What does it mean to be a worshiper? The Book of Proverbs will be teaching us for the next month. We need to be able to answer that question, because from the beginning of time it has been God’s mission to make human beings in the image of Christ—a speaking spirit and a true worshiper of God. So, to be a worshiper is to be Christ-centered in our nature and character. Essentially, we live like Christ.
Since the Word of God is brought to life by the Spirit, we need to make sure we are focused on and looking for the revelation of Christ in our readings, because in them we will see the heart of our worship Leader—the Christ. Therefore, a relationship with Christ is the Way to Wisdom and as we trust him we will learn how to navigate our lives.
Since we are looking for Christ and not just practical tips for living, the Bible is the focus of our study. We are looking to grow in our relationship with God; so we need to prepare ourselves by being willing to dig deeper beyond what we think we already know about God. Worshipers are interested in restoring harmony with God and that means we gain a hunger for the transformation he alone can perform.
In our passage from yesterday, we stopped with verse 7, but I hope you kept reading the whole chapter. If not, please do so today, before moving on. The pulse of vv. 8-33 is to draw attention to the two paths in life: 1) a wise (righteous) path, and 2) a foolish (evil) path.
Solomon teaches his son to follow the righteous path, because the evil way is a path of violence and robbery which destroys life and separates a person from God’s presence. Stealing is a sin. A greedy spirit is sinful. Evil people will suffer the consequences of their sin; reap what has been sown. So, repentance is key! Wise people want to please God and know he will protect and guide them to good things.
In our passage today, we will look at Chapter 2. Jesus is the only one who can rescue and save us from living foolishly. Sometimes it looks like foolish people are getting ahead, but God’s Word teaches us the Lord will turn the tables. Wisdom is a Person—Jesus—so we need to accept him as the Wisdom of God.
Jesus has promised to be our Shepherd and Guide, so listening is wisdom when it comes to forming a relationship with Christ. The Lord is not trying to withhold good things from us; instead, he is seeking to protect us from the things he knows will destroy us or lead us away from God. The Spirit is the Voice of Truth, so we need to listen and allow ourselves to receive instruction and even correction. It all happens by faith and choice—a gift to receive and fear or respect for God’s ways.
Human flesh has a voice and tries to direct individual lives, as well. So, Solomon exhorts his son to commit his way to Wisdom—Christ. Solomon knows moral failure and the power of temptation, so he wants more for his son. Satan is a thief and he is behind every act of evil.
Proverbs 2:1-22 NLT Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7
He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
12
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13
who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14
who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15
whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
16
Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17
who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18
Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19
None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.
20
Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21
For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22
but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
Prayer: Lord, we have all been foolish; so, thank you for Jesus who makes it possible for us to be forgiven, as well as to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. We know turning toward Wisdom is trusting the Spirit to transform us and help us follow your covenant commands of love. Our moral behavior and choices matter to our relationship with you. We need to live like Jesus who as a Son listened to his Father. If we find ourselves trying to justify our sin, Lord, we know we have not been listening to Wisdom. It is clear if we reject Wisdom, we reject the Lord Yahweh. In Jesus’ name. Amen.