Proverbs 2
To discuss Proverbs 2, I’ll begin in James. “But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22
The second chapter of Proverbs lays out a lot of things for us to “do”. It also lists how God promises to respond to our ‘doing’.
Verse one jumps right into action:
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commandments within you.…” “Receive” and “treasure” set the tone for the instructions to follow.
The Hebrew word for ”receive” has interesting synonyms that include buy, carry away, infold and use. “Treasure” implies the value of what is to come. Treasure that is so valuable it needs to be hidden and guarded.
I believe Solomon is saying these instructions should not be read casually, for information’s sake only, but with the intention of incorporating these actions and principles into our lives…. And, to eagerly anticipate God’s response.
David knew the value of the treasure. “Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:11
Verses 2 through 4 give clear commands. “Incline your ear,” “Apply your heart,” “Cry out,” “Life up your voice,” “Seek and search.”
This receiving requires effort, including passionate prayer! This is a treasure hunt!
The effort is more than worth it. When e catch a glimpse of the treasure, we will rejoice that He has given us clear directions to it.
Each time you see the word “will” read it as God’s promise to accomplish what He starts. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6
Verse 5 begins to reveal the treasure. When you do all these things, then “You will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
The fear of the Lord is foundational to our walk. It is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and part of the sevenfold Spirit of God, found in Isaiah 11:1-3, that rests upon Jesus our righteous branch. In this passage we learn too that He delights in the fear of the Lord.
God responds when we “search for Him with all of our hearts…” Jeremiah 29:13
God promises we will understand the fear of the lord, and find the knowledge of God. He is the TREASURE! We encounter the Living God! He gets involved with us!
Verse 6, He gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge, and understanding.
Verse 7, He has stores of sound (workable, useable) wisdom for us. He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.
Verse 8, He guards the paths of justice and preserves the way of His saints.
Verse 9 “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and every good path.”
Later in Proverbs we read “wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
Our Father leaves nothing out. While walking this journey of discovery, God is our shield, and guardian, as well as our teacher. He gives understanding to know how to live in the knowledge He reveals. He walks with us on our treasure hunt, and encourages us as we continue.
Verses 10 and 11 describe some results of pursuing the treasure of God’s presence. “When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you.”
When you savor the wisdom God speaks to you, it enters your heart. Knowledge of God delights you as you experience His presence. The discretion and understanding we take hold of become our protection from the temptations we face.
Verses 12-15 “To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths;”
Note the contrast between Jesus, in Isaiah 11, delighting in the fear of the Lord, and those who delight in the perversity of the wicked. What we delight in determines our path. That choice is entirely in our control. God has given us free will. We choose where we put our energy and how we use our time. The enemy can make the wrong choices very enticing. Knowledge of the Lord, and His word, are our protection.
Verses 16-22 “To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. For her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead; None who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life. So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness.For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it: but the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it. ”
In the following passage from Psalms, we see the downward progression of choices that lead us away from God; Walking in wicked counsel, standing in the way of sinners, to finally sitting in the seat of the scornful. But those who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it are feeding on truth and walking into fruitfulness.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth it’s fruit in it’s season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper. ” Psalm 1:1-3
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.“ Psalm 37:4
Ask yourself:
- What am I choosing to delight in?
- What does the fruit look like that grows from my choices?
- Does the path I am following lead me closer to the Lord, or away from Him?
Pray with me.
Father, help me realize the choices I make everyday contribute to the fruit my life exhibits. Show me how to follow Jesus by choosing to delight in You, Your Word and Your ways. Holy Spirit, please teach me your word. Teach me to delight in the fear of You. Amen
Additional scriptures to study;
“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
”But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26