Cherishing the Path of Wisdom

{Proverbs 4:5-7, 26-27}

Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.

Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

[Rev. Paul Kim]

Wisdom is to value wisdom.

Desire wisdom, in contrast to our society

As a society, we don't really desire wisdom. We seek fame, fortune, comfort, gadgets... not really wisdom. There is a Ten Commandments of America Culture which describes what our society. Notice that wisdom is missing. We have movies on romance, bravery, freedom... but wisdom?

Wisdom recognizes our own ignorance and foolishness

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (3:5)

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (3:7)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (12:15)

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him (26:12)

Gospel Reminder: A weak and humble posture.

This reminds us of our needfulness. We are not self-sufficient. We are like children... like beggars. We cannot boast in ourselves. Both the Gospel & wisdom share the same posture.

Wisdom chooses wisdom, repeatedly down a path

delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,

(2:12-13)

I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.

(4:11-13)

We learn how to frame the issue

We have before us the path. We have a choice between wisdom and folly. It is not just a set of perspectives, but the worldview or perspective of Proverbs. It shows us how to view the choices. When we run into temptations and choices, the view of Proverbs helps us to see the issue clearly.

We choose repeatedly

We are constantly being tempted. We must not forsake the teaching. Not depart from the path of wisdom. There is a repetition and constancy to the choices thrown at us.

We can see the trajectory

Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.

(4:26)

[the adulteress]
she does not ponder the path of life;
her ways wander, and she does not know it.

(5:6)

There is a final destination at the end of the road. Each decision results in a step which results in a path... which will end in a destination. We have lived long enough to see the results of our choices. What happens when someone turns on the TV day after day for 10 years? What if someone read for 15 minutes every day for 10 years? (They would have read about 200 books.)

Gospel Reminder: take Gospel steps to a loving, free, intimate relationship with God

What is the best final destination? A loving, worshipful relationship with God. To be freed by the love, grace, & acceptance of God.