“Hear, my son, your
father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a
graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not
consent. If they say, ‘Come with us, let
us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;’…Such are
the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of
its possessors. 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.” -Proverbs 1:8-11, 19, 20, 23
(ESV).
All
of Proverbs 1:8 through 9:18 is a father’s invitation to his son to seek
wisdom. This appeal takes several turns,
and especially is noted in ten different entreaties in addition to the initial
invitation in 1:8. I like to imagine
that Solomon, who is the wise person normally attributed as author of this section
of Proverbs, although a king and responsible for a realm to govern, sits down
with his son and with wise and fatherly advice gives him instruction in what is
important in life. Seeking wisdom is one
of the primary pursuits if one is to succeed.
The Hebrew word for wisdom is “hokma.” It has a variety of meanings and covers
both physical skills and intellectual abilities. It can be translated wisdom, aptitude,
experience, good sense, skill, insight. Wisdom
is coupled with such qualities as understanding and knowledge. Waxing poetic,
the writer of Proverbs says that his father’s instruction and his mother’s
teaching are as a “graceful garland for
your head and pendants for your neck.” Wanting
to emphasize the value of wisdom, the wise father likened it to a crown upon
the son’s head and a beautiful necklace about the neck—both noticeable because
of their placement, complementary to the costume and to the person. The wise father knew, also, that in the world
would be people who would seek to entice the son away from the wise teachings
of his parents. He warned the youth
about these and also about becoming greedy and seeking “unjust gain.” An inordinate
love for money—both how it is gained and how it is considered, can easily “take away the life of the possessor.” We are reminded of the wise teaching of
Paul to his son in the ministry in II Timothy 6:10: “”The
love of money is the root of all kinds of evils.”
Early
in the book of Proverbs, the writer sets the contrast between wisdom and folly,
good and evil. He wanted his son to
understand unequivocally the strength of wisdom and righteousness in contrast
to ignorance, evil and folly. In
Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom is personified and is seen crying out in the streets,
market places, and city gates. We could take this to mean that wisdom is needed
in every area of life, and that wisdom’s voice can be heard if people will heed
and follow. Wisdom can even ‘pour out her spirit” on those who will
listen. Wisdom is a quality rooted in
the fear of the Lord (as noted in 1:7 and 1:28), then the Lord can indeed pour
out His spirit on those who fear Him and seek wisdom from Him. The good news about seeking wisdom is that
the seeker will be duly and bountifully rewarded. Note this promise in Proverbs 1:33: “Whoever
listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of
disaster.”
The
son admonished to seek wisdom had a wise instructor—his own father; and by the
text we can infer that his mother, too, gave wise counsel. Fortunate the children who are brought up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord and are encouraged to seek wisdom. It takes a special dedication to be firm and
yet loving parents. If you had this nourishing,
thank God for it now. If you exercised
this type of parenting, be grateful that you did so. Your children will rise up and call you
blessed and they will “dwell secure
without dread of disaster.” This is
God’s promise and He keeps His promises.
And we can rejoice, saying: “Yea, we have a goodly heritage!” (Psalm 16:6b)
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