The Path Of Wisdom & Life Series

PROVERBS 2:9-22

THE PATH OF WISDOM AND LIFE

A newspaper cartoon shows an AUTOMOBILE BALANCING PRECARIOUSLY over the edge of a cliff, with an embarrassed husband at the wheel and his disgusted wife sitting next to him. Meekly, he says to his wife, "Honey, there's got to be a lesson here somewhere."

There's a lesson there all right, and it's this: The only way to end up at the right destination is to choose the right road. If you've ever made a wrong turn in a strange place and found yourself lost, then you know how important that lesson is.

The metaphor of life as a journey is a familiar one. It is found in the Bible as well as in classical literature. The Odyssey of Homer describes Ulysses' ten-year journey from Troy to his home in Ithaca, and Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is an account of Christian's journey from the City of Destruction to the heavenly city. The Bible frequently exhorts us to choose the right path, but the contemporary world thinks there are "many ways to God" and any path you sincerely follow will eventually take you there.

Jesus made it clear that in this life we can take only one of two ways, and each of them leads to a different destination. Everybody has to choose either the crowded road that leads to destruction or the narrow road that leads to life (Mt. 7:13-14). There's no middle or alternative way.

In the Book of Proverbs, the words "path" and "way" (and their plurals) are found nearly 100 times (KJV). Wisdom is not only a person to love, but wisdom is also a path to walk. It is while we walk with God that we learn to enjoy the blessings of God (CIM).

I. Additional Blessings 9-11.

II. Deliverance from The Evil Man 12-15.

III. Deliverance from the Strange Woman 16-19.

IV. Walking in the Land of the Living 20-22.

Once we kneel in awe of the Lord and have heart knowledge that leads us to walk in His Way, then we become recipients of The Jewels that wisdom offers. Verse 9 reveals the priceless jewel that those who attain wisdom also know what is right and just. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity (honesty) and every "good course" (path).

Then again indicating that if we will do our part, verses 1-4, then God will do His part. He holds discernment in store for those that incline their heart to seek, understand and cry out for discernment. There is a price to pay for gaining spiritual wisdom but a greater price to pay if we don't gain it.

What you discern from your walk with God is righteousness, justice, equity (honesty) and every good path (four direct objects). It is only this sound wisdom gained from walking with God in holy awe that will perfect a man and lead him in the paths of righteousness and supply what he needs for every good work.

Verse 10 teaches us that wisdom abides in the heart and from there instructs the soul. "For wisdom will enter your heart, And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;"

"If you will receive my sayings, And treasure my commandments within you,

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;

For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hidden treasures..." (2:1-4)

Then, after this striving, wisdom will enter--make its dwelling place--in your heart and then enjoyment and rest which comes from true knowledge will be yours. The heart is the center of the intellect, will and emotions. Head knowledge is dry, speculative and barren. When wisdom is taken to heart it engages fruitful reasoning, positive actions and a joyful attitude.

This is not just changing from external wickedness to formal decency. It is a life which is built not from external conformity but from internal convictions. It is a coming to God to be touched, stirred, in the core of your being instead of only wanting the ears tickled.

Verse 11teaches that wisdom's companions protects those who possess it. "Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you."

"Discretion" is the capacity to make well considered actions, to tell right from wrong. Naturally, if we have and use discretion, it will guard what we do and say. Discretion will take those who need it under protection. If it is exercised, it helps us evaluate courses of action and their long range consequences (Heb. 5:14).

"Understanding" is the capacity to bring the right knowledge together to make the correct choice or decision. Internal wisdom will give protecting direction in the daily walk of life.

Toward the close of World War II, ALLIED FORCES were mopping up against remaining Nazi resistance. One particular unit was assigned a crucial mission in Berlin. Each soldier had to memorize a map detailing all of Berlin's important military sites--and they had to do it in a single night! In just a few hours, each soldier in the unit had committed the map to memory. The mission was a success.