 900 proverbs which he takes advantage of and explains what it means to, “walk in the way of wisdom”
Solomon lays out the purpose of wisdom is for this sole purpose, FEAR GOD! “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov 1:7).
We live in a world that seems like it has so little regard for God. That’s the problem with America! We have turned away from our founding fathers who have led the way.
Wisdom will also protect you from such as sexual immorality and sinful lust such as Proverbs 5 and 7 that warns men to stay away from the adulterous women which says, “Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.” (Prov 7:26-27).
2. The Righteous Living as Wise Men
A man told me once that stuck with me, “Life is a series of choices” That stuck with me, cause that’s true, isn’t it?
Solomon speaks of two dichotomies in contrast: (1) Lady wisdom vs. (2) Madam Folly. Lady Wisdom here speaks of this asking, “Which Road will you take?” as her other seductive sister Lady Folly stands in the way.
I love the Proverbs because they are short and helpful observations about life. Here are my few favorite proverbs that I am sure you all are familiar with.
- “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” (Prov 10:19).
- “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Prov 14:12).
- “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov 15:1).
- “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Prov 16:9).
- “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov 17:17).
- “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov 17:22).
- “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor” (Prov 18:12).
- “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov 22:6).
- “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov 27:17).
- “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov 28:13).
Someone asked me recently, “Jonathan, what’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom?” That is one great question! What is the difference? Wisdom is the idea that you have skills for living. If you would, practical knowledge that helps one live uprightly before the lord.
When you have wisdom, you live “rightly” which means, you’re a righteous man. Therefore, a wise man is a man with righteousness. A righteous man is a man of wisdom.
Church Swindle once said, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
3. The Words of Wisdom from Two Gentlemen
When we read Proverbs 30-31, these two authors here are NOT Solomon but Agur and Lemuel. For those who do not know, Solomon is the 3rd kind during the United Kingdom era.
(1) Saul: who had NO heart.
(2) David: who had a WHOLE heart.
(3) Solomon: who had a HALF heart.
Solomon did ask for one thing from God, which God pours his favor and grace because of his heart that was in tune with God. “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king” (2 Chro 1:11).
Therefore, God gifted Solomon with the gift of wisdom like no other. That is the reason Solomon often is referred to as the wisest man who ever lived. The wisdom he has shown in 1 Kings 3:16-28 with two mothers who claimed to be their child, he applied “knowledge” into “action” which was an incredible site.
As we think of very complex situation, we not to be thinking in the framework of right vs. wrong but more so in the framework of being wise vs. foolish.
Make it a Habit to Read God’s Word
We all need wisdom, don’t we? How do we get it? By reading the Bible, praying the Bible, singing the Bible, meditating on the Bible, memorizing the Bible, obeying the Bible, preaching the Bible, being transformed by the Bible, and living out the Bible.
As we begin the new year, let’s make it our aim to make a New Year’s resolution to be committed to reading the Bible! Make it your goal to read 1 chapter of Proverbs each day as Proverbs has 31 chapters.
You may be thinking, “Well, that seems overwhelming Jonathan! I don’t know how I can do it.” I often tell people the old African Proverbs, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”
It is doable to read the Bible. I have not yet met a single person who regretted reading through the Bible. I quite honestly meet quite regularly who say, “I don’t pray enough” or “I don’t read the Bible enough” so let’s make this our aim this year. Let’s grow and walk in wisdom together as we commit to biblical literacy together.
Why? Wise people are Christ-like people. Proverbs say wise people are generous (Prov 19:17), wise people bring blessing (Prov 11:25), and wise people are truthful and honest (Prov 12:17).