Learn and Value Wisdom for Life

Proverbs 4:1-13

1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
2 For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.

3 When I was my father's son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 He also taught me, and said to me:
"Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.

Learn and value wisdom to gain life.  This learning begins with listening when being taught by godly men, whether by a godly parent or one coming alongside to disciple.  We must give our attention with a strong desire to learn understanding of God and His word to understand ourselves in His eyes of wrath and grace, however.  It is not automatic osmosis learned in a kind of sleep as we barely hear, let alone hear and heed what wisdom we are being taught.  This active and intentional learning is the basis of wisdom learned from the understanding which comes from God’s word.  Of course this implies that we are doers of the word and not mere listeners either as James 1:22 and Romans 2:13-14 tell us plainly.  Solomon had learned from his father to hear and heed God’s word which he was taught, and remembered how David had told him to treasure the scriptures in his heart in order to live in obedience to all God said, for that is where life and godliness originate (Psalm 37:31, 119:11, 162, 1 Timothy 4:8).  The command and plea from God to you and me is to get wisdom and understanding!  Learn from God through the hearing, reading, studying, and meditation on the scriptures.  This is an intentional effort and daily discipline to learn from God how to live wisely and in a way that honors and glorifies Him, which is impossible to do apart from that acquired learning from His word.  God’s Spirit does not speak out of the blue sky without the word being shown as the basis of His revelation already given and written down as a record of His will for us.  May we apply ourselves to learning from him then out of the Bible He has given us.  Then we are taught by Solomon here to not forget these words (2 Corinthians 3:18, James 1:23-25); keeping them preserves us, loving them keeps us.  Wisdom is the goal, that wise application of our understanding of all God has revealed to us that we might live according to His word and will for His glory.  This is real understanding, not just fact gathering and doctrinal assent.  Yes, we put this godly wisdom up high as a guidepost and not an altar to burn incense to, seeking that crown of grace by God’s goodness as seen there, a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4) that does not fade away as rote learning does.  We are reminded to hear and receive the word of God, not only for salvation from wrath (John 1:12), but also for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) in our sanctification as He leads and guides us for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3, 31:3) in the way of wisdom.  He will guide our steps (Isaiah 30:21) according to the wisdom of His word by the understanding of His Spirit living in us to keep us from stumbling (Jude 1:24) as we take firm hold of instruction and keep this wisdom from His word as life itself.  This is how we learn and value wisdom for life!