Proverbs Devotion - Day 2

While chapter 1 of Proverbs is a prologue for the entire book, chapter 2 introduces some themes that will reoccur in the following chapters (even the whole book). This chapter addresses the value of wisdom in the life of one who follows the Lord. We all have hopes, dreams, goals, and desires for our life. Chapter 2 of Proverbs tells us that our greatest passion in life should be wisdom and, upon having it, what impact it can have for our life. 

The chapter breaks down into two sections. The first section is the importance and reward for seeking wisdom (verses 1-11). The second section explains the protection that wisdom provides and the consequences if wisdom is eschewed (verses 12-22). 

At the beginning, Solomon is encouraging his son to to seek out wisdom. Several encouragements are provided: if you truly seek out wisdom, then you will be rewarded in your life and in your relationship with God. Solomon says if his son (and really any believer) will desire wisdom, if you seek it like silver, then you will receive a great reward. You will understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge of God. This word “knowledge” isn’t just facts about God, but rather to know God intimately, closely, and relationally. Essentially, Solomon says if you seek wisdom you will find God! Likewise, in pursuing to know God, you will receive wisdom. So, this should be challenge to us. Do we truly desire to know God in a relationship with Him? Daily time in His word and in prayer? That is what this reading plan is here to help you do: to be a tool to help you grow in your fellowship with the Lord each day. 

In verse 10, we see the granting of wisdom. If we pursue Him, God will give Himself to us! What a gift wisdom is to His people! Wisdom is not about being “intelligent” but rather walking and living in righteousness. Solomon says that wisdom will impact your heart. Proverbs is not about mere behavior modification. It’s about heart transformation that only comes from the power of God which gives us eyes to see and ears to hear. That’s the only way we can seek wisdom, to receive it, and to follow it. In order to change your life, you must first seek to hear the voice of the Lord (vertically) and when you do, He will bless you with wisdom to help you live wisely in the world with others (horizontally).

The second section focuses on the outflow of wisdom, both the positive and the negative, personified through evil men and evil women. First, wisdom will deliver you from the way of evil men of perverted speech. This is any kind of ungodly thoughts, practices, philosophies, and ways of the unbelieving world. Even though we follow Jesus, we are still living in the world and, every moment, we are constantly bombarded by all kinds of messages that says it’s all about you, do what feels good, do what brings you pleasure, make yourself happy, are all constant messages. Our fallen flesh loves the self-serving focus and it tempts us with believing those messages. But wisdom helps us recognize the messages for what they are: crooked, perverse, and ultimately from darkness. We need to feed our hearts with the wisdom of God so His voice and His Spirit speaks louder than the evil. 

But not only the words of evil men but also the adulteress woman. Solomon isn’t speaking of men or women specifically but rather personifying the ways of the world. In fact, the woman of folly will be a theme that Solomon returns to later in the book. But Solomon warns his son from being lured away to sexual sin but, really, any sin that ultimately takes him away from the paths of life. Wisdom demonstrates the ultimate fruitlessness and destructiveness of lust’s flattery and lies so that temptation can be evaded and instead it will provide the blessing and joy of knowing God. 

So brothers and sisters, may we keep our heart desiring to know God each day through His word and ask Him to help you not only to seek wisdom but ask Him to give you discernment to recognize and obey His voice among all the worldly ones so you can enjoy His promises and joy and avoid the outcome of the wicked.